London’s Retro Revival: Why Vintage Armchairs and Sofas Still Rule Retro chairs and sofas have been part of my life for years. When I was a kid my nan had this battered armchair. The arms were shiny from years of elbows, but it had heart. In the days of smoky pubs and jazz clubs, you didn’t buy throwaway chairs. Chairs lived longer than flats. That history clings to vintage pieces. I rescued a battered armchair from outside a shop in Peckham.
Some would’ve laughed at the state of it, but as soon as I sat down it felt right. It’s carried me through late nights and lazy Sundays. You can tell the area by the chairs. Chelsea leans plush, with grand accent chairs. Hackney keeps it raw, site with bold fabrics. Every corner tells a different story. New furniture looks dead next to vintage. Vintage finds age with dignity. They’re not perfect, but neither are we. When it comes down to it, an old funky accent chair means more than new gloss.
Your seat should outlast the years. If you’re scrolling catalogue sites, step into a dusty warehouse. Save a battered seat, and let it grow with you.
Some would’ve laughed at the state of it, but as soon as I sat down it felt right. It’s carried me through late nights and lazy Sundays. You can tell the area by the chairs. Chelsea leans plush, with grand accent chairs. Hackney keeps it raw, site with bold fabrics. Every corner tells a different story. New furniture looks dead next to vintage. Vintage finds age with dignity. They’re not perfect, but neither are we. When it comes down to it, an old funky accent chair means more than new gloss.
