QuestionsCategory: QuestionsWalk through Portobello Market and you’ll find retro sofas piled high. They’re marked and scarred, but that’s what makes them magic
Cathryn Farris asked 2 weeks ago

Why Retro Furniture Still Beats Flat-Pack in London I’ve always had a soft spot for old furniture. Growing up, there was a sofa in our house that had seen it all. The fabric was torn but held together, but it had heart. When the East End was full of voices, people kept things for decades. You’d go second-hand instead of brand new. It’s in the weight of the wood. I dragged a velvet armchair home from Camden. The legs were wobbling, but I knew straight away it had something.

It’s become part of my story. You can tell the area by the chairs. Belgravia keeps it polished, with plush seating. Brixton thrives on colour, with funky retro chairs. The contrast keeps it alive. Modern flat-pack doesn’t hold a candle. Vintage finds grow with you. They’re not perfect, but neither are we. When it comes down to it, a battered sofa tells more truth than any showroom. custom furniture designs should live with you.

So next time you’re tempted by something new, take a look at what’s already lived. Pick up a retro armchair, and see how it shapes your nights.