First year in London was chaos. The carpet smelled like beer, but we built it piece by piece. Flat-pack breaks too quick, so we bartered with old dealers. We carried a wingback through Dalston. Everything mismatched, but that’s what made it real. Funky retro seating has character, and we care more about story than gloss. I’ve hosted ten people on one sagging retro sofa, and the chairs became mates. Shoreditch is perfect for unique armchair this life, and dealers live for it.

We wandered past Smithers one Saturday, and the accent chairs were bold and contemporary leather armchair weird. we were broke students, but that chair still sits in the flat. We’ve all shoved sofas through windows. it’s what makes memories. Retro sofas don’t care if you spill. Brand-new looks boring, but retro lasts. every creak is another laugh. Looking back after twelve months, the stress disappears, but the vintage pieces carry the whole story. When you start student life, ignore the fake polish.

Make space for a classic seat, and let it carry your student nights.