First year in London was chaos. The windows rattled in the wind, but we filled it with life. Forget glossy showrooms, so we grabbed second-hand. I spotted a funky armchair on Brick Lane. Everything mismatched, but that’s what made it real. Chairs with scars feel stronger, and we don’t need polish, we need real. I’ve hosted ten people on one sagging retro sofa, vintage style armchair and the chairs became mates. Markets spill chairs onto the streets, and designers take inspiration from it.

My flatmate dragged me into Smithers, and the vintage armchairs carried scars I loved. money was tight, but it’s become the throne of the house. We’ve all begged friends for lifts. it’s half the fun. Accent chairs don’t flinch when four people pile on. Flat-pack won’t last a term, but funky chairs grow with you. Every scratch adds more story. Looking back after twelve months, the cracked window gets forgotten, sofa with accent chair but you remember the sofa. When you think furniture, don’t waste time on the soulless new.

Pick up a vintage style leather armchair armchair, and see how it shapes your memories.