London’s Retro Revival: couch and accent chairs Why Vintage Armchairs and Sofas Still Rule I can’t walk past a retro armchair without stopping for a look. The family armchair was covered in throws but still solid. The fabric and leather couches was torn but held together, accent chair and sofa but it told a story. When London was swinging, an armchair wasn’t just a seat. Chairs lived longer than flats. It’s in the creak when you shift. I dragged a velvet armchair home from Camden.
It weren’t pretty at first glance, but the history spoke louder than the flaws. It’s outlasted three flats and two relationships. You can tell the area by the chairs. Belgravia keeps it polished, with buttoned wingbacks. Hackney keeps it raw, with mismatched sofas. It’s the mix that makes it all work. Showroom sofas don’t talk back. Retro pieces get better with years. Every stain has a story. Here’s the thing, I’ll pick a vintage sofa over new every time.
An armchair should hug you back. So next time you’re tempted by something new, stop and think of the markets. Pick up a retro armchair, and see how it shapes your nights.
