First year in London was chaos. The flat looked more squat than home, accent settee but we filled it with life. Forget glossy showrooms, so we searched markets. We carried a wingback through Dalston. The colours clashed, but that’s what made it ours. Funky retro seating has character, and it doesn’t matter if it’s scratched. I’ve hosted ten people on one sagging retro sofa, and retro arm chair the chairs became mates. Markets spill chairs onto the streets, and dealers live for it.

My flatmate dragged me into Smithers, and the place was full of funky retro chairs. money was tight, but everyone fights to sit in it. We’ve all dragged family-friendly furniture through rain. it’s where life happens. Accent chairs don’t flinch when four people pile on. Flat-pack won’t last a term, but real pieces stay alive. every dent becomes part of the flat. By the end of the year, the broken toaster doesn’t matter, but the vintage pieces carry the whole story. So if you’re moving to London, ignore the fake polish.

Take home something with scars, and let it shout Shoreditch every time you sit.