First year in London was chaos. The windows rattled in the wind, but we gave it soul with furniture. IKEA lasts a term at best, so we searched markets. One mate found a sofa in Hackney. The colours clashed, but that’s what made it ours. Funky retro seating has character, and students get that instinctively. I’ve watched half my flat pass out across two chairs for living room leather, and the sofa was another character in the story. Markets spill chairs onto the streets, and dealers live for it.

We wandered past Smithers one Saturday, and the vintage armchairs carried scars I loved. we left with just one piece, but it’s become the throne of the house. We’ve all begged friends for lifts. It’s part of student life. Armchairs don’t mind if you fall asleep in them. Modern stuff? Forget it, but retro lasts. every stain means another night. Looking back after twelve months, the broken toaster doesn’t matter, but the vintage pieces carry the whole story. When you think furniture, don’t waste time on the soulless new.

Make space for a classic seat, and let it shout Shoreditch every time you sit.