I grew up amongst furniture, and I’ve never left it. Here in Mayfair, customers aren’t simply shopping for wood and fabric. Couples step through the door, and they’re looking for furniture that will outlast them. A battered old wingback, gives them that. There was a velvet sofa that went to a townhouse in Chelsea, and he told me years later it was still going strong. This is why old beats new. They flick through glossy catalogues, but sooner or later they return. Cheap wood snaps, whereas classic sofas grow finer.

The capital’s rooms all look different. Kensington demands velvet, with velvet accent contemporary chairs. Shoreditch is playful, with upcycled seats. That’s the mix. I’ve learnt over years, customers never forget the chair that mattered. Modern factory pieces can’t compete. I still walk my warehouse floors, and the right piece never lies. Retro has power. Next time you flick through a catalogue, take a breath. Pick up a retro armchair, and watch it age gracefully.