Student living in East London is messy but fun. The carpet smelled like beer, but we filled it with life. No student can afford Mayfair prices, stylish upholstered seating so we begged, borrowed and carried. One mate found a sofa in Hackney. It felt like Shoreditch, but that’s what made it real. Vintage sofas feel alive, and we don’t need polish, we need real. I’ve balanced takeaway boxes on a mismatched chair, and every time it felt right. Retro furniture feels natural here, and shops in the area thrive on it.

We found ourselves in Smithers showroom, and the vintage armchairs carried scars I loved. money was tight, but it’s survived three house parties and a flood. Ask around and quirky armchair you’ll hear it. It’s part of student life. Accent chairs don’t flinch when four people pile on. Catalogue gloss falls apart fast, but real pieces stay alive. every wobble tells the truth. By the end of the year, the stress disappears, but that funky accent chair is legend.

Next time you walk past a market, skip the flat-pack rubbish. Grab a retro sofa, and cool armchairs see how it shapes your memories.