Student living in East London is messy but fun. The walls were bare, but we built it piece by piece. IKEA lasts a term at best, so we hunted retro. I spotted a funky armchair on Brick Lane. It looked like chaos, but that’s what made it real. Vintage sofas feel alive, armchairs vintage design and it doesn’t matter if it’s scratched. I’ve balanced takeaway boxes on a mismatched chair, and the furniture was part of the night. retro arm chair furniture feels natural here, retro style armchair and shops in the area thrive on it.

I stopped by Smithers looking for nothing, and the accent chairs were bold and weird. we were broke students, but it’s become the throne of the house. Every student flat tells the same story. It’s part of student life. Vintage pieces survive it. Flat-pack won’t last a term, but old sofas age into character. every wobble tells the truth. Once the parties are done, the cracked window gets forgotten, but that funky accent chair is legend.

Next time you walk past a market, leave the glossy showrooms behind. Take home something with scars, and watch it age with you.