Moving into a student flat ain’t glamorous. The kitchen had a dodgy kettle, but we filled it with life. New furniture is soulless, so we grabbed second-hand. I spotted a funky armchair on Brick Lane. Everything mismatched, but that’s what made it ours. Chairs with scars feel stronger, and sofa vintage retro students get that instinctively. I’ve crashed into a leather sofa after a night out, and every time it felt right. Shoreditch is perfect for this life, and Smithers down in Shoreditch knows it.

One afternoon I stumbled into Smithers, and the vintage armchairs carried scars I loved. money was tight, vintage style armchair but it’s become the throne of the house. Ask around and you’ll hear it. it’s half the fun. Vintage pieces survive it. Flat-pack won’t last a term, but funky chairs grow with you. every dent becomes part of the flat. Looking back after twelve months, you don’t remember the kettle, but the mismatched set still makes you laugh.

When you start student life, don’t waste time on the soulless new. Make space for a classic seat, and watch it age with you.