I grew up amongst furniture, and I’ve never left it. Amongst the squares and crescents, people don’t buy just to sit. Young men with new flats, and they all want character. A retro armchair, carries the room. I remember selling a Chesterfield to a gentleman from St John’s Wood, and ten years on it looked better than ever. This is why old beats new. They look for convenience, but at the end they admit. Mass production doesn’t care, whereas vintage lasts.

This city speaks through its homes. St John’s Wood desires quiet luxury, with plush sofas. Camden stays chaotic, unusual accent chairs with loud armchairs. That’s the mix. Let me put it plainly, accent chairs outlive their buyers. Flat-pack won’t do that. I still check the stitching for strength, and the difference is clear. Classic pieces endure. So when you’re tempted by the new, think again. Find yourself a vintage sofa store, and let it settle into your life.