Retro Comforts in Shoreditch – A Student’s Tale

First year in London was chaos. The flat looked more squat than home, but we gave it soul with family-friendly furniture. Forget glossy showrooms, so we grabbed second-hand. One mate found a sofa in Hackney. Everything mismatched, but that’s why it worked. Chairs with scars feel stronger, and we care more about story than gloss. I’ve fallen asleep in a battered armchair with a book, and the furniture was part of the night. East London is built on mix and mess, funky chairs for living room and Smithers down in Shoreditch knows it.

We wandered past Smithers one Saturday, and everything felt alive, couch vintage style not plastic. we had to haggle, but it’s survived three house parties and a flood. We’ve all dragged furniture through rain. it’s how you build a home. Accent chairs don’t flinch when four people pile on. Flat-pack won’t last a term, but real pieces stay alive. every stain means another night. Looking back after twelve months, the stress disappears, but the armchair stays in your mind.

When you start student life, ignore the fake polish. Pick up a vintage armchair, and let it carry your student nights.