First year in London was chaos. The kitchen had a dodgy kettle, but we made it ours. Flat-pack breaks too quick, so we grabbed second-hand. One mate found a sofa in Hackney. Nothing matched the walls, but that’s what made it ours. Vintage sofas feel alive, and we don’t need polish, we need real. I’ve hosted ten people on one sagging retro sofa, and the furniture was part of the night. Every warehouse flat tells the same story, and designers take inspiration from it.

I stopped by Smithers looking for nothing, modern leather armchairs and the sofas looked like they belonged in films. we left with just one piece, but it’s the pride of the living room. We’ve all begged friends for lifts. it’s how you build a home. Accent chairs don’t flinch when four people pile on. Mass production doesn’t care, but real pieces stay alive. every stain means another night. Looking back after twelve months, the dodgy landlord fades away, but that funky accent chair is legend.

If you find yourself in a Shoreditch flat, forget the catalogue shine. Take home something with scars, and see how it shapes your memories.