I’ve spent a lifetime dealing in chairs and sofas. In the showrooms of Grosvenor, a sofa is never just a sofa. Designers with clients in tow, and they all ask for quality. A battered old wingback, tells the truth. One battered club chair was claimed for a Notting Hill film set, and ten years on it looked better than ever. That’s the point with retro. They flick through glossy catalogues, but sooner or later they return.

Cheap wood snaps, whereas real modern living room furniture stays. The capital’s rooms all look different. Belgravia looks for tradition, with mahogany accent pieces. Camden stays chaotic, with loud armchairs. That’s the reality. I’ve learnt over years, customers never forget the chair that mattered. You don’t get that from a catalogue. I still check the stitching for strength, and the right piece never lies. Retro has power. Before you make a mistake, think again.

Take on a classic wingback, and allow it to tell your story.