How London shapes the world of Vinterior's Sandrine Zhang Ferron

Times

2 days ago

Sandrine Zhang Ferron was born in China, raised in France, educated in business and worked in finance. But a decade ago she had both a moment of realisation and an immediate problem. One, she didn't want to spend her life 'making rich people richer' in finance, and two, she really wanted a yellow Poul Volther chair, but couldn't find one. They became the catalyst for an idea that changed the market for vintage furniture: in 2015 she launched Vinterior, an online marketplace for vintage and pre-owned furniture, lighting, textiles, home decor and art.
Ten years on, the platform has 690,000 monthly visits, over half of which are Londoners. 'The city's rhythm, constant energy, and unexpected encounters have made it feel not just like home but the place where everything began,' she says.
Now rooted in London, the self-confessed aesthete finds endless inspiration in the city's eclectic mix of cultures, styles and hidden gems. We asked Zhang Ferron to share her favourite spots, from the markets where she unearths unique finds to the places that feed her creativity.
Suzhou, the Venice of China, where I lived with my aunt until I was five while my parents were settling in France. Then Lille, in the north of France, where I spent my teenage years. And Paris, where I did my master's, met my husband and built some of my closest friendships. The mix of cultures still lives in me.
Split between north London and Mallorca. In London, it's that familiar triangle between Arsenal, Stoke Newington and Highbury, where I had the idea for Vinterior and where the company began. And then there's Puigpunyent, a small village in Mallorca where we spend most summers and long weekends. It's where our daughter learnt to walk, where we celebrated ten years of marriage and where everything slows down. One is full of momentum and energy. The other is quiet, grounding —our reset.
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Queen Elizabeth I, specifically the day after the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. I've always admired leaders who stay composed under pressure, and her Tilbury speech is such a powerful example of that. I'd want to see how she handled the political aftermath, balancing strength and vulnerability, leading in a world that wasn't designed to hear her voice.
We'd walk the streets of Tudor London (ideally with good boots and a bit of distance: I'm not sure how often things were cleaned) and I'd ask her how she navigated power without compromise, earned loyalty without giving too much away and kept her independence when the world expected her to marry. Her line 'I have the heart and stomach of a king' captures the mix of courage and restraint that true leadership requires.
We [her partner and I] planned to stay in London for two years before moving to Asia — it's now been 18. I doubt I would have started a company, let alone Vinterior, if we'd lived elsewhere. London has this way of opening doors you didn't even know existed. Coming from a French and Chinese background I was used to being very direct and sometimes too direct, as I quickly learnt in my early days here.
Highbury Barn is pretty close to perfect. It has everything I could want — La Fromagerie for cheese, Godfreys for amazing cuts, Highbury Fishmongers where I pick up fresh clams every Saturday to make spaghetti alle vongole for lunch (my daughter's favourite), and Da Mario for incredible Italian deli goods. Their fennel sausage, rosemary ham and mortadella are the best I've found in London.
Swimming at Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond. Only in London would cold water before breakfast feel like something people queue up for.
There's a little hidden gem just behind London Fields that's become our go-to, aptly named Behind. A young, passionate chef puts out a seafood-led menu that changes with the seasons. The dishes are inventive and full of soul, and the wine list is just as thoughtfully curated. It always feels intimate, like you're in on a secret. I also love Prawn on the Lawn in Highbury for something a bit more relaxed: strong flavours, fresh fish and small plates that are made for sharing.
My ideal night out starts with an early dinner, followed by immersive theatre — ideally Punchdrunk. Every experience there is electric. I love the ritual of debriefing with friends afterwards: what they noticed, what I missed, how we each saw something different. It's a brilliant conversation-starter.
My ultimate breakfast indulgence is the bacon naan (with an egg, always) at Dishoom; the King's Cross location is my usual. It's a comforting ritual. On the weekends, you'll often find me at the French market on Blackstock Road. Their baguettes and croissants are the real deal and, in January, I always make a pilgrimage for a proper galette des rois. French roots die hard.
Vinterior, of course. I used to spend weekends scouring vintage fairs and antique shops, hunting for the perfect piece. Now I can do it all online, from velvet Bellini sofas to sculptural art deco sideboards or a rustic ladder-back chair with just the right patina. It's all about character and history — and convenience.
I'm at Third Space Islington four to five times a week: it's my reset button. I mix strength training, HIIT (high-intensity interval training), yoga and Pilates, depending on the day. My favourite mornings start with a tough HIIT session, followed by fifteen minutes in the sauna and five minutes in the cold plunge. It wakes me up on every level.
I love the full spectrum — musicals, theatre, immersive performances, opera, ballet — you name it, I'll go. Recently I saw Much Ado About Nothing with Tom Hiddleston and it was absolutely brilliant. London's cultural scene never stops surprising me.
When I want to slow down and take it all in, I'll head to the Royal Academy of Arts or the National Portrait Gallery. Both have that perfect blend of iconic works and unexpected discoveries. Whether it's a blockbuster exhibition or something more niche, I always walk away seeing the world a little differently.
For me, it's Michaela Coel. She grew up in east London, trained at Guildhall, and created work like I May Destroy You that's bold, uncomfortable, and completely original. She embodies what makes London special: that someone with a strong, honest voice can shape culture without needing permission. She's both deeply local and globally resonant. Her work reminds me this city is where unexpected, anti-conformist voices don't just emerge, they thrive.