When Winston Smith initially walks into Mr. Charrington's apartment above the antique shop, he experiences a feeling of a nostalgia and it seems to awaken a sort of "ancestral memory" in him. Looking at the antique furniture and taking note of the old-fashioned glass clock gives Winston a sense of comfort and satisfaction. Winston also feels secure in Mr. Charrington's apartment and is pleased that there is not a telescreen on the wall. Winston also appreciates the antique mahogany bed and the pleasant picture of St. Clement Danes church hanging on the wall. Since Winston believes that the apartment does not contain a telescreen, he agrees to rent it from Mr. Charrington and proceeds to carry on an affair with Julia inside the apartment. Unfortunately, Mr. Charrington turns out to be an agent of the Thought Police and Winston discovers that there is a telescreen behind the painting hanging on the wall. Both Winston and Julia are eventually arrested in the apartment.

Winston feels safe and comfortable in this room. He feels safe because there does not appear to be a telescreen here, which means that he can not be observed by the Thought Police. He feels comfortable because of this room's relics from the past--he feels connected with the old world here. His comfort is emphasized by the fact that he later uses this room for his affair with Julia.