The history of the Chesterfield sofa has been compared in its inherent complexity to the development of the aristocracy or elite of English society. According to most primary sources, this model of sofa first appeared with the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Stanhope, a famous diplomat and writer. The elegance and subtle taste of his work made it possible to name a famous sofa model in honor of the count.
A little history of Chester...
Historical evidence indicates that Chesterfield sofas adorned government buildings and served as a fixture in many luxury homes for generations. An aristocrat's room at the beginning of the 19th century simply could not have a complete look without such a sofa. Serious men in hats leaned back on the leather sofa and indulged in political discussions, while elegant ladies held tea parties on it. Exquisite design and comfort are the true definition of Chesterfield sofas.
Classic Chesterfield design
The upholstery made of high-quality leather with diamond-shaped stitches made the sofa a constant choice of aristocrats and wealthy people. This screed was called a “carriage” screed and was used to distribute the filler as evenly as possible (in the original version, natural horsehair was used for this). In turn, the stitches were covered with medium-sized decorative buttons.
Armrest and back dimensions
The same height of these elements makes the Chesterfield sofa the most ergonomic and comfortable model for people of different heights and body compositions, and provides high-quality support for the back muscles.
Armrests in the form of scrolls
The original design of the armrests in the form of scrolls makes it possible not to place this sofa close to the wall; it can be freely placed in an island style. Both from the back and from the front this model looks equally impressive and presentable.
Modern motives
- Color – Chesterfield sofas were originally available in earth and clay tones. Gradually, the color range expanded and was replenished with new tones, as well as original combinations of several colors.
- The material of the classic sofa of this model is genuine leather. In modern versions, the Chesterfield style can also be found in fabric upholstery of varying textures and degrees of softness.
- The shape of the armrests - ambitious designers can change this characteristic element of the model. Armrests in some modern styles often have a more rounded appearance or look deliberately “plump”.
- The classic quilted base can be replaced with smooth, removable cushions that add practicality and functionality.
The Chesterfield sofa will become a real decoration for a spacious living room, business office or library in a classic style. It looks appropriate in any interior and is good in combination with natural wood, metal and fur elements.
This model is a profitable purchase for all owners of good taste, since such a sofa does not lose its sophistication and respectability over time.
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External features of the Chesterfield sofa
- Diamond-shaped stitch, decorated with buttons recessed into the material (French capitonné technique). It is worth noting here that initially such a stitch was intended to uniformly distribute the sofa filler. Today, thanks to the use of modern materials, it has become predominantly decorative in nature. It was partly this technique that made the sofa so popular and recognizable. Initially, the entire surface of the sofa was quilted in this way - the armrests, back and seats. Today you can find models that combine quilted and smooth surfaces.
- Legs. In the “chester” they are practically invisible, which visually adds massiveness and solidity to the sofa.
- Armrests. Traditionally, they should match the height of the backrest (be flush with it) and be folded outward, resembling a scroll. At the same time, on the furniture market you can also find more free interpretations of the well-known model, differing in the height of the armrests in relation to the backrest and even their shape.
- Upholstery material. The classic option is leather. Most often white, cream, ivory, black, brown, burgundy or dark green. These color schemes are quite enough to place a sofa in any room, regardless of its purpose, be it a living room, office, library or even a bedroom. Velor is used less often, which again has become a find of modern designers.
- Design feature. Here we are talking about the transition of the armrests into the backrest. Visually, this sofa resembles an elongated bowl. This creates a certain comfort during relaxation and gives a feeling of security from the rear.
Obviously, it is simply impossible not to recognize a Chesterfield sofa, but in what interior would such a luxury item be most appropriate and how to properly combine it with other furniture?
Distinctive features of the Chester sofa
The uniqueness and originality of the Chester sofa is achieved due to the presence of special distinctive elements in the configuration. Each of them can be present in other pieces of upholstered furniture, but together they create the image of a legendary sofa.
Stitch
The Chesterfield stitch features multiple diamond shapes. Now it is only decorative, but previously it was used as a functional element that distributed filler inside the product.
The name of the diamond stitch is “capitonne” or “carriage stitch”. Previously, it was present on all parts of the sofa (back, seat and armrests). Later, models with a smooth seat appeared.
Armrests
A special feature of the model is the original armrests, which are an extension of the backrest. They are at the same height and decorated in the same way. The front of the armrests looks like rolled scrolls.
The functional advantage of this design is the highest quality back support. Sitting on a comfortable sofa, you can easily and quickly relax. The shape is ideal for any build and height.
Legs
The Chesterfield's legs are miniature and almost invisible. Due to its impressive size, the sofa requires serious support, so there can be 6, 8 or even 10 legs.
Chester sofas - how to recognize them?
It's hard to walk past the Chester sofa and not notice it. This model is easy to identify by a number of distinctive features. Firstly, the back of the sofa is located on the same level with the armrests, as if merging with them. The height and thickness of these elements are approximately equal. Secondly, hand-upholstered nail-button heads divide the entire surface of the sofa, except the seat, into relief diamond shapes. And the third specific feature is the elaborately curved outward armrests.
In the classic “Chester” version, there is a straight leather sofa with a carriage tie in black, brown or dark red. However, now this sofa can often be found in fabric design, and the color scheme takes on a variety of shades, even flashy prints.
Sofa "Chester": folding version
In a hotel lobby, business center or billiard room, the “Chester” sofa will serve with dignity for decades, firmly maintaining its original appearance. It is easy to care for: the leather covering just needs to be wiped regularly. “Chester” is good both for private conversations and for large noisy companies, inviting long gatherings. But for a home interior, a folding “Chester” would be an excellent solution - an outwardly luxurious sofa that, if necessary, can be transformed into a large, cozy bed. This function is indispensable when guests arrive and need to spend the night. An additional sleeping place is hidden inside the sofa - even the orthopedic mattress does not reveal itself in any way when folded.
Chesterfield sofa: corner format
Nowadays, you won’t surprise anyone with kitchen corners that have been a curiosity for a couple of decades. It turns out that even such a strict, slender figure, which the Chester sofa has had since ancient times, can be curved without losing its reputation. Moreover, often a corner sofa is not a whim of the buyer, but
the optimal solution for the interior space of a compact apartment or studio.
Chesterfield sofa upholstery
Typically, the upholstery of a classic Chester sofa is genuine leather - soft, matte or glossy. Such a leather piece of furniture together with a Chester armchair looks simply luxurious and incredibly expensive. The set seems to be created for a living room decorated in a classic style, but it will fit perfectly into a neoclassical or art deco style.
To make the purchase accessible to a larger number of buyers, manufacturers have found an alternative to genuine leather. An eco-leather sofa cannot be distinguished from natural leather furniture by an inexperienced eye - it is just as beautiful, luxurious and elegant. Moreover, upholstery made from artificial material is more practical and durable, and the product itself is much cheaper.
A Chester sofa with fabric upholstery also has a right to its existence. Moreover, you can choose both durable dense fabric and more stylish velor, creating the effect of natural suede. To prevent fabric upholstery from making the sofa less attractive, it is better to choose a matte, plain fabric. Let it be neutral light shades or dark muted tones.
