Chesterfield Sofa

The Chesterfield sofa is one of those iconic pieces of furniture that has earned a special place in the hearts of professional and amateur interior designers across the world. This sofa style has been seeing a resurgence in popularity over the past few years and has become quite popular both in custom furniture stores and in stores that have a more mass market appeal.

History lore tells us that the Earl of Chesterfield considered himself a leader in setting fashion trends in the nineteenth century England. Through his commission and influence, a particular style of sofa began appearing throughout British society from private homes to the wide variety of London social clubs. This sofa was of high quality, made of leather, and featured high arms and backs and deep buttoned upholstery. A reporter on the fashion of this time ascribed their appeal to their versatility as what came to be called Chesterfield sofas bring sophistication to and look great amongst any decor.

Evoking a sense of timeless class, glamor, and plush comfort, the Chesterfield sofa is once again appearing as a featured element in the interior designer's tool chest. The look of the Chesterfield conjures up images of a bygone era where a nobleman might sit in a special room at the back of the pub sipping scotch and smoking a fine cigar. Fast forward to the twenty-first century and you might see that same sofa in a local wine bar or coffee house among locals who are sipping strong coffee and discussing the news of the day.

The recent resurgence of the Chesterfield began in fine European hotels and social clubs where designers were looking to bring some classical elegance back to their common areas. They felt that the more modern styles were lacking some of the elements that cause patrons to gather together to relax, talk, and spend more of their leisure time at these establishments. The metal and foam minimalistic designs of modern sofas and couches have their place but weren't inspiring customers to linger so inspired designers looked to the Chesterfield sofa as the centerpiece in their attempt to bring back a sense of sophistication and timelessness that had been lost over the years.

Given the increasing popularity of the Chesterfield sofa, it would seem that they've succeeded in reminding us of the luxurious feeling of sinking into a plush leather sofa with a fine beverage and the evening paper or a good book. Thankfully, with the wide variety of models, fabrics, and accessories available on the internet for Chesterfield sofas, you can easily find a design to fit your decor and your wallet and bring that same sense of sophistication and style to your own living room today.