Nowadays, few people can be surprised by the variety of shapes and originality of the lines of upholstered furniture. Sofas and armchairs have extremely many faces, but even in this motley family there are examples that stand out sharply “from the crowd.” The highlight of these specimens is consistency and tradition. First of all, these include the sofa known as the “chesterfield”. It is easy to recognize him from thousands. This is no longer just a piece of furniture, but a part of history, because the “chesterfield” style is more than two hundred years old. Despite its venerable age, it has changed little, retaining its key features.
The history of the appearance of this piece of furniture is unknown for certain, but most sources report that the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, the famous English politician and writer, was the first to order a sofa of this model for himself. The style quickly became fashionable and became widespread under the name “chesterfield” or simply “chester”. During the Victorian era, the Chesterfield became the most popular sofa.
The word "chesterfield" when it comes to furniture is synonymous with elegance, comfort and high class. The sofa evokes associations with wood-paneled offices and impeccably dressed gentlemen sipping expensive cognac and smoking cigars. Therefore, “chester” adds a hundred points of respectability and solidity to any interior.
Design Features
Chester sofas are multifunctional furniture, which is especially appreciated in modern interiors. Products are always made with a low back, which smoothly turns into armrests, which looks original, comfortable, and beautiful. Many models are equipped with a transformation mechanism for organizing a berth. The design has the following distinctive features:
- The height of the backrest and armrests is the same, all elements have a similar decor.
- Wooden parts are made from high-quality types of wood.
- The filler is horsehair.
- Carriage or diamond-shaped capitonné screed. Decorative buttons are used to secure the filling.
- Tall wooden legs are made from solid, expensive wood.
- Curved tops. The back and armrests are made in the form of scrolls.
- Upholstery made of genuine leather or high-quality leatherette.
- Characteristic backrest tilt.
Modern versions of upholstered furniture are complemented by seat cushions with a smooth structure.
How to assemble and make the frame of a Chester sofa?
First of all, all the frame parts are cut out according to the drawing. The wood must be carefully sanded, especially in the cut areas, and treated with products that will protect it from insects, moisture and fungi. If the boards have already been treated with impregnations, this step is skipped.
To facilitate the assembly process, you can use 10x10 timber as corner parts, the length of 4 pieces from which should correspond to the height of the sofa. The boards are fastened between the beams:
- First 1 pc. at the very base and above.
- The base is strengthened with transverse and longitudinal bars or boards, which are placed along central horizontal and vertical lines.
- A high board is installed at the bottom of the front part of the frame, which will serve as a facade.
- In the upper part, the frame of the Chester sofa is equipped with blanks that are located above the corner bars. They should cover them across their entire width, creating a transition between the backrest and armrests.
- For reliability, all components can be reinforced with metal corners.
Then, using a corsage ribbon, they tighten the entire perimeter. It will serve as a shock-absorbing base for the upholstery. In addition, since the surfaces of the frame are hollow, ties will be attached to the tape layer.
Creating a frame involves attaching the filler. First, the foam rubber is placed on the inner vertical surfaces of the back and armrests, running upward and backward. You can create a “scroll” without additional equipment. Enough to cover the edge of the thick foam rubber that extends to the outer edges with a cloth to prevent damage, and nail it firmly to the frame. Over the entire area it will retain its height, and at the point of fastening it will shrink to almost zero.
Before proceeding to the seat, the back and front board are tightened with the selected material, immediately using ties. Then filler is placed on the lower plane and a simple covering is performed.
Advantages and disadvantages
The elegant and graceful Chesterfield sofa has numerous advantages:
- has a stylish, beautiful appearance;
- looks attractive from any angle;
- goes harmoniously with any interior style;
- has high quality workmanship;
- characterized by a long service life.
The Chester soft sofa has not lost popularity for five decades thanks to all the listed advantages. But in addition to the undeniable advantages, the model has some disadvantages. The product does not always have a comfortable sleeping place, and wide armrests are not suitable for all users. The cost of the original model is quite high, so not every buyer will choose a Chester sofa.
When choosing a product you need to approach it very carefully, paying attention to all the details, as you can purchase a low-quality analogue.
Sleek appearance
High quality
Harmony in the interior
And a few more tips
- Making a Chester sofa can take several days, or even weeks, so it is better to assemble the frame and cover it not in the apartment, but in a separate room, where nothing will interfere. For example, you can use a garage for this.
- To save money, you can use parts from an old sofa for the frame if they are in good condition.
- To make the sofa last longer, it is better to choose genuine leather rather than artificial leather. It will look decent, even if it becomes shabby.
- Carriage tie elements can also be made on the front of the sofa seat. And with buttons that fix the pattern you can also decorate the armrests.
- When working with leather, you should be careful so as not to make an extra hole, for example, but if this happens, you can find special glue in stores that can help hide leather defects.
Varieties
Modern luxury furniture is available in several varieties. Popular options for Chester sofas:
- Straight non-folding. Such options do not involve transformation to create a sleeping place. Strict, respectable models are great for offices.
- Straight folding. Products can be double, triple, quadruple, reaching a width of 3 meters. When unfolded, it is convenient to sleep on them, as the sleeping area is spacious.
- Rounded. Such options look original and unusual. The products will fit perfectly into a large room, adding coziness and providing a comfortable rest. Such sofas become the accent of the interior, attracting all attention.
- Angular. Convenient models are characterized by simplicity of design. Multifunctional furniture is produced in large sizes and is suitable for spacious rooms.
- Models with ottoman. A kind of pouf, which gives the product a rectangular shape, can be transformed into a cabinet or a small coffee table. A separate element is suitable for zoning the space of a room.
- Luxury models. They are made from special quality materials, have a high cost, and give a presentable, solid look to offices and offices. The aristocracy of the sofas is emphasized by high-quality fittings and luxurious upholstery.
- "Light" options. The models have a low backrest, which helps maintain correct posture. Distinctive features are the original diamond pattern on the upholstery and a large volume of pillows.
Straight fixed
With folding mechanism
Rounded
Angular
With ottoman
Luxury model
Model "Light"
Choosing the color of the sofa
Today, sofas are available in a huge range of colors. Therefore, when creating an interior design, everyone can easily choose the appropriate option. The most popular sofas are:
- Brown. This is the most versatile color with which you can create a feeling of comfort in a room. It will fit beautifully into the Art Nouveau, neoclassical or art deco style.
- Black. This option is considered classic. But having properly decorated the room, it can be used in a loft or modern style.
- Beige. This color does not look conservative, so it can be used in creative interiors - modern, loft or Scandinavian.
- White. Always looks beautiful and elegant. This neutral color will be appropriate in most interior styles, including Provence or maritime.
Therefore, by choosing a Chester sofa with upholstery of a suitable color, you can always decorate the room in a stylish, beautiful, elegant and impressive way.
Materials of manufacture and dimensions
For the manufacture of the Chesterfield sofa, only selected quality materials are used, which are characterized by strength, durability, and environmental friendliness. It is interesting that each company has its own set of raw materials for the production of luxury furniture. The stability, comfort, and service life of the product depend on the reliability and strength of the frame. Expensive high-quality wood is used to make the frame, armrests, and legs. Oak is best suited for these purposes - a strong, durable material. A sofa made of wood will last a long time, maintaining its original shape.
The beautiful appearance of the product depends on the upholstery. Various modern materials are used for it, but the traditional furniture option is the Chester leather sofa. It looks great in any interior and decorates various settings. The advantages of expensive genuine leather are:
- high tensile strength;
- long service life;
- moisture resistance;
- ease of care.
The disadvantages include:
- flammability;
- low resistance to mechanical damage;
- minimum flowers.
Equally popular for upholstery is eco-leather, which has almost no inferior properties to natural material. It has a number of advantages:
- resistance to moisture;
- wide choice of colors;
- softness and elasticity;
- environmental cleanliness;
- wear resistance;
- ease of care.
The disadvantages are:
- susceptibility to mechanical damage;
- adhesion to human skin;
- flammability.
Fabric velor is another covering option. The material consists of various components: cotton, polyester, viscose. The advantages are:
- good air permeability;
- stretch resistance;
- softness and velvety surface.
The disadvantages include:
- difficult stain removal;
- fragility, as the fabric wears out quickly;
- gentle cleansing.
Natural horsehair or modern synthetic materials are used as filler for the production of Chesterfield sofas. The first is taken from the mane and tail of the animal. Horsehair has a number of undeniable advantages:
- excellent air permeability;
- durable;
- absorbs moisture well;
- hard.
Thanks to the hardness and rigidity of horsehair, the sofa perfectly holds the human body and also follows the contours of the body.
The cheapest models use synthetic materials, mainly polyurethane, as padding. Such filler must be of high density. Then the product will not deform and collapse over time.
Genuine Leather
Eco leather
Velours
Modern Chester sofas vary in size. Two- and three-seat spacious designs are popular. The Chesterfield folding sofa can have any roll-out mechanism, easily turning it into a sleeping bed. Sofa models are produced in volume for spacious rooms, where they can be placed in the center, which is perfect for the living room. There are small sofas for rooms with small dimensions. Single products can be placed in the kitchen or office.
Double
Triple
For spacious rooms
Single for small rooms
Description and history of the model
The majestic Chester sofa first appeared in the house of the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Domer Stanhope, back in the 70s of the 18th century.
According to legend, the aristocrat himself came up with the design of this piece of furniture and gave it a name. This exquisite model with an original design and attractive genuine leather was very popular with the English nobility.
Chester sofas began to be purchased to emphasize the luxury of the home. They could be found in the houses of wealthy nobility, in secular salons and English clubs. Durable and reliable products are durable and passed on from generation to generation.
The peculiarity of the products lies in the structure and exquisite design of this amazing, soft and practical product.
Quilted upholstery and the use of genuine leather attract the attention of the elite. Rounded handles and back give the furniture comfort, and are also a beloved tradition.
Elegance at an affordable price is the undeniable advantage of unique upholstered furniture. Modern designers are inspired by Chesterfield sofas to create original and stylish models of upholstered products.
Chester sofas have a long history that has already become a tradition. Even today they are preferred by the elite, as well as those with good taste.
Main characteristics:
- Stitch in the form of diamonds. Initially, the first models had horsehair as filling, for reliable fixation of which the sofa was quilted, and the resulting indentations were covered with decorative buttons. Today this technique is called "carriage screed".
- The armrests smoothly transition into the backrest and are made at the same height.
- The armrests are presented in the form of rolled scrolls, which also decorate the back of the product.
- Neat legs that are almost invisible.
Color options
Traditionally, sofas were made in dark colors: black, brown, green, red. Modern models are available in a wider range of colors. You can see white, beige, blue, yellow, orange options and so on.
For small rooms with a light interior, it is better to choose furniture of the same shades, which will visually enlarge the room.
If the room is spacious, then a sofa in a contrasting color with the overall design will highlight the relaxation area. The highlight of such a room can be furniture in a bright red shade. There are approximately 40 sofa colors in total, from rich brown to silver.
Against the background of light shades, products in purple, rich blue and green colors look great. A delightful ensemble is achieved by using chocolate-colored furniture that harmonizes with many tones. A black sofa will add mystery and elegance to the room.
Why choose Chesterfield?
The choice of this model dictates the style. At all times, those who had such a sofa in their home automatically belonged to the elite. His choice and ability to fit into the interior (although this is, in fact, not so difficult) have become a style criterion.
Square bright living room with dark Chesterfield sofa
A brown leather sofa looks good against blue cabinets
Artificially aged leather Chesterfield sofa
A few more factors:
- They uniquely combine femininity and brutality. So, a black leather sofa will become truly masculine, and its location in the office will make the room more solid and serious. But as soon as you place the same black sofa in a glamorous white living room and at the same time casually throw a fur cape over it, it becomes truly feminine. This sofa can change its floor, but you just need to choose the right environment for it.
- Versatility. It can equally successfully emphasize a traditional classic interior and at the same time fit perfectly into an ultra-modern one.
- It is aesthetically pleasing from all sides and in any room. And this is a huge difference from other sofas! The Chesterfield can be placed under the wall, or maybe in the middle of the room. There are no flaws in its rear.
- Chesters are timeless. This is especially true for models with leather upholstery. These only get better over the years and decades. A patina of time appears on them, an exclusive aging.
Fusion living room with brick walls and Chesterfield sofa
Retro style living room with leather sofa
Yellow Chesterfield sofa in a Mediterranean interior
Which interior will it fit into?
The design of the furniture is so flexible that it looks great both in a strict minimalist style and in a new, trendy room design. The Chester sofa in a classic interior is used in traditional colors, with carved legs and bronze elements. Products that have their own characteristics are suitable for modern design styles:
- Loft. In this style, characterized by a combination of luxury and poverty, furniture of English origin will add beauty and comfort. In a loft, for example, you can use a double sofa with plain black or white velvet upholstery. Bright colors are also appropriate for the design direction.
- High tech. For a high-tech style, models with strict geometric shapes are suitable. The colors used are grey, metallic, black, white.
- Modern. Chester is in perfect harmony with the smooth configurations and floral elements inherent in this style direction. Delicate shades are suitable: pinkish, ashy, light blue, greenish.
- Country. Products in brown, natural yellowish and golden shades will fit into the rustic style. Fabric upholstery is more suitable - soft and pleasant.
- Fusion Many different styles are mixed in this direction, which makes it unpredictable. If the Chester sofa turns out to be among this “mash” and “twirl,” then it will come in very handy.
Upholstered furniture can be used in any design, the main thing is to decide on the colors, sizes, and features.
Loft interior
High-tech interior
The interior is modern
Country interior
Fusion interior
Always in fashion
The history of the appearance of "Chester" is often debated. Either it is named after Philip Stanhole, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, statesman and diplomat, or after the English city of the same name. In the end, it's not that important. Another thing is of interest: how has the model not lost its relevance over hundreds of years? After all, during all this time it has never gone out of fashion.
Today "Chesterfield" is a household name. It is easy to recognize him from thousands. The highlight of the English model is its tradition and consistency. Despite its half-century history, it has remained virtually unchanged during this time.
Popular manufacturers
Chesterfield upholstered furniture is produced by many factories, both foreign and Russian. Popular manufacturers of stylish beautiful sofas are:
- "March 8". The network of showrooms in the furniture products market has established itself as a leader in sales of furniture items. The Moscow factory produces Chesterfield sofas - practical, comfortable, strong, durable. Products are produced in two versions - straight and angular. Solid sofas with leather upholstery in pastel colors are perfect for offices and studies, with multi-colored fabric upholstery for residential buildings.
- "Angstrom". A large company from Voronezh produces Chester upholstered furniture in various versions. Practical, stylish products will last a long time, maintaining their original appearance. Various upholstery colors and sizes allow the sofas to be used in rooms with different styles.
- "HoReCa". Branches of this factory operate throughout Russia. Practical, stylish furniture from a well-known manufacturer will last for many years, remaining just as attractive. Chester sofas from HoReCa are manufactured in various types, sizes and colors. A wide range of products allows you to choose a model for any establishment, office or residential premises.
Regardless of the design style of your home or office, you can choose a Chesterfield sofa model that will fit well into any interior. Thanks to the variety of colors, upholstered furniture will be an excellent addition to the design of the room or a key element in the room, around which other items will be placed. The design features of the product will allow you to relax and rest comfortably, and if there is a need for an additional full-fledged place to sleep, the Chester sofa can easily turn into a spacious sleeping bed.
Corner from the 8 March factory
Direct from the 8 March factory
Fabric from the Angstrem factory
Leather from the Angstrem factory
Triple from the HoReCa factory
Double room in combined upholstery from the HoReCa factory
Spacious sleeping area
What you need to consider before making a Chester sofa
Drawings and diagrams
Sidewalls, back of the Chester sofa
Chesterfield additional elements diagram
The stage of designing this product on paper is the most difficult, so it is recommended to find ready-made projects. This will allow you to determine the parameters of each part, which will subsequently be connected into a frame.
Preparation of materials
At the same stage, you should select and prepare the material from which the main parts of the supporting structure will be cut. Most often they use oak, which has strength, durability, and environmental friendliness.
The final stage of preparation for the manufacture of this model is the search for the necessary tools. The basic kit to start making a real Chesterfield sofa includes a saw, pliers, hammer, screwdriver, jigsaw, drill, compressor and stapler. If the task is to obtain a product that is as close as possible to the original, then, along with expensive materials, you will have to purchase several types of equipment:
- a button press to secure this sofa's signature rivets;
- industrial sewing machine capable of processing 3-4 layers of hard leather;
- special attachments for the drill that allow you to drill the filler.
Photo
Upholstered furniture attracts special attention - its style features have evolved over centuries
Elegance and delicacy, which manage to softly intertwine with the concept of practicality, fill the entire home with a special spirit. Having visited a traditional English family just once, you can understand what high-quality upholstered furniture is like.
Both the masters of yesteryear and modern manufacturers are engaged in the development and production of corners, armchairs, inexpensive and luxury sofas, as well as individual parts that are subject to the stylistic features of classics and modernity.
Since the British themselves are pragmatic and economical, the furniture in their family homes has an important feature - it is durable.
