The Chesterfield Sofa - updated for 2013

The Chesterfield sofa - an old English classic updated for 2013

Anatomy of a Chesterfield Sofa

The first Chesterfield sofa was commissioned by the 4th Earl of Stanhope (1694-1773), Philip Stanhope.  In the United Kingdom, a Chesterfield sofa refers to a deep buttoned sofa with arms and back of the same height, usually in leather. It has a stuffy English club-like feel, and in the past could most often be found in a wood paneled library with fireplace and surrounded by leather bound books.  Not exactly what would make for an exciting interior by today's standards.

{traditional Chesterfield sofa in a traditional setting}

Image via S.R. Gambrel

While the Chesterfield has been a furniture style that has stood the test of time, it has been reinterpreted many times over since it was first commissioned  and now the word "chesterfield" may refer to any sofa consisting of the same deep button detail and quilting used in the original design.

Long gone are the days of the stuffy leather sofa that is seen in this classic English wood paneled library above.  Now, the old and new are juxtaposed and one might find a traditional brown leather nail head Chesterfield but instead the surroundings might be updated with a new color,  modern details, or a  not traditional finish such as a bright glossy lacquered finish just to mix things up a little and create some visual interest.

{bright tomato red paneled library with traditional brown Chesterfield sofa}

Image via Pinterest

{espresso stained modern wood panelling/concrete floors}

Image via Pinterest

On the other hand, the room might have the same traditional details, but the couch may be covered in a colorful leather or an entirely covering altogether such as a velvet, to give a room a contemporary edge.

{George Smith sofa}

Image via House of Turquoise

My favorite is when everything is mixed up and non traditional colors and fabrics are used in a non traditional setting - I'm not a stuffy kind of girl and dark wood paneled libraries are not my thing.

I can't say no to a  Chesterfield sofa in a rich, buttery soft, cream colored leather...

Image via Ethan Allen

Image via Pinterest

…or a soft pastel, a charcoal grey, or a brightly hued velvet.

Image via Jenny Komenda Interiors

I love this beautiful velvet lavender sofa above - so feminine!

Image via Jenny Komenda Interiors

I love how the designer tosses the brightly colored ethnic pillows into the mix here -  pushing the non traditional setting a bit further (throwing in the topless/armless mannequin on the sideboard doesn't hurt either!)

…and the Chesterfield sofa in this year's Pantone Color of the Year, Emerald Green

Image via George Smith 

There's nothing like a Chesterfield sofa.  What I love most about it, is that it looks just as good in an expansive  French château, as it would in a traditional English library or a hip New York loft surrounded by flea market finds.

And last but not least, here are my picks of my favorite Chesterfield sofas on the market, some traditional, some not.  If you're going to furnish your room with a Chesterfield sofa, go all out and make a statement.  Use a rich leather in a perhaps a not so traditional color or a plush velvet.  It will definitely bring your room to life!

Chesterfield sofas in the marketplace

1.   The Comfortable Couch Company, starting at $1149

2.   Chesterfield Couture, starting at £1150

3.   Chesterfields 1780, starting at $2760

4.   Thomas Pheasant Collection, Baker Furniture

5.   Love Decades, starting at $1799

6.   Chesterfield Couture, starting at £2760

7.   Old Hickory Tannery, Neiman Marcus, $4799

8.   Ralph Lauren in denim, Neiman Marcus $5469

9.   Chesterfields 1780, starting at $2760

10. Milo Sofa, Anthropologie, $5998

11. Love Decades, starting at $1799 

12. George Sofa, High Fashion Home, $1999

By the way, did you all see the Oscars tonight?  I can't wait to give you my coverage of all the beautiful dresses I saw on the red carpet tonight…

Good night and sleep tight!

Jeanne