The Luxurious Chesterfield Sofa
The fine detailing of the chesterfield settee dates back to the 17th century in England when the style of couch was commissioned by the earl of Chesterfield at the time. This fine furniture was to be a place for gentlemen to relax in an upright position, and today it is much more than this.
Later the term was used as slang by many in North America to describe any sofa, and today the word Chesterfield encompasses a broad range of buttoned leather sofas and chairs in England, the U.S., and elsewhere.
The common thread throughout any leather chesterfield sofa is the decorative buttoned leather throughout the back of the sofa. This gives the settees an appearance of regal overstuffed comfort, and allows this style to fit in with traditionally decorated spaces as well as a gentleman’s study.
Many versions of this couch are made today, varying in the slope of the arms and shape of the back, as well as the degree to which the space beneath the furniture is exposed. A finely made chesterfield sofa is an heirloom piece, and one which receives extensive attention throughout the manufacturing process.
Traditional ways of making furniture are used to make a handcrafted sofa of this caliber, and according to Distinctive Chesterfields, it all begins with a frame made for life. The best hardwoods are used to provide strength and durability, and only skilled craftsmen who have trained for years as furniture-makers work on assembling them.
When the frame has been adjusted appropriately, it is carefully polished with the French polishing technique of applying stain, left to stand for two days, and then sent to be stuffed and covered in fine leather. The entire construction may take from three days to a week.
The final touch to a chesterfield sofa is the selection of leather, which is selected from quality hides, and then handled by skilled artisans to produce a beautiful finish.
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