CHESTERFIELD SOFA ORIGIN NAME

The Chesterfield sofa is not just a piece of furniture, but a piece of history. There are many opinions about the origin of the word "Chesterfield" as a description of the element that we now know as such. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the use of the word Chesterfield was already used in England in the nineteenth century to describe a leather sofa.

The name Chesterfield was a non-specific name considered for sofas throughout the nineteenth century, especially in England, Canada, and the United States. The origin of this name has always been debated. A number of people say that the Chesterfield was named by the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, Phillip Stanhope, who placed an order for an elegant and comfortable piece of furniture sometime during the 18th century. Stanhope's requirements actually then turned towards the manufacture of a sofa with its characteristic upholstery of deep buttons, rolled arms, low back and nailhead ornaments. Another hypothesis is that this elegant sofa was named to represent a city of Derbyshire in England.

While other people believe that this term refers to its deep buttons, the contour of the back, and the height of the sofa seat. Since this denomination originated, it had wide use in America and Canada until the last decade of the 20th century. While leather was probably considered the standard material of Chesterfield sofas, in the Victorian era the Chesterfield sofa became very popular, however, leather was not always desirable. Because of that, it was the first sofa that was furnished in upholstery and in a wide variety of fabrics.

Rolled arms were used mainly on Chesterfield sofas at the age of 1830. Comfort remained important, so the furniture was filled with manes covered with insulation. As Chesterfield sofas have remained a desirable category of furniture for more than 200 years, even its price remained for the most part out of reach of most people. That has changed in recent years. At present, Chesterfield sofas can be obtained at various price levels and in a wide range of materials. Customers always want quality and luxurious materials in their furniture, so the Chesterfield sofa will probably continue for years to come. Over the years, Chesterfield sofas have adorned royal palaces, prominent commercial offices, hotels, restaurants, gentleman's clubs, and luxurious private homes.

The Chesterfield is synonymous with elegance and class in interiors from all over the world, from all architectural and decorative styles. Regardless of what it represents for many, the Chesterfield is still the sofa that embodies the perfect combination of comfort and sophistication. What was once a status symbol of the elite is now a much sought-after addition to the modern home or business.

The Chesterfields have been appearing in the blogs and magazines of home decoration during the last decades, some genuinely classic and other remained in the middle of the XX century or with more modern styles. What was old is new again. Adopted by enthusiasts of antiques who seek a retro look but also by rock and pop groups, the vintage icon is reborn in a wide range of editions: classic, limited, revised, personalized with leather or velvets and in colors such as white, purple, deep pink, silver, and gold, among others. Whatever the future of this harmonious courtship of refined structure and luxurious comfort, the Chesterfield sofa will surely remain in demand for the next centuries.