My Chesterfield Obsession

It is official.  I am completely and utterly obsessed with the Chesterfield style sofa.

It is thoroughly English and some say named after the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Stanhope (1964-1773), who commissioned the first one.

Source – New England Home

This sofa, with its rich leather and curved arms, was the spot for many gentlemen to enjoy the odd tipple at a club or playing cards in a country estate back in the day.

Source

The Chesterfield is synonymous with Britishness, class, culture and wealth.  I love the aged patina of the leather.  The more worn the better!

I’m thinking this look would be perfect in our home, my hubby being English and all. You know what the say, “An English man’s home is his castle.”  I can just picture Luke sipping whisky and reading the latest Bernard Cornwall book while sitting on a Chesterfield.

Source – House Beautiful

Our current sofa we bought 5 years ago.  It was a Pottery Barn Craigslist find.  The sofa cost us $100 but the van rental was $50 so Luke always says it cost us $150.  Well, the couch has lasted through a toddler and a baby and a puppy.  The cushions are sinking and really it is time for a classy leather couch.

You can picture it right?  A leather, tufted Chesterfield against white Mascarpone walls and our dark wood work.

Me propped up on the couch with piles of books or design magazines, or more realistically my laptop:

Source

I’ve found the couch that I’m in love with.  It is by Distinctive Chesterfields and made in England.  It is quite a beauty!  The Hampton Chesterfield with its gorgeous tufting and nailhead trim is the one I am dreaming of for our home.  Each time I look at the picture, I fall more in love with it.  This is the one:

Source – Distinctive Chesterfield

According to their website: “Distinctive Chesterfields was started many years ago by the Laidlaw family in Yorkshire and has over 100 years of experience in fine leather furniture manufacturing.  This is a small business with a total hands-on approach from the family.”

Luke also loves the Holyrood:

Source – Distinctive Chesterfield

This English company uses the finest quality wood frames, hand stretches the leather and each button and nailhead is applied by hand.  As many of you know I enjoy making things by hand and also hand finishing furniture so all of this attention to detail is important to me.

Their couches can be found in The Ritz in London, ITV, Cambridge and Oxford Universities and some day (soon I hope) my home.

The couches are made in England and delivered by white glove service to your home in the States.  So we’re currently saving up to get one of these lovely Distinctive Chesterfields for our living room.

I’m actually over at their blog today talking about some hand made gift ideas.  Stop by if you’re needing some inspiration!