The Chester sofa is an icon of British design that has been part of the collective imagination for more than 200 years. Although there is much discussion about the exact date of its origin, what is clear is that it was created in pre-Victorian times in the English county of Chesterfield. The most reliable sources cite Earl Philip Dormer Stanhope (1694–1773) as the promoter of this seat. The first model was created by a local cabinetmaker on the orders of the Count so that his butler could sit comfortably without losing his composure or marring his elegant uniform. This anecdotal event gave rise to the first classic tufted sofa with a robust but also comfortable structure, whose arms are at the same height as the backrest, which allows the back to remain straight when sitting.
The seat quickly expanded to other houses of the English aristocracy until the nineteenth century. At this time it became a staple of the elite London social clubs of Victorian England. From these exclusive clubs for men of high society he went on to the offices of professionals, bankers and nouveau riche. Having a Chester, in its most classic version made of brown leather, was a symbol of power and having a good social status.
The vast nineteenth-century colonial empire opened the doors to the Chester to American high society where it was consolidated as a legend of classic and elegant furniture. From then on, hundreds of variants of this mythical design were born, reproduced in multiple colors, materials and models (armchairs, sofas, stools, rocking chairs…). What remained true to its style was the tufted upholstery (with covered and hand-sewn buttons) and the short, turned legs. To this day, the sofa is still a fashionable essential in the decoration of homes and offices. In recent years, the rise of the retro style has placed it as a reference icon and old and worn versions are sought after to set spaces that identify with this classic style. Nor can we forget its inspiring capacity that has led designers and artists to recreate its padding and elegant shapes to adapt it to avant-garde and minimalist environments.
The Chester has also had its moment of glory on the big screen. From the mecca of cinema he has been immortalized in great classics, but also in recent television productions. This is the case of the series Friends, where it is a recognized reference as the sofa where the protagonists sat to chat in their favorite cafeteria, the Central Perks Café.
The passage of time has not aged the image of this classic sofa and it has become an emblem for the decoration of the last two centuries. Images: Pinterest.
