The sofa model, created a long time ago by the furniture maker Chesterfield, is still very popular. This piece of furniture is distinguished by sophistication and luxury. Its presence in the interior spoke of the good taste and great wealth of the owner.
The carriage tie and smooth transition from the back to the armrests are the trademark of the model. Due to the high price, not everyone can afford to become a happy owner of the product, so many try to make a Chester sofa with their own hands.
Special features of the Chester sofa
Since its invention, the Chester sofa has changed slightly, but some distinctive characteristics remain its calling card:
- Initially, only genuine leather was used for upholstery. Contemporaries began to replace it with artificial options and fabrics.
- The model is equipped with a high back, smoothly transitioning into armrests with which it is the same height.
- The armrests are designed with a slight twist to the outside, taking on the appearance of a scroll.
- Previously, it was considered mandatory to have a carriage screed throughout the entire area. Later it was removed from the seat, replaced with comfortable high cushions.
- The legs of the product are small and almost invisible, so it always seems that the sofa is standing framed directly on the floor.
Chester sofa: do it yourself using drawings and diagrams
The Chester sofa is an English version of comfortable furniture.
You can assemble it yourself if you study the instructions on how to make a sofa at home. This model was created back in the 18th century in England. The Chester sofa (aka Chesterfield - named after the creator of Chesterfield) is distinguished by its classic shapes and unusual decor, in keeping with the best traditions of English classics: its upholstery is finished with an original screed, the armrests smoothly go into the back and wrap outward. The front is decorated with rhombuses.
What kind of interior does the Chester sofa fit into?
The Chester model looks massive, even if it includes 1 seat, so for a comfortable experience it is best placed in large rooms. The best place for this is considered to be a living room or a large office, decorated in a classic style.
An upholstered piece of furniture fits perfectly with solid wood products, a large bookcase and a baroque fireplace. In such cases, it is preferable to choose dark brown, burgundy or marsh color for the upholstery.
To complement a Chester sofa with a retro or shabby chic style, it is best to add graceful legs to it, and choose upholstery in light colors with an artificial distressed effect. In addition, retro accepts brown and gold shades.
In an Art Nouveau style room, the upholstery should be either black or white.
The Chester 2-seater folding sofa with high chrome legs on wheels will fit perfectly into a high-tech interior.
Sofa in interiors
The massive, squat classic Chester looks great in large rooms; it is often installed in libraries, offices, and reception areas of prestigious companies and institutions.
- Libraries. These rooms encourage those present to unhurriedly; books are read for a long time and in comfortable positions. A library or a large office of a top official or businessman should help him concentrate in every possible way to make important decisions. The upholstery of the sofa should be in muted, calm colors, copper or brass buttons, and carved figured legs.
This sofa looks great in a home library.
The Chester sofa gives the living room a solid look
Chester sofas can also be seen in the offices of reputable companies
To make a Chester sofa, you need to have extensive practical experience, a real carpentry workshop with a full set of woodworking equipment and financial resources for the purchase of materials. These are very strict requirements; realistically assess your capabilities when making the final decision. If you are sure that you meet these conditions, then you can begin work.
Varieties of models by shape and lining
Great interest has led manufacturers to create cutting-edge, more affordable products, replacing natural leather with other upholstery materials and slightly modifying the form and functionality.
In addition to leather and substitutes (eco-leather), they began to use velor and plush, which are cheaper, to cover the Chester sofa. The appearance of the furniture does not suffer in any way. In addition, this fabric is durable, pleasant to the touch, looks great with a carriage tie, shimmering with a delicate pile.
The seat has changed, turning into high, comfortable full-length pillows or 1 copy for each seat. In some models, the backrest began to be made higher than the armrests, while maintaining a smooth transition and scroll shape.
In addition to standard 2- or 3-seater straight sofas, large 4-seater sofas, the length of which reaches 3 m, as well as corner models have appeared on sale.
Innovative technologies were also reflected in functionality, which was reflected in the provision of Chester with lifting mechanisms and a hidden sleeping place. Another option for increasing functionality was the Chester sofa with ottoman, which is convenient to use to delimit the room into zones.
How to figure out the quality of a Chester sofa
How to choose the right Chesterfield sofa and what you need to pay attention to if you decide to order its production from any craftsmen or buy it in a store.
Chesterfield sofas are timeless classics and have remained in fashion for over 250 years.
The most important thing in these sofas is careful and high-quality execution. The work of carriage stitch masters has always been highly valued.
Expert opinion
Smirnova Ekaterina Anatolevna
7 years of experience in interior design, professional architect
Today many people are trying to make this model, but not everyone succeeds. What you should pay attention to when choosing this particular sofa.
1) Carriage stitch quality.
A professionally made sofa is distinguished by the depth of the tightening - if the tightening is deep, then this sofa uses high-density polyurethane foam, that is, more durable and the thickness of the polyurethane foam is at least 80 mm, otherwise, in order to save money, thin polyurethane foam of lower density is used.
2) Geometry of a rhombus.
Everyone knows perfectly well that you can do it smoothly and accurately, or you can do it “let it go” and this can be seen even with the naked eye. High-quality stitching requires precision and painstaking work of a stitcher, the production of which takes one craftsman at least 3 days, and it is unlikely that it will be possible to lay out a high-quality stitch in 2-3 hours.
3) Armrest decoration
Sloppy and shapeless folds do not require special labor and skills, but trying to remove fabric, leather or eco-leather so that there are no extra wrinkles and creases requires effort.
4) Upholstery
The general appearance of the product consists of small details that only industry professionals can pay attention to and stop their gaze on.
A crooked stitch indicates high speed and carelessness of the seamstresses; on high-quality models, all the stitches are straight
5) Materials for making a sofa
It is very difficult to understand what is inside the sofa!?
The frame must be made only of dry wood and plywood, the joints must be reinforced and glued. Otherwise, the frame will creak, become deformed and may even break.
PUF (polyurethane foam) - must be dense since low-density PUF is subject to subsidence and destruction in further operation, which leads to rapid deformation of the landing pads.
The choice of upholstery is the most sensitive issue, since not all materials are advisable to use for the production of this sofa, because the final cost will not be low, so you should not save on upholstery materials. Leatherette is not the best option for such a sofa. Exceptions are eco-leathers with high abrasion resistance.
Velor and genuine leather are the most optimal and successful option for this model.
If you have chosen a Chesterfield sofa, then rest assured that this model will not only please you, but will also emphasize the good taste and status of its owner!
Materials and design details of the sofa
The first thing you need to make a Chester sofa with your own hands is drawings and diagrams. Due to the difficulty in developing the relationship of parts, it is best to use ready-made drawings that have been tested by craftsmen and received a positive result. Modifications can only be given to the parameters, adjusting them to the dimensions of the parts that are suitable individually.
To assemble the frame you will need solid wood. It should be remembered that the use of expensive timber is impractical, since no one except the manufacturer will see it. The main thing is that the boards are strong and thoroughly dried; it is better to give preference to soft wood, which is easier to work with.
Next you need to select the material for the upholstery. Genuine leather would be an excellent option, but such fabric will be expensive. An alternative could be eco-leather, which is in no way inferior to natural leather, but costs much less. Since you create your own original product, and if you have individual preferences and desires, you can use any fabric. The main thing is that it is dense and matches the carriage tie.
The base of the sofa is created from grosgrain ribbon, which can be purchased at a sewing accessories store.
To fill and create a soft base, you will need foam rubber and padding polyester, and the carriage tie is created using buttons covered with fabric and strong laces threaded into their ears.
The frame of the sofa consists of rectangular parts of the back and armrests, the main feature of which is the curves at the top. They are made from a board with a round top or using foam rubber fixed in a specified way. In all other respects, creating a frame does not pose any difficulties.
How to make a Chester sofa - the embodiment of English style with your own hands
In the modern world, the Chester sofa is usually also ordered from craftsmen.
Its design is quite complex, this can be seen even from the drawings and diagrams. However, there are also craftsmen who can make it with their own hands at home. It’s worth saying right away that this requires some experience - after all, this is not banal furniture made from wooden pallets, but a full-fledged (even, one might say, elite) piece of furniture. On the other hand, once you look at the cost of such a sofa in a store or in a workshop catalog, DIY work will no longer seem so scary. You can save a lot. So let's see how you can make such a sofa at home - you can certainly handle it.
You probably already have most of the necessary tools. You can calculate the cost of the required tool by changing the values in the table and pressing Enter or Tab. Prices are indicated in rubles, but you can enter prices in your currency.
To calculate the cost, an electric stapler was selected. If you are interested in a pneumatic stapler, then together with a compressor it will cost about 9,000 rubles. The glue sprayer is also electric. If you have a compressor, then you can use a pneumatic sprayer for 600 rubles, and for one-time work you can use a brush.
How to assemble and make the frame of a Chester sofa?
First of all, all the frame parts are cut out according to the drawing. The wood must be carefully sanded, especially in the cut areas, and treated with products that will protect it from insects, moisture and fungi. If the boards have already been treated with impregnations, this step is skipped.
To facilitate the assembly process, you can use 10x10 timber as corner parts, the length of 4 pieces from which should correspond to the height of the sofa. The boards are fastened between the beams:
- First 1 pc. at the very base and above.
- The base is strengthened with transverse and longitudinal bars or boards, which are placed along central horizontal and vertical lines.
- A high board is installed at the bottom of the front part of the frame, which will serve as a facade.
- In the upper part, the frame of the Chester sofa is equipped with blanks that are located above the corner bars. They should cover them across their entire width, creating a transition between the backrest and armrests.
- For reliability, all components can be reinforced with metal corners.
Then, using a corsage ribbon, they tighten the entire perimeter. It will serve as a shock-absorbing base for the upholstery. In addition, since the surfaces of the frame are hollow, ties will be attached to the tape layer.
Creating a frame involves attaching the filler. First, the foam rubber is placed on the inner vertical surfaces of the back and armrests, running upward and backward. You can create a “scroll” without additional equipment. Enough to cover the edge of the thick foam rubber that extends to the outer edges with a cloth to prevent damage, and nail it firmly to the frame. Over the entire area it will retain its height, and at the point of fastening it will shrink to almost zero.
Before proceeding to the seat, the back and front board are tightened with the selected material, immediately using ties. Then filler is placed on the lower plane and a simple covering is performed.
Reasons for popularity
The main feature of Chester sofas is their refined, elegant design. Soft quilted upholstery made of genuine leather looks perfect in the luxurious interior of a living room, office or hall. The popularity of the models is due to numerous advantages:
- attractive stylish appearance from any angle;
- harmonious combination with different interior styles;
- high quality construction, filling, upholstery;
- long service life of the sofa;
- relevance at all times.
Rounded backs and handles have long become traditional elements that provide ease of use. Many modern designers create unusual interior items, inspired by Chesterfield sofas.
Standards and variations in sizes of corner sofas of all popular shapes
You can fully appreciate all the advantages of furniture only if you purchase a high-quality original model. Although, even in this case, some users note a number of shortcomings of the sofa: the sleeping place does not have a high level of comfort, and the wide armrests will not be comfortable for everyone.
Original models are expensive, so they are available only to a narrow circle of consumers.
Stylish design
Relevance at all times
Ideal compatibility with interiors
How to make a carriage screed for a sofa?
Carriage screed - a technique for upholstering furniture and other elements. This is a drawstring, the characteristic feature of which is buttons; when they are fastened, diamond shapes are formed.
To create it, markings are applied to the foam rubber in the form of staggered dots in several rows. Then holes are made at these points, the upholstery material is secured from the inside and they begin to move to the side.
On the back side of the tape, a hook is threaded through the hole in the foam rubber, the button lace is grabbed and tightened, pulled quite tightly and secured with a knot.
Such manipulations are carried out over the entire surface of the sofa, and at the end the fabric is attached to the frame.
How to combine with the interior
A significant advantage of Chester sofas is the ability to be installed in any area of the room. The models look impressive from all sides, so they can be placed against the wall or in the center. The furniture looks stylish in the interior of different rooms:
- Living room. The sofa is placed in any convenient place: near the wall - it gives the ensemble a certain atmosphere, in the middle - it serves as an elegant accent, in the corner - it looks unusual and attracts attention.
- Cabinet. Presentable, expensive designs emphasize the status of the owner, help to get ready for work, and successfully conduct business negotiations. Possible placement opposite the table.
- Kitchen. U or L-shaped products are selected. Experts recommend placing upholstered furniture in the dining area. If there are enough seats, “Chesterfield” performs a decorative function.
- Bedroom. A folding sofa is rarely installed in this room. Models with a smooth surface, a convenient transformation mechanism, and an orthopedic mattress are suitable.
Options for placing a corner sofa in the interior, tips and nuances
Living room
Cabinet
Kitchen
Bedroom
The furniture design is universal, so it is relevant for both strict minimalist and ultra-fashionable interiors. Classic design gravitates towards products with traditional colors and carved legs. Modern styles require certain conditions to be met:
- Loft. A two-seater black or white sofa is suitable, bright colors are appropriate.
- High tech. Models made in clear geometric shapes are combined with a high-tech interior. Gray, white, black, metallic tones are preferred.
- Modern. Sofas with smooth shapes and ornate floral patterns are used. The most delicate colors are acceptable: ash, light blue, pale pink.
- Country. The rustic interior is decorated using natural tones: yellowish, brown, golden. Models with natural fabric upholstery are current.
- Fusion The direction combines several different styles, which makes it original and unique. For such an environment, “Chester” is perfect.
Elegant sofas harmonize with most interior styles. The models are aesthetically attractive and comfortable to use. When selected correctly, products fill the atmosphere of your home or office with comfort and warmth.
Loft
Modern
High tech
Country
Fusion
