There’s no doubt the Chesterfield sofa is a classic. No one would dispute that it has earned its place as a design icon. But there is some confusion in how it came to be so named. Many would say it was named after the Earl of Chesterfield, who was a public speaker and something of a fashion expert in his day. Apparently the Earl requested a local craftsman to construct a piece of furniture that would allow a gentleman to sit upright in the utmost of comfort allowing sitting without wrinkling the garment.
In the late 18th century, deep-buttoning on furniture was also fashionable but in velvet, not leather. The buttons were apparently developed to make the chairs more uncomfortable. Expensive pieces of furniture even then, often belonged to rich men of standing who would often have people waiting to see them. The buttons were designed to discourage them from staying.
Whatever its origins, the Chesterfield is a classic item that symbolizes a certain style and still it is very popular as a piece of furniture in classic restaurants or bars.
