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I have always
loved
a Chesterfield sofa.
So quintessentially English
and perfect for a home
heavy with wood paneling.
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When we first moved in here....
it was the first thing
that came to mind when
I went shopping for a new sofa
years ago.
I love the look of them
in leather .... classic.
But when I sat on them,
they were not very comfortable.
The tufted seat was
hard and I could just imagine the crumbs
and dirt collecting in each and every indentation....
and I am not a clean freak by any means.
But look how handsome they are..... sigh.
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I soon gave up on the idea
after sitting on five or six of them.
My family didn't like
how uncomfortable they were either.
So I "settled" on something else.
![CHESTER XL 100” SOFA<BR>[ available online ]](http://www.mgbwhome.com/Assets/ProductImages/HSF/812-015T_HSF_m.jpg) |
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I found a more up-to-date contemporary version
of the Chesterfield by Thomas O'Brien.
It's terribly comfortable and perfectly nice,
but I should have stayed
true to the classic.
Never stray... what was I thinking?
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| Thomas O'Brien's Wakely sofa by Hickory Chair Company. |
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| I do love it, but wish I would have stuck to my first instincts. |
I should have found one with loose cushion versions
and maybe not one with leather
that doesn't "give" as much to cushion-y comfort.
that doesn't "give" as much to cushion-y comfort.
There are so many wonderful options.
Why did I give up so easily?
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How do you feel about them?
Do you like a Chesterfield?
Have you ever made a sofa mistake?
Have you ever made a sofa mistake?
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REMINDER!
Don't forget,
next month's
Favorites on the First
LINKY PARTY
will feature
your favorite vignette
in your home!
Cannot wait to see what you
will share with all of us.
xoxox~
A
37 comments:
I feel the same about you Alyson. Chesterfields are gorgeous but very uncortables to sit in the tufted seats and also the dirt! We have plain and very uncortable benches and I just bought a beautiful new apholstery, cause I rather change than buy a new ones. You didn't make a mistake, yours is quite lovely and great looking. Thanks for sharing, gorgeous benches.
FABBY
Oh, I didn't mean unconfortable...I meant we have "confortable benches" that we love, so that's why I'm reapholstering them, lol!
FABBY
I adore Chesterfields! There is a charming pink one in my collection of living room inspiration that I go back to over and over again. Comfort won out in my home, too. I can't abide by furniture that can't be used. Lovely pictures! Thanks for sharing.
I love your sofa pillows! I wonder where you found them - are they needlepoint?
Karen
Alison, I do love the look of tufted Chesterfields. Can't say that I've sat on many. We purchased two tufted leather wing back chairs early in our marriage. We still LOVE them. They are probably our favorite seat in the house. Over the years they've moved around, but currently they are in our morning room right off the kitchen. They's always been comfortable, but one does have to keep up with the crumbs that can collect. ;-)
I love your choice. The neutral fabric is wonderful and I think the style is great. Comfort is important! We have a pair of camelback love seats purchased the same time we purchased the leather wing backs I mentioned above. They've been through a couple of fabric changes over the years. I still love them, but my husband has never felt the same way. He'd rather have a big, long sofa he can stretch out on.
Love the new topic for Favorites on the First. ~ Sarah
We usually buy "cheap" couches...because I change my mind...or as my hubby says...they ugly out!
They are beautiful, but I want my sofas to be comfortable. We've always opted for the the comfort instead of the elegant look that attracts me most.
I love this look, too - but you are right, all of the tufts are a perfect vessel for collecting rubbish.
LOVE your couch though! So neutral and pretty.
Have a sweet day,
Becky
I used to worry about crumbs too, now it's dog hair. Then one time I saw my living room couch as the winner in an ugly couch contest. Does that answer your question if I've ever made a couch mistake?
~Bliss~
I regret not going with a neutral colour - like cream - for our sofa when we bought it 3 years ago. It's called green tea but it's more sagey/gold depending on the light. I thought the cream would show dirt. Now I have to live with it forever! lol Pamela
Have I ever made a sofa mistake? YES, THREE TIMES... I have the most uncomfortable sofas on the planet.
My favorite style too, but when it came time to choose, I went with a cushy, comfy style that still looks elegant. I had a camel back sofa for years, but it wasn't comfy either. Chesterfields are iconic for me for masculine, English Country style. Great post!!
LOVE them, always have but agree that they are not the most comfortable. If it is secondary seating, I would still buy one but its the primary source of seating, unless you don't like your guests and don't want them staying too long (wink) then its probably not the best choice, but *sign* they are soooo beautiful and classic and timelessly elegant!
Hi!
Recently, I have been following your posts and kept returning. I'm now officially a following member. Love this blog!
I agree with you that the leather Chesterfields are a true classic! I love the look of them. Perfect for a library/sitting room or great room. Timeless piece!
I made a huge mistake in purchasing a comfy sofa and the fabric pills/lint on it something fierce. Next one will be a classic!
Thank you for sharing. Have a lovely day!
Marlene
I wish I would make a sofa mistake....at least I would be making a decision! We have my mom's old couch and I can't decide whether to recover or buy new, and if I buy new...what do I get? This is such a dilemma because everyone knows that this is THE MOST important furniture decision a person will ever make...Well that may be an exaggeration, but just be glad you made a decision....Go girl!
Alison, you may think you went wrong as it isn't a Chesterfield but your design savy is something I admire! You have such a great eye for traditional decor with all the antique touches and throwing in the equestrian...great eye! I love your choice and if I have to choose style vs comfort, truly in my book comfort should play a bigger part! Love your style and choice..."spot on" as the Brits say! Hope you have a GREAT day! :)
If you every found an old one, with rally worn leather, soft, it is much easier on the seat. But the cleaning part is something else. I have sold them and placed them when I had clients. They do not fit my house. in fact, I guess I have never really owned any sofa for my self. Just old Victorian sofas. Richard from My Old Historic House.
I love the sofa you choose. Maybe when your current sofa needs to be reupholstered you can have your upholsterer re-design the sofa. I recently had a sofa re-designed and I love it...it looks like the sofa of my current dreams and was much less money than buying a new sofa.
Karen
Love Chesterfields! I looked at them too when shopping for my sofa. I worried about the little tuffs being hard to keep clean and yes they are very hard to sit on. My sofa mistake was a white sofa. I should have bought one with slipcovers for easy maintenance but I made a hasty decision. Live and learn I guess. I think you made a great choice, your sofa is lovely.
~Emily
The French Hutch
I do love the look of those sofas in the right room. It doesn't go with my style, but I like them in your style very much. I think you made a good choice though. Yours is both good looking and comfortable. That's very important. I have a Sherrill sofa that is slipcovered. I love how well made it is and the lines are classic. I've had it FOREVER. I will probably always have it, but just get it professionally slipcovered one day. My one regret with a sofa was when my husband and I were first married and we settled for what we could afford. It didn't last, so now I only buy well made. Also, I only buy neutral solids. No more patterns and colors. Save that for pillows and accessories.
I have made plenty of decorating mistakes over the years to say the least! LOL..Your sofa is beautiful :o)
~Des
thanks so much for your kind words!
i don't think i've ever been satisfied with a sofa purchase. i'm a perfectionist and get too emotional about such stuff. the chesterfield is a bit formal for our family, but the images you have shown are gorgeous!
michele
Hi Alison! I love Chesterfield sofas too! Yes, I've made plenty of furniture errors...although I hate to admit it! We spent a LOT on our LR sofa and it isn't even comfy. I'm currently very comfy on my $350 Model Home sofa bargain that never fails me. I saved a pic of the gorgeous Mitchell Gold Bob Williams sofa you posted! Love it! Maybe some day.
They are beautiful to look at but just aren't cozy to curl up on... a bit stiff! We fell in love with the Landcaster sofa from Resteration Hardware. They are very deep seated and two people can lay side by side.. The cushions are down filled so it is so comfy and weathering beautifully...
Thanks for sharing!
xo,
Gail
casualloveselegance
Lovely inspiration! I've pinned some of them. I don't think it's a mistake to choose comfort over style though. We do have to live! You have gorgeous furnishings and decor.
Alison,
Chesterfield sofas are lovely but I'd have to go for comfort every time! Your sofa is lovely, don't think you made a mistake at all! Saw your valentine post on the wooden heart, I have a red heart planter almost like the one you have, posted a pic of it on Tuesday.
Rebecca
Ihave always wanted a Chesterfield for years. I just love the look of it. However, I've always known my family personality and it just doesn't match up. I just sigh when I see them in stores or magazines and dream of the day of having one that is well worn and broken in.
A chesterfield just wouldn 't "go" in my house. YES!!! I have made sofa BIG mistakes. My living room sectional is beautiful but it can not get water on it. We had a roof leak so now it is all stained:( My family room sofas are UGLY, I hated then the day I got them. I would LOVE to get new sofas. YOURS is beautiful. Not a mistake:) I am SOOOOOOO happy to be home. XO, Pinky
Hi Alyson, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/
Hey alison--
"sitters remorse" is a very common thing, primarily because a sofa is not only such a dominant piece in a living space,it is also where a family spends most of its time.
One thing is certain, however--your impeccable taste simply could not be in error! Just looking at your home, and how beautifully all of your things compliment one another--there cannot possibly be a second-guess that is justified!
Best, lisa. (the frenchman's wife)
I do love them, but
like you, favor comfort
over style, I'm afraid!
Instead, we ended up
with a leather chesterfield
style chair in our library,
which actually IS pretty
comfy!
Happy Saturday,
xx Suzanne
Saw a beautiful
Horchow recamier leather tufted sofa on Divine Theatre blog. I bought it on line-big mistake. I had no idea how uncomfortable it would be. I moved it to my living room and kept my old cushy sofa in the family room. It is still beautiful but uncomfortable... Oh well!
Deb
Dear LibraryEducator,
I cannot find an email address and you do not have a link to a blog with your name so I will answer your question about the pillows on my sofa here --- in hopes that you might come back and read this?
My pillows are needlepoint and they came from a store in High Point NC called Capa Imports. Great shop and open to the public!
xox
Alison
Years ago I bought a camelback sofa that I special ordered with floral fabric. Well I lived with it for a few months and hated it -still that busy fabric was just too much. I had it reupholestered soon after with a cream matlesse. But if I could do it again I would not have chosen a camelback at all. Some day!
Kelly
oops, why did I just call you Teri Alison.....losing my mind these days, sorry! Great post btw, I loved it!
Hi Alison, you and I must be reading minds...I just wrote a post on my blog, mentioning I'm looking for a vintage chesterfield, as I'm tiring of my white slipcovered sofa. I think they are so regal and refined, yet so warming. I never thought of the crumbs issue, but then practical never enters my mind when it comes to beautiful furniture : )
oxox
Jennifer
So funny you brought this up Alison! I feel that way about my living room sofa. It's nice and it's comfortable but I'm not in love with it. I am actually thinking about having a slipcover made for it. I LOVE your sofa and those pillows too!
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