We’re so excited about our newest home update and if you follow us on Facebook or Instagram (you, of course, should be!) It’s been a long time coming and we’re thrilled to be sharing it with you – we have a new velvet Chesterfield sofa!
Isn’t it gorgeous?! It’s so comfortable and we love that it gives our living room a much-needed pop of colour.
We did a lot of research before we took the plunge and ordered our new velvet Chesterfield sofa and we truly couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.
In all honesty, we’d never really been happy with the black leather Florence Knoll style sofa that was in our living room until recently.
When we first moved in, the plan had been for a grey suede sofa, but it was out of budget so we settled for the black leather version which was okay – and we have had it for about 5 years now – but looking back, we should have known better.
We were in a rush when we bought it, we needed something to sit on asap (we had family visiting) and overall it was the dreaded “C” word – compromise!
Purchasing our new sofa, on the other hand, couldn’t have been a more different experience. It took us months and three showroom visits (I think one of the visits even goes as far back as 2014!) to finally make a decision.
Choosing a sofa is sooo difficult and we really wanted to make sure that we got the quality, style and overall look that we wanted. After all, it’s a big investment and not something that we wanted to get wrong for a second time!
Our new Chesterfield sofa has completely transformed the room. It’s much larger, more comfortable and a lot more vibrant than the dreary black one that we used to have.
I guess that it’s true that the good things are worth waiting for.
Choosing the actual sofa itself was easy. We knew we wanted a Chesterfield sofa, so we drove up to the showroom, sat on a load of different sofas and then decided on one we liked best – it was all really straightforward.
Choosing the fabric, on the other hand, was much more difficult – basically, there was just too much choice. We already knew that we wanted a teal/blue/turquoise velvet, but deciding on the actual colour proved to be a tough decision.
I’m the first to admit that we were super fussy customers and it took us 40+ different fabric samples until we actually found one that we like.
Annoyingly it was, of course, the most expensive one we came across (it’s Varese by Designers Guild in turquoise).
Obviously we wanted a sofa that looked good, but our main consideration was comfort – which our new velvet Chesterfield sofa definitely is! We wanted something more generous and always felt that the previous black sofa was too small for the room. It all felt a bit samey and dull.
Our sofa is much larger, it’s still a two-seater, but we actually had it made 6 inches wider. The seats were already deep and wide, but adding just a few more inches has given the sofa an even more luxurious and super comfortable feel.
We love the style of the Chesterfield sofa which is both classic and timeless and the turquoise velvet is perfect for the living room as it gives the whole room a much-needed colour boost.
What items for your home do you think are worth investing in? Do you love a Chesterfield style sofa as much as we do? This sofa was our Christmas present to us – what did you get for Christmas?
Shay Hardin says
Hello from across the pond!
I have been researching for months for a turquoise chesterfield sofa and I came across your blog and your gorgeous one.
I could not believe it, it is exactly what I have been looking for. Of course the manufacturer has to be in the UK but luckily they have a showroom some hours from me in North Carolina. This sofa is definitely an investment, not a purchase you make on a whim.
I would love to know how your sofa has held up over this time period. Do you still love it? Any thoughts as you look back on the purchase? Did you go with standard everything or did you upgrade some elements of it?
Christine says
I thought we were the only ones mad enough to purchase a turquoise sofa! ;)
Seriously though, we’re always careful about recommending things and only do so if we were super happy with what we bought.
The sofa is good and it’s holding up well (it looks exactly the same as it did on the day it arrived) but I should point out that we are careful to keep it looking good.
Our Chesterfield is pretty much the standard configuration. The only difference is that we had ours made slightly longer (it’s somewhere between a two-seater & two and a half seater). The fabric we chose (I was super fussy about the colour) wasn’t one the company had in their programme but once we specified it they sorted everything. They also sourced and sent us dozens of other turquoise and blue sample fabrics to choose from.
The only thing I would possibly change are the seat cushions. Ours are the standard ones which are quite firm but that’s obviously down to personal preference.
Hope that all makes sense but do let us know if there’s anything else you want to know and we’ll be happy to help.
Cx
Sofa man says
Thank you for the detailed post. I think you choose very tastefully and the color of the sofa is adorable.
Tracy says
I love the sofa, and also the paint, can i ask what make/colour it is please?
thanks
Christine says
Thank you Tracy! The colour is by Dulux and it’s called Steel Symphony 4.
Cx
Farah says
That’s beautiful. We live in Manchester too – Can I ask where you got it from please? Thanks
Christine says
Thanks Farah! We bought it at Distinctive Chesterfields.
Cx
Lucy says
Wow that sofa is mega! What a cracking colour, not to mention the awesome style of course :) Props for choosing something bold, it really is fab x
Christine says
Thanks Lucy. We’re usually so safe with our decorating choices, but we’re really glad we went bold for a change!
Cx
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
The colour is gorgeous and really gives the Chesterfiled style a whole new look!
Christine says
Couldn’t agree more Magali – thanks! :)
Cx
caitlin says
This sofa is the bomb. Love the color and it looks so great in your LR. Congrats on your splurge.
Christine says
Thanks Caitlin! It was definitely worth waiting for.
Cx
lorraine says
Hi the sofa looks lovely. Its much better than the previous black one but even that was OK its just when you compare the two the blue Chesterfield just stands out. I think it is easier choosing a sofa rather than an armchair, I’ve been looking for an armchair for ages, very difficult, either too big and lumpy, boring, or interesting but uncomfortable. Finally decided on an orange one that’s a modern twist on a winged armchair, made by a company called sits. Just waiting for it to come.
Can I be cheeky and ask how much your sofa was? But will understand if you decline.
Thanks for all your blogging in the past year. Enjoyed it and picked up lots of tips and ideas.
Best wishes for the new year.
Christine says
Thanks Lorraine! I agree about the black sofa – it was fine, but the new one is soo much better. I can completely relate to the difficulties in finding an armchair, but I love the sound of a contemporary orange wing chair. I bet it will totally transform your room!
The sofa was expensive and more than we’d planned on spending. The choice in fabric made the price jump by a whopping £600, but we just couldn’t seem to find another that we liked. All together it came in at £1800, which easily makes it the most expensive piece of furniture we own (except of course for the Eames lounge chair).
Thanks for stopping by over the year, hope you have a fab 2016!
Cx
lorraine says
Thanks Chistine for sharing the cost. To be frank it seems a very reasonable price. Generally you get what you pay for. Happy lounging.
Christine says
I totally agree, Lorraine – you always get what you pay for. Writing the check is still painful though ;)
Cx
Jessica@CapeofDreams says
Merry Christmas to you! I love, love, love the new addition -so much better than the old black sofa. Velvet is so luxurious.
Christine says
Merry Christmas to you, too Jessica. Glad to hear you like the sofa!
Cx
Kimberly Duran says
LOVE the new sofa!! Well of course I would having had a velvet chesterfield myself for quite some time – ha! I’m a bit biased but honestly, I can’t get enough of them. It’s absolutely gorgeous (that colour!) and simply transforms your space. Such a great choice! Ya know, I was just as bad when I was choosing my own – the guys at The Handmade Sofa Company were certainly tested when I was so choosy and yet there were so many options, it was mind-boggling. In the end, I’ve never regretted my decisions on the design (and yes, mine was the most expensive fabric option too!!) so it’s definitely worth the pain/planning :D May you have many happy evenings snuggled on your new piece! xxx
Christine says
Thank you Kimberly! It’s amazing how different the space feels now and looking back I can’t believe we ever bought the boring black leather sofa we used to have. Your Chesterfield is gorgeous and it’s great to know that you’ve not regretted your decisions (and that I’m not the only person who can’t help being drawn to the most expensive things). We’ve already been spending way too much time cuddled up on our new sofa instead of getting things done ;).
Cx
mary says
I don’t have as much to say….
your couch is beautiful!
Christine says
Ohhh, thank you Mary!
Cx
Lucy Caitlyn says
Congratulations on your new chesterfield, gorgeous colour.
You’re getting new seating and I’m getting rid of mine :~)
When I moved to my 1 bed flat from 3 bed house 3 years ago
I was still mentally locked into traditional planning.
My living room is too small for a settee, having windows at each end,
1 a bay, 4 doors out of the room and a chimney breast!
I “compromised” by having two large cream leather armchairs, mine being
a recliner. They look lovely But they take up so much room!
So I’ve taken the plunge and one chair is going to local charity shop. I’m having
storage/seating built into the bay window.
My “traditional” living room which has been trying to be a living/relaxing, dining,
craft activity area has finally become too chaotic for me.
After the holidays I’ll start working on making it a place where I can do my many
and varied craft activities. Relax with my “fur babies” and still have somewhere to
eat that isn’t a tray on my knee.
Following your blog has been great, because although I’m creative and artistic I’ve
got very traditional, especially since being widowed and my disabilities increasing.
I’ve watched you both combine tradition with your own personal take on things and
now I’m following your example :~)
2016 will see my little flat become (at last) my home and a place that adapts to my
needs. Starting with making it all seem bigger by painting all walls, ceilings, woodwork
and doors a very pale grey. Each room will then have it’s own accent colour themed around
a place that my late SO and I loved, living room Isle of Skye/ New Forest, bedroom French countryside and so on.
Wishing you both a creative 2016, with many accomplishments inside and out for the little house on the corner.
Btw what do you do with unwanted furniture?
Cheers :~)
Christine says
Thank you so much for your kind comment Lucy. It took us some time to learn that it’s all about doing what’s right for you and your home and it is probably the most valuable lesson we’ve learned. We’re big fans of grey and your plans for your home sound lovely.
If we have any furniture that we no longer want we either give it away on Freecycle or (like in the case of our black leather sofa) give it to a charity shop. Both are great ways of “recycling” things that you no longer need (especially as it’s picked up).
Cx