Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, but as Marvin Gaye once sang, “Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby.” Just about as classic as a sofa’s silhouette can be, the Chesterfield has reigned supreme for hundreds of years. While pressboard and polyurethane versions are simple enough to source from fast-fashion style vendors, they lack that subtle scent of leather and conditioner that lets one know—this is the real deal.
Chesterfield House was built in 1752 (sadly demolished in 1937) by popular politician and trendsetter Lord Philip Stanhope, Fourth Earl of Chesterfield. Desiring furniture that would keep his guests’ suits from wrinkling while seated, he designed and commissioned sofas with low seats and high backs—‘et violà! Slight tweaking in the Victorian era accounts for the exaggerated tufting that we know and love about the Chesterfield today. The sofas were then solidly cemented into the contemporary psyche by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud’s well documented use of the Chesterfield at the turn of the 20th century.
England is approximately 4,500 miles away, but happily, an abundance of their Chesterfields are not. Tucked into a charming courtyard space in Old Town Spring, Chesterfield enthusiast Derrick Spain transports shoppers across the pond through his antique store, Reclaimed Leather.
Photo by Emily Cotton
You never know what you'll find.
Imported mostly from “estate clearance companies in the UK,” these antique sofas and chairs are restored to their original luster and charm by Spain and his team, ready to be sold in the store, on their website, or through their online storefront with designer marketplace Chairish.
Prior to opening Reclaimed Leather seven years ago, Spain operated an auction house along with several spaces in antique malls. When asked how he became a professional leather restorationist, Spain tells CultureMap that he “learned by doing first, lots of trial and error. Eventually, I was classically trained in the art of leather Chesterfield restoration in the UK.”
Why Chesterfields? “I just love the classic style and richness of the look,” he says.
Along with Chesterfields, Reclaimed Leather sells antiques of all sorts. Beautiful bookcases, bars, cabinets, art, and decor find their places among the leather goods.
Recently, Spain added a members-only club to the rear of the building, complete with a private entrance, liquor lockers, an honor bar for mixers, plus the usual amenities. With a very fitting name, The Chesterfield Arms has been a long time coming.
“It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for years. It’s modeled after private clubs in England,” Spain says. “People have always tried to rent out the store for events or photo shoots, so it was the next logical evolution to my business. I’m a natural people person and love being the center of attention so it just works for me to have a place and a venue to do that. I’m looking to turn the entire store into the social club and only sell the merchandise online and to members and their guests.”
It’s one thing to get people through the door, but Spain has all but guaranteed that, once there, everyone wants to stay for a while. That’s another skill all in itself. The shop emits an aroma of books, leather, and a mix of unidentifiable incense that would not be out of place in a Le Labo perfumery. Nice touch!
