Canada’s Best Selection

Canada’s best selection of sofas, sofa-beds, recliners, sectionals, chairs & theatre seating!

The Comfort Sleeper

This is not a sofa bed, It’s a marvel of modern engineering
No bars. No springs. No sagging.
The Comfort Sleeper.

Crypton® – Ultrasuede® – Tempur-Pedic®

Notes from Highpoint, North Carolina Spring 2015 Furniture Market

The doyenne, or mothership of International Furniture Shows, occurs twice each year in Highpoint, North Carolina. This year’s furniture market was April 18-23rd, and it did not disappoint!

Showroom after showroom (seven million square feet of furniture space!) displayed new and exciting products, great designs, and gorgeous colours in fabrics, leathers, and distinct trends. The changes, while subtle, portray the never-ending activities of artistic designers, always pushing the envelope of creativity to alter and modify what has come before and what is going to be. Like the clothing industry, furniture fashion is incredibly liquid, and each particular genre has its own distinct flavour.

The Chesterfield Shop, Toronto’s premier seating specialist, brings in new and exciting furniture seating every few weeks, keeping up with the latest trends in fashion, comfort, colour and design. So here’s what’s new at the 2015 Highpoint Furniture Market — lots to look forward to for summer and fall deliveries to the stores.

Colour. The old favourites are still very strong: all shades of cream, taupe, and beige, whites and tans, all browns in every variation, a hypnotic array of golds and silvers, and the easy-going greys (the past couple of seasons’ go-to colour for everything). Gorgeous deep navy shows its might in velvet, textures, patterns, and in leather or fabric in its many variation and shades. Chairs stand tall in great solids as accents: orange, burgundy, rust, and even pink!

High Legs: Beautiful high legs show up on everything from sofas to chairs to accent pieces.

Nail heads: These features are virtually everywhere. Nail heads are strong again in many colours and textures, but are smaller this year and very predominant in brush nickel or bronze finishes. Some embellish only the arms of the sofa or chair, some run up and down the rails, and some are doubled up for a clean, precise effect. Whatever way you see them, they are always stunning and always make a statement.

Sofa with a chaise: One of the most wonderful changes to the “common” sofa is still going strong. Add a beautiful chaise for the ultimate in relaxation and comfort.

Buttons and tufting: The loveliest of embellishments from the original “chesterfield” style, buttons and tufting stand out on backs, sides, and seats. They dress up your furniture and makes a beautiful statement on their own.

Welts or contrasting welts: Another dress-up feature for this year is a thick or thin line, serving as a contrast to the colour or to keep the welt the same as the fabric. This brings the piece up a notch and makes a subtle and fashionable change.

Pairs of chairs: Why have one, when you can have two? There’s nothing like a pair of chairs! Be it slipper or armless, wing or high-back, tub or club, good things come in twos.

Ratchetted headrests: The ultimate feature for neck and head support makes a strong debut this market. This is a very contemporary and definitely distinct look.

Ottomans: Ottomans continue to look gorgeous as extra seating, or as table substitutes.

Home theatre: What could be better than kicking back on one of these beauties and watching
House of Ca rds on Netflix?

Wing chairs: Whether in gorgeous fabric florals or soft supple leather, there’s nothing like a wing chair- or two!

So that’s the immediate run-down of the Spring Market — stay tuned for more updates. As new merchandise arrives in the stores, I will be blogging and putting up pictures on
Facebook (www.facebook.com/thechesterfieldshop), Twitter (@chestrfieldshop), Pinterest, Instagram and https://www.thechesterfieldshop.com.

Come find us at one of our five great locations in Toronto, Mississauga, Scarborough, Yonge-Eglinton or Newmarket.

Do you have flood damage?

During this continuous time of clean-up and renovations, we would like to help you with your furniture purchases by offering you an additional 5% off all seating purchases with proof of insurance claims.

This is over and above our famous low prices.

The Chesterfield Shop has a huge inventory of in-stock leather and fabric sofas, sofabeds, sectionals, recliners and chairs, with our exclusive next day “Leathers To Go® Express Delivery.”

Please come into any one of our five GTA locations for full details, and good luck with the clean up- we hope this helps.

Update: What a beef-free diet has done to leather prices

What a beef-free diet has done to leather prices

With the price of raw hides rising dramatically, as much as 30 per cent in the last year, leather is threatening to return to its roots as a luxury product.

COLIN MCCONNELL / TORONTO STAR Order this photo

Cristina Gabbrielli and husband Richard Harvey, pictured at their CTL Leather factory showroom in Scarborough, say global leather prices are rising as demand outstrips supply.

By: Ashante Infantry Business reporter, Published on Fri May 23 2014

Leather may not be in season, but delaying the purchase of that new jacket or sofa could end up costing you more.

With the price of raw hides rising dramatically, as much as 30 per cent in the last year, leather is threatening to return to its roots as a special purchase, as retailers begin to pass those hikes on to consumers.

“We’re trying to keep prices down, but it’s really difficult and you have to be an extremely creative buyer of leather,” said Roots co-founder Michael Budman about the “most extreme” material increases the fashion and lifestyle brand has encountered in its 40 years.

“We’re giving the consumer a very fair market deal to start with and I think they’ll understand.”

At The Chesterfield Shop chain, prices of all leather loveseats and sofas are up 25 per cent, said co-owner Steve Freedman. Twenty years ago, leather represented almost 100 per cent of the company’s inventory; now it’s 50 per cent, partly because of higher prices.

“I was speaking to one of my suppliers this morning and she was saying they can’t even honor their prices from month to month, because all she can see is that it’s going to keep on going up and up,” said Freedman.

He forecasts the pendulum swinging back three decades to when 5-10 per cent of upholstery buying was leather. Until recently, thanks to manufacturing innovations and a high supply of affordable raw material the figure had ballooned to 35-40 per cent, Freedman said.

“The sense I get is that leather is going to not be an everyday common purchase; it’s going to be looked at as a luxury item, like it was in the 1980s,” Freedman predicted. “The gap between fabric and leather has widened again to a significant level.”

At Montreal’s Elran Furniture Ltd., one of the country’s veteran manufacturers, vice-president Eric Abecassis is anticipating cancelled retail contracts and a jump in fabric orders, due to the “grotesque increases” in the price of leather.

His company produces 3,500 sectionals, recliners and chairs each week for the likes of Sears and The Chesterfield Shop.

“They understand, but a lot of my retailers can’t afford to support the increases needed,” said Abe cassis. “You cannot make the market absorb that; it’s got to come out of our margin, out of the retailer’s margin, and hopefully some increase in my wholesale prices and some increase at retail.”

There are overlapping reasons for the high-demand, low-supply situation described to explain surging leather prices.

The beef industry’s rising costs for feed, energy, land and transportation, along with a societal drift away from meat-heavy diets, have resulted in global meat consumption stagnating or falling overall.

Additionally, the U.S., the world’s largest beef producer, realized a 9 per cent drop in consumption from 2007 to 2012, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

And, with the Texas cattle herd still recovering from a bitter 2011 drought, slaughter is down 6 per cent, marking America’s “lowest cattle population since 1951,” said Hidenet.com analyst Don Ohsman who estimates the global leather market at $20 billion (U.S.).

The end result is less beef means less leather.

At the same time, a growing middle class in countries like India and Vietnam is fuelling the appetite for more leather goods and record car production in China and the economic recovery in Europe have increased demand for leather automotive seating. Luxury carmaker Bentley Motors has even recently launched a high-end handbag collection and said it plans expanding into new product lines and utilizing more leather.

Add to this upheaval, a falling Canadian dollar, strong Euro and higher costs for freight and containers and the price of leather skyrockets for Canadian manufacturers who either purchase directly from tanneries (who buy from slaughter houses and meat producers) or wholesalers like Toronto’s CTL Leather.

Although the automotive industry represents just 15 per cent of leather consumption, according to Hide net, the car makers have deeper pockets and generally get first dibs on raw material over upholstery (12 per cent) and the other big players — footwear (50 per cent), garments (8 per cent) and gloves (5 per cent).

“Because there’s less of a supply out there, the leathers are going to the highest bidders, where at one time the residential (furniture makers) could bid a little bit higher, or maybe they weren’t being bid against,” said Freedman.

Cristina Gabbrielli, co-owner of CTL Leather, one of Canada’s leading vendors concurs. The North York company supplies finished leather to well-known automotive, hospitality and fashion brands. They carry over 500 different varieties of leather, ranging from $2.50 per square foot South American top-grain, durable enough for a family room sofa, to $10 per square foot supple European aniline, ideal for designer handbags. And those prices are up 20 per cent since January.

“Slaughter houses will cancel contracts with tanneries and go straight to automotive because they know they can get higher price,” she said. “That never used to happen. In (residential) they expect prices to remain within the year. I got an April price list with a 5 per cent increase over the previous month. I got a June price list with another 5 per cent increase.”

While some shoe or accessory manufacturers might cut costs by using a little less leather in their designs, others are relying on buyers’ committed to the finer things, said analyst Ohsman.

“It’s amazing to me how quickly consumers and everybody gets used to these prices,” he explained. “We’re all paying how much more for gasoline that we paid just a few years ago and we’re used to it?”

“Despite the economy, they’re still all willing to buy that $1,000 Coach purse,” added Gabbrielli.

At Roots, which manufactures in Canada with leathers purchased mostly from Italy, Budman doesn’t expect the demand for leather products to decrease as prices rise.

“Buy now,” he counseled. “Buy the best quality leather you can buy.”

Correction – May 24, 2014: This article was edited from a previous version that misspelled Roots co-founder Michael Budman’s surname.

Correction – May 29, 2014: This article was edited from a previous version that misstated the name of Elran Furniture Ltd. As well, the previous version misstated Eric Abecassis’s surname.

Do you have ice storm damage?

In July and December of 2013, a flooding rain and destructive ice storm hit Toronto and the GTA, leaving many residents with damage to their homes.

During this continuous time of clean-up and renovations, we would like to help you with your furniture purchases by offering you an additional 5% off all seating purchases with proof of insurance claims.

The Chesterfield Shop has a huge inventory of in-stock leather and fabric sofas, sofabeds, sectionals, recliners and chairs, with our exclusive next day “ Leathers To Go® Express Delivery .”

Please come into any one of our five GTA locations for full details, and good luck with the clean up- we hope this helps.

Power-Up with Motion Furniture and see what’s new!

What’s new with MOTION furniture & POWER?

Well… absolutely everything!

Power recliner furniture is really hitting its stride and here are the reasons why.

You can manually open your furniture with a “pull handle” or a discreet “side” or “inner” button, or power-it-up with a small toggle containing an easy up-and-down switch.

“Motion” furniture can be streamlined, sleek and contemporary or more traditional with cushy full seats and back pillows, both styles are ultra comfortable and very fashionable.

Motion furniture comes available as sofas, loveseats, sectionals, chairs and home theatre seating.

This white leather curved sectional highlights a room. You can also buy it in many configurations.

This white leather home theatre grouping has a tablet holder and cupholders. The sky is the limit with new “add-ons” arriving daily, including wine glass holders and chargers for your electronics.

Recliner chairs can recline all the way back to a sleeping position with supportive head, neck and foot rests. Sitting in a reclining position takes the weight off your back and elevates your legs, reducing the strain on your back. Many chairs can be purchased as “wall huggers,” and this space-saver means that you can have your chair mere inches from your wall. When you recline, the chair moves forward into the reclining position and not backwards towards the wall. Recliner chairs can be large or petite to fit any height, body type and room setting.

“Lift” chairs will lift you “up and out” to a standing position- easily and without any effort. This is convenient for any of us who need assistance and support going from a sitting to a standing position. They lift slowly and steadily without fear of tipping, they are excellent for seniors and those with disabilities.

Also note: if for medical reasons you require a lift chair, bring in a doctor’s note and you will be tax exempt.

Watch this short YouTube video on Power Lift Chairs to see how easily they lift! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bezAWST1ubc

Don’t hesitate to come in to see our full line-up, and please call to ask questions about the functionality, comfort, style and ease of motion furniture.

5 Things to Consider When Buying a Sofa

The focal piece of any living space is always the furniture – it makes a statement about your room and your particular style. Most people aren’t able to redecorate as often as they’d like so when the time comes to purchase a new sofa, sectional or chair, it’s best to get it right and make the most of your investment.

The Chesterfield Shop wants to make sure you never experience “sofa envy” again. To ensure that you’re happy with your sofa purchase and help guide you through the shopping process, keep these important factors in mind:

Cost

Of course, one of the major considerations when buying a piece of furniture is cost. A sofa is an investment, so when you buy a sofa, don’t underestimate the importance of quality. A good sofa can serve you and your family well for years. Sofa prices differ according to fabric, leather, style and construction.

Chesterfield Shop Tip:
Before you visit The Chesterfield Shop, establish a budget. We’re happy to help you find a sofa within your budget that meets your needs.

Size

A key factor to consider when shopping for a new sofa is size. It goes without saying that your sofa needs to fit your space! A sofa that’s too small can leave the room looking bare and underwhelming while a sofa that’s too large can make a room look claustrophobic and cluttered.

Can your room accommodate a loveseat and a regular sofa? Will a larger sectional fit into your space? Are you better off with a pair of chairs? Before you shop, take measurements to make sure your selection will fit your space like a glove. Don’t forget to consider what particular shape will work within your space. The Chesterfield Shop specializes in “condo-size” and small pieces with removable backs and arms…so it’ll fit!

Chesterfield Shop Tip:
Don’t forget to measure your hallways and doorways to make sure that the sofa can be safely moved into your room of choice. We can always come and measure for you if you’re not sure.

Comfort

While the design and aesthetic of your sofa is important, you want your sofa to be functional. Consider whether you prefer a firmer, more square-armed contemporary sofa or something softer and cozier with loose back cushions. Also, make sure the sofa you purchase has a solid hardwood frame (you don’t want the middle sagging a few months down the road!)

Chesterfield Shop Tip:
The only way to determine whether or not you find a sofa comfy is to sit or lie on it, so swing by one of our five GTA locations and try them out. Our showrooms are 100% “sit-friendly”….some people even bring their TV remote buttons and kick their feet up (yes, seriously!)

Style

What’s your design aesthetic? You don’t have to be an interior decorating guru, but the shape and lines of your sofa should “fit” with the aesthetic of your living or family room. Do you want a sofa with high or low legs? Do you prefer for the arms of the sofa to be straight, round or armless? Try to determine what “look” you’re going for, be it contemporary, traditional or somewhere in-between.

Another major style consideration is fabric or leather. The cover you select will be dictated by whether or not you have pets or children, your budget and – of course – your design aesthetic. Once you know what you prefer, you can decide whether you want a fabric in a solid or pattern, soft or more durable leather, or a plush microfibre.

Chesterfield Shop Tip:
Visit our online catalogue to see what styles catch your eye. But remember, because there are so many styles and styles are always changing, only a few of the styles we carry are listed online. You can also bring in magazine photos of couches that appeal to you so we can help you find a similar style that suits your space. You can customize your furniture “cover” to make it a perfect, original fit for your room. This usually takes 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the manufacturer.

Colour

When you’re purchasing a sofa, it’s easy to pick a neutral colour like black, brown, navy blue, beige or cream. These colours typically work in a variety of spaces and blend with your existing furniture and wall colour.

That being said, if you love colour, be brave! Choosing a bright or bold coloured sofa will make it pop and make a visual impact in the room you’re decorating.

Chesterfield Shop Tip:
Bring a photo of your living or family room to The Chesterfield Shop so that we can see what colours will work best with your existing decor.

To simplify the shopping process, determine your sofa “must haves”
before
you start shopping. What’s your budget? What size sofa will your space accommodate? Come visit The Chesterfield Shop and one of our associates will help you find the perfect piece of furniture for your home, condo, apartment, loft, cottage, or townhome. There’s something gorgeous to fit your space …and your vision.

Sweetest City-Size “Motion” Sectional!

City-Size “Motion” Furniture

Smaller scale, ultra-comfortable and urban-contemporary.

Look what just came in…the perfect piece for your home, condo, apartment, virtually any smaller space for your den or living room. When ultimate comfort is required to meet form, style and function-with maximum seating. With two adjustable headrests and a fully reclining chair and footrest, you can’t get much better than this… and it can be ordered in a huge colour palette of gorgeous leathers and fabulous fabrics. Available in multiple configurations and sizes to fit any room.

City-Size Seating…only at The Chesterfield Shop.


Do you have storm damage?

On Monday, July 8th, 2013, a record-breaking rainstorm hit Toronto and the GTA, leaving many residents in the dark, and causing severe flooding of streets and homes.

Property damage, basement flooding and leaking roofs has been extensive.
During this difficult time of clean-up and renovations, we would like to help.

We want to offer you an additional 5% off all seating purchases with proof of insurance claims.

This is over and above our famous low prices, and includes all great specials and promotions during our current Summer Seating Sale, which goes on until the end of August.

The Chesterfield Shop has a huge inventory of in-stock leather and fabric sofas, sofabeds, sectionals, recliners and chairs, with our exclusive next day “Leathers To Go® Express Delivery.”

Please come into any one of our five GTA locations for full details.

Good luck with the clean up…and we hope this helps.