While it can be tempting to keep it safe when you are decorating — or redecorating — your house, it can be a lot of fun to really let your interests shine. Sure, you don’t want to trade your electric lights for candlelight, but changing out your modern sectional sofa for a classic leather sofa that would look at home on the Downton Abbey set can bring a little pizzazz to your home. European styles are classic and enduring for a reason, and can add a level of sophistication to your home that is sure to make it stand out from the crowd.
A Chesterfield Sofa Creates Your Own British Manor House
No single piece of furniture is as representative of a library in a British country estate as a Chesterfield sofa. This iconic design was originally commissioned by Philip Stanhope, who happened to be a British Earl — the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, in fact. This style of accent sofa, with its rolled arms, decadent button tufting, and low profile seat, is the perfect way to add a touch of class to any living room, study, or den. Though aniline leather is the most traditional way for a Chesterfield sofa to be upholstered, there are also fantastic fabric couch options for a Chesterfield accent sofa as well.
Button Tufting Adds European Class With Less Drama
If you like the idea of a Chesterfield, but find the style a little imposing, an accent sofa that borrows some of its styling — like the iconic tufting — may be a better choice for a European style leather sofa. For example, there are many leather sofas in more modern styles that still retain the diamond shaped look of the tufted upholstery, without the actual buttons. If you like button tufting, but prefer it to be more subtle, a modern leather sofa, or its fabric variant keeps the button tufting in a simple line. This understated button tufting ties the modern style with the classic European look in a single accent couch.
Sit Cradled in Comfort In King Louis XV’s Favorite Seat
We can head across the English Channel for another of the most iconic pieces of furniture inspired by royalty. Some say that it’s good to be the king, and when it comes to comfortable pieces of furniture, the monarchy is often right. Modern tub chairs, or barrel chairs, are largely based on a design that was popularized by the French King Louis XV in the mid to late 1700s. The curving shape makes for a comfortable seat, so it’s no wonder that this style of accent chair has remained popular for nearly 300 years.
Tub chairs are also endlessly versatile when it comes to styling. These accent chairs are often quite compact, so they can fit in to a small space with no trouble at all. They can also easily blend in well with different types of décor. From fabric accent chairs upholstered in cozy light colored boucle to deeper colored leather accent chairs, the tub chair is an enduring style of accent chair that is easy to love.
Italian Leather Gives Your Room the Perfect European Style
While Chesterfield sofas and tub chairs scream European style, there are other ways to add that special touch of European sophistication to your room. Italian leather is some of the highest quality leather in the world, and if your accent sofa is upholstered in that top quality material, people are sure to take notice. Whether you have a leather sofa with a mid-century modern style — and some tufting — or a modern power leather recliner sectional couch, the quality of the Italian leather will add a touch of European class.