Chester Line
A Poltrona Frau classic since Renzo Frau presented it in 1912, Chester has graced the decades and generations with its timeless elegance, becoming a genuine icon in the history of interior design. Chester Line is its natural evolution, lightened and updated to reflect the new requirements of contemporary living. The classic sofa with its sculpted design is deconstructed and multiplied, becoming a genuine system of modular sofas with five different elements: chaise longue and armchair, both without armrests, pouf and two corner sofa end-sections. The distinctive features and precious processing details of the Chester are all present, revisited here in a lighter form in the quest for an informal elegance achieved by subtraction: the historic capitonné remains on the backrest while the base of the sofa disappears; the metal feet are almost invisible to further emphasise the beauty of the seat; compared with the classic two-seater sofa, there is just one large cushion which is even more comfortable. The elements without armrests and backrest also make it possible to add accessories like the Fidelio side tables and lamp, enhancing the functionality of the various configurations. The supporting structure of the Chester Line sofa is made from solid seasoned beechwood. The seat, backrest and armrest spring system consists of hand-tied biconical springs on jute belts. The backrest and armrests are padded with hand-shaped vegetable horsehair. Seat cushion in goose down with the addition of a polyurethane foam stabilising insert. The upholstery is in Pelle Frau® leather, which can be matched with the Poltrona Frau fabrics in different combinations. Wooden feet covered with leather or blade-shaped aluminium feet with brushed-burnished finish; alternatively, classic version feet, high or low, in beech with dark walnut stain or lacquered black.
About Designer | |
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Renzo Frau |
Lorenzo Frau, known as ‘Renzo’, was born in Cagliari
in 1881. He left Sardinia for military service in Milan, which he completed
successfully earning the title of lieutenant. He married Savina Pisati and
moved to Turin, at the time a real hub of Italian culture.
He initially worked as a sales
representative for Gribaudi and then for Dermoide Patent, manufacturer of faux
leather. Having moved to Great Britain for work, he was able to discover the
Chesterfield model armchairs and immediately imagined its potential, successfully
starting to import it into Italy. At the same time, however, he was also
attracted by the models of French and Central European style. He therefore
decided to create his own artisan production laboratory. It was 1912: Poltrona
Frau was created. From the initial work ‘in style’, Frau quickly moved onto
direct design. Poltrona Frau became not only a production pole, but also a
meeting point for artists and intellectuals. Renzo Frau used these relations to
consolidate the brand image: successful models ensued quickly, one after the
other. As the First World War broke out, Frau was called to fight for his
country and his wife Savina bravely took up the reins of the company. Frau’s
armchairs thus began entering the most important buildings, also used by the
royal family. Renzo Frau met an early death in 1926. He left an extensive
archive of projects that would allow his wife to coherently pursue Poltrona
Frau production in the years to come. |