Interview by Michelle Heslop. Portraits by Jody Beck.
How long has Chester Fields been in business? We opened in March 2014 so we are fast approaching our 10 year anniversary.
Can you give us a brief timeline of the shop’s presence on Herald Street in the heart of the design district? Chester Fields evolved from my previous business, Onlyhuman Modern Furniture. When it came time to wind down Onlyhuman, I partnered with Ross Taylor to form Chester Fields. Honestly, I was young and a bit over my head with Onlyhuman so we took all the elements that worked well with that brand and ditched the things that weren’t working. We added a few new brands like ANDlight and Bensen which ended up being a great combination and unique within the furniture landscape of Victoria.
How would you describe the style of furniture and accessories that you sell? We work with manufacturers and designers that straddle high-design and accessibility. I wanted the store to feel warm, open and non-intimidating to people with a budding interest in modern design, yet still appeal to those who consider themselves hardcore design nerds. This informs the decisions behind what items we place in the showroom.
Another important element of what we offer is that most (about 75%) of our furniture is designed in Canada. Canada has a growing industry of furniture designers that is making waves internationally and we are proud to be a part of supporting them here on the island. Bensen, Gus Modern, ANDlighting and Bocci lighting are all part of the Canadian design community and at the forefront of our offerings at Chester Fields.
Name a few pieces of furniture that you are particularly fond of and why? What brands are they? My hands down favorite sofa is the Aura Sectional from Bensen; there’s nothing quite like it. Designed in Vancouver by Niels Bendtsen, the Aura is manufactured at Bensen’s factory in Prata Di Pordenone, Italy. Its curving lines and super comfortable down cushions make it aesthetically and ergonomically outstanding.
My new favorite lighting is the Column series from ANDlighting. It takes the column form from classical architecture and turns it into contemporary lighting. There are horizontal and vertical iterations and seeing a group of both somehow reminds me of Greek or Roman ruins, except floating and glowing.
What do you want people to think when they see the Chester Fields brand? I want people to think of top quality and inspiring design, in a setting that is welcoming and helpful.
Tell us about your motivation to expand to Nanaimo. The Central Island is growing at lightning speed with people moving to the area from all over the country. As Islanders we know what a great place it is – it’s central to all the natural beauty that makes the island special – beaches, rivers, mountains and a growing demographic of families moving here from the mainland.
Nanaimo has become the central island hub for all the smaller communities surrounding it. The community was underserved for high quality furniture and lighting design. We could see that there was a need and desire so we’re trying to fill that gap. With 4000 square feet of showroom space, the new location is a hub for modern design for those north of the Malahat. The idea is to give those who want high-end, quality furnishings a place to go without having to make the trip to Victoria or Vancouver.
Why is Nanaimo the right city for Chester Fields? I think we have a nice niche there. And again, it goes back to being a higher-end boutique that is inviting and accessible. We want to welcome the community in and also become part of it. Feedback from customers has been positive so far with many comments like, “we needed something like this” or “thanks for opening a new shop here.” It’s really awesome to hear that.
Chester Fields is a boutique furniture store that every city needs. Are there plans to franchise in the future? I don’t really think about franchise opportunities but I do like the idea of opening in cities that are on the upswing and need the Chester Fields level of design and quality. Maybe we’ll eventually see Chester Fields in other growing areas around the province.
