(re-post)
Across many years I've been trying to make sense of chesterfields. Two or three people sitting side by side with the intention of socializing but having to twist head to talk to person(s) beside them seems a bit odd. Chesterfields that are deep enough to comfortably allow for reclining and reading or napping or serving as a guest bed are too deep to be comfortable for seating unless one uses pillows or bolsters. Chesterfields never seem long enough to comfortably allow for reclining etc.
Then, a few years ago, I came across this day bed at a church sale. It's a day bed because both ends are the same height, I was told. It's hand carved from cedar but no one at the sale knew by whom: it had been a donation. The bonding was instant and that carver has been receiving my grateful thoughts ever since.
It got put in the sun room of my home at that time and was used as a day bed and a night bed for a number of months until a daughter-in-law was visiting and gifted me with an epiphany. She sat at one end, legs outstretched, on one side. It suddenly made sense to sit at the other end on the other side, legs outstretched. I think we may have grinned at one another. How perfect to be sitting so comfortably, spaciously, facing each other. I got rid of the chesterfield I had and have not had one since.
This chesterfield alternative – chesteralt? – also serves as a guest bed and suits people who like to sit cross legged.