St Claire Chesterfield Couches

Standard fabric

A hard-wearing woven upholstery fabric and the price you see on the page. Tight weave, holds up to daily family use, the easiest of the four to spot-clean. If the couch is for a busy lounge, start here.

Velvet

Soft, deep colour, catches the light — the reason a lounge photographs well. It does show pet hair and finger marks, and the pile shifts as you brush it, which is normal and not a fault. Brush it back with a soft cloth in one direction.

Premium linen

A heavier, textured, natural-looking weave. The most breathable of the four, so it stays cooler through a Highveld summer, and it hides everyday marks better than velvet. It relaxes and creases slightly with use — that softening is the character of linen, not wear.

Boucle

The looped, nubby fabric on our boucle range. Warm and textured, and it hides crumbs and light marks better than anything else we upholster in. The loops can snag on claws, so think twice if you have cats. Boucle pieces come in a single fabric — you choose the colour only.

High-density foam

A firmer, supported seat that keeps its shape and needs no maintenance. Better if anyone in the house struggles to get up out of a low, soft seat, and the more practical choice on a large L- or U-shape where a long cushion run would otherwise sag.

Foam with a fibre top layer

The same foam core with a fibre wrap over it, so you sink in slightly and the cushion looks fuller and more relaxed. This is the "sink into it" feel. Fibre settles with use, so plump and turn the cushions every week or two — that is upkeep, not a defect.

Every piece is made by hand in our Booysens workshop on a solid wood frame, with a serpentine spring base and webbing under the seat. Legs come in gold, silver or block wooden at no extra cost — choose yours above.

Because each couch is built to your fabric, colour and cushion choice after you order, nothing sits in a warehouse waiting. It also means we confirm your choices with you before we cut anything.

• Vacuum with a brush head every week or two — grit is what wears upholstery, not sitting on it.
• Blot spills straight away with a clean dry cloth. Do not rub, and do not soak the fabric.
• Keep it out of direct sun. Constant sun will fade any upholstery fabric, and fading is not covered by the warranty.
• Rotate and plump the cushions regularly so they wear evenly.
• For a stain you can't lift, use an upholstery cleaner rather than a household detergent, and test it somewhere hidden first.