With over 25 years of combined experience, the expert craftsmen behind Chesterfields of Mayfair are truly proud of the work they create. With luxury offerings that include handcrafted pieces customised to each clients specification, their bespoke pieces are lovingly created to the very highest standard.
At the very heart of Chesterfields of Mayfair, are business minded entrepreneur sisters Anum and Aliyah Rehan. Growing up in a typical hands-on approach family, it wasn’t out of the ordinary for them to become high achieving go-getters since the importance and value of hard work ethics were instilled into them from an early age.
With drive and ambition running in the family blood, it’s easy to see why the girls embarked upon a journey of their very own that entwined both their fathers strong business acumen and mothers impressionable creative flair.
The dynamic straight talking duo hasn’t looked back since launching, and by taking great pride in crafting the finest of furniture alongside their team, the prominent outcome of each clientele project undertaken resembles a strong symbol of only elegance and luxury.
So we got talking to the inseparable siblings about how they are fulfilling their everyday business building dreams, the philosophy behind Chesterfields of Mayfair, and how they are looking to diversify the common misconceptions of the craftsmanship industry.
Can you tell us about your philosophy as a bespoke furniture company?
We take great pride in crafting the finest furniture, creating pieces that extend the philosophy of fine British craftsmanship. There are varying techniques and materials involved in the crafting process. Here at Chesterfields Of Mayfair, there are two fundamental elements in creating a piece of furniture: aesthetic and crafting. Both ensure timeless elegance and outstanding quality.
Our luxurious collection is a very bespoke service. Starting literally with a piece of solid wood, our story begins here. This means that you can have as much – or as little – creative freedom as you wish with our pieces. Whether it’s the colour, leather, deep buttoning, cushioned seats, a flared arm, castor feet, or stud detailing, the answer is always yes! Chesterfields Of Mayfair sofas are crafted with the customer in mind.
Who are the team at Chesterfields of Mayfair?
We work with a small team of expert craftsmen and artisans. An object can only ever be as unique as the team that creates it. At Chesterfields Of Mayfair, our team is truly proud of the work we create. Crafted by experienced hands in our dedicated workshop, our bespoke pieces are lovingly created to the very highest standard.
Understanding how something is put together; the process it undertakes, the precision of the British craftsmanship, ignites a creative fire for us both, we are extremely committed and proud of the sofas we craft. We love seeing the end result, there’s a real fascination every time!
Where could you see yourself within the next 3-5 years?
We are always questioning how we could improve, make something a tad more special and unique with each project. We’d like to continue supplying our bespoke pieces to more retailers across the country. To open our own luxury showroom is on the list. As sisters, we are hoping to stay in business together forever or for as long as we can both put up with each other! We’ve also got plans for a new business venture in the fashion industry, so make sure you’re following our journey to be in the know!
How are you planning to expand Chesterfields of Mayfair?
Our future aim is to fill our aspirations of stocking our furniture in the top independent boutiques. A television advertisement is something we would like to prioritise. In the meantime, we will continue to design innovative bespoke furniture.
Have you ever had a mentor? If so how has this benefited you to grow?
We have learned a lot from our parents, and they are the two people who truly inspire our vision and believe in us wholeheartedly. Education was fundamental to our upbringing. They never ‘set’ a path for us. They’ve supported and encouraged us to follow our hearts. We couldn’t do what we do now without the people around us. We feel very lucky to do what doesn’t feel like a job.
What do you believe are the common misconceptions of the craftsmanship industry?
In a society obsessed with cheap mass-produced goods, global economics prohibits the idea of accessible craftsmanship, associating it with luxury and big price tags. At Chesterfields of Mayfair, our aim is to change this common misconception. No longer is it a simple case of luxurious means a hefty price tag. Time, authenticity, uniqueness and a captivating narrative are what makes a piece of furniture worthy of branding luxury. The Chesterfield sofa has a rich and vivid history which has to lead to its iconic status making it not just a piece of furniture but a piece of history. Many Chesterfield sofas still circulate today that are in excess of 100 years old, and the reason behind this is the crafting our pieces are complete testaments of these historical antiques and it’s this charming philosophy that makes them the envy above all other sofas. We are true believers in timelessness. Simplicity is classicism! Crafted by experienced hands in our dedicated workshop, our bespoke pieces are lovingly created individually to the very highest standard. This is so unique to us at Chesterfields of Mayfair.
From the moment we started out, our priority was to offer luxury furniture at an obtainable price and this will continue to be one of our key concepts. We studied the prices of the big retailers and the typical manufacturing process-expensive and certainly not luxurious. At Chesterfields Of Mayfair, there are no huge markups and we’re making one piece at a time, shipping directly to you. And best of all you can personalize and purchase from the comfort of your own home. Prices start from as little as £795.
What would you like to see changed in within the furniture industry?
Aliyah: More British manufacturing! It would also be great to see more support for small local businesses. Independent businesses are bringing originality and variety into this world. There is a lot of heart and soul that goes into not only starting an independent business but maintaining one too. Support local businesses!
Anum: There’s something really special, and more personal, about buying handcrafted furniture, rather than buying mass-produced pieces that everyone has. I think it was common for people to buy furniture to last them forever. Now there’s inspiration all around us, home interior bloggers, glossy magazines. The living room is where the majority of people spend their most time, it’s a place where the family gathers, a place where you accept guests. The choice of furniture is of prime importance. We are starting to see more and more people appreciating bespoke, handcrafted furniture. Here at Chesterfields of Mayfair, we want our customers to get the finest piece of furniture crafted to their very own style and budget. Living room furniture is still sometimes a one-time purchase for many families, our skillful craftsmen create luxury interiors that will stand the rest of time. It’s important to choose practical, comfortable furniture that boasts sophistication! I’d like to see an increase in homeowners opting for British handcrafted furniture.
What is the best piece of advice you have received to date?
Anum: Wake up early, look the part, play the part and be the part!
Aliyah: Everything that has value in life is a product of consistency. Be it a success, fitness, friendships, relationships believing something will happen for you need consistency too. Being consistent is what is the difference between failure and success. If you cannot maintain a consistent level of pushing towards the goal, you will soon fall off track. Persevere despite the lows, and also despite the highs. It is about standing firm and driving a constant momentum towards your goal. When one door closes, build a new one!
What is the number 1 critical lesson you have both learned in your career so far?
Dreams don’t work unless you do.
How do you create an evenly balanced work and personal life?
Aliyah: Putting your own health and wellbeing should be the highest priority. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Sometimes taking a break is the most productive thing you can do. Overworking yourself can lead to a burn out and no one needs that! Alongside business, I’m studying for my law degree so it’s essential I maintain a balanced life. Take time out to do what makes you feel good-whether that’s going out for dinner with friends or going for a run. A good work-life balance gives you greater control of where your focus remains, in turn improving the efficiency of your work performance.
Anum: For me, hitting the gym, attending a yoga class and horse riding is how I keep myself in check. I studied a level art so whenever I can, I like to get myself to an art gallery! Fashion and photography are also a passion of mine, so an afternoon on Oxford Street is a Sunday well spent!
Aliyah: Taking a break from the shops at an Instagrammable cafe somewhere in between!
The highlight of your career so far?
We love working together as sisters! We wouldn’t say we set up our business on a whim but we didn’t have this as a childhood dream either. We’ve always shared the same vision and goals. We both agree that working together has been the best thing we’ve ever done, despite spending nearly every minute of every day together! It’s the joy of working together knowing we’d never let each other down and never let each other give up. Business is an adventure and we are in it together!
What gives you ultimate career satisfaction?
Our aim at Chesterfields Of Mayfair is to encapsulate our customer’s needs and dreams. Starting literally with a piece of solid wood, our story begins here. This means that our customers can have as much – or as little – creative freedom as they wish with their piece(s). Whether it’s the colour, leather, deep buttons, cushioned seats, a flared arm, castor feet, or stud detailing, the answer is always yes! So for us, that is the ultimate career satisfaction. We create unique and exclusive furniture tailored to the individual requirements of our clients, all crafted with precision and care here in the U.K.
Which other leading entrepreneurs and leading female pioneers do you also admire and why?
For us, life isn’t just about being surrounded by energised entrepreneurs. We are both incredibly lucky to be surrounded by sophisticated, creative and ambitious women who are our real role models.
Carla di Bello has many thought-provoking messages to share. Not only does she touch down on the topic of feminism frequently in the Middle East’s highest selling luxury fashion magazine, but she has spoken out about how achieving the ‘power couple’ status is the new goal in this day and age and how it is gradually becoming less common for intimidation to be felt by a man if a woman is business savvy and independent. Success is becoming the new attraction. There really is enough success going around! Following these few things will not detract you from your own success, it will enhance it. This teaches us we should embrace our strengths, share our knowledge, be inspired by other collaborative minds and most importantly-work together. We think Carla proves she’s the perfect marriage of style and substance
We admire Victoria Beckham although she has never really been embraced by the public. Victoria has built her own empire and one that is expanding. Not only did she become a fashion designer, she became a super successful and well respected one, all on her own terms. Victoria built a business and a brand without ever being the girl that everyone adores. She has opened up about her mission to support other women professionally and personally which we love! Empowered women, empower women! ‘Support each other. Be that woman. Be that girl’. That’s a powerful and moving message all women need to hear. Our admiration grew for her that little bit more in a recent interview when she shared that three-quarters of her business is run by ‘strong women’ she is inspired by women who work incredibly hard alongside having families.
How would you say you are intending to use your voice to educate others in the world of business?
We are passionate about championing female leadership in the workplace. More and more we are seeing vibrant, goal-oriented women and we love that! We’d love to inspire and encourage other young women to follow their dreams and work for what they want. It’s all about having a vision and a plan. Be the kind of woman that makes other women want to up their game! Encourage each other and build each other up.
Creativity is at the heart of everything we do at Chesterfields Of Mayfair, push limits and make yourself proud in everything you do.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
Aliyah: I’m currently reading ‘The Daily Stoic’ by Ryan Holiday. There’s a page for each day of the year containing a little stoic quote and a modern day interpretation. I’d definitely recommend this book to those just starting out on their personal development journey. The bite-size daily doses are deep enough to get you thinking but not enough to overwhelm you. Great for managing choices and personal development!
What does #BEYOUROWN mean to you?
Give all the love, support and grace as you possibly can. I am a firm believer that the more you give, the more you receive.
Be grateful for everyday! Be thankful for those you hold close to your heart. Quite easily we can all miss out on the here and now because we get lost in being/looking ‘busy’. So much of our stress in modern society is tied to a lack of time and constantly feeling the need to rush and get moving onto the next thing, the next mountain to climb. We scroll through social media aimlessly and compare our lives to others, what they are doing and what they have.
Focus on yourself. Instead of aiming for perfection which isn’t possible- Keep your head down, and whatever you choose to do in life, be the best at it. I believe self love and self care should come first. Be kind not only to others, but to yourself too.
A bad day doesn’t mean you have a bad life. Your story is yours. It’s unique and not worthy of comparison. Find meaning in just living. Be in love with your life and every minute of it!
Twitter: @ChesterfieldsOM
Instagram: @chesterfieldsofmayfair @x.ar.x @aliyah_r
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chesterfieldsofmayfair/
Website: http://www.chesterfieldsofmayfair.co.uk
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