[Photo: Piceno Chesterfield Sofa (now at $3,499, usual $6,999) from Courts.]

By Michelle Tay, newsroom intern

THE Chesterfield sofa is an old-time classic, and a must-have for some.

Characterised by its deep tufted surface, it has been a symbol of luxury since 17th century Europe.

Today, new-age brands like Philippe Starck and Moooi adapt this elegant look to chairs and even lamps!

These can be more than trendy. They can be investment pieces.

Your best bet for a Chesterfield sofa close to the original is Poltrona Frau's Chester, with its arched back and extravagantly rolled arms.

Choose black leather for a timeless look.

Or if you're feeling contemporary, have it in white or crazy, bold red.

Inexpensive alternatives like the Chesterfield Classic sofa set ($1,798) from King Furnishing and Piceno Chesterfield Sofa (now at $3,499, usual $6,999) from Courts complete a Victorian look.

Modern tie-ins with the tufted look can be seen in Vitra's pastel leather couches from Space Furniture and Driade's cone-shaped chair from Platform Living.

But if you prefer something more adventurous, there are metallic silver or gold Chesterfield sofas by Molecule.

Now that's making an investment in a statement piece.

This article was first published in The New Paper .