Hundred-Year History

Rewind back 100 years

In 1921, Sam Kay started our company in Oakland, California with the vision of making fine upholstered furniture with impeccable standards and attention to detail. Mr. Kay’s son and daughter-in-law, Marvin and Lois Kay, continued the family business. Later, Jo Anne and John Jones, formerly with Steelcase, followed the Kay family as owners. The company was originally named the Kay Chesterfield Manufacturing Company. “Chesterfield” refers to a distinctive style of sofa that the company made, which – going way back – was reportedly designed by Britain’s Fourth Earl of Chesterfield in the 1700s.

Re-up forward to the future

Today, our current president, Kriss Kokoefer, is the fourth owner of Kay Chesterfield, Inc. We have proudly embraced the modern-day mission of supporting sustainability through re-upholstery while partnering with contract industry designers, furniture dealerships, and global companies and institutions. We employ a diverse team of highly-skilled upholstery artisans, many of whom have been with the company for decades.

Kay Chesterfield is a Certified B Corporation, working toward a healthier environment, stronger communities and the creation of more high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose. We are a Woman-Owned Business and a member of several global and national sustainability initiatives. In 2018, The City of Oakland formally recognized Kay Chesterfield as one of the city’s innovative Small Business Entrepreneurs. In 2022, the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Northern California Chapter gave the Distinguished Achievement Award to Kriss Kokoefer for her commitment to meaningful and achievable sustainability in workplace design. We’re thrilled for our next 100 years of championing beautifully crafted, responsible reuse within the contract interiors industry.