The Art of Bespoke British Furniture: Fleming Howland’s Timeless Craft

Each Fleming Howland creation reflects centuries of English craft. Through hand-coloured leather, bespoke proportions and sustainable materials, the workshop preserves artistry that transforms functional furniture into something deeply personal and lasting.

In an age defined by mass production and disposable goods, a small number of British makers remain committed to the values that once made our islands synonymous with world-class craftsmanship. Among them stands Fleming Howland, a Lancashire-based furniture maker whose roots reach back to the late 18th century. Their work blends artistry, heritage and function, proving that true beauty is found not in quantity, but in objects built to last a lifetime.

For more than seven generations, the Fleming and Howland families have championed a simple philosophy: own fewer things, but choose things of enduring worth. This belief continues to shape the company today, guiding everything from the sourcing of raw materials to the slow, deliberate creation of each handmade piece.

A Heritage Spanning Centuries

The Fleming Howland story begins in 1894, when the work of George Howland was first presented at Chesterfield House. From that moment, the family’s designs became woven into Britain’s cultural fabric, representing both elegance and continuity. Each piece—whether a Chesterfield sofa, bespoke armchair or handcrafted cabinet—is conceived not merely as furniture, but as a future heirloom.

Every generation has added to this lineage, passing down skills, artistry and a belief that craftsmanship must be preserved rather than industrialised. As Paul Fleming, seventh generation of the family, notes: “A brand that advocates age-old practices elicits emotion. It’s not just furniture—it's a living expression of craft.”

Know-How: The Discipline of English Craft

The phrase “Made in England” carries a weight that Fleming Howland treats with deep responsibility. Their workshop is a testament to meticulous skill: cutters, upholsterers, woodworkers and leather specialists work side by side, each contributing to pieces built for decades of use.

Frames are constructed predominantly from solid beech, prized for strength and stability, with sapele introduced for decorative details. Each frame comprises hundreds of individual components—jointed, dowelled and reinforced by hand. Spring systems are selected according to design, from steel serpentine springs to deeper traditional “fish-mouth” springs found in heritage seating.

This rigorous, hands-on discipline is part of what gives Fleming Howland furniture its unmistakable character—and its remarkable lifespan.

Bespoke Furniture: Made for One, Not for Many

In an era of generic interiors, the rarity of true bespoke craftsmanship has never been more valuable. Fleming Howland works slowly and personally, allowing each design to take shape around the individuality of the client.

Everything can be tailored:

• Proportions and scale, from sofa length to seating depth

• Decorative details, including tufting, studs and edging

• Comfort preferences, ensuring each piece suits its intended use

• Material choices, with the ability to apply virtually any fabric or premium leather to any design

Whether adjusting a countertop height for a kitchen banquette or refining the silhouette of a Chesterfield for a compact townhouse, the process is shaped around human need. This is bespoke at its truest meaning—furniture that exists only once.

Colour selection is equally deliberate. Earthy, heritage-inspired tones pair effortlessly with period homes, while bold velvets and deep monochromes bring classic forms into modern interiors. At Fleming Howland, colour is treated as architectural, influencing not only style but atmosphere.

The Art of Hand-Coloured Leather

One of the most distinctive elements of Fleming Howland’s craft is its micro-tannery, where leathers are coloured entirely by hand—a tradition dating back to the 1780s, when Soloman Howland first moved from cordwainer to chair-painter.

Unlike industrial tanning, which relies on chemicals and mass-dyeing drums, this method uses small-batch vegetable-based dyes, waxes and polishes. Each hide is massaged over multiple layers—sometimes six or more—to create a rich, three-dimensional patina. Natural variations in the leather guide the artistry, resulting in unique depth and warmth that simply cannot be manufactured.

The outcome is exceptional: supple leather with a natural fragrance, a surface that ages gracefully, and colours that can be custom-mixed to match any interior vision.

Sustainable by Nature, Responsible by Choice

Sustainability is embedded in the workshop’s everyday practice. Over 90% of materials are sourced locally, dramatically reducing transport emissions. All woods are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ensuring responsible forest management. The company also holds the Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark, awarded to luxury brands demonstrating verified environmental and social responsibility.

By choosing hand production over industrial automation, Fleming Howland keeps carbon impact low and preserves skills that form a vital part of Britain’s industrial heritage.

A Living Connection to British Craft

Surrounded by the mills, lakes and valleys of Lancashire, Fleming Howland stands as living proof of what British manufacturing once was—and can still be. Their furniture is more than timeless; it is rooted in place, in people, and in practices refined over centuries.

In a world of ephemera, Fleming Howland invites us to slow down, rediscover quality, and invest in pieces that gain soul—and value—with every passing year.

Discover more: fleminghowland.com

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