HISTORY OF FLEMING HOWLAND

At its heart is the meticulous skill of the craftsman in his workshop and the belief that the legacy will continue to be passed down. This enduring spirit gives a unique perspective to the creation of furniture as timeless pieces of art, imbuing the maker with a much deeper sense of purpose.

Solomon Howland, historically famous cordwainer and upholsterer

1809

John Howland

High Wycombe was rapidly becoming the centre of England’s burgeoning chair-making industry, thanks to the beech, elm and ash woods that surrounded it. Like others in the business at the time, John Howland, son of Solomon Howland, worked from home, completing just one of the many specialists tasks that were involved in making a chair from scratch. In his case, covering chair frames with deep-buttoned upholstery, a technique that was necessary to hold loose horsehair stuffing in its place.

Fleming Howland historical records, the origin of the company

1881

George Howland

The Howlands remained individually self-employed craftspeople, working in different areas of the chair-making industry, until Solomon’s great-grandson, George Howland, set up a small workshop at the time of the 1881 census, employing two craftsmen.

Fleming Howland receipts. Robert Howland & Sons chair manufacturers and upholsterers.

1898

Howland & Sons

It was reported that Wycombe has been the scene of a good many fires in the course of its history but no fire was ever so disastrous as the one that occurred on the eve of May 14th 1898. The fire spread rapidly throughout the drying shed, timber store and upholstery workshop of Howland & Sons, destroying all work in progress, machinery, and archives. After nearly two decades of expansion, the Howlands found themselves stripped of everything except their mastery of the craft, compelling them to begin anew.

Charles Willoughby Howland contemporary Art Deco design, heritage of the Howland family.

1947

John Howland

Post-1945 British design emerged as a refreshing counter to the wartime’s sombre spirit. Designers crafted innovative solutions to uplift a nation still grappling with austerity and limitations. Fifth generation John Howland, son of Charles W Howland, brought innovation and business acumen to the table, moving the workshop from High Wycombe to Lancashire. During the move, a lot of the archived designs were rediscovered and prototyped for production.

Miles Platting, Manchester, where John Fleming Upholstery originated.

1981

John Fleming Upholstery

The recession of the 1980s had a significant impact on the furniture industry in the United Kingdom. The economic downturn led to reduced disposable income among consumers, especially within the luxury sector. Many of the smaller independent furniture businesses faced closure, a fate that John Fleming Upholstery would have followed if it wasn’t for their timeless designs and obsession on the Chesterfield form. Whilst everyone else was driven by a need to economise, John went in the opposite direction by focusing on a product that he knew would withstand the test of time. He believed that trends come and go, fashions change with the seasons, but quality and style are eternal.

Paul Fleming, owner of Fleming Howland and son of John Fleming.

2009

FLEMING & HOWLAND

In 2009 the family firm was rebranded as Fleming & Howland, a name that signified the union of the two families and the best of past and present workmanship. Soon afterwards they were granted the rights to use the ‘Chesterfields’ logo as a trademark, an acknowledgement of the company’s centuries-old heritage and long-term commitment to quality.

Genuine Chesterfield Sofa badge from the Chesterfield Trade Association, officially certified Chesterfields.

2023

While sifting through records, the company unearthed that the Howlands had not only adorned England’s important country homes with their Chesterfield armchairs but were also commissioned to hand-crafted beds. Drawing inspiration from their archived sofa designs, four distinctive bed designs were created to pay homage to exceptional craftsmanship that defines this centuries-old English company.

Solomon Howland, historically famous cordwainer and upholsterer.

1780

Solomon Howland

It started in the outskirts of London, with Solomon Howland, the son of a cordwainer, who seemed destined to go into the family business... Indeed, that is exactly what he did until, at the tender age of 19, he spotted an opportunity and branched out into a new trade, chair painting. Solomon combined his cordwainery skills, an art that involves dyeing leather shoes, with the tanning and dying of leather for chairs.



John Howland, son of Solomon, making chairs from scratch with deep-buttoned upholstery.

1809

John Howland

High Wycombe was rapidly becoming the centre of England’s burgeoning chair-making industry, thanks to the beech, elm and ash woods that surrounded it... Like others in the business at the time, John Howland, son of Solomon Howland, worked from home, completing just one of the many specialists tasks that were involved in making a chair from scratch. In his case, covering chair frames with deep-buttoned upholstery, a technique that was necessary to hold loose horsehair stuffing in its place.



Fleming Howland historical records, the origin of the company

1862

Solomon Howland

John’s brother, Solomon, inherited their father’s love of cordwainery up until the tragic drowning of his 2-year-old son. It was the sight of his son’s shoes on that day that changed him... Having been a cordwainer for much of his adult years, he found himself unable to craft shoes anymore, as they evoked painful memories of his son’s passing. And so, following that fateful day of 26 July 1862 he turned his craft from cordwainer to chair maker. Both brothers had been inspired by the idea of adapting the expertise of blending leather shoe dyes to the colouring of sofas and chairs. The original formula, a well-kept secret, is still in use today.



Solomon Howland's great-grandson, George Howland, employing two craftsmen in an 1881 census.

1881

George Howland

The Howlands remained individually self-employed craftspeople, working in different areas of the chair-making industry, until Solomon’s great-grandson, George Howland, set up a small workshop at the time of the 1881 census, employing two craftsmen.

Fleming Howland receipts. Robert Howland & Sons chair manufacturers and upholsterers.

1894

Chesterfield House

It was at Chesterfield House, an exquisite London-based Great House built by Philip Dormer Stanhope 4th Earl Of Chesterfield, that Howland & Sons were commissioned to produce furniture for the Library room... One of these pieces stood out from the rest; an extra padded, deep-buttoned sofa with the arms the same height as the back. Apart from its eccentric tufted design, it was also the large size, shape and patina of the leather that made this sofa so appealing. This distinctive design became the bedrock for forthcoming custom orders, firmly positioning the Howlands within the realm of luxury interiors and permanently reshaping the course of the family business.



High Wycombe fire of May 1898. Howland & Sons workshop destroyed.

1898

Howland & Sons

It was reported that Wycombe has been the scene of a good many fires in the course of its history but no fire was ever so disastrous as the one that occurred on the eve of May 14th 1898... The fire spread rapidly throughout the drying shed, timber store and upholstery workshop of Howland & Sons, destroying all work in progress, machinery, and archives. After nearly two decades of expansion, the Howlands found themselves stripped of everything except their mastery of the craft, compelling them to begin anew.



Fleming Howland receipts. Robert Howland & Sons chair manufacturers and upholsterers.

1927

Charles Willoughby Howland

Howland & Sons never really recovered fully from the fire and as the 20th century progressed, modern furniture production methods began to take over and many of the older techniques became obsolete... The furniture-making heritage of the Howland family, traditional skills passed down from father to son, would have all but vanished if it had not been for fourth generation Charles Willoughby Howland. Charles was deeply connected to his heritage and was passionate about his time, characterised by opulence and luxury. He started to infuse his designs with Art Deco influences, showcasing geometric patterns, vibrant palettes, sumptuous materials, and iconic imagery.



Innovative designer Charles W Howland, moved the workshop from High Wycombe to Lancashire.

1947

John Howland

Post-1945 British design emerged as a refreshing counter to the wartime’s sombre spirit. Designers crafted innovative solutions to uplift a nation still grappling with austerity and limitations... Fifth generation John Howland, son of Charles W Howland, brought innovation and business acumen to the table, moving the workshop from High Wycombe to Lancashire. During the move, a lot of the archived designs were rediscovered and prototyped for production.



Miles Platting, Manchester, where John Fleming Upholstery originated.

1959

John Fleming

In 1959 John Howland took on his nephew, John Fleming, as an apprentice. The young John quickly adapted to the business... At the age of 22 he used a £46 tax rebate to buy a sewing machine and other upholstery equipment, and set up on his own, renting a room above a shop in Miles Platting, Manchester. He worked long and hard, sometimes 18 hours a day. Over the years, John Fleming Upholstery grew, to the point where it employed 150 people.



1980s recession, John Fleming Upholstery stuck to the timeless design of the Chesterfield, believing style and quality are eternal.

1981

John Fleming Upholstery

The recession of the 1980s had a significant impact on the furniture industry in the United Kingdom. The economic downturn led to reduced disposable income among consumers, especially within the luxury sector... Many of the smaller independent furniture businesses faced closure, a fate that John Fleming Upholstery would have followed if it wasn’t for their timeless designs and obsession on the Chesterfield form. Whilst everyone else was driven by a need to economise, John went in the opposite direction by focusing on a product that he knew would withstand the test of time. He believed that trends come and go, fashions change with the seasons, but quality and style are eternal.



Paul Fleming, owner of Fleming Howland and son of John Fleming.

2002

Paul Fleming

Paul Fleming, son of John Fleming, who had been involved since he was a boy, officially joined the business in 2002. He was determined to revive the Howland family’s time-honoured skills, and reinvented the company’s philosophy by implementing a direct-to-consumer export business model... Paul endorsed the fundamental belief that one object of genuine quality is worth more than a sea of mass-produced alternatives. This approach led to debunking the high volume strategy the company had been used to in the 1980s and instead focused on the revival of the company’s founding craftsmanship principles.



2009 rebrand to Fleming & Howland, and the Chesterfield Trade Association's approval

2009

FLEMING & HOWLAND

In 2009 the family firm was rebranded as Fleming & Howland, a name that signified the union of the two families and the best of past and present workmanship... Soon afterwards they were granted the rights to use the ‘Chesterfields’ logo as a trademark, an acknowledgement of the company’s centuries-old heritage and long-term commitment to quality.



Genuine Chesterfield Sofa badge from the Chesterfield Trade Association, officially certified Chesterfields.

2015

Chesterfields Trade Association

Fleming & Howland become founding members of the Chesterfields Trade Association. This governing body represents the highest standards required to produce an officially certified Chesterfield made in England which in turn protects the consumer by safeguarding the heritage of such an iconic British design.

Archived sofa designs bring forth innovation with Chesterfield bed designs, paying homage to this centuries-old English company.

2023

While sifting through records, the company unearthed that the Howlands had not only adorned England’s important country homes with their Chesterfield armchairs but were also commissioned to hand-crafted beds... Drawing inspiration from their archived sofa designs, four distinctive bed designs were created to pay homage to exceptional craftsmanship that defines this centuries-old English company.



“A brand that acts as advocates to age-old practices elicits so many emotions, it’s not just furniture.”
Paul Fleming, 7th generation.