Only furniture that has been purchased from Fleming Howland can be serviced. In order to assess the problem please complete this short form. If your items are from a different manufacturer please contact them directly for advice or get in touch with a local upholsterer.
Cushion covers
As time passes and with regular use, the colours and dimensions of your cushion covers may change, depending on the type of upholstery material. To ensure the best possible fit and appearance, we kindly request that our clients send their cushion covers to our factory for inspection. When sending the covers, please remove the filling and simply roll up the cover, protecting it with appropriate packaging material. This will allow us to accurately pattern any replacement covers, guaranteeing a perfect fit.
Upon receiving your covers, our team will assess whether the entire cover or just the cushion top needs to be replaced. You will also have the option to decide if you would like to replace the cushion filling. Once the inspection is complete, we will provide you with a quotation for your approval before proceeding with any work.
Cushion filling consistency
All seat cushions produced by Fleming Howland are pre-fabricated under strict quality controls. Each cushion is filled with the exact same amount of stuffing and assembled in the same way. This process ensures consistency and prevents variation between cushions.
Why cushions appear different
Photographs may suggest that one cushion is less filled than another, but this is usually a result of use rather than manufacture. When a cushion is sat on more frequently, the filling responds to the body’s weight and movement, gradually altering its surface shape. This can create the impression of uneven stuffing, even though all cushions contain identical amounts.
Normal behaviour of loose cushions
This type of wear is typical for all sofas with loose cushions, not just Fleming Howland products. Fillings are designed to adapt to the forces placed upon them, which means cushions will settle differently depending on how they are used.
How to maintain a uniform appearance
To achieve a more even aesthetic, it is recommended that customers rotate or sit evenly across all cushions. This allows the fillings to settle consistently over time and helps maintain a balanced look across the entire sofa.
Over time, cushion fillings made from fibre or foam gradually lose their elasticity. Because this change happens slowly, it often goes unnoticed. The longevity of feather fillings, on the other hand, rely entirely on the air that’s manually fluffed into them. As a natural material, feathers will slowly deteriorate, typically within 8–10 years of regular use.
If you’re considering replacing your cushion fillings, we strongly recommend sending us your existing cushion covers for professional fitting. With regular use, covers can stretch or change shape, and adjustments to stitching or reshaping may be needed to ensure a proper fit. Should any alterations be necessary, we will always inform you beforehand and seek your approval before proceeding.
Re-upholstering an existing item
Re-upholstering an existing piece is often far more complex than it appears. Once a sofa or chair arrives at the workshop, every layer must be carefully stripped back, the frame assessed and cleaned, and a completely new pattern cut and upholstered, essentially replicating the full making process without the efficiencies of building from new. When combined with the cost of collection and redelivery, the labour and material investment quickly becomes prohibitive.
For most clients, the total expense exceeds the price of commissioning a new made-to-order piece, crafted to the exact specification and comfort profile required. For this reason, Fleming Howland generally advises commissioning a fresh build rather than re-upholstering an existing item, ensuring greater value, longevity and design integrity.