Legacy
SINCE 1780
History of Fleming Howland
From its beginnings, Fleming Howland has chosen to align with clients who share its values rather than pursue sheer numbers. A guiding principle, handed down through generations, is the encouragement to acquire fewer possessions, but those of lasting worth. Central to this philosophy is the craftsman’s workshop, where skill, heritage, and continuity are preserved. This enduring approach frames furniture not as a commodity, but as a lasting expression of artistry and intent.
1809
John Howland
As England’s chair-making industry flourished, High Wycombe became its focal point, shaped by the abundance of beech, elm, and ash in the surrounding forests. Like many craftsmen of the era, John Howland, son of Solomon, worked from home, focusing on one element of the process. His expertise lay in upholstering frames with deep-buttoned leather, a refined technique that anchored loose horsehair stuffing within the seat.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1780
Solomon Howland
The story begins on London’s outskirts with Solomon Howland, born into a family of cordwainers and expected to continue their craft... At the age of nineteen he recognised an opportunity and turned instead to chair painting. By adapting his knowledge of dyeing leather shoes, he advanced into the tanning and colouring of leather for chairs, laying the foundation for a new tradition.
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.
1862
Solomon Howland
John’s brother, Solomon, shared their father’s devotion to cordwainery until tragedy altered his path... After the drowning of his young son in 1862, the sight of the child’s shoes made the craft unbearable. He turned instead to chair making, carrying forward his skill with leather dyes into a new discipline. Both brothers were drawn to the idea of adapting shoe-dyeing techniques to colour sofas and chairs. The original formula, closely guarded, is still used at Fleming Howland today.
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.
1894
Chesterfield House
At Chesterfield House, the London residence of Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, Howland & Sons were commissioned to furnish the Library. Among the work, one sofa stood apart. Extra padded and deep-buttoned, with arms level to the back, it carried both presence and poise. Its generous scale, tufted form, and the patina of its leather made it distinctive. This design became the foundation for future commissions and placed the Howlands firmly within the world of luxury interiors.
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.
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.
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.
1959
John Fleming
In 1959, John Howland welcomed his nephew, John Fleming, as an apprentice. The younger John quickly embraced the trade... By the age of 22, he used a modest £46 tax rebate to purchase a sewing machine and essential tools, establishing his own workshop above a shop in Miles Platting, Manchester. Working tirelessly, often up to 18 hours a day, he built John Fleming Upholstery into a thriving business that eventually employed 150 people.
1981
John Fleming Upholstery
The recession of the 1980s brought deep challenges to the British furniture industry. With disposable incomes reduced, many independent makers closed... John Fleming Upholstery survived through its devotion to timeless design and to the Chesterfield form. While others cut back, John invested in quality, believing that fashions may shift but true style endures.
2002
Paul Fleming
In 2002, Paul Fleming, son of John Fleming, formally entered the family firm, having been connected to it since childhood... His vision was to restore the time-honoured skills of the Howland lineage while redefining the business for an international audience. Introducing a direct-to-consumer export model, he reaffirmed the principle that one object of genuine quality holds more value than countless mass-produced alternatives. This philosophy replaced the high-volume approach of the 1980s with a renewed focus on craftsmanship and authenticity.
2009
FLEMING & HOWLAND
In 2009, the family firm adopted the name Fleming & Howland, a title that united the legacies of two families and affirmed a philosophy rooted in continuity... The company soon secured the rights to use the Chesterfields trademark, a formal recognition of its centuries-old role as custodian of the design.
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.
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, Seventh Generation.