As all furniture is made to order you may select any upholstery material type and apply it to any Fleming Howland design.
We send material samples internationally and are happy to review colours and finishes remotely with you. Samples are a guide to the general character of the selected material; natural hides, mill and tannery batches, dye lots and hand-finishing mean that the completed article will retain its own individual character.
Due to the tolerances in digital and print photography, images are representative only. Colours will vary depending on the lighting conditions in your room and so it is important to request a swatch for approval here before placing an order.
As the colour selection is not required until the final stages of production, you may confirm your choice at a later date (the ‘decide later’ option).
Batch-dyed materials
Leather and fabric are natural, batch-dyed products. Subtle variations in colour, depth of tone, and texture can occur between batches at the mill or tannery, even after a sample has been approved. These differences are inherent to the dyeing and finishing process and form part of the character of the material.
Cutting samples and our colour matching service
A ‘cutting’ sample is different to a regular sample in that the leather or fabric is cut from the actual material used for your order. It is usually sent during the final stages of the production process. Cutting samples are sent for client approval where colours are to match existing items or where a specific colourway has been requested. To considerably improve the chances of matching the colour of an existing sofa or chair, we strongly advise clients to send us a cushion cover, where possible. We can then carry out colour-matching in our lab and send a cutting sample for client approval. If it is not practical to send us something to colour-match against, it is important to understand that, due to tolerances in the hand-colouring process and the natural variation between each hide, an exact colour match still cannot be guaranteed. Approving a swatch is therefore subject to understanding the properties and limitations of natural materials.
Hand-Coloured swatch samples
Hand-Coloured leather swatches should be viewed as a guide rather than a complete representation of the final finish, as they cannot fully convey the depth or contrast of light and dark tones across a full hide. Each piece is individually antiqued, with darker and lighter areas applied in considered balance to enhance the natural grain and character. As dyes absorb differently across the surface, subtle variations in tone and patina are inherent, ensuring every piece is distinct. This is the nature of hand-finished leather, and the final result should be entrusted to the judgement and expertise of our antiquer.
Texture
Depending on the type of leather and which part of the hide the swatch is cut from, the leather’s texture will vary. Some parts of the hide will be smooth and some parts will feature a heavier grain. Once upholstered, the leather is stretched and therefore becomes smoother (you can simulate this by pulling the sample in your hands). You may read more about the character of each type of leather here.
Effects of ageing
In areas of regular use, such as the seat and arms, the patina will naturally lighten over time, with the darker top coat gradually revealing the lighter tones beneath. More information about the ageing process can be found here.
Wood finish
Wood grain and texture play a crucial role in how a stain is absorbed and how the final colour appears. Open or coarse grain woods may take stain more deeply, resulting in a darker tone, while finer grains can produce a more even and lighter finish. As standard, we offer Dark Oak and Black finishes, both carefully developed to enhance the natural beauty of the timber. For clients requiring a bespoke colour match, we offer a tailored service; this will require a physical wood sample to be sent to us, so we can assess whether a close match is achievable. Please note that due to the natural variation in wood grain and texture, an exact colour match cannot be guaranteed. If matching to an existing Fleming Howland piece, please supply a clear photograph of the item for our French polisher to use as a reference. Again, while we will aim for the closest possible match, some variation should be expected.
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