October is Upholstery Awareness Month, a moment to recognise one of Britain's most skilled and quietly overlooked crafts. For us, it is a chance to show you what goes into every one of our handmade British sofas, crafted in our Manchester workshop.

A craft you can feel, even if you never see it

When you sink into a well-made sofa, you are feeling hundreds of decisions made by hand: the tension of a stitch, the placement of a button, the way a leather hide is eased around an arm so it sits without a crease. Most of that work is hidden beneath the surface. You may never see it, but you will feel it every evening for years to come.

That is what Upholstery Awareness Month is about: bringing British upholstery out from behind the cover and giving credit to the people whose skill turns a hardwood frame, its filling and a length of fabric into something you will live with for decades.

Handmade in Manchester for more than five decades

For more than fifty years, our sofas have been made in the heart of Manchester. Production stays entirely within Britain, which means the people designing our furniture work alongside the people making it, and every piece is individually inspected by our upholsterers before it leaves the workshop. You can read more about our story and heritage.

Many of the techniques our upholsterers use have changed very little in generations, because some things cannot be automated without losing what makes them special.

Made to order sofas, made for you

Nothing we make sits waiting in a warehouse before it finds a home. Each sofa, chair and footstool is handmade to order, so it can be shaped around the way you live. Choose from classic Chesterfield sofas and contemporary fabric sofas, then make it your own with our premium leathers, more than 170 fabrics, your preferred cushion interiors and the finishing details that suit your room. For something entirely your own, explore our bespoke design service.

It is a slower way of making furniture, and we think that is exactly the point. A piece made by hand, for one particular home, carries a character that mass production cannot imitate.

Why upholstery deserves a little more attention

Your questions, answered

What is Upholstery Awareness Month?

Upholstery Awareness Month takes place every October and celebrates the skill of upholsterers and the craft of making and restoring upholstered furniture.

Where are your sofas made?

Every sofa is handmade to order in our Manchester workshop, with production kept entirely within Britain.

Can I choose my own fabric or leather?

Yes. All of our designs are available in more than 170 fabrics as well as a range of premium leathers. You can order free samples to compare them at home.

Can I see your sofas before I buy?

Of course. Our showroom is open seven days a week, so you can sit, touch and compare in person.

This October, we are proud to celebrate the hands behind every piece we make. The next time you settle into your sofa, we hope you will think of them too.