S.W. James Leathers

At S.W. James, every leather is hand-chosen for its character, comfort, and ability to age with grace. From the relaxed, lived-in feel of our Vintage Leathers—soft, supple, and rich with natural markings—to the refined patina of our Heritage Leathers, made to deepen and mellow over time, each hide is selected for how beautifully it wears. For those who favour a cleaner, more contemporary finish, our Classic Leathers offer a smooth, understated look while still retaining the warmth and soul of traditional craftsmanship. Whether you’re drawn to the bold depth of British racing green, the timeless appeal of rich tobacco, or the quiet elegance of midnight blue, our leathers are designed to grow more beautiful with every sit, crease, and passing year.

Every S.W. James we make can be covered in any leather of your choosing. Just ask Warren for more information. Free swatches are available on request, to learn more please click here.

Our Vintage Leathers

The S.W. James Vintage Leather range is designed to feel like it’s been part of your life forever. Soft, relaxed, and full of natural character, each hide is hand-finished to bring out its unique grain and markings—no two hides are ever quite the same. With a gently worn-in look from day one, these leathers are made to age beautifully, growing softer and more distinctive with every year. It’s leather with soul—crafted for comfort, built to last, and destined to tell your story.


Vintage - Dark Brown

A rich dark brown leather, full of soul and subtle texture—made to look lived-in from day one. Marked by natural character and crafted to age beautifully, it softens with every sit, telling a story that’s entirely your own.

Vintage - Honey

A rich honey leather with a soft, sun-warmed glow—designed to feel lived-in from the very first sit. Supple and full of natural character, it’s made to mellow and deepen over time, growing more beautiful with every crease and touch.

Vintage - Black

Black Vintage leather with a gently worn-in feel—soft, relaxed, and quietly confident from day one. Its natural grain and subtle patina deepen over time, giving it a rich, lived-in character that only gets better with age.

Vintage - Green

Vintage Green leather in a classic British racing green—a rich, heritage-inspired tone with a subtle, lived-in finish. Soft to the touch and full of natural charm, it’s designed to age gracefully, gaining character and depth with every passing year.

Vintage - Grey

Vintage Grey leather in a soft, balanced tone—elegant, understated, and quietly versatile. With its relaxed texture and natural grain, it feels lived-in from the start, developing warmth and depth as it ages gracefully.

Vintage - Claret

Vintage Claret leather in a deep, rich red—bold yet refined, with a tone that nods to tradition and character. Its supple texture and natural grain offer a gently worn-in feel from day one, evolving beautifully as it softens and deepens over time.

Vintage Leathers Gallery

Take a look inside our customers’ homes and see how Vintage Leather comes to life—soft, characterful, and full of soul. Each piece tells its own story.


Our Heritage Leathers

The S.W. James Heritage Leathers collection is a celebration of character, craft, and quiet confidence. Each shade—from the warm, timeworn glow of Brandy to the deep, smoky richness of Redwood and the inky elegance of Midnight Blue—is chosen for its natural depth and ability to age with grace. These leathers are supple, full of life, and made to look lived-in from day one, developing a unique patina that tells your story over time. Whether it’s the mellow amber of Whiskey or the bold, earthy charm of Tobacco, every piece in the collection is designed to feel like an old favourite the moment you sink in.


Heritage - Tobacco

A deep tobacco-toned leather, steeped in warmth and character, like the cover of an old gentleman’s journal. Supple to the touch and rich with natural depth, it promises to age beautifully—growing only more handsome with every passing year.

Heritage - Ebony

Ebony black leather, dark as midnight and smooth as a whispered secret. Understated yet commanding, it gathers character with time—each crease a quiet mark of distinction.

 

Heritage - Brandy

Brandy leather, warm and golden like late afternoon sun on aged oak. Its gentle sheen and buttery feel hint at comfort and character, destined to deepen into something truly timeless.

Heritage - Whiskey

Whiskey leather, a burnished amber tone with the warmth of a slow fire. Lively yet grounded, it carries a natural depth that mellows gracefully, gaining richness with every crease and year.

Heritage - Redwood

A deep, smoky burgundy leather—like the last pour of a vintage claret by firelight. Bold and brooding, it softens with time, revealing layers of warmth and richness beneath its dark, elegant surface.

Heritage - Midnight Blue

Midnight blue leather, inky and refined, like the sky just before dawn. Quietly striking, it reveals its depth slowly—gathering a soft, smoky patina that only deepens its mysterious charm.

Heritage Leathers Gallery

Take a look inside our customers’ homes and see how Heritage Leather comes to life—soft, characterful, and full of soul. Each piece tells its own story.

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Our Rustic Leathers

The S.W. James Rustic Leather range is all about character, charm, and authentic, timeworn beauty. Each hide is chosen for its natural texture and unique markings, celebrating the rugged, untamed side of leather. Soft and inviting from day one, these leathers are designed to look lived-in, developing a rich, burnished patina as they age. With warm, earthy tones and a comfortably relaxed feel, our Rustic Leathers bring a sense of heritage and homely charm to any space—crafted for comfort, built to last, and designed to tell your story.

The Rustic collection from S.W. James combines the natural character of top grain hides with enhanced wear- and stain-resistance via a durable protective coating, all brought to life through a distinctive hand-buffing process.


Rustic - Foxtail

Foxtail channels the sun-baked sands of distant landscapes, its golden-tan warmth enhanced by gentle distressing that reveals tonal variations reminiscent of S.W. James’s aged-leather accents.

Rustic - Tawny

Tawny evokes the mellow glow of autumn hedgerows, its cinnamon-brown hue enriched by the hand-buffing technique that brings out gentle tonal shifts—perfectly aligned with S.W. James’s signature craftsmanship.

Rustic - Bark

Named for its earthy allure, Rustic Bark offers a warm, chocolate-brown warmth that mirrors the tree-bark tones found in S.W. James’s classic Chesterfields, its protective finish ensuring beauty endures through everyday use.

Rustic - Wine

With echoes of fine burgundy vintages, Rustic Wine infuses seating with rich, wine-tinted depth, its unique hand-buffed surface capturing light and shadow much like the nuanced grain of an S.W. James leather armchair.

Rustic - Ivory

Inspired by natural hemp hues, Ivory offers a versatile stone-beige that shifts under different lights, its hand-buffed finish echoing the relaxed refinement of S.W. James’s bespoke seating.

Rustic - Slate

Slate brings a pale, silvery-grey elegance to any setting, its buffed hide revealing a whisper of texture that nods to the sophisticated restraint found in S.W. James’s Chesterfield range.

Rustic Leathers Gallery

Take a look inside our customers’ homes and see how Rustic Leather comes to life—soft, characterful, and full of soul. Each piece tells its own story.

Our Clubman Leathers

The S.W. James Clubman Leather range is a beautiful leather with a soft, waxy feel and a naturally distressed look that speaks of character. Finished with a resilient coating to guard against marks and scuffs, it’s built to handle the knocks of everyday life with grace. A more refined, uniform alternative to our vintage leather range—perfect for those who love the lived-in look, but prefer a touch more polish, with fewer of the natural hallmarks we embrace in our vintage styles

Whether you choose the bold elegance of Clubman black, the warmth of Fawn, or the quiet sophistication of grey, Clubman Leather brings an air of refinement, comfort, and heritage to any space—crafted for those who appreciate leather that tells a story.


Clubman - Black

Pure and powerful, Clubman Black defines the art of understatement. Its deep, inky finish anchors any space with gravitas, offering a versatile staple for modern lofts or luxury boardrooms where every detail speaks of precision.

Clubman - Bourbun

Clubamn Bourbon’s softly buffed hide glows with honeyed amber warmth, its lightly distressed finish playing with light and shadow while a protective coating ensures it ages with dignified character.

Clubman - Cream

Cream’s softly buffed hide radiates a serene off-white elegance, its subtle matte texture diffusing light gently while a durable coating promises lasting refinement.

Clubman - Denim

Clubmans Denim’s softly buffed hide embodies true indigo allure, its distressed, waxy texture playing with light to reveal subtle two-tone blue nuances, while a resilient coating guards against wear and spills.

Clubman - Fawn

A rich honey leather with a soft, sun-warmed glow—designed to feel lived-in from the very first sit. Supple and full of natural character, it’s made to mellow and deepen over time, growing more beautiful with every crease and touch.

Clubman - Grey

Anchored in modernity, Clubman Grey conjures the calm authority of urban stone. Its cool graphite undertones and subtle matte patina infuse interiors with a confident, minimalist elegance—perfect for living spaces that crave a clean, contemporary edge.

Clubman - Red

Clubman Red ignites the senses with the fervour of a setting sun. Its deep scarlet warmth brings a dramatic flourish to upholstery, pairing beautifully with muted neutrals or rich timbers to celebrate moments of bold expression and spirited conversation.

Clubman - Slate

Slate’s softly buffed hide presents a cool, steely grey depth, its subtle matte finish capturing light to accentuate texture while a resilient coating ensures enduring elegance.

Our Burlington Leathers

The S.W. James - Burlington collection is a deluxe pigmented leather with a smooth, supple finish and a naturally refined air. Gently buffed for a more even appearance, it retains its rich, organic character beneath a cleaner, more composed surface. Perfect for those seeking something a little more refined and less rugged than our vintage and rustic leather ranges, it’s hardwearing, handsome, and quietly sophisticated—with select shades offering a subtle two-tone depth.


Burlington - Ash Grey

Ash Grey’s deluxe pigmented hide wears a soft, buffed surface in a whisper-light silvery-grey, its subtle two-tone nuances evoking the quiet sophistication of morning mist, while a durable finish ensures this leather retains its refined character through years of us

Burlington - Autumn Leaf

Autumn Leaf is a tapestry of burnt ochre and sienna. Its seasonal warmth and nuanced character bring a touch of rustic elegance, echoing forests in full colour.

Burlington - Black

Burlington Black is classic elegance distilled into leather. Its deep, uniform hue and silky smooth finish provide a luxurious foundation for both statement pieces and timeless design schemes.

Burlington - Brandy

Brandy deepens the palette with honeyed cognac tones. Its rich warmth and gentle sheen recall cosy speakeasies and timeless hospitality, ensuring every piece exudes approachable luxury.

Burlington - Garnet

Butlington Garnet’s sumptuous full-grain hide radiates a deep, jewel-toned red richness, its softly buffed surface revealing delicate tonal variations while a durable finish ensures lasting, luxurious appeal.

Burlington - Mist

Burlington Mist’s softly buffed hide exudes a whisper of silvery-grey sophistication, its uniform, luminous surface revealing subtle depth while a protective finish promises enduring luxury.

Burlington - Oriental Blue

A rich dark brown leather, full of soul and subtle texture—made to look lived-in from day one. Marked by natural character and crafted to age beautifully, it softens with every sit, telling a story that’s entirely your own.

Burlington - Pewter

Pewter’s deluxe hide is lightly buffed to a uniform, whisper-soft finish that still honours the leather’s natural character. Its cool metallic-grey hue evokes the refined steel tones of classic British craftsmanship, while the durable protective coating ensures every piece weathers time with steadfast elegance.

Burlington - Racing Green

Channeling the verdant sweep of manicured British lawns, Burlington Green’s deluxe pigmented hide is softly buffed to reveal gentle tonal depth. A protective finish guards against the bustle of modern life, ensuring this vibrant hue ages with the same storied character and enduring allure that define our finest handcrafted seating.

Burlington - Sable

Emanating the rich warmth of antique mahogany, Sable’s deluxe hide is softly buffed to reveal nuanced chocolate-brown undertones, its velvety surface recalling the deep hues of S.W. James’s most elegant Chesterfields. A robust protective finish ensures this sumptuous tone withstands the rigors of everyday life, aging gracefully to develop the storied patina that defines timeless craftsmanship.

Our Antique Leathers

The S.W. James Antique Leather range is a celebration of classic charm and authentic character. This leather is expertly hand-finished, revealing a beautiful interplay of light and dark tones that give each piece a natural, timeworn appeal. With a luxuriously soft, supple feel and a surface that carries subtle variations and markings, this leather is designed to tell a story—deepening in colour and developing a unique patina as it ages. Whether it’s the warm, inviting glow of rich antique tan or the quiet elegance of racing green, the Antique Leather range brings a sense of heritage and craftsmanship to any room, offering comfort that only grows richer with time.


Antique - Tan

Antique Tan exudes the honeyed elegance of well-worn saddle leather, its golden-brown surface gently eroding to unveil pale, sandy highlights—echoing windswept dunes at dusk  . This evolving finish lends quiet luxury to any upholstery, marrying rustic charm with timeless refinement

Antique - Red

Antique Red blazes with the deep embers of a vintage burgundy, its antique top-coat gently distressed to unveil warm undertones that echo well-worn leather bound books in a private library  . Over time, its rich crimson surface softens to reveal a nuanced interplay of red and russet, inviting touch and adding passionate character to every space

Antique - Blue

Antique Blue channels the depth of twilight skies in a richly patinated navy hue, where the antique top coat gently wears to reveal softer cerulean highlights beneath, evoking the timeless elegance of aged indigo textiles; its fine corrected‐grain surface welcomes touch, while the protective seal ensures this leather develops a bespoke, lived‐in character over time

Antique - Green

Antique Green brings the lush patina of forest floors indoors, its dark emerald surface revealing lighter mossy hues as the top-coat ages—evoking the sense of a botanical conservatory caught in afternoon light  . With every touch, its subtle two-tone depth deepens, forging a tranquil yet bold statement in design schemes

Welcome to S.W. James

About Us

Luxury Handmade British Sofas.
True Old Fashioned Customer Service.
Home Of The Most Comfortable Chesterfields.

The beginnings of the S.W. James story can be traced all the way back to school days. Started by two former classmates Jamie and Warren, we’re a family-run business that’s passionate about making British Chesterfields and sofas. At S.W. James, we are proud to still be creating handmade, British furniture in the manner they were made traditionally.

Each S.W. James Chesterfield is handmade using the finest materials and traditional techniques that are sadly dying out; in fact, our small team is made up of four bench staff, whose average age is 67. Our stunning, one-off pieces take weeks to create, and the end result is a true masterpiece that we’ve put our heart and soul into – that’s where ‘Sofas with Soul’ comes from.

No two items of S.W. James furniture will ever be the same – with each one boasting its very own character and quirks, making it uniquely yours. Every piece we make is exclusive to S.W. James, and handmade just for you. Each piece is a one-off commission; no S.W. James is ever the same.

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S.W. James - Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews

Rob and his wife Mandy share their experience with their new S.W. James Chesterfield sofa - highlighting not only the exceptional comfort and quality but also the warm and personal service they received. Their new Huxley Chesterfield sofas have transformed their home into a cosy space for the whole family.

Touch, feel, sit - Come & Experience

Visit Our Showroom

We could wax lyrical about the timeless beauty and supreme comfort of our products all day, but we appreciate seeing is believing – that’s why we welcome you to come and visit the S.W. James shop.

We’re located in Bollington – a delightful village nestled in stunning Cheshire countryside. Book an appointment to come and experience how comfortable our Chesterfields really are.

To book your personal tailored appointment, please contact Warren on
0161 359 5462 or send him an email.