can you change the castors if they are damaged?

Replacing a castor alters the stance of the frame. The brass wheels are integral to the Howard design and often carry the patent stamp. If the wheel is seized, a restorer can often free the pin. Swapping them for generic replacements is rarely recommended as it changes how the sofa sits on the floor.

My husband wants to have our one recovered in a very bright modern velvet, but I am worried the thick fabric won't fold properly around those scrolled arms?

Velvet works well on these frames. The deep buttoning and tight scrolls can handle heavier cloths, provided the upholsterer understands traditional methods. The main issue is the tension across the seat. A thick pile fabric needs careful management where it meets the front edge. Modern synthetic velvets sometimes lack the give required for a neat finish. Many antique Howard & Sons sofas wear plain linen or cotton ticking. If you choose velvet, stick to a cotton blend that mimics the drape of historic textiles.

what type of wood is the back leg?

Most back legs are turned from beech. This timber provides structural strength where the frame takes the most strain. They are usually painted black to blend into the shadows. The front legs get the expensive showcase woods.

We live in a damp old farmhouse and I have noticed some white powdery dust underneath the seat area when I hoovered the rug yesterday, should I be concerned?

That dust often points to active woodworm in the beech frame. The insects bore through the soft sapwood and push the flight holes out near the joints. Turn the piece over and look for fresh, clean holes in the timber. You can treat the carcase with fluid, but the fabric makes it tricky to reach the inner rails. Check the webbing while you have it upside down. Damp environments weaken the jute straps and rot the base cloth.

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Antique Howard & Sons Sofas

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Antique Howard & Sons sofas are deeply upholstered, low-slung seats built for relaxed country house living, instantly recognisable by their slouchy profile and turned front legs riding on distinctively stamped brass castors.