We believe good furniture should feel effortless, but behind that simplicity is decades of craft, care, and considered design.

At Davison Highley, we have been designing and making upholstered furniture in Britain for over 45 years. From our High Wycombe workshop, we bring together skilled craftsmanship, contemporary design, and a commitment to doing things properly.

Most of what we use is sourced close to home, and every decision from materials to manufacturing is made with longevity and sustainability in mind.

Because when something is made well, it lasts, and that’s what really matters.

At Clerkenwell Design Week, we invite you to experience a different way of thinking about furniture, not just as individual pieces, but as elements that shape how a space feels, flows and functions.

Soft Architecture is our approach. A balance of comfort and capability. Of form and flexibility. Of design that brings a sense of ease to the environments we work, gather and spend time in.

Introducing Elmer

At the centre of our showcase is Elmer,  a new modular seating system defined by quiet confidence and sculptural softness.

Low and rounded, its form draws on gentle geometry, generous and inviting, yet carefully resolved. There is a quiet reference to the rise and rhythm of bread rolls, expressed through a continuous upholstered surface that feels cohesive rather than decorative.

The base grounds the design with quiet confidence. Each unit sits on a clean cylindrical foot, a refined, architectural gesture that brings clarity and balance to the overall form. Substantial yet understated, it anchors the piece without interrupting its softness.

In the fully upholstered version, the fabric flows seamlessly from seat to base, wrapping the foot without interruption, a subtle detail that reflects exceptional craftsmanship and control. A timber foot option offers a more contrasting expression while maintaining the same calm, rounded language.

Designed as a flexible modular system, Elmer can be configured into sofas, corners, and tables, adapting effortlessly across workplace, hospitality and education settings. Its low profile encourages a more relaxed posture, while its depth and support ensure lasting comfort in high-use environments.

There is a calm assurance to Elmer. Softness with purpose. Craftsmanship without excess. A design made to sit effortlessly within a space and to endure.

Designed and made in Britain, reflecting an enduring commitment to exceptional quality.

A System of Soft Forms

Alongside Elmer, we are showcasing a collection of established designs, Rolo, Elements, BEEfluted and BEECozy, each contributing to a broader language of soft, modular design.

From bold, characterful forms to more refined and architectural expressions, each piece is designed to work as part of a whole, shaping spaces that can evolve.

Together, they offer:

Flexibility – modular systems that adapt as needs change

Comfort – inviting forms that support how people naturally use a space

Longevity – robust, high-quality construction for demanding environments.

This is furniture not as a fixed solution, but as a toolkit for creating spaces that feel considered, cohesive and human.

Visit Our Showroom

Step into our Clerkenwell showroom and experience Soft Architecture in practice, tactile, adaptable and thoughtfully made.

Whether you are designing for workplaces, universities, hospitality or public environments, we would love to explore how these systems can shape your next project.

Discover Elmer. Explore the collection. Start a conversation.