About Us

About

We’re driven by a love for design and natural materials. Founded on the finest traditions in furniture making, we’re designing furniture fit for Australian architectural interiors and our local way of life.

Our furniture designers explore new materials, reimagine favourite silhouettes, and bring a high level of detail and craftsmanship to our collection. We’re deeply inspired by the original James Stewart, a Scots-Australian haberdasher, importer and furniture maker, and our great, great uncle.

Integrated

From source to site  – we manage it all

We’re unique in managing every step of the product journey, from design development and sourcing materials to our small-run manufacturing partner – right through to logistics and deliveries closely overseen by our team.

This vertical integration has built close relationships with our leather tanners, fabric designers and upholsterers – an innovative new generation of makers based in the textile region between Ningbo and Hangzhou.

Our leathers are created on European hides, hand-finished by artisans we speak with regularly. We believe these relationships create better design outcomes for James Stewart collections.

Local

Made for the Australian climate

Long-term collaboration with our Australian design partners has resulted in a collection full of character. And we’ve even defined some new classics. With an absolute love for hand-finished leather, we’ve created a style grounded in authenticity and tactility.

Aniline leather is a product better suited to the Australian climate and way of life due to its breathable, natural wax and oil finish. Aniline is warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and more breathable than synthetic coatings.

Fit for purpose and fit for place, the James Stewart collection brings originality, comfort and ease to architectural interiors.

The test of time

We believe in natural products – they're better to work with, live with, upcycle, and compostable. We also believe in timeless design – furniture that's treasured holds its value for generations.

To extend their lifespan, our pieces come with batch match material tags for replacement covers and or upholstering sections, when that puppy chews your cushions. We constantly research sustainable materials to make quality furniture that lasts. Our goal is furniture you'll love for life.

Evolution

Innovation through remastering

How a piece is made is just as important as how it looks. Reworking our archive of patterns and designing entirely new profiles, we’re always building on function and evolving style. By partnering with niche, innovative makers, we can customise materials to meet project-specific design requirements.

Building on the haberdashery and furniture-making lineage of James Stewart in the 1800s, our designers equally obsess over the details – from buttons and seams to the corners and edging of our sofas, seating and chairs.

Our History

The James Stewart brand was first established in Queensland in 1862 when our great, great uncle opened his first store in Rockhampton.

With a passion for quality and craftsmanship, James Stewart embarked on a journey to create the first department store in Queensland. With an unwavering commitment to sourcing the finest materials– from delicate hand-spun silks from Japan to elegant bentwood furniture from
Austria; James built a legacy that would span generations.

As his empire grew, James expanded his department stores to other townships across Queensland, providing employment for local artisans and craftspeople. His vision extended beyond retail, venturing into the manufacturing of home décor, including his own signature furniture ranges that embodied enduring quality and timeless design.

Today, this reborn furniture company carries forward the legacy of their ancestor, creating collectible pieces that are built to last, just as James Stewart himself would have envisioned.