Helen Davis of Creature Comforts Upholstery Shares Her Story, Craft and Passion
This week’s 10-minute presentation at BNSL was delivered by Helen Davis of Creature Comforts Upholstery, and it was one that really resonated with the room.
Helen began by sharing the story behind her journey into upholstery — a journey deeply rooted in family, tradition, and passion.
A Craft Passed Through Generations
Upholstery isn’t just a profession for Helen — it’s part of her heritage.
She comes from a long line of upholsterers and has been honing her craft since the age of just nine. In fact, she still uses an upholstery bone that once belonged to her great grandfather — a brilliant symbol of the history and craftsmanship behind her work.
Helen also paid a touching tribute to her mother, who sadly passed away recently. Her mother played a huge role in inspiring Helen’s career, and their final collaborative piece together now holds pride of place in Highgrove House — a truly special legacy.
Specialist in Antique Restoration
Helen specialises in the re-upholstery of antique furniture, but her work goes far beyond simply replacing fabric.
She takes a full restoration approach — carefully preserving and restoring the wood, structure, and character of each piece, ensuring it retains its original charm while being given a new lease of life.
It’s this level of care and attention to detail that sets her apart.
A Fun Fabric Price Game
As part of her presentation, Helen also got the group involved with a fun game of Higher or Lower, based on different fabrics and their prices.
It was a brilliant way to show just how varied upholstery fabrics can be — not only in style and quality, but also in cost. The game sparked plenty of discussion and gave members a better understanding of the value behind specialist materials and craftsmanship.
The winner of the game was Tony Harding of Tony Harding Garden Design, who clearly has a good eye for value as well as gardens!
Sustainability at the Heart
Another key part of Helen’s business is her commitment to sustainability.
Wherever possible, she uses recycled and environmentally responsible materials, helping clients restore furniture in a way that is both beautiful and conscious of its environmental impact.
More Than Just Upholstery
Alongside her restoration work, Helen also offers a range of services including bespoke soft furnishings and fabric workshops — giving people the opportunity to get hands-on and learn more about this traditional craft.
You can explore all of her services, workshops, and recent projects on her website:
👉 https://www.creaturecomfortsupholstery.co.uk/
A Personal Touch
Outside of work, Helen is kept busy by her two pets — Murphy the spaniel and Beanie the cat — who no doubt keep life just as lively as the workshop!
Final Thoughts
Helen’s presentation was a perfect blend of personal story, craftsmanship, and passion. It was a great reminder that behind every business is a journey — and in Helen’s case, one built on generations of skill, dedication, and love for the craft.
The addition of the Higher or Lower game made the presentation even more engaging and gave the group a practical insight into the materials and expertise involved in quality upholstery work.
If you have a piece of furniture that deserves a second life, or you’d like to learn more about upholstery through one of Helen’s workshops, visit:
👉 https://www.creaturecomfortsupholstery.co.uk/
And if you’d like to meet inspiring local business owners like Helen and see presentations like this first-hand, why not come along to BNSL as a visitor?
👉 https://businessnetworkingleicestershire.co.uk/contact-us/
