Top designers sign up for homes and gardens show

MORE than 30 designers have signed up for a new homes and gardens show in Henley next month.

Sculptors David Harber, whose creations sell for up to £20,000, Sam Wylder and furniture company Encompass are among those who will take part in the Henley House and Garden Show on Saturday and Sunday, February 28 and March 1.

Organiser Niki Schafer, an interior designer, of Walton Avenue, Henley, says she is very excited about the show, which is supported by the Henley Standard.

She said: “Well over half the exhibits and stands are taken now. There are lots of really beautiful high-end furniture and sculptures from people who have come on board. I need more exhibitors to fill the stands but I don’t see any problems. People are aware of the show. I originally wanted everything done and dusted by Christmas but it just slowed down over the holiday.”

The show will be held in Market Place with an extra 12 exhibitions at King’s Arms Barn and Lady Sew and Sew in Farm Road. Mr Harber and Julia Kendell, a designer on ITV’s 60-Minute Makeover, will be giving talks over the weekend and Mrs Schafer has asked TV presenter Nick Knowles if he will MC the event.



A red double-decker bus will ferry visitors between Henley station and the town hall on the Saturday.

The show will close with a fashion parade and light show with sportsmen and women from the town.

Mrs Schafer said: “We already have some of the Henley Hawks team and Paralympic rower Naomi Riches.

“I’m looking for rowers and other sportsmen and women who will wear their own kit but model a piece of furniture as they walk down a runway.

“Henley Theatre Services will be organising the lighting and this will be the climax of the show.

“The fashion show will be supporting the Chiltern Centre for disabled children and raising money for their multi-sensory room.”

Mrs Schafer is encouraging anyone interested in attending or taking part in the show to sign up through the website. A prize draw with everyone that registers will be run by Brook House Interiors, in Reading Road, with prizes including a stone bench and restaurant meals for two.

Independent local businesses in the town centre will be offered the chance to be included in a “design trail”.

Mrs Schafer said: “People who want to be part of the trail will have a laurel tree outside their shop with a House and Garden poster on it. The trail is for anywhere in central Henley so people can come along to the show but then go off to a café or somewhere like Shaun Dickens’ restaurant.

“It might not be the best weather in February so it’s a great time for people to say ‘let’s go for a nice weekend in Henley and focus on houses and interior design’. There are a lot of logistics to work out to make sure it’s a really smooth operation but I’m definitely very excited about it.”

For more information, visit www.thehenleyhousegardenshow.com