Who We Are

Semper Hopkins Upholstery and Interiors benefits from two generations of craftsmanship a father and daughter team. Our experience provides a rich understanding of interiors, upholstery and furniture; Ian specialises in carpentry, whilst Emma is passionate about upholstery and interior creations. Emma loves teaching upholstery, sharing her passion & skills with others. Seeing the sense of fulfilment and joy that clients feel from creating.

We are based in a beautifully renovated Methodist chapel in Scholar Green, Cheshire. 

Emma lives in Scholar Green, with her husband Dave and Son Alfie. She enjoys traveling with her family in ‘Wally’ the motorhome, appreciating the freedom, fun and experience that it brings. She enjoys walking, and doing crafty activities as self care tools. It’s a great way to clear a busy mind. 

Ian is now working part time in the business, so he can enjoy his retirement exploring the UK on his narrow boat, and holiday home in Spain.

DIY online upholstery courses Book a Upholstery Workshop Team Building Days

Our Mission

Here at Semper Hopkins Upholstery and Interiors we teach upholstery. Empowering YOU with the skills so you can make unique, sustainable and beautiful pieces of furniture.

The experience of our workshops, online courses and team building days give you the opportunity to get your creative juices flowing long after our time together.  Learning a new skill that offers a mindfulness element can have a profound impact in your work and personal life. Leaving you feeling re-energised,  fulfilled and with a massive sense of achievement.  

Upholstery is a creative skill that gives you more than just beautiful furniture.

So how do we help?

It’s time to stop feeling frustrated and bring those dreams of learning how to create beautiful furniture into a reality. I’ll tell you exactly what you need, and where to start, and virtually give you a holding hand through the process. 

I’ve been in your shoes, and I know what it feels like to finally be able to create the pieces of furniture that been living in your head for so long. You can choose to learn via an in person upholstery workshop, group event, or from the comfort of your own home with one of our DIY online upholstery courses

DIY online upholstery courses Book a Upholstery Workshop Team Building Days

Our Story

How did Semper Hopkins begin?

Many years ago, I started learning upholstery so I could create furniture for my own home. In 2013 we carried out a huge renovation on our home, which had gone massively over budget and we had run out of money to buy the furniture we wanted. I wasn’t willing to wait and save up, so I found another way.

I enrolled in a night class and started to learn upholstery. Not doing things by halves, the first thing I tackled whilst training was a wingback chair. I went on to do further training and fit it in around a busy full time job and it took me a couple of years to complete. At the time I wasn’t looking for a new career, I just love to learn.

I soon found my new hobby didn’t just have the benefit of producing beautiful furniture. I found the craft of upholstery was also a great tool for turning off my busy mind! I created a work studio at home in the front room, a place I could leave projects out and pop in for an hour when I felt like it.

Since first starting our business in 2016, we have changed and adapted. At first, we started out making soft furnishings and creating new pieces out of reclaimed materials, and then introduced custom made furniture as one of our services. But as the business grew, we started thinking, wouldn’t it be great if we could teach people what we knew?

So thats what we did in 2020. We now teach upholstery in person, online and at group team building events. We are empowering YOU with the skills so you can make unique, sustainable and beautiful pieces of furniture. Read here for our full story.

Read more

I had a fantastic day with Emma creating a deep buttoned footstool! The day flew by with lots of chats and laughs. Emma is a great teacher, patient and constructive and very approachable. It was hard work but very rewarding! If you’re considering a workshop-do it! You will not regret it. The chapel is a beautiful building and a great place to work, light and airy with a log burner to keep you warm. Thank you Emma for a fantastic, enjoyable day!

What a fabulous day!
The environment is just beautiful and the workshop was so cleverly designed by Emma that I’m honestly astonished at what I created!!
I’ll definitely be going back to do more and I’m excited to be collaborating with Emma on our CamperHoliday mid week breaks that incorporate a furniture workshop ❤️.
What an amazing workshop I had today. Emma was so inviting & helpful throughout our entire time creating the Deep Buttoned Footstool.
I have always wanted to do an upholstery workshop, and can honestly say I had the best time ever!!! Will definitely be attending more workshops 🤗🤗🤗 

I had a fabulous day with Emma on my recent upholstery course where i created a stool. Emma was very patient and helpful and I would definitely recommend one of the courses for anyone interested in learning basic upholstery skills or as a gift for craft fans.

Social Media

Site Links


© Semper Hopkins Upholstery & Interiors Ltd. | Registered office: 95 Cinderhill Lane, Scholar Green, Stoke-on-trent, Cheshire, ST7 3HR | Company number: 10256862