Emma Whyte

Founder and Decoupeur

I have been creating papered furniture and refining this specialist technique for over 20 years.

Previously I worked as a Picture Editor, commissioning and researching photography for national newspapers, but as the demands of the job increased and left me with little time left over, I decided to re-train and studied furniture restoration, upholstery and traditional building techniques. A chance encounter in France sparked my interest in modern decoupage, and I began to adapt the cut paper technique to create my unique and highly decorative pieces of furniture.

I have also worked as a volunteer within the homelessness sector since the 1990’s. In 2014 I saw an opportunity to combine my two interests and began to devise a way to refurbish used furniture on a commercial scale while creating meaningful employment for people who had experienced homelessness.

With support from the Oxford Local Enterprise Partnership and Emmaus Oxford, we were able to put this idea into action and found that not only could we make beautiful things, but that the repairing and remaking had a profoundly restorative effect on the people who worked on them – and so the Revolution began.

“I am so proud to be part of this change-making community and to work alongside people who are so committed to making their world a better place”

Meet the creators

Meet the other skilled makers and artists who blend contemporary designs with
craftsmanship, passion, and creativity to reimagine traditional pieces.