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An Interview With British Illustrator Mimi Emmett

A new year means a fresh start. With that comes a new feature on the Luxaflex® blog where we sit down with some of the UK’s most buzzed-about designers, illustrators and interior design trailblazers to find out what inspires them and keeps their interests piqued when it comes to their work, homes and lifestyles.

Photo of a British Illustrator Mimi Emmett

A sophisticated sense of style runs in the family of Norfolk born-and-bred Mimi Emmett. Her passion for design may have been inherited from her parents, who own an interior and lifestyle store on the North Norfolk coast, but Mimi has a unique style all of her own – and she’s quickly proving that she’s one to watch. Being selected for showcases in Islington and at Dulux’s New Talent show may just be considered a day’s work for an interior designer, but to us, it seems like a pretty big (and inspiring) deal. Her ochre-hued and countryside-inspired illustrations reflect the adoration she has for her Norfolk home, and are the perfect finishing touches in creating warm, inviting interiors.

Here, in her own words, Mimi gives us the inside track on her work, daily life, and what’s next…

Luxaflex® (L) Tell us a little about how you got started with your designs and brand.

Mimi (M) I started developing my unique style of illustration when I was in my last year of university, which was something I knew I was very passionate about. I wanted my illustrations and prints to be easily recognisable and distinctive, so this is something I concentrated on. I tried to stay away from my illustrations being ‘twee’ and wanted to keep a contemporary edge to my work, which appealed to all ages. The debut collection developed from my graduate fabric collection, which was 14 sample prints on linen with an open context in mind. From this I began thinking about products these fabrics could be applied to, such as cushions, curtains, sofa coverings etc, and my ideas for the brand started from there.

Fabric of various colours with birds on it

L: How would you describe your brand?

M: Mimi Emmett England is an illustrative lifestyle brand, based in North Norfolk, designing and making British-made homeware and interior products. The designs are easily recognisable because of my unique illustrative style, and the colours in my debut collection compliment both country houses and town houses.

Cushion with a print of birds placed on a light green chair

L: We’ve read that Norfolk and your hometown has inspired you in your designs. What is it in particular about where you grew up that has resonated and stuck with you?

M: I grew up on the North Norfolk coast, in a beautiful family home filled with coastal colours. I took it slightly for granted when I was younger, as I used to get frustrated about living in the middle of nowhere! Now that I’m a little older, I appreciate it so much more, and it was an amazing area to grow up in. My weekends as a kid were filled with long country walks and gardening with my mum, which is where my inspiration for my debut collection has come from.

Blue fabric with foxes and beige fabric with birds

L: Describe a typical working day in the life of Mimi Emmett.

M: A typical working day would be checking emails first thing in the morning and planning out my day. I will then go to the studio and work on my current project, or perhaps go to the printing factory to collect some things. It’s all very new and hectic, so at the moment, something exciting happens everyday.

L: Within your own home or studio, what’s your next project?

M: My next project is to develop some more card ranges, as well as working alongside some interior designers which will be exciting. I’ll also be working on schemes for clients looking for new makeovers, so I’ll be looking for fabric for curtains, blinds, sofa coverings etc.

L: What are your must-have tools, and which are you loving at the moment?

M: I can’t live without a pallet of watercolours or a black fine liner, but I’m obsessed with pastel pencils and gold inks at the moment.

Fabrics of various colours with animal designs on them

L: What are you most proud of when it comes to your work so far?

M: I’m probably most proud of being selected for New Designers at Islington in June 2014 and all the exciting things that have come from it since.

L: You’ve launched a fabric collection as well as a collection of Christmas greeting cards. What other kind of products would you like to put your name to?

M: I’d love to produce some lampshades and ceramics in the near future, as well as more stationery products!

L: Which of your designs is your personal favourite?

M: I love the pheasant design in my first collection, as it’s been popular to a wide audience through both the colours and illustrations. I also love the guinea fowl print as they are such pretty birds!

Cream cushion with bird prints on it

L: What’s next for you?

What’s next is hopefully the brand developing further and someone else is coming on board to focus on the business side of things. We are so excited about what the next few months have to bring!

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