Emily Daborn is the creative force behind The Good Life Home, a London-based studio specialising in contemporary art and prints. With over 25 years of experience in the fashion, homeware, and stationery industries, including roles as Head of Print at Papier and Senior Print Designer at Oliver Bonas, Emily brings a refined eye and a wealth of industry insight to her work.
Now focused on her own collections and collaborations, she creates joyful, design-led pieces that celebrate pattern, colour, and the art of considered living.
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your artistic journey?
I’m a Print Designer and Artist, creating contemporary Original Art and Giclée Prints.
I studied Printed Textiles at Art college and have worked as a Print Designer all my career, designing for Fashion, Homewares and Stationery. Most recently Head of Print at Papier and Senior Print designer at Oliver Bonas, which completely reinforced my love of homewares. Now I concentrate on my own collections of contemporary Art and Print, together with collaborations with other likeminded designers and creators under The Good Life Home.
2. What inspired you to pursue your craft? Was there a defining moment or influence that sparked your passion?
I think it goes back to when I was 10, drawing 80’s fashion designs (shows my age!!)… I wanted to be a fashion designer and remember a light bulb moment of, what if I could have a career doing what I love. The other influence was having the best crazy A level Art teacher!! Brilliantly bonkers and inspiring!
Your craft
3. How would you describe your work in three words?
Playful, Colourful and Expressive.
4. What materials or techniques do you use, and why are they important to your process?
I love to start everything by painting / drawing by hand. My Favourite medium is Acrylic! I’m not very neat so it’s perfect! I also love my Pental ink Pen for linear brush work. It’s so lovely and free and amazing for inky doodling!
If I’m working on a Print, I like to scan my drawings into photoshop. I rarely draw in Photoshop, I just use it as a tool to clean up, repeat and create designs. Another necessary part of the process is my Wacom tablet and Pen – I can’t use a mouse!
5. Can you tell us about a favourite piece you’ve created and the story behind it?
My Favourite piece is my Bespoke Wallpaper design for interior design Studio Jill. It’s in different areas of New Park Manor Hotel and was a real collaborative project, taking inspiration from The New Forrest surroundings and Whimsical Alice in Wonderland…. Think inky mushrooms and animals in pyjamas!
Creative process
6. What does a typical day in your studio or workshop look like?
Coffee, packaging up orders, emails and meetings. Walking my lovely but naughty dog Ronnie. More Coffee and Creative time – either painting/ drawing or designing. In summer I’m in my garden studio .. ahem .. shed, which I LOVE. Winter, I’m at the kitchen table .. for now, but watch this space.
7. Do you have any unique rituals or habits that help you stay creative?
Coffee ,dog walk and Music -I’m a headphone girl as it makes me focus more. Doodling in a sketch book with a sharpie or ink pen always helps.
8. How do you handle creative blocks? Do you have any strategies or tips for overcoming them?
I think getting out and about is the best! Exhibitions and small independent shops to see what’s current, Vintage markets and Charity Shops for incredible print inspo! Ditch the computer and socials for the day, but take loads of photos. Also, Nothing beats meeting creative friends in the pub! ideas flow!!!
Challenges and successes
9. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a maker, and how did you overcome it?
Over the years while freelancing as a Print Designer there was A LOT of times I was designing something I didn’t like, whether it was the product or style of print, which takes the joy out of designing, but in the end it meant my handwriting is quite adaptable.
At college, they tell you to ‘find your style’ something I don’t believe in. Some people have this and it works for them. For me, my style is forever changing and I have worked with many different people because of it. I enjoy working in different ways and styles.
I think the other huge challenge can be the financial challenge starting your own thing, and this is still work in progress!
10. What’s been your proudest moment or achievement so far?
There have been a few moments I’m proud of but tbh,I still get the biggest buzz from having a career from what I love doing. I know a lot of people that just work for money and actually hate what they do.
Inspiration
11. Where do you draw inspiration from for your work? What sparks your imagination and creativity?
I like to paint ‘everyday still life’, so inspiration could be dinner with friends, or playing shithead on holiday. My work is based on what what I’ve been up to.
12. Do you have a favourite artist, maker, movement, or tradition that has influenced your craft?
So many!!! Too hard to define as I love so many different artists for different reasons! Milton Avery for colour, Mary Fedden and Pierre Boncompain for composition, Sonia Delaunay, and Wayne Pate for patterns, Jean Cocteau and Picasso’s playfulness and my kids art for everything. And many many more!
13. How does colour influence your practice; is it an important part of your process? Do you have a particular palette or favourites? Any go-to sources for colour inspiration?
Colour is so important! People will buy a painting or print to complement their colour scheme in their home, but sometimes people might start with the paintings and work the colour scheme around it!
I have a lot of art books which I’ve collected over the years which are great source when stuck for a burst of colour inspo. Milton Avery always seems to be great!
Perspectives and goals
14. What role does your environment play in shaping your creativity?
It’s so important! I need lots of daylight to see the colours and the space to be messy and free! If I am painting, I often work across a few canvases at a time. I also need a ‘clean area’ if I am designing on the computer. It hasn’t always worked out to have the right space!
15. What do you want people to feel when they experience your work?
I want them to feel happy!
16. What are you currently working on, and what excites you most about it?
I’ve have a few things in the pipeline for this year which is exciting! I working on some new print collections and Original Art, but I’m also hoping to expand into different homeware products!
Advice and reflection
17. What advice would you give to someone starting out as a maker?
Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Everyone has been there.
18. If you could go back to the start of your career, what advice would you give your younger self?
To have more confidence. Not to overthink everything.
Closing thoughts
19. If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I’d love to collaborate with Joseph Frank on something Print and Pattern, And Jean Cocteau! -Perhaps help paint the murals on Villa Santo Sospir walls – something very inviting about painting so freely on a large scale!
20. Where can people find your work, and how can they support you?
My website, thegoodlifehome.co.uk and ig feed: @thegoodlifehome
I think one of the best ways of supporting me is seeing my work in stiu in peoples homes. I love how people style art differently, and it’s so nice to see a photo and see the print / painting when they are in their forever home.
From her London-based studio, Emily Daborn brings over 25 years of industry experience to The Good Life Home—her creative world of contemporary art and print. Blending bold design with a love for colour and craft, Emily’s work reflects a commitment to thoughtful, joyful living and collaboration with like-minded makers.
Discover her latest collections and follow along at The Good Life Home:
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