Brit Kit Collabs: Meet Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge
Don’t know about you, but Design*Sponge is definitely one of our go-to blogs for creative inspiration. This holiday season, we were lucky enough to team up with Design*Sponge founder Grace Bonney to create a pretty sweet DIY kit as part of our Brit Kit Collabs program.
What are Brit Kit Collabs? Glad you asked! We teamed up with eight of our favorite makers, bloggers and designers to create a brand new set of nine exclusive Brit Kits, just in time for the holidays. Head to the shop to check ’em all out, and read on to learn all about Grace Bonney, the founder of Design*Sponge.
You can get Grace’s Wood-Burnt Cheese Board Kit right here in the shop starting at $35! Oh, and don’t forget to check out our cheese board tutorial for more creative inspiration. Alright, ready to hear from Grace? Read on to learn more about her, her favorite holiday traditions and more!
First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and your company’s mission?
I’m a Brooklyn based writer, animal lover and long-time pattern obsessor. In the beginning my primary focus was to create a platform for independent and handmade design, but as the site has grown my mission has become twofold: to support people starting and running creative companies and to help people find the inspiration and tools they need to create a home that feels like who they are.
Why did you decide to start Design*Sponge?
I started Design*Sponge in 2004 as a way to talk about the things I loved that I wasn’t seeing in print or online. Handmade work wasn’t getting the coverage or respect it deserved, so I wanted to highlight all the amazing designers making things independently with their own two hands.
When did you first realize you love to make? When did you realize you could do this full-time?
I’ve always enjoyed making things by hand, whether it’s artwork or furniture. In college, inspired by Trading Spaces, I redid my friends’ rooms and starting building ottomans and entertainment centers on my own. It made me so happy to see how the ‘rules’ of interior design were only guidelines and that anyone could create a beautiful room on their own.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other makers?
It’s all about mise en place for me. Just like cooking, if you have all your pieces prepped and ready to go before you start, and have read through the instructions several times, you’ll be less likely to get frustrated or have something not work out.
What other creative hobbies do you have?
I think creativity is in everything you do, from arranging flowers and cooking to how you arrange things on your bedside table.
The holidays are… for being with family.
My favorite holiday tradition is… taking time off to relax and be at home.
No holiday meal is complete without… stuffing.
My favorite thing to make during the holidays is… mashed potatoes.
My favorite holiday memory is… falling asleep with my first dog, Duffy, in piles of wrapping paper.
Deck the halls with… fresh greenery.
My favorite holiday movie is… The Christmas Story.
All I want for the holidays is… time at home with the people I love most.
The best gift I’ve ever received/given is… anything handmade. I treasure handmade cards and gifts.
My favorite way to spread holiday cheer is… to give back to the people I love. Whether that’s hosting a dinner, offering to run errands or babysit- the holidays are a great chance to celebrate the people who make our everyday lives happier.
Have you fallen in love with Grace yet? Head on over to the B+C Shop to snag her holiday kit!
