For anyone with even a passing interest in design, Grace Bonney needs no introduction. Her blog, Design*Sponge, is one of a handful that set the gold standard by which all others are measured. And in fact was the blog my friend Paul pulled up on his computer when trying to convince me to start writing one myself. Her latest venture, the gorgeous book Design*Sponge at Home, is on every design fiend’s bedside table as I write.
But more than that, she champions design, she speaks out on the issues that matter – and does so in a measured and respectful way, she generously shares advice with other women running design businesses and she has even founded a scholarship to support up-and-coming art and design students. In short, Grace Bonney rocks!
And I got to interview her! How exciting is that? Here’s what we talked about…
What’s the most important thing to know about you?
That I never stop learning. I think people assume that once my blog hit a certain level of success I would stop working as hard or caring as much, but I am always, always challenging myself and trying to learn new skills and find new ways to better serve the creative community I love. I definitely live for my work and love what I do.
So how did design*sponge come about? What gave you the idea to start writing it?
It had a very unambitious beginning. I never aimed to make it my job, let alone the career it’s become. It wasn’t really one thing, so much as a confluence of events…
Aaron, my husband, thought it would be a good outlet for me to talk about the design I loved with other people who geeked out about it as much as I did.
I thought it would be good to cover the design around me that wasn’t getting the attention it deserved.
And it had the possibility to serve as an online portfolio of my voice and style, which I thought might be helpful down the road when I eventually had the guts to apply for a design magazine job. It was the perfect outlet for my writing style and interests. I had no idea it would become the magazine I always wanted to write for.
What do you love most about it?
Being able to pursue a project when and if I’m passionate about it. No-one gets to approve my ideas – if I want to do it, I do it. It’s the greatest job in the world. Being able to find a way to sustain yourself doing only what you love is an amazing feeling.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt?
Well, it’s a lesson I’m still learning – that you have to take care of yourself and not work all the time. As most self-employed people know, it’s easy to lose yourself in work and forget to have a personal life; especially when the two are so closely entwined. I’m struggling with that a lot this year and I’m trying to learn to take better care of myself.
How did you make the transition from the blog as a hobby to making a full-time living from it?
It was a slow, organic process. I started the blog during my lunch breaks at a full time job, then I left that job to work freelance for House & Garden and ran the blog during most of my day. Then I moved to a few different magazines when House & Garden closed and when those magazines closed I had no choice but to pursue my writing at Design*Sponge full-time. I never intended it to be my only full time job, but I’m so glad it worked out that way. And I’m also glad I didn’t quit my job to blog full-time any earlier – it would have put too much pressure on myself to make money and that’s never a good thing for writing.
What inspired you to publish your the book, Design*Sponge at Home?
I was inspired by what I saw as a lack of really well-rounded books in the design market. There were educational craft books, typically spiral bound and not pretty; and then there were expensive coffee table books that were all pretty pictures with no real “how to”. I wanted to combine both of those things, and then some, to create a real design bible that would document the style we’ve all been enjoying for the past ten or so years and not only show great examples, but include practical tips and tools to do it yourself.
How was producing the book different from writing and editing your blog – and what did you learn?
The process was obviously much slower than blogging, but slowing down really taught me to pay more attention to my writing. The book, and having an editor again, made me a better writer and much more aware of the impact of my words – if I choose them well.
I would definitely do another book, but I need a little bit of time off. We launched a website redesign this year, a book, a newspaper, a scholarship and a 30-city book tour so I’m due for a nap pretty soon!
What are you most proud of?
That we set out to create something substantial, meaningful and helpful – and I really think we did that with this book. It’s not just fluff – it’s inspiring and empowering and helpful to home owners of all age and budgets.
What advice would you give to newer bloggers like me?
Spend a lot of time developing your natural voice and focusing on what makes you and your interests different from everyone else. New blogs stand out when they have a distinct angle or something different to say. Find what makes you unique and really celebrate that. The last thing the community needs is another mood board – I’d take a truly unique writer or viewpoint over that any day!
Describe a really good day in the life of Grace Bonney… and a really bad day.
Really good? Right now that would be any weekend day when we’re home after a great tour leg. We typically travel for five days a week and then get Saturday and Sunday off, so those weekend days when I can stay in bed with my cats and not get on a plane are heaven. They typically involve a lot of Hulu and brunch at my favorite local spot, Five Leaves.
A bad day is rarely ever that bad for me, because I’m a pretty positive person. Even when things are rough, I tend to be able to pull myself out of it by the end of the day. It helps that I’m traveling with one of my best friends and colleague (Managing Editor, Amy Azzarito). It’s hard to be bummed when you have someone to have fun with, who keeps things upbeat.
I really respect your calm and balance when responding to issues you feel passionately about – how do you maintain that?
Thank you. I do my best to think about the things I say, especially when they’re about sensitive topics. But I’ve also got better at accepting that when you go out on a limb to say something, not everyone will love it – or you. And that’s okay. I’m not a blogger because I want everyone to love me – I’m a blogger because I have something to say and an area about which I’m extremely passionate. That’s what I’m looking to share. And I think when I focus on that, it becomes much easier to be honest, direct and genuine about something.
And finally, what’s your favourite colour?!
Right now it’s a deep blue-purple. But typically I’m a grey girl. I love grey.
I read Grace’s book from cover to cover in two delightful evenings and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. It’s staying on my bedside table for a while!
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- http://www.modishblog.com/biztips/2009/03/do-what-you-love-an-interview-with-grace-bonney.html
- http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2011/10/discovering-a-new-passion-always-makes-me-happy.html
- http://www.chicagohomemag.com/Chicago-Home/Design-Dose/October-2011/A-Conversation-with-Design-Sponge-Founder-Grace-Bonney/
- http://interiordesignblogs.info/interior-design-schools/interior-design-schools-news/designsponge-founder-grace-bonney-brings-her-design-bible-to-charleston/
Excellent interview! Great advice from Grace Bonney, too. I like how honest and open she is about the challenges, as well as the highlights. I remember meeting her at the National Stationery Show in NYC back when design*sponge was just starting out. She’s really put the spotlight on small designers and well-made craft, and I think the creative world is better for it!
Really interesting interview. I like how Grace was a dreamer, but a practical one. She didn’t just throw everything to wind…hard work, planning, goal setting…positive thinking. All good stuff, and YAY so mood boards aren’t the end all of end alls! Don’t get me wrong, I love mood boards, but I just don’t like making them more than once every 6 months or so. Oh well.