String lights twinkle in the dusk. Mint juleps clink in glasses. Kids yelp and run around, while friends tell stories and laugh on the front porch and strains of bluegrass music lilt on the breeze: This is printmaker and home goods designer Bonnie Kaye Whitfield’s picture of party perfection. Bonnie grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, and her childhood was steeped in home cooking and southern socializing. “My parents are the most hospitable people I know,” Bonnie says. “They were always having friends over for dinner.” Young Bonnie would help her mom prep in the kitchen and grew ever more enamored with cooking, and with bringing loved ones together around a table.
Explore the Bonnie Kaye Studio collection
Now, with a young family of her own and an entertaining-focused design business that she runs from the brick-walled basement of her Johnson City, Tennessee, home, Bonnie still finds hosting and gatherings at the center of her adult life. “A table physically draws us together, making us sit and slow down. It unifies,” Bonnie continues. “For me, it symbolizes that we belong to a larger whole. It allows us to be human for a while, to share stories of victories and struggles, or even just our ordinary days. The conversation can be just as nourishing as the food and drinks—but a good glass of cabernet doesn’t hurt either.” You could say the same for a beautifully laid table, adorned with Bonnie’s understated screen-printed linen table runners, placemats, and cocktail napkins.
Read on to learn how Bonnie designs and prints her distinctive, nature-inspired home goods and gift wrap, then shop the Bonnie Kaye Studio collection.
Where do you find inspiration for your prints?
I go on a lot of walks with my daughter and my dog and I spend a lot of time on the front porch, so I get daily inspiration that way. When I started the business in Philadelphia, I was very active in a community garden in my neighborhood. I really reconnected with nature in a way that I had been missing in the city. I didn’t intend to exclusively focus on botanical patterns, but once I started, it’s been hard to stop. The inspiration is endless.
What’s the process behind your designs?
I like things that are labor-intensive or have a lot of steps. I don’t know if that’s the Virgo in me. My patterns always start from sketches. A lot of them are inspired by travel or trips to botanical gardens. I’ll take my favorite sketch and transfer it to a linoleum block, carve it, and print it manually in my sketchbook to test it. Once I find a design that works, I scan it into Photoshop, create the repeating pattern, get it burned on a screen, and start printing.
It often feels like there’s a lot of time between the birth of the idea and the design and actually getting to put it on something. But I like that process. I like that my pieces are labors of love. I like that I am making them in my home, knowing that other people are going to use them in their homes. Because there are all these steps involved, I think it makes the finished piece even more special.
What are your tips for incorporating your products into holiday entertaining season?
The wrapping paper makes a really great recyclable table runner—and if the wine spills, you don’t have to panic. My square double-sided cocktail napkins are super fun, not only at a party, but as hostess gifts that pair well with a bottle of wine. I’ve had customers use the wrapping paper to make garlands, name cards, and other items to decorate their homes and give as gifts.
Are there other creative ways people have used your products?
I got an awesome photo from someone who had used some of my metallic printed paper to line the back of her kitchen cabinets. There’s a photographer who uses my paper to wrap up the portraits that she sells. I’ve also enjoyed working with several brides who have used my wrapping paper as table runners. I’m really open to printing my patterns in colors that I don’t normally print them in because the options are endless. And I get to see really great photos from the weddings!
What does a typical workday look like for you?
Every day is really a bit different. I had a little girl, Magnolia, in December, so that’s been a huge change. At this point, a lot of the work I get done is during her nap time, so it allows me to be a dedicated mom when she’s awake and then I hop down into the studio when she’s asleep to send emails, update my website, take product photos, and package orders.
I also have 15 hours of childcare a week now. I focus on designing and printing during those hours. Having a baby has actually made me all the more focused and efficient in the studio. Sometimes I wonder what I did with all that time in the studio before Magnolia!
How has your approach to entertaining changed after becoming a parent?
My husband and I love to have people over for cocktail parties and bonfires—with kids running around, because that’s our new phase of life. I love potluck-style gatherings because they take the stress off of everyone, and everyone gets to contribute. They’re smaller and more low-key than the elaborate dinner parties that we used to have. But we know that life is short and at the end of the day, we want to break bread and drink a cocktail with our friends and family. So we really try to prioritize it.
Follow Bonnie Kaye Studio on Facebook and Instagram.
Photographs by Anna Hedges.
48 comments
Cointrelle Vintage Clothing from Cointrelle said 2 years ago
Wow wow wow! What a multi talented lady she is! I love that she designs the prints AND silk screens them herself. Very inspiring : ).
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature of your lovely shop. I wish you much success.
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful shop. All the Best.
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 2 years ago
Beautiful designs, love the botanical prints, congratulations on a great feature!
Renee from RandMhandmade said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature. I really like your shop!!
Wesley Jones from ColorCodedArtist said 2 years ago
This is such an inspiring, honest, and raw feature. Anything Bonnie creates, in my opinion, is timeless. She’s also a great role model for moms who are balancing their work and children. This is beautiful. Great read.
Julia K Walton from JuliaKWalton said 2 years ago
Gorgeous work! Lovely to see your process and work-space, too.
Ana Paula from macraMe said 2 years ago
Great work!!! Wonderful designs!!! Congrats!!!! :-) :-)
branda Moreno from branda said 2 years ago
Love the Bonnie prints! They are so fresh!!! Thank you Julie for show us this amazing shop!!! :-)
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 2 years ago
These are all labors of love products. So beautiful. Congratulations on a great feature!
Tiana Kotskulich Precious Embroidery from TianaHandmade said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! wonderful prints and inspiring story!
Abraham from PopcultPosters said 2 years ago
Her shop is amazing!
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 2 years ago
Amazing creations! Congratulations on the feature!
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 2 years ago
Inspiring shop and lovely story! Congratulations on the feature and best wishes for achieving all your goals and dreams :)
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 2 years ago
Wow, Bonnie your shop is really pretty! I'm a big fan of botanical prints as well :) Congrats on the feature!
Carolina from Agirlwithfeathers said 2 years ago
Gorgeous Designs! All the best.
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 2 years ago
Ahhhh ~ Boiler room beauties ! Lovely work ~ Cheers to much continued success.
Connie Haskell from redemptionart said 2 years ago
Not only are your creations and your personalized process inspiring, but the fact that your parents tradition and hospitality inspired you give her products so much soul! I also got some good organizational ideas for my very small studio from you! Thank you being a part of our Etsy family!
Leo Nuvunga from AfricanCraftsCenter said 2 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congrats on the feature!
maggie from BlossomBouquetStudio said 2 years ago
Great story! Love your work! Congratulations on the feature!
Beth Holthaus said 2 years ago
I love my Bonnie Kaye items! Congratulations on the feature!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 2 years ago
Love your inspiring story and design! Congratulations on the feature!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 2 years ago
Lovely shop, congrats on the feature.
Kelly from CedarMillStudio said 2 years ago
Congrats on the feature! Love the botanical prints!
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 2 years ago
Your work is beautiful, Bonnie...love all your prints and your photos are fabulous! Very talented lady. All the best!
Rosita from pillowlink said 2 years ago
Magical work process. Love this!
Stekia Pantou from StekiapantouStore said 2 years ago
I am agronomist in greece and i can understand you. the nature and the colors of green orange red are so strong that you cand reasist You are good in sketch that is good i love it, i am not so good. i like your emotionals in your work i can buy your things and i can feel them. as wine sommelier i love the idea off my bottle in a paper with yellow roses. Is big happines when you see your work in your clients hands and imagine how to use them. a new smile painted with your hands. Maybe your Magnolia is your really inspiration I love the photos well done Anna Hedges. And Julie Schneider keep search creative people
ciaffi from ciaffi said 2 years ago
Congratulations!!! :-) :-)
Maria from StyleGraphicDesign said 2 years ago
So sweet, love it!:)))
Ninni Andersen from CeaselessArtistry said 2 years ago
Congrats! It looks delicious!❤️❤️❤️
Anastasia from WildJewelleryDesigns said 2 years ago
It's so beautiful! I love plant and flowers! Your prints is so nice and natural.
Bonnie Kaye Whitfield from BonnieKayeStudio said 2 years ago
Thank you so much, Etsy, for the feature! And to all you in the Etsy community for your kind and generous support!! It is truly such an honor. Your words have given me fuel for the holiday season! xx.
BarkandOm from BarkandOm said 2 years ago
Beautiful work!
Fields Of Vintage from FieldsOfVintage said 2 years ago
How cool is this story! Great shop and products! congrats.
Oriaku Onuoha-Bean from JewelryByOri said 2 years ago
Such a warm and welcoming store. Congrats on the feature!
Karen from KnitPeddler said 2 years ago
Congrats on being featured! I love your beautiful designs and it was interesting to see your start to finish process. All the best! <3
Elena Golovina from DressEmbroideredRU said 2 years ago
It's fine! What beautiful prints! And the workshop is very comfortable and bright.
Leilani Hirakawa from Lanikawastudio said 2 years ago
Beautiful studio!!! And love all of her designs!!!❤️
AnitasPottery.com from potterybyAnita said 2 years ago
What an interesting craft/art! Love, love, love the photo of that happy baby! Congrats on everything-- shop, new little one, all! ❤️❤️❤️
PS1002 from HealthyHemisphere said 2 years ago
Very nice!
Ritisha from abeautifulprojection said 2 years ago
Blown away by all the beauty! Congrats on the feature - your work is gorgeous. I love your daughter’s name too.
Nancy from PiacereMioPaperie said 2 years ago
your designs are amazing! Congratulations to you for creating great and vibrant prints, and being the mom of a darling baby!
Lilly from thelillytree said 2 years ago
You are fabulous and your designs are brilliant! Such talent and creativity!
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 2 years ago
Fantastic shop! Love her creative designs :)
Oonah from unatuna said 2 years ago
Absolutely lovely design! Thank you
interesnyiblog said 2 years ago
I really liked it. Everything is simple, accessible and from the heart. Thank you.
Anzhelika Grigorieva from SudarushkaShop said 2 years ago
Wonderful designs!
Barb from Blingyourdoorandmore said 335 days ago
Congratulations on the feature of your amazing shop. You're so talented! Love the prints that you design.