Skip to content

No duties or taxes to pay on delivery

Ten with Tom: Bonnie Kirkwood on Woven Textiles and British Craft

5 November 2026

Bonnie Kirkwood is a woven textile designer based in Rutland. Her Greenwich collection starts on her hand loom before British mills weave it in small runs, and her favourite Tom Raffield design is the Skipper Pendant.
Bonnie Kirkwood smiling as she leans on her hand loom in her studio, over a length of woven fabric in stripes of orange, pink, green and grey

For the latest in our Ten with Tom series, we caught up with craftsperson and woven textile designer Bonnie Kirkwood to discover more about her passion for British craftsmanship and sustainable design, the inspiration behind her Greenwich collection, and her favourite spots in and around her home in Rutland.

TR: Tell us the story behind your woven textile brand, Bonnie Kirkwood, and how it all began?

BK: I’ve worked in woven textile design and fabric development for over 20 years, having studied MA Constructed Textiles at the Royal College of Art, where I specialised in weaving.

I went on to work as a designer and product developer for brands including Designers Guild and Paul Smith. During my four years at Designers Guild, I worked closely with textile mills, developing fabrics from initial concepts through to production. At Paul Smith, I worked across a broader range of product areas, including fragrance, which gave me a valuable insight into different aspects of the design process.

In 2014, I established my own textile design studio in London, working with brands and manufacturers on fabric design and development and creative collaborations.

Following Covid, I took a step back from the business to spend time with my young family. During this period, I gradually began developing what would become the Greenwich collection. We also made the move from London to Rutland, where I now have my studio.

The Greenwich collection has been an exciting new chapter, bringing together my experience in textile design and manufacturing with my own creative approach. Each design begins on my hand loom before being developed for production with British mills. It’s been particularly rewarding to see these ideas evolve into a collection of woven textiles under my own name.

Four folded woven throws in pink, blue, green and yellow geometric patterns with fringed edges, stacked on a concrete block against a pink and yellow wall

TR: Sustainability plays a big role in your brand ethos. What inspired that focus, and how does it shape the way you operate today?

BK: Sustainability is closely connected to how and where products are made. Textiles can be resource-intensive, so I believe in making thoughtful material choices and creating pieces that are designed to last.

I predominantly work with natural fibres, particularly wool, for its warmth, durability and versatility. I’m also passionate about supporting British weaving, traditional skills and UK manufacturing.

The Greenwich collection is woven in small production runs, with British wool used in the scarves to support British farmers and the wider wool industry. I’m also exploring creative ways to use fabric offcuts and surplus materials to develop new products. I want to create timeless, beautifully made textiles that are designed to be used, enjoyed and treasured for years to come.

Bonnie Kirkwood working at her hand loom in a bright studio, with woven samples pinned to the wall behind her

TR: What do you love most about your role as a business founder?

BK: What I love most is the variety and creative freedom. I’ve always loved both designing and working with manufacturers, and running my own business allows me to bring these two areas together. One day I might be developing new woven fabrics on my hand loom, the next working closely with a mill or client to bring a design into production.

I also love the different opportunities that running my own business brings, from creative collaborations and product development to photography, exhibitions and presenting my own collections. No two days are quite the same, which keeps things interesting and exciting.

TR: What’s your proudest business moment so far?

BK: There have been several moments that feel significant, but developing and launching the Greenwich collection has been a particular highlight. It was the first time I brought together so many aspects of my experience into a collection under my own name.

Seeing the collection exhibited at London Design Festival this year, and then seeing the pieces find their way into people’s homes, has been incredibly rewarding.

Bed dressed with a blue, green and pink woven throw and matching geometric-patterned cushions, against a pale wooden-panelled wall

TR: Could you take us through what a typical day looks like for you?

BK: There isn’t really a typical day, which is probably one of the things I enjoy most! After dropping my children off at school, my day can take lots of different directions. There’s often time spent at the computer, whether I’m packing orders, finalising packaging for new products or working on consultancy projects. But, like any creative, I’m happiest when I’m at my looms, working with yarns and colour.

Bonnie Kirkwood standing at her loom holding a wooden weaving tool, with a multicoloured woven length on the loom and cones of yarn on a table beside her

TR: Being based in Rutland, are there any local spots you love? Whether for creative inspiration, interior finds, or just a really great coffee?!

BK: Rutland Nursery is a favourite for inspiration for the home and garden, as well as a lovely spot for weekend brunch. I also love Eat with Woolfox for its good food and beautiful views, while the children can enjoy the playground.

TR: We’re always curious about personal style. How would you describe your interior style, and what elements make your house feel like home?

BK: I’d describe my interior style as colourful, contemporary and a little eclectic. For me, it’s about combining comfort and practicality with style, using colour, pattern and texture to create a warm, welcoming home that feels personal and lived in.

Our home in Rutland is a converted barn, so it has lots of interesting architectural features and character. I love mixing these original elements with contemporary design, playful colour and pieces we’ve collected over time.

I think colour and pattern can really influence how a space makes you feel. I like interiors that are modern yet fun, comfortable and homely, rather than overly styled. And, of course, textiles play a big part in bringing warmth, personality and texture into our home.

Pink, yellow and blue woven cushions and a matching throw on a green velvet sofa with an orange cushion
Pink and blue woven cushion and throw on a blue armchair beside an orange cushion, with a marble fireplace behind

TR: When it comes to woven textiles in the home, what’s one piece you couldn’t live without, and why?

BK: It would have to be a woven throw. I love how something so simple can bring together colour, texture, warmth and pattern.

A throw can be moved from a sofa to a chair or from room to room, and it’s something you can genuinely use and enjoy every day. For me, beautiful objects should be part of everyday life, not just there to be admired.

Woven throw in bands of pink, green and blue geometric pattern with fringed edges, held up against a grey backdrop

TR: We would love to know what your favourite Tom Raffield design is, and why?

BK: My favourite piece would have to be the Skipper Pendant. I love its unusual sculptural form and the way its curves create such an interesting play of light and shadow within a space. It’s a beautiful combination of craftsmanship, natural materials and contemporary design.

TR: What’s on the horizon for Bonnie Kirkwood, the business? Any exciting projects or plans you can share with us?

BK: There are lots of exciting things in the pipeline, including new pieces for the Greenwich collection and exploring more ways to work with British wool.

I’m also taking on new consultancy and collaborative projects, alongside renovating my studio here in Rutland. The renovations should be complete in early 2027, when I hope to open the space up for workshops and studio visits.

And there are a few other exciting projects in the works that I can’t reveal just yet!

Discover the Skipper Pendant

Posted: 05.11.26
Updated: 05.11.26

Items added to basket