Meet the Creative Duo Behind Bonnie and Neil

Bonnie Ashley and Neil Downie, the creative duo behind Bonnie and Neil, share their journey of blending bold, painterly designs with nature-inspired aesthetics. Since 2010, they’ve built a brand that celebrates colorful, eclectic homewares, from textiles to furniture.

IMAGES: Martina Gemmola STYLING: Nat Turnbull

Who are Bonnie and Neil? Tell us about yourselves?

Bonnie Ashley and Neil Downie, we are partners in business and life! We launched Bonnie and Neil in 2010, from a love of creating beautiful pieces for our own home when we couldn’t find exactly what we wanted. Over the years we have grown our business from a small range of handmade textiles and furniture, to making homewares for every room of the home.

Where are you based?

Our studio is based in Reservoir, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

How would you describe your creative style and mediums used?

Painterly, nature inspired, eclectic, bold and considered, using paint, oil paint, textiles, wood and ceramics.

How did you begin your career?

Bonnie: Completed a Bachelor of Design in New Zealand, where I started sculpture and printmaking, then moved into screen printing and textile design. While I was studying I also worked as a florist.

Neil: Studied at art and design school in New Zealand which led him to cabinet making and furniture building. Neil has also worked in set design, building and installation which proves invaluable for our photo shoots and trade show stands.

Who are your creative influences?

I’m inspired by fashion designers, modernist painters, historical references in pattern design and different eras like the 60’s and 70’s.

What home style mantra does Bonnie and Neil embrace?

Colourful, personal, unique and layered.

What do you love about your work?

I love what I get to do every day and never tire of putting new designs and collections together, being creative is my favourite thing to do!

Tell us about how you design/ decorate your home?

It starts and ends with colour, incorporating my own original artwork into pieces I’d like to see in my home, making furniture with Neil, as well as sourcing and finding vintage pieces to mix with our own designs.

What do you think is most important when decorating your home?

That it makes you happy, reflects your personality and brings you joy

What’s the favourite way for the Bonnie and Neil team to spend a dream day?

When we put new collections together and gather round as a team to see the new designs, I love that moment.

What are you most proud of achieving at Bonnie and Neil?

When I look back at all of the designs we have created, I feel so proud. There are just so many! I love seeing how the brand has changed over time and the different products we have introduced some of which are still so popular today.

Quick Questions

What’s on your current playlist? Joy Crookes
Favourite coffee place? Love our local Emils
Restaurant go-to? I love locals Old Palm Liquor, Figlia, or further afield, Bar Lourinha or Gimlet
What’s your signature dish you cook at home? Slow cooked lamb shoulder with delicious seasonal salads
Favourite travel destination? India
Favourite room at home? My kitchen