[10][8] The blog started out as a side project which Bonney ran alongside full-time jobs, first at a design PR firm and later as a freelance writer for multiple interior and design-related publications including House and Garden, Domino, and Craft.
By 2009, Design*Sponge had gained a large following and interest from advertisers; making enough revenue for Bonney to work on it full time.
It moved "away from products to center on people"[9] and began addressing "topics such as how gender, classism, and racism, social issues, and diversity connect to and influence design.
"[9] Bonney's decision to close the blog was prompted by the shifting advertising industry, the role of social media, and the proliferation of design sites; all of which made it financially unsustainable to continue running the website.
It was created to provide "motivation, inspiration, practical advice, and a vital sense of connection and community for women and non-binary creatives at every stage of life.
[19][20][21][22] On the LGBTQ&A podcast, Bonney said, "I mean, it's a super stereotypical lesbian story of email, date, moved in three days later, married four months later, dog, house, all the cliches.