From Rental Inspiration to Global Design: Leanne Kilroy’s Good Bones x Plank Collection Arrives Stateside

Living in a rental property often presents a unique set of challenges for design enthusiasts. The restrictions on permanent renovations frequently force tenants to lean into temporary fixes or accept the aesthetic status quo of a space. However, for Leanne Kilroy, an interior designer and the founder of the London-based studio Good Bones, those very limitations served as the catalyst for a creative breakthrough. Her journey from frustrated renter to designer-collaborator began with a humble discovery in her former home: a series of old, perforated tin pendants in the kitchen that, despite their age, possessed a transformative quality.

"The way the light would play through the perforations and bounce off the wall was pure magic," Kilroy recalls. The experience left such an indelible mark on her design sensibility that she spent years searching for similar vintage pieces to replicate that specific atmospheric effect. When her search for the original shades proved fruitless, she shifted from consumer to creator, embarking on a project to design them herself. The resulting collaboration with the UK-based lighting brand Plank was an immediate success, selling out quickly upon its initial release earlier this year. Now, in a major expansion of the partnership, Kilroy is bringing the entire line to the United States, accompanied by a new suite of complementary hardware designs that aim to bridge the gap between traditional metalwork and modern domestic utility.

A Whimsical Approach to Functional Lighting

The core appeal of the Good Bones x Plank lighting collection lies in its manipulation of light and shadow. Kilroy’s designs are not merely passive fixtures; they are active elements of a room’s decor. By utilizing tiny perforations in the metal shades, the fixtures cast intricate, pinpoint patterns across nearby surfaces. When combined with wider, open sections in the design, the lights create a dynamic visual interplay that shifts throughout the day.

The collection is designed to be versatile, moving beyond the static nature of standard fixtures. The "Aster," for instance, functions with dual intent, capable of serving as a focused spotlight or a more diffused flush mount. Meanwhile, the "Stella" fixture features a hinged design, allowing homeowners to customize the direction of their task lighting. According to Kilroy, the goal was to infuse spaces with personality during the daylight hours while creating a sense of intrigue and warmth once the sun goes down.

"We tried many iterations to get the perforations to be just the right size and placement, and in the end, I think we nailed it," Kilroy explains. Even the Aster model, which lacks a traditional shade, relies on the geometry of its multi-faceted metal base to bounce light in a way that feels intentional and elegant. The design team suggests using golf ball–sized globe bulbs to maximize the aesthetic output of the fixtures, though the collection invites experimentation with capped bulbs, which can fundamentally alter the shape and spread of the light emitted.

Classic Motifs Meet Modern Sensibility

A defining characteristic of the Good Bones x Plank collaboration is the recurring use of the eight-point star. This motif, which appears prominently on both the Aster light and the Cecilia backplate, is a nod to the enduring appeal of traditional metalwork. For Kilroy, the star is more than just a decorative choice; it is a functional one, designed to catch and refract light in a way that creates a soft, radiant glow.

The broader collection draws heavily on a library of vintage shapes, including teardrops, shields, and various jewel-inspired forms. These silhouettes are characterized by a deliberate tension between crisp, sharp edges and fluid, rounded lines. This balance is what Kilroy believes gives the pieces their timeless quality. "When working with metal, especially polished metal which can appear sharp and striking, I really like to balance it with an element of softness," she notes. This philosophy of "softness" is evident across the entire range, ensuring that even the most metallic pieces feel approachable and integrated into the home environment.

Redefining Hardware Through Proportion

While the lighting collection captures the eye, the accompanying hardware line aims to change how we interact with the tactile elements of our cabinetry. Kilroy emphasizes that the hardware was designed to fit into the "normal, chaotic routines of a busy home." This meant moving away from the prevailing design trend of oversized hardware, which she argues can often overwhelm a space. Instead, her pieces are intentionally smaller than many of the knobs and pulls currently dominating the market.

"Maybe there’s an idea that bigger is better, but I think more subtle pieces allow for more personality—and more flexibility in how they are used," Kilroy says. By opting for a more diminutive scale, the hardware is able to adapt to a variety of applications, whether it is adorning traditional Shaker-style cabinetry or more contemporary, flat-fronted drawers. For larger furniture pieces, she encourages a more modular approach, suggesting the use of multiple smaller handles or knobs to replace a single long pull. This, she notes, provides a more custom, thoughtful look that doesn’t dominate the room’s aesthetic.

The commitment to usability extends to the engineering of the hardware itself. The Drop Pull and Swing Pull models are equipped with an invisible stop, a thoughtful detail that prevents the metal from swinging back and marking the cabinetry surface. "They swing freely and then (very satisfyingly) stop short of the furniture behind," Kilroy explains. It is this marriage of high-end aesthetics with practical, everyday engineering that she hopes will improve the lived experience for those who install her pieces.

Craftsmanship and Durability

The collaboration between Good Bones and Plank represents a shared commitment to durability. Each piece is crafted to withstand the rigors of daily use while maintaining its finish. The decision to prioritize "no visible screws" in the design process serves two purposes: it creates a cleaner, more streamlined appearance and ensures that the hardware feels soft to the touch, preventing the discomfort often associated with lower-quality, sharper metal edges.

As the collection makes its debut in the U.S. market, it brings with it a narrative of thoughtful, intentional design. Whether it is the Vesper Conical Pendant Light or the James Pull with backplates, the range offers a cohesive look that feels both rooted in history and perfectly suited to the modern home. For Leanne Kilroy, the journey from those perforated tin pendants in a rental kitchen to a global collection has been defined by a constant pursuit of balance. By focusing on the interplay of light, the history of classic motifs, and the practical requirements of a functional home, she has created a series of objects that are designed not just to be seen, but to be lived with.

The full range, including the various finishes from antique brass to polished chrome, is now available to American consumers, offering a new way to bring the unique, warm, and highly curated aesthetic of the Good Bones brand into their own spaces. From the intricate light patterns of the wall sconces to the subtle, rounded profiles of the cabinet hardware, the collection stands as a testament to the idea that small, well-considered details can significantly elevate the character and comfort of a living space.