Sharing a Love of Design
Irene Turnbull is an award-winning interior design and decorating professional and project manager with Diplomas in both Interior Design & Fashion Design, and is Feng Shui Certified. Irene’s extensive industry and product knowledge and unique understanding of how we function in our homes is reflected in her work and shared freely in the many published articles and books she has written.
Irene’s unmistakable old-fashioned know-how and distinctive attention to detail which comes from truly understanding the basics of surface materials and their appropriate applications ensures her clients receive value-packed solutions built to deliver a perfect balance of function, comfort and beauty.
A HANDS-ON APPROACH
Irene learned how the building industry works first-hand as a teenager, working in her family’s general contracting business. This, combined with the hands-on experience of actually labouring alongside of her engineer father on the complete renovation of their century-old family home and then later building her own home — as well as being present on job sites when work is being done — has given her a perspective of the trades not readily sought after by today’s designers and decorators.
NURTURING CREATIVE DESIGN
Simultaneously, and more out of necessity at first, Irene was drawn to fabrics and fashion design. Finding ready-made clothes to fit was always a challenge. Remember, she grew up in a world where sewing and making most of her own clothes was just part of life and, in fact, was a required study of home economics in high school. As a result, her interest in fashion became her first calling to the world of design.
Irene completed programs in fashion design/pattern drafting and also business administration at Ryerson while working full time as Assistant to the Chief Engineer of the Toronto Harbour Commission. It was during this period that Irene’s personal interest in fashion branched out to include home interiors and so she returned to school and graduated from Toronto School of Interior Design.
A HISTORY OF PROJECT SUCCESS
After a brief position as a decorator with a large Toronto drapery house and working freelance, Irene returned to her administrative training and enjoyed a successful career in association management for 11 years. Here she honed her business & writing skills which serve her well today. It was also during this time she and her husband built their home.
In 1988, Irene left her post as President of the Confectionery Manufacturers Association of Canada, and returned once again to the world of interior design & custom home fashions, opening That Country Place in Orillia, Ontario, with her husband and partner, graphic designer William (Bill) Turnbull, where their collective talents found a natural coexistence. In 1998 the company was renamed and in 2001 it moved to Barrie where it continued to evolve to deliver quality & service to meet the specific needs of the individuals & businesses it serves.
Today Turnbull Interiors continues to serve the greater Lake Simcoe, Huronia, Barrie, Orillia, and surrounding areas and beyond from its headquarters in Ramara Township, with the same commitment to quality and service, whether your project is large or small.
PERSONALIZED HOME DECOR SOLUTIONS
Irene's commitment to maintaining the integrity and professionalism of the interior design/decorating industry is highly visible as she continues to lead by example. She served on the Board of Directors CDECA (Canadian Decorators Association) from 2004 to 2009, and was honoured by CDECA Members for her outstanding service as Chairman from 2006 to 2008. She served as a member of both the Georgian College Advisory Committees for the Interior Decorating Program and the Kitchen & Bath Program from 2008 to 2021
Irene believes good design is about the people who live in the space, not about the designer. It’s about understanding needs and desires and helping homeowners to express their best feelings in a way that brings harmony to their homes to be enjoyed by all who share it.
Recognition of her creative talents has earned her several awards including two CDECA (Canadian Decorators Association) National Professional Decorating & Design Awards of which she is particularly proud. She openly shares her knowledge through her books and many published articles, newsletters and blogs, and regularly posts recommended reading and reference resources on her website.
