#GradsDoingGreatThings: Alicia Fennell from Birre Home

Design School - Online - Group 26, 2024
Trainer: Mel Rettore

From stay-at-home mum to shop owner and emerging interior decorator, Alicia Fennell’s journey is one of rediscovering purpose, following a creative spark, and building a business that feels deeply personal. Now the face behind Birre Home a beautiful homewares and gift store in the heart of Birregurra, Alicia has created a space that reflects her love of colour, texture, and joy-filled design. We caught up with Alicia to hear more about her time at Design School, how she found her confidence, and the exciting path she’s paving post-graduation.

 What's your current role in the industry? 

I'm the owner of Birre Home, a homewares and gift shop in Birregurra, Victoria.

What kind of projects do you specialise in, and what makes your work stand out?

At the moment, I’m focused on the retail side of the business, but in the future, once all my kids are at school, I definitely want to start decorating residential projects. I try to stock products that I would personally use when decorating a space. I look for items that bring joy, whether they’re quirky, colourful, or have beautiful texture to help balance a space. I love helping customers with their choices, and I feel what I learned at Design School has given me the confidence to do this.

What did life look like before design, and what was your ‘aha’ moment to study with us?

I was a stay-at-home mum for almost 10 years before starting at Design School. My youngest had just turned one when I decided it was time to do something for myself. We were about to begin a major renovation at home, and I’d already started diving into the world of interiors and absolutely loved it. That’s when I realised studying for a qualification was the natural next step. And I wasn’t wrong, starting Design School was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Can you share a moment during your time at Design School that shaped your confidence or creative direction?

It gave me purpose and a goal to work towards. I hated school when I was younger and struggled to focus unless it was something I loved. When I started, I was nervous and had a huge amount of anxiety about failing. I’d been out of the workplace for so long, and it had been over 20 years since I’d studied. The amount of time I put into my first project was, looking back, a bit extreme, but when it was marked by Mel and I received her feedback, it really boosted my confidence. She was always kind and gave constructive feedback, with tips that made the process enjoyable.

What was the biggest mindset shift you experienced while studying?

That I wasn’t as “dumb” as I thought I was. I’d always been terrible at school, but looking back, I just don’t think traditional school was right for me. Don’t get me wrong, Design School was challenging, but in the most rewarding way. I felt supported whenever I had questions, and with each module completed, my confidence grew. It was nice to see.

How do you stay inspired or creatively fuelled?

I love following creatives online, not just in interiors. You do have to be careful with social media though, the algorithm can put you in a box and keep you from seeing new styles or creators. To combat that, I pick up books and magazines. I’ve also completed short courses in photography and drawing since graduating. All these things open your eyes to new perspectives. I know it sounds corny, but there are so many beautiful things around us that I never noticed before.

What did you learn at Design School that you didn’t expect, but now couldn’t live without?

SketchUp! It was very intimidating at first. I hadn’t worked in so long and my computer skills were definitely lacking. Honestly, I hated it in the beginning, but the more I used it
and became familiar with what it could do, the more I saw its potential. I use it all the time now. It helped me plan the layout of the store, and I couldn’t live without it. Colour psychology was also a huge eye-opener. I always loved colour, but was scared to use it without the confidence or knowledge I have now.

What role did mentorship and support from the trainers play in your journey?

Mel Rettore was wonderful, she always built us up. Her knowledge was endless, and her constructive feedback was delivered in a way that made the experience relaxed and supportive.

How has the Design School community and/or social media stayed part of your life post-graduation?

I still follow both past and current students to see what everyone is working on. When I leased the shop, the first people I was excited to tell were the girls in my buddy group. Everyone is so supportive, we all lift each other up. That was one of my favourite parts of the program.

What advice would you give someone standing where you were on Day One, either at the start of the course or after graduation?

Breathe and don’t overthink it. Take every opportunity that comes your way during and after the course. You never know where it might lead you.

Get to know Alicia: