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...

We love seeing what our graduates get up to when they are out working in the industry... the beautiful work from Zhana Garkinis caught our eye, and we just had to catch up with her to find out what she had been up to since studying with us! 

When did you study with us? Design School Group 3 (a while ago - we are now up to Group 30!)

What is your occupation now? Interior Designer & Decorator

What kind of projects do you work on? Residential Interior Design & Decoration, New Homes & Renovations  

How would you describe your personal design style?  

I’m very drawn to Modern American Homes, because they feel sophisticated in their design but are so wonderfully comfortable to live in. I love to design modern contemporary homes too. 

What did you do before this / what initially attracted you to study at our Design School?

I worked in the corporate business sector previously. I was attracted to study at Design School after attending an information session. I instantly fell in love with...

Say hello to Petrina Turner, the latest creative powerhouse to join us as a trainer at Design School Online. Hailing from Melbourne, Petrina is no stranger to education, having taught design for many years. We've long admired her unique approach to creating smart, sustainable spaces and her brilliant eye for colour and pattern. So, to say we're thrilled to have her join Team DSO is an understatement! Welcome, Petrina!
 

Q: Hello, Petrina! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your design journey?

A: Hello! I'm Petrina, the heart and soul behind Petrina Turner Design. With over 30 years in the design industry, I've had the joy of transforming countless spaces into beautiful, functional havens. My journey began with a deep passion for creativity very early on, sewing with my mum, always rearranging and decorating my room and drawing up floor plans for imaginary homes. I also have a love for how design can make a real difference in people's lives. Over the years, I've honed my skills ...

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