Estate on the Bay Design Showcase

Congratulations to the United Way of Greater Simcoe County
on 50 Excellent Years!

Turnbull Interiors is proud to support the Unsilited Way of Greater Simcoe County as part of the design team for the complete design transformation of Arch and Helen Brown's beautiful home on Kempenfelt Bay!

Irene Turnbull & Turnbull Interiors of Distinction Inc. Presents
The Dining Room

The opportunity to participate in this first ever type of fundraiser for United Way was one I welcomed readily from the start. It was easy toy-in to the worthiness of the project on principle along, given the valuable role that this organization plays in Simcoe County. However, there was another equally important reason that drew me in and that was the opportunity for our regional interior design and decorating community to be showcased as significant players in a globally influenced marketplace. Clearly, this project provides a unique opportunity for our local businesses to visually demonstrate that real talent and value in our own "backyards".

It has been my contention that competition is healthy and in fact, when we work together to maintain high standards within our profession, everyone in the interior design and decorating industry benefits. As National Chair of CDECA (Canadian Decorators' Association) I strove to encourage this type of co-operative spirit among our membership. The Estate on the Bay has provided a meaningful forum for the public to experience the personification of this industry talent and the synergy of its united co-operation.

When I was asked to tackle the dining room as Turnbull Interiors contribution, I realized that the undertaking would be driven from a broader perspective than our usual projects which are always directly connected to our clients' personal needs and emotional connection to their space. The appeal in this case was directed towards a more liberal and artistic interpretation of the dining room as a place for luxurious but comfortable entertaining, and as such it presented a great chance to feature a little of the unusual.

	left: Dining Room, before transformation below: Dining Room, after transformation

We brought in Glenna Wedge, a local "wall treatment artist" whom we had worked with on previous projects, to interpret our connection to the natural elements through the creation of faux copper walls.

Together, with the warmth of the custom-coloured ceiling, this grounded the room and set the stage for an intimate entertaining space, which naturally encourages engaging conversation from its uniqueness. By mirroring the wall between the built-in cabinets upper and lower units, Refraction Glass created the illusion of a window reflecting light and the exterior view of trees and water back into the room while giving the space added depth perception.

We added two recessed ceiling lights to highlight featured art, and a hand-made Italian Morano glass chandelier from Eurofase to enhance the warm glow of the room. Continuing with our artistic theme, the furniture and furnishings complete the ambience.

The layered Fabricut's silk drapery treatment from Turnbull Interiors frames the wonderful lakeside view and anchors the feeling of warmth and luxury in an understated fashion. The furniture is Canadian made by Leda Furniture and boasts fine craftsmanship in every detail. The carpet from W Studio is one-of-a-kind, fine hand knotted Persian rug. Our artistic interpretation is completed addition of original art from Dave Beckett and wonderful Rhodin bronze sculptures courtesy of the MacLaren Art Centre.

—Irene Turnbull

Go to the Estate on the Bay Website for event details.