Interior designer promotes fine fabric Sunday, May 10, 2009 By Carol Hayes Interior designer Helen Turkington is fighting the economic downturn and expanding her business by opening a new shop.
Helen Turkington Fabrics has just opened at Terminus Mills on Clonskeagh Road in Dublin 6, selling a range of 200 fabrics at 40 per cent less than other shops. A veteran of the design industry, Turkington set up her first outlet on Dunville Avenue in Ranelagh seven years ago. She now employs eight people between the two stores.
‘‘I wanted a new outlet to complement my original shop and build on the success of the Turkington brand,” said Turkington, who wasn’t fazed about opening the store in a recession.
‘‘I have been planning this for the past year, and I’m delighted that it’s now a reality.
‘‘In a marketplace where people are focused on value yet still demand quality, our keenly priced collection of fabrics will be attractive to savvy customers. People are tending to stay at home more and, instead of moving to new homes, they are covering old pieces of furniture and buying new curtains to refresh their living spaces.”
Born in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, Turkington went to boarding school in Coleraine in Derry. She then went to London, where her parents sent her to the Prue Leith Cookery School.
‘‘They hoped that I might carve out a career in cookery, but this was not to be,” Turkington said.
‘‘I changed direction completely and ended up getting a job with a property developer.
I was involved in all aspects the business, including developing the residential property portfolio.
‘‘That’s where the interior design bug hit. While in London, I completed several courses and began working in interior design full time.
‘‘After ten years in London, I needed a change and returned to the family interiors business in the North.” When she returned to Ireland, Turkington opened the Fabric Library with her parents.
That business is still running, selling fabrics and a range of home accessories. She moved to Dublin in 1999 and did freelance interior design work. In April 2002, she opened the Helen Turkington store in Ranelagh, while continuing to work on developments in Ireland and Britain.
‘‘Having worked with fabrics for many years, I noticed that Dublin was lacking in really good fabric shops - hence my decision to expand my business,” Turkington said. ‘‘I believe my timing couldn’t be better, as fabric companies across Europe are laden with pre-ordered excess stock.
‘‘I can buy luxurious fabrics at really good prices and pass these savings on to my clients. We also have our own upholstery service, as well as in-store interior designers.”
Turkington acknowledged that the economic climate was tough, but has ambitious plans for the business. ‘‘I’m not afraid of hard work,” she said.
‘‘I know that Helen Turkington Fabrics is a really good idea and I plan to grow it into a thriving business this year.”
|
Text-Only