Torrey was born and raised in Colorado. Before transitioning into interior design, she spent 10 years in the finance world—most recently as a CPA and Chief Financial Officer in the healthcare industry. “While I’m incredibly grateful for the experience and skills I gained, I realized that I wanted my work to reflect not just what I’m good at, but also what brings me joy.”
Looking back, Torrey realizes that interior design has always been a part of her—she just didn’t recognize it at first. As a child, she was fascinated by beautiful homes and loved touring model homes and open houses with her mom. Years later, when she remodeled her 1912 bungalow and took on the design herself, something clicked. She discovered how much she loved creating spaces that were not only functional but also meaningful. That experience was a turning point—it opened her eyes to the possibility of turning a lifelong passion into a career.
Torrey was drawn to the Heritage School of Interior Design in Denver, CO, for the unique balance it offers.
“It’s both comprehensive and accelerated, which is perfect for someone like me who is transitioning into a second career. I loved that I could dive into an immersive program that teaches essential design principles, tools, and industry knowledge—without the time commitment of a traditional four-year degree. I was also really drawn to the community at Heritage in Denver. I appreciate that it is female-owned and led, and that the smaller class sizes create a supportive, personalized learning environment. From the beginning, it just felt like the right fit.”
Torrey took on this accelerated interior design program while pregnant with her first child! She gave birth before completing the Master’s Certification track she had intended to finish, but thanks to an individualized plan developed with staff and instructors, she was able to complete the coursework and is scheduled to finish in the subsequent term—only three months later than intended—as a brand new mom!
Katie Baechler Photography
Torrey’s goal is to eventually start her own business, working one-on-one with clients to transform their homes into spaces that feel both beautiful and personal. She hopes to focus on residential design and create spaces that reflect the people who live in them. With her background in business and finance, she feels well-prepared to handle the behind-the-scenes aspects of running a studio, which makes her even more excited to build something of her own from the ground up.
Torrey draws a lot of inspiration from both travel and everyday life. She loves immersing herself in different cultures, walking through historic neighborhoods, and exploring boutique hotels and thoughtfully designed restaurants. Her style blends the fresh and the timeless, with just the right balance of polish and comfort.
“I’m so grateful to be part of such a creative and supportive community at Heritage School of Interior Design in Denver. It’s been the best place to begin this new chapter.”