MEET OUR SWISS STYLING SCHOOL SISTERHOOD
As well as the fabulous vision boards, amazing room transformations and great advice shared, one of the things we love most about the Three Birds Styling School group is the genuine sense of community. It’s more than just a Facebook Group, it’s a supportive network of fellow students, some of whom have not only created beautiful homes but also forged beautiful friendships … like Swiss Styling School students Monika Reber and Carmen Schurgast-Rhyner.
WHEN MONIKA MET CARMEN
When Monika joined our very first intake of Styling School in January 2021, she needn’t have worried that she was “only re-styling an apartment and not a whole house”. The beauty of our Three Birds Styling School community is that with so many students from all corners of the world, chances are there’ll be another student embarking on a project similar to your own or in a place close to home. In Monika’s case, that was Carmen.
Realising they were living in close proximity in Switzerland, Carmen reached out to Monika via Facebook and the rest, as they say, is history! Although they’ve never met in person, Monika says “We share things with each other that we don't even tell our best friends and every little piece of my decoration that I bought during my styling process was only bought once Carmen and I were both convinced that it suits the vision board. Even for a pillowcase we sometimes exchanged 50 messages!”
Meet Monika and Carmen and see their gorgeous styling transformations…
“Carmen got in touch with me on 15 January 2021 after we had started Styling School at the beginning of January. Ever since we’ve been in touch daily (I know, isn’t that just crazy) not only do we support each other regarding styling questions & decisions (and there were some really tough ones) but also regarding challenges we sometimes face as working mums of two toddlers.”
“Even though Monika and I have never met face-to-face up to now, we are both an important part of each other’s lives in the meanwhile whenever I see a white vase which screams ‘summer breeze’, I send Monika a picture. If I am moving around decor in my kitchen, it can happen that she helps me to re-arrange the single pieces via FaceTime. I even sent her a Christmas present which fits her vision board.”
MONIKA’S VISION
Monika’s vision to transform her family’s apartment in Bern “on an IKEA budget” started with her beautiful board. #holidayfeelingathome
“I’m so frustrated to realise only now, that things I have bought in the past are actually not even my taste🤷🏼♀️ If only I had known about the Vision Board back then when I bought my BLACK leather couch 🛋🤭🙈😂
I have to start selling so I can finally buy MY STYLE🤩”
WOW, LOOK AT IT NOW!
“One year after starting Three Birds Styling School I have finally finished my dream living- sitting- room I am beyond excited to have been able to achieve my vision; it was a veeeery long road with a lot of pillows along the way!
A big thank you to Carmen Schurgast-Rhyner; how lucky are we, to have found a friendship as special as this through a Styling School from Australia, I mean whoop whoop!”
Monika’s Bedroom Before & After
Monika’s Entryway Before & After
You can follow Monika on Instagram: @mo_re_home_decor
CARMEN’S VISION
Living just out of Zurich, Carmen wanted to style her country home with breezy coastal vibes but a cosy feeling during the snowy winter months.
FROM COLD TO COSY
After completing Styling School in early 2021, Carmen says she restyled her “entire home to a modern country house with a coastal touch. I learned so much. I also received a lot of support from the community and learnt a lot just by reading all posts. The entire house follows the same style and leaves this cosy modern country house feeling with a tropical touch - which was actually my vision board! Really happy, thank you Birds!
And last but not least I met a friend in this course who makes me smile with her daily design updates.” That’s you, Monika!
“This amazing course gave me so much confidence to restyle our house and the homes of my friends, the Facebook group was extremely helpful as well and Monika contributed to the fun part, helped to keep the motivation on a high level and gave me very good advice.”
You can follow Carmen on Instagram: @carmenschurgast
Do you want to learn how to style your small space beautifully, like Monika’s SWISS APARTMENT? Check out some of our top tips for small space styling.
When you step inside Bec Berrell’s family home it’s hard not to immediately feel relaxed. From the wide hallway to the high pitched roof, gas strut window and views to the pool and garden, this home exudes the “holiday at home” vibes Bec laid out on her vision board.