We kick off Styling School with one of the most important lessons you’ll learn. It’s all about crafting the bible for your styling project… AKA your vision board, baby! This is where the magic begins. It’s your chance to create a visual and emotional roadmap for your project and trust us, it will be your go-to guide for all those decision-making moments when you need to check if you’re on the right track.

VISION BOARD VS. MOOD BOARD

When you think of a mood board, you’re probably imagining a collage of pretty pictures glued to cardboard - we all made those in school, right? Well, in Styling School, we take it up a notch. Our vision boards come with a twist that sets them apart: we include words - not just images. The pictures are there for the looks, but the words? They’re all about the feels. When you’re styling a home, those feelings are just as important as the visuals. Your home isn’t just about how it looks; it’s about how it makes you feel whenever you walk through the door.

In the first lesson of Styling School, we hand over our Three Birds template and teach our students how to identify their style, gather inspo pics, refine them, and pull everything together into a vision board that gives a sneak peek of their finished project.

Are you picking up the vibes these clever Styling School students are putting down?

Wondering why the hashtag? We like to think of this as your mini elevator pitch. It’s that one-liner that sums up your entire project in just a few words, encapsulating the style, vibe, and feeling you’re aiming for. This tiny yet mighty detail is the cherry on the top of your vision board.

DON’T START STYLING WITHOUT ONE!

Creating a vision board isn’t just a fun task to tick off - it’s an essential tool in your styling journey. Your vision board will become the foundation for every design decision you make moving forward. From selecting paint colours to choosing furniture, artwork and homewares, you’ll always have this clear, visual guide to keep you on track. No more second-guessing your choices or feeling overwhelmed by too many options - your vision board will be your styling compass.

Plus, when it comes to working with designers and builders or even explaining your vision to your family, having a physical or digital vision board helps communicate your style clearly and effectively. Everyone involved in your project will be on the same page, ensuring the final result is exactly what you imagined.

This is how Paulette Smit’s vision board came to life at her home, Homestead on Hibiscus:

READY TO CREATE YOUR STYLING VISION BOARD?

Whether you're giving your space a complete overhaul or just making a few small changes, your vision board will help bring your dream home to life - one beautiful, intentional decision at a time.

If you’d love to come home to a beautifully styled space but feel like nothing quite flows or reflects your true personal style, or if you’re sick of wasting money on cushions and homewares that don’t work together - you need a vision board.

Click below to take the first step in learning how.

TAKE ME TO STYLING SCHOOL!