My passion for helping people level up is deeply rooted in my belief that everyone deserves to live a life filled with meaning and authenticity.
Barbara talks about her passions!
I was born and raised in Austria. Although today it seems to me, I come from a place heavily imbued with all sorts of cross-generational paradigms, as a child I was always free to follow my interests and explore my ideas. Although my mother and father divorced when I was 7 years old and my brother 5, both my parents lay the foundation of what I am passionate about today, each in their own way. At a very early age, my father introduced me to antiques furniture and the possibilities of interior design authentic to its residents. My mother, who had custody of us and was the sole bread winner for our family of three, did whatever she could to enable her free-spirited daughter to attend boarding-school in a town too far away to commute daily as a pupil, spend summers in France and Italy, and fully support my decision to live abroad after having completed my A-levels. The next ten years I spent in the Swiss Alps, on board a cruise ship famous for a German TV show (the equivalent of the American “Love Boat” TV-series), at a university in Northern Germany for my bachelor’s degree, in London for my master’s degree and after the shattering end of what I had considered the biggest love story ever possible in Portugal I returned to Austria with the intention to stay only for a short while. Spend time with my grandfather, my all-time favourite person, sort out some things, get some paperwork done, and then off again. But I stayed. Because funnily enough, the place I had always considered impossible of progress or growth mentality-wise, would turn out to be my place of progress and growth: Oldly-worldly-Vienna. Not only did I meet my husband there, it is exactly that very oldly-worldly-ness that has become the ardent bedrock of my enterprise: Bespoke Vienna. Traditional Viennese companies, shops, and manufactures that have been around for over one hundred years. They still breathe the air of bygone days, but without passion, the utmost sense of quality and a way of constant forward-thinking they too would have faded into history, like the other representatives of their trade.
My passion for helping people level up is deeply rooted in my belief that everyone deserves to live a life filled with meaning and authenticity. And it is this very aim that is the foundation of my enterprise. Bespoke Vienna is the culmination of all my life experiences, and passions. It is my way to bring the timeless values, good quality, and grounding that I have found, to others.
I am also passionate about my two cats and my garden.
It is my way to bring the timeless values, good quality, and grounding that I have found, to others.
Barbara’s Leadership Philosophy
Everyone has a story. If you shift from perception to perspective, you can understand it.
Barbara’s Businesses
Bespoke Vienna offers curated, transformative experiences, elevating personal environments by fostering a deep connection with the objects that shape our everyday. These are more than possessions; they become sources of inspiration, connection, and personal growth.
In a world increasingly dominated by the digital, the fundamental human need for tactile connection remains paramount. We need things to touch, and things that touch us – both physically and emotionally. Touch, our earliest sense, develops as early as the eighth week of pregnancy, and continues to provide grounding, comfort, and a vital link to the tangible world throughout our lives.
Imagine rediscovering the joy of living with objects that truly reflect who you are. Bespoke Vienna offers a personal journey to reconnect with the quality and individuality you might have lost along the way. Through warm, one-on-one conversations, we explore your passions, your dreams, and the stories behind the things you hold dear. Together, we’ll create a home that feels like a true extension of yourself, a place where every object sparks joy and reminds you of what truly matters. This isn’t just about decorating; it’s about creating a life that feels authentic, meaningful, and deeply personal.
For those seeking to further refine their environments, we provide access to an exclusive network of artisans and purveyors, sourcing exceptional pieces that embody timeless quality and craftsmanship.
We also curate bespoke immersive retreats in Vienna, designed for discerning individuals seeking a profound connection with the city’s rich cultural heritage. These exclusive experiences blend expert knowledge, authentic craftsmanship, and mindful exploration, offering a personalized journey of self-discovery through intimate workshops, guided experiences, and reflective practices.
The Story Behind The Business
After a decade abroad, my return to Vienna led me to the city’s furniture museum, a place where I engaged with a diverse range of specialists, from curators of renowned institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum, to decorative arts experts and visiting scholars. These enriching conversations ignited a vision to showcase a unique perspective on traditional Vienna, off the beaten tourist tracks. Truly inspired, I embarked on a years-long journey of discovery, meticulously cataloguing the city’s time-honoured shops, workshops, and establishments – from grand hotels and artisan bakeries to essential pharmacies and everyday craftspeople. This exploration revealed a combined history of over 18,000 years of Viennese business, a testament to the city’s enduring legacy, and ultimately leading to the creation of Bespoke Vienna.
Impacting Lives
“Everyone is born unique, but most of us die a copy.” This stark truth drives Bespoke Vienna’s mission. We create impact by guiding individuals to reclaim their authentic selves, starting with the very space they inhabit. Imagine a home that reflects not just your taste, but your soul. A sanctuary where every object resonates with your personal story, sparking joy and a sense of belonging. This is the profound shift we facilitate. It’s about more than just aesthetics; it’s about creating a life where you feel truly seen and understood, both by yourself and your surroundings.
The Benefits of Barbara’s Work
Individuals experience the most profound transformation when they partner with Bespoke Vienna, embarking on a journey to rediscover their authentic selves and craft a life imbued with lasting meaning and joy.
From challenges to wins
What is the biggest challenge you faced in your business?
The most significant challenge was navigating the initial stages. As a pioneer in a unique field, I faced years of uncertainty, grappling with how to translate a complex vision into a clear, compelling message. The absence of readily available guidance and proven know-how amplified the feeling of isolation. Yet, driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of authentic connection, I persevered. This journey, though arduous, ultimately solidified my conviction in the profound impact of Bespoke Vienna.
What are you most proud of regarding your business?
I am most gratified by the profound impact Bespoke Vienna has in helping individuals rediscover their authentic selves and infuse their lives with renewed meaning. By championing handcrafted goods and celebrating the enduring legacy of Viennese craftsmanship, we offer a tangible connection to history and human artistry. It’s about empowering people to curate a life that reflects their unique essence, fostering a sense of belonging and grounding in a world often dominated by fleeting trends and mass-produced commodities.
What you need to know about Barbara
Barbara is known for creating environments of authenticity in a world of fleeting trends, where utmost client satisfaction is achieved through transformative experiences. Through Bespoke Vienna, she reconnects individuals with the enduring beauty of craftsmanship and the profound joy of living with objects that resonate with their true selves, fostering a sense of belonging and grounding in their everyday lives.
Learn from and connect with Barbara
#1 International Bestselling Author & Entrepreneur
With an ever-open mind and unique out-of-the-box thinking, Barbara connects dots where others do not even see dots and encourages her surroundings to do the same.
In her late twenties, she gave up her successful international career in cultural event and conference management after realizing that her tasks often lacked substance and true meaning. She embarked on a quest for authenticity, self-improvement, and personal growth and returned to university to study political science and her childhood pet subject, art history. Eventually, she graduated with a master’s degree in fine and decorative art from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. Additional experience in logistics services, retail, real estate, and top-notch technical sciences research round off her multi-faceted fields of work, which fostered a curious, open mind, but most importantly, trained her to quickly grasp the essence of things and get right to the core no matter the complexity.
Barbara strongly believes in quality and the expression of authenticity throughout all aspects of life. She inspires her private clients to add value to their personal environments and assists traditional companies and manufacturers in introducing their products to a wider audience.
Barbara’s Superpower:
My superpower is seeing the connections that others miss, and turning them into meaningful experiences.
Barbara in a word: Authenticity
Photo Credits
Company Logo: Bespoke Vienna
Photographer: Nikki Harris
Hair & Makeup Artists: Oribe & Sensai
Find Barbara Online
To learn more or get in touch with Barbara:
- Email: welcome@bespokevienna.com
- Website: www.bespokevienna.com *coming soon*
Barbara’s Final Notes:
I’d like to share a few crucial points from my chapter, ‘The Essence of Things,’ in the international number-one Amazon bestseller ‘Believe Beyond’ by Kate Butler, which launched in February 2025. These points encapsulate the core philosophy behind Bespoke Vienna, exploring the profound connection between objects and our authentic selves, and the transformative power of quality and mindful curation: ‘The history of the world, and hence your and my history as part of the evolution of mankind, is inextricably linked to objects and their quality. The higher the quality of an object, the more life, the more essence, it possesses. … Put quality before quantity, and you will experience not only a mind shift but, over time, a deeper connection with yourself. If you truly connect with something else, you automatically connect with yourself, too.’ This concept is central to Bespoke Vienna’s mission: to guide individuals in creating spaces that resonate with their unique essence, fostering a sense of belonging and grounding in their everyday lives. It’s about empowering people to curate a life where every object reflects their authentic selves and contributes to their overall well-being.
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