ABOUT

My self build home

Collage of six interior magazine tear sheets, including a modern kitchen with hanging light fixtures, dining room with black chairs and patterned floor, bedroom with blue bedding and four-poster bed.

My current home

My love of interiors began back in my twenties when I worked for Elle magazine, where we launched the first-ever UK edition of Elle Decoration. In between working in fashion and crossing over into the interiors world, I took some time out to have my two gorgeous boys.

Over the years I have renovated several of my own homes, and having studied interior design in 2011, my husband and I took the plunge and built our own home, designing the interior ourselves with a lighting designer, and the exterior alongside an architect. The house, a spacious Dutch-style manor, was featured in three magazines (see some of the pages featured here). The style of the house was modern rustic and inspired by Dutch and Belgian interiors, while the architecture took its cue from Flemish-style old manor houses with tiny bricks, a grey slate roof, floor-to-ceiling windows, and anthracite as the colour accent throughout. My current home (see the three photos here) has a very different vibe, shaped by my trips to LA and Miami and influenced by several of the interiors of some of my favourite Soho Houses.

Once the new build was completed in 2013, I photographed and styled it for high-end tiling company Artisan’s advertising campaign. Having found interiors to be my niche, I soon started styling, photographing, and writing interior editorial features for many of the interior magazines around the globe (see my magazine work below under magazine features).

Together with my own home, I have styled, photographed, and written about many homes, from a humble sheep fold in Cornwall to a luxurious villa in LA. I’ve photographed and styled celebrities, designers, supermodels, artists, and TV presenters’ abodes, as well as many non-industry interior enthusiasts’ homes. When styling a home for a magazine shoot, I tried, where possible, to use the homeowners' own home decor, soft furnishings, and accessories, bringing characterful style into their interior scheme. I would style each room, rearranging and editing, always bringing in foliage or fresh flowers and, if necessary, adding the occasional home decor item I had brought along in the boot of the car!

In my blog, I will take you on tours around many of the very different homes I have photographed and styled, as well as stunning homes I have discovered during my research. My aim is to share with you everything I’ve gleaned along the way to help you create a gorgeous, stylish space that feels effortlessly put together and lifts your spirits every time you walk through the door.

Having had three books published back in my fashion days, I decided that after working in the interiors world for over a decade, it was time to put my knowledge and experience into a book to help others. Therefore, I am working on my fourth book - Styling Your Space, which will be launching soon.

With a history of working editorially across many magazines, my choices both on the blog and in my book are completely independent - so no affiliate links or an Amazon store here! This means I can open your eyes to a whole host of real - not AI - interior looks and schemes to give you plenty of choice and diversity. After all, style is subjective and in the eye of the beholder!

Interior Magazine Features

Magazine tear sheet from Modern Rustic Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. A modern kitchen with black wall, brick accent, gray island with four stools, pendant lights, and decorative items on the countertop.
Magazine tear sheet from Modern Rustic Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. A Living room with a sectional sofa, a brick fireplace, and a window with wooden shutters.
Magazine tear sheet from Modern Rustic Magazine by Sandra van Aalst -modern industrial styled living room with a large rust-colored pendant light, gray sofa, white cabinets, and decorative elements, with a sign titled 'Urban Oasis' in the background.
Magazine tear sheet from Modern Rustic Magazine by Sandra van Aalst, a modern living room with a hanging wire egg-shaped chair with a white fur cushion, black shaggy rug, and minimalist decor, including a small fireplace and a vase of flowers.
Magazine tear sheet from Modern Rustic Magazine by Sandra van Aalst, a white bed with gray bedding and decorative pillows against a wall with yellow paint at the head of the bed, featuring small framed art above.
Magazine tear sheet from Modern Rustic by Sandra van Aalst. A wooden table with potted plants, a glass lantern with a white candle, a small garden shears, and a tied flower stem. An vintage brown trunk is underneath the table.
Magazine tear sheet from Modern Rustic Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. A bathroom with a white sink, copper pipe faucet, wooden ladder-style shelves, and a wooden cabinet above the sink.
A magazine feature showing a coastal landscape with a sandy beach, trees, and blue sky.
A magazine tear sheet of a dining room with wooden table, chairs, large window with greenery outside, brick wall, hanging light fixture, candleholders with lit candles, a glass vase with leafy green and white flowers.
A magazine tear sheet with an Interior shot of a living room with large windows, brown leather armchair with green pillow, white pendant lamp, and a view of an outdoor garden with trees and grass.
A magazine tear sheet with an Interior shot of a living room with a turquoise sofa, armchair, wooden coffee table, large sliding glass doors showing outdoor greenery, and hanging linen pendant lights.
A magazine tear sheet with an Interior shot of a modern kitchen with a wooden island, two bar stools, a window with a view of trees, black wall lamps.
A magazine tear sheet of interior views of a modern home showcasing a minimalist entryway with a small wooden desk, a framed artwork, and an outdoor patio scene; an abstract wall mural in a living space.
Interior view of a modern home entry with wooden door and glass windows showing a lush green garden outside; minimal decor with candles on a wooden table, coat hooks on the wall, and a quote about re-imagining a traditional style barn.
A magazine tear sheet with an Interior shot of a bright bedroom with large windows, plenty of natural light, white bedding, accent pillows, and green curtains, with a view of the outdoors.
Magazine tear sheet from Elle Decoration Country Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. Bedroom in damson colour with light coloured washed linen.
Magazine tear sheet from Elle Decoration Country Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. Bathroom with rolltop bath
Magazine tear sheet from Elle Decoration Country Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. Living room with large window, sofa with throw pillows, black armchair, wooden coffee table, and black metal shelving with white dishware.
Magazine tear sheet from Elle Decoration Country Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. Kitchen
Magazine tear sheet from Elle Decoration. A modern kitchen and dining area with a dark kitchen island, a dining table, and chairs with sheepskin covers. Pendant lights hang from the ceiling, and there is a window with sheer curtains.
Magazine tear sheet from Elle Decoration Country Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. Living room with view to dining room.
Magazine tear sheet from Elle Decoration Country Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. A side view of a modern living room and kitchen area with large windows, a hanging lamp, a sofa, chairs, and a rug.
Collage of four interior photos of a rustic, cozy attic living space with wooden beams, kitchen, dining area, and seating area.
Living room with a brown leather Chesterfield sofa with striped cushions, a red wooden wall panel on the back, a black wood stove with a pipe, wood logs in baskets, and visible wooden ceiling beams.
A collage of three interior bedrooms, each with distinct decor, and a black-and-white photo of a farm house. The first bedroom has red walls, a pitched ceiling with exposed wood beams, a bed with a dog on it, and a lamp beside the bed. The second bed
Children's bedroom in The Grain Loft with twin beds made with horsehair-filled mattresses, fur throws, and a red accent wall, featuring exposed wooden beams.
A bedroom with a bed, nightstands with lamps, a red brick wall behind the bed, and an exposed wooden beam ceiling with a skylight.
A woman in a green dress sitting on a emerald green sofa in a living room with a photo gallery wall behind her and a green patterned rug on the floor.
A woman practicing yoga outdoors at a pond surrounded by trees, with a Buddha sculpture in the water; also includes a close-up of a sitting Buddha statue, and jewelry including a gold butterfly ring and a gold chain with circular links; a fashion pho
Modern dining room with a light wooden table, several chairs with metal frames and wooden seats, and small vases with flowers on the table. The walls are painted dark blue, and there is a large window with greenery outside. A colorful abstract painti
Living room with light gray sofa adorned with colorful pillows, large windows showing green outdoor landscape, and interior decor including a black horse sculpture and vibrant green wall, with a view of a modern house outside.
Modern kitchen with stainless steel work surfaces, wooden cabinets, a green cucumber and herbs on a cutting board, a bowl of pears, and a large window showing a garden outside.
A woman in a cream sweater and green pants ties her shoelaces in front of a staircase in a white interior. There is a woven basket on the floor and a brown rug. The setting appears cozy and vintage.
Interior wall with wooden chest of drawers, potted plants, hanging deer antlers, horse racing poster, black radiator, pairs of black and brown cowboy boots, and a brown cowhide rug.
A bedroom with white walls and a bed with dark bedding. A woven basket with blankets and items sits on the beige carpeted floor. A chandelier made of natural materials hangs from the ceiling. There is a ceiling-mounted light beside the bed and a wall
A cozy living room corner with a white vintage dresser, a large mirror above, potted plants, a decorative wooden sculpture, a tripod floor lamp, a light gray sofa with textured throw pillows, a small wooden folding table with a magazine, a black and
Interior and exterior views of a modern home with rustic and contemporary decor, including a kitchen, vintage-themed shelving, a woman relaxing outside in a hanging chair, and a decorated entryway with artwork and a wooden chest.
A bedroom with a rustic natural wood headboard, black painted brick wall, a blue lantern hanging from a tree branch, and a bed with pillows and patterned bedding. The text on the wall is in Dutch and discusses a new purpose for a barn at Warborne Far
Modern kitchen with dish rack, green plants, and decorative items on a white brick wall.
A rustic bathroom featuring a vintage copper bathtub, a white toilet, wooden flooring and ceiling beams, modern wall art of fish, and decorative plants and accessories on a small shelf.
Living room with a dark blue sofa, striped armchair with pillows, glass display cabinet, and open wooden door.
Living room with a wood stove, black armchair, striped armchair, and cowhide rug, decorated with a circular black and beige wall hanging and a hanging white pouf, in a rustic style space with wooden beams.
Interior of a room with rustic wooden dining table, metal chairs, potted plants, black pendant lights, white brick wall with framed pictures and metal siding, with Dutch text on the wall.
Photo by Sandra van Aalst magazine tear sheet of Homes and Gardens
Modern kitchen with blue cabinets, black countertop, built-in ovens, a black barstool, hanging metallic light fixture, a vase of pink flowers, and open shelves with plants. Photo by Sandra van Aalst magazine tear sheet of Homes and Gardens
Photo by Sandra van Aalst magazine tear sheet of Homes and Gardens
Photo by Sandra van Aalst of her self built house exterior - magazine tear sheet of Women Landerliijk Stijl feature
Photo by Sandra van Aalst of her self built house exterior magazine tear sheet of Women Landerliijk Stijl feature
Photo by Sandra van Aalst magazine tear sheet of Women Landerliijk Stijl feature
Photo by Sandra van Aalst magazine tear sheet of Women Landerliijk Stijl feature
Photo by Sandra van Aalst of her self built house kitchen magazine tear sheet of Women Landerliijk Stijl feature
Photo by Sandra van Aalst of her self built house in th hallway magazine tear sheet of Women Landerliijk Stijl feature
Photo by Sandra van Aalst of her self built house living room magazine tear sheet of Women Landerliijk Stijl feature
Photo by Sandra van Aalst of her self built house terrace - magazine tear sheet of Women Landerliijk Stijl feature
A stone sink on a wooden countertop, with a mirror and soap dispenser and a potted plant with large green leaves inside a black pot
Photo by Sandra van Aalst of her self built house bedroom magazine tear sheet of Women Landerliijk Stijl feature
Photo by Sandra van Aalst of her self built house living room magazine tear sheet of Women Landerliijk Stijl feature
Photo by Sandra van Aalst of her self built house dining room magazine tear sheet of Women Landerliijk Stijl feature
. Photo by Sandra van Aalst magazine tear sheet from Inside Out magazine bedroom and basin
Photo by Sandra van Aalst magazine tear sheet from Inside Out magazine terrace
Photo by Sandra van Aalst magazine tear sheet from Inside Out magazine terrace
Decorative carved fireplace mantel with white vases and a flower against wooden carvings
Magazine tear sheet of a heritage living room with dark wood paneling, a marble fireplace, and plush furniture, including a white fur-covered chair and a burnt orange ottoman.
Magazine tear sheet of an interior of a room with a rustic stone wall, a white sofa with velvet and linen cushions and a brass chandelier.
A magazine feature of three images of a bedroom, bathroom, and a children's attic room. The bedroom has a large bed with a tufted headboard, white curtains, and a mirror. The bathroom features a freestanding bathtub, a walk-in shower, and a ladder.
Traditional style living room with a stone fireplace, beige armchair, grey armchair with a cream throw, wooden coffee table with a pink flower arrangement, large window with beige curtains, and a built-in bookshelf in the background.
A magazine feature of three interior rooms: a kitchen with light-painted cabinetry and a wooden ceiling beam, a dining room with a rustic wooden table and white chairs, and a living room with ornate dark wood paneling,
Photograph of an outdoor lounge area with vintage furniture, a black door, a glass lantern, a barbecue grill, and a countertop with a planter. Text in Dutch at the top and bottom.
A living room with a gray armchair, a wooden coffee table with books, a black sofa, a black bookshelf with decorative objects and books, and large windows with light curtains. The room is well-lit with natural light.
Image from Stijlvol Wonen Magazine. A modern kitchen with a black countertop island decorated with a wooden bowl filled with vegetables and herbs. The background features light-colored cabinets with glass doors, a built-in oven, and kitchen utensils.
Image from Stijlvol Wonen Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. Modern living room with large windows, a fireplace, gray sofa, armchair, coffee table, and a dog lying on a rug near the fireplace.
Image from Stijlvol Wonen Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. jPartial view of an interior room with a large monochrome portrait of a woman on the left wall and an adjoining room with a bathroom or vanity area visible through an open doorway to a bathroom.
Image from Stijlvol Wonen Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. A bedroom seen through a black-framed glass door, featuring a bed with a pink blanket, a black ottoman, a window with blinds, and a wall art of a dog.
Image from Stijlvol Wonen Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. Modern dining room with a wooden table, four chairs, a white vase with decorative branches, a black fireplace, and large windows with curtains.
Image from Stijlvol Wonen Magazine by Sandra van Aalst. A bright dining area with a large wooden table, white upholstered chairs, and a wall with arched windows. There are gray curtains, a pile of chopped firewood, a wooden cabinet with lit candles.
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