Welcome to the BLOG


Photo of Sandra van Aalst standing by shelving  with plants and a large glass vasewearing peach trousers and a cream top

Hi, I’m Sandra,

If you're in awe of stunning interiors and crazy about home decor, you’re in the right place. As an interior writer with a background in styling and photography for leading magazines around the globe (see below) as well as an avid home renovator, I am here to help you style your home with ease and confidence, like a pro.

On this blog, I’ll be sharing insightful articles packed with advice, tips, and ideas for home styling and decoration, along with inspiring tours of beautifully styled spaces. Having styled countless homes with very different interiors, I know it’s the final touches and thoughtful curating that make a space magazine-worthy, regardless of whether it’s an architectural masterpiece or filled with high-end furniture. And, rather than focus on one particular interior look or style, I aim to open your eyes to a wide variety so you feel inspired, not limited. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.


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STYLING WITH DRIED FLOWERS - ways to bring nature indoors

This article is all about styling with dried flowers, from ideas for beautiful arrangements to tips on drying, preserving, and colouring flowers. I will also enlighten you on the best flowers to dry, as well as the ones that can be preserved and coloured. Finally, I will share online stores where you can buy dried and preserved flowers.

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STUNNING VACATION RENTALS - with ideas to steal for your own home

In the article I am going to take readers on a tour of ten stunning vacation rentals from around the world. I’ve handpicked ones with different interior vibes, so whatever your interior style, you will find a look that resonates for you with ideas for your own home. All but one have been featured in magazines or design blogs.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM FOCUS/25 ON DESIGN LONDON

In this article, I’ll be sharing my key decoration, design, and styling takeaways from one of the world’s main design destinations - Focus/25 on Design. Having spent four days at the Design Centre in London, I will show you some of the new collections, the latest colour palettes, wall coverings, patterns, furniture trends, and much more. I’ll also include snippets of a few of the talks, demonstrations, and workshops I attended to give you a feel for the event. Read the post to find out about The Longer View so you too can immerse yourself in design, colour, and pattern.

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STYLISH INTERIOR ELEMENTS TO ELEVATE YOUR HOME from curves and metallic finishes, to lighting and foliage

In this article I will be featuring a handful of the key interior elements for a stylish home, including arranging items and creating a vignette, purposeful contrast, vintage pieces and pre-loved finds for individuality, curves and organic shapes. Plus, I’ll show you how to add metallic accents and give you tips on other interior elements that can elevate your home, such as wall decor, statement pieces, stylish lighting, natural materials, print and pattern. Not forgetting the element I include in every room - some form of foliage.

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Sandra van Aalst Sandra van Aalst

STYLISH BEDROOMS IDEAS - to inspire your bedroom refresh

From rustic handmade beds crafted from the tree trunks of the silver birch tree to luxurious velvet extra wide headboards, there are many different types of beds to suit your bedroom, budget, and interior style. And, with cushions, throws and beautiful bedlinen, you can style with home decor and soft furnishings and transform even the simplest bedroom into something spectacular. In this blog post, I will spark your creativity with more than a dozen stylish beds showcased in beautiful bedroom settings to help you consider not only the design of the bed, the frame, or headboard, but also the walls, curtains, and the dressing of the bed itself.

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