Interior Styling for Real Homes: Ideas, Advice & Inspiration


I’m an interior writer with a background in styling and photography for leading interior magazines around the world, sharing ideas to help you style your home with confidence and ease.

Read more about me

ON THE BLOG

ON THE BLOG

Dining Area Makeover: Styling, Decoration & Before-and-Afters

Join me as I take you behind the scenes of my dining area makeover—from bare walls and wall-to-wall carpet to bold black framed doors, ebony floors, and bespoke curved shelving. Inspired by LA interiors and softened with coastal charm, this before-and-after is full of decorating tips, practical decisions, and personal style.

Read More
STYLISH HOME TOURS Sandra van Aalst STYLISH HOME TOURS Sandra van Aalst

Stylish Home Tour: Inside the Vintage-Styled Captain’s Rest by Interior Stylist Sarah Andrews

In this stylish home tour, we step inside Captain’s Rest – the unique Tasmanian retreat styled by Sarah Andrews featured by Vogue as Tasmania’s best stay. From vintage finds to curated vignettes, discover how this former scientist turned stylist created a soulful, story-filled space that continues to inspire vintage style lovers worldwide.

Read More
FESTIVE STYLING Sandra van Aalst FESTIVE STYLING Sandra van Aalst

Natural Festive Decorations by the Pros: How to Get the Look at Home

In this article, I go behind-the-scenes at Chewton Glen Hotel to see the florists in action decorating in both a natural foraged style and a more traditional look.‍ From the more classic festive palette of red and copper, to the wild foraged installations, read on to find out how you can create hotel festive styling in your own home.

Read More
INTERIORS, STYLISH HOME TOURS Sandra van Aalst INTERIORS, STYLISH HOME TOURS Sandra van Aalst

Stunning Moroccan-Inspired Desert Home Tour Packed with Styling Ideas.

Join me on a tour of the most stunning desert abode in Joshua Tree. With its earthy tones, plaster finishes, hand-woven textiles, and home decor from across the globe, Desert Wild is, in my opinion, one of the most beautifully designed and styled vacation homes. It is beautifully styled, with many ideas to steal for your own home.

Read More
FESTIVE STYLING Sandra van Aalst FESTIVE STYLING Sandra van Aalst

FESTIVE MANTELPIECES - a mix of unusual ideas and inspiration to create your own Yuletide mantel masterpiece

Whether you have a classic stone hearth, a modern wood burner, or even just a faux surround, the mantelpiece is the perfect place to get creative with festive styling. In this article, I will show you my handpicked selection of festive mantelpieces, with advice on how to get the look, kicking off with a few elements you might want to use to create your own.

Read More
FESTIVE STYLING Sandra van Aalst FESTIVE STYLING Sandra van Aalst

FESTIVE TABLESCAPES - a mix of unusual ideas and inspiration to create your own

The table is definitely one of my favourite areas to style during the festive season. Whether you're contemplating going down the full traditional route with red, green and mistletoe, or something a bit more natural and pared-back, there are so many different options to suit your interior style and your table. In this article, I will show you several gorgeous, very different festive tablescapes to inspire you to create your own this season.

Read More
STYLISH HOME TOURS Sandra van Aalst STYLISH HOME TOURS Sandra van Aalst

HOME TOURS - A Stylish South African villa

In this article, I take you on a tour of Ubuntu Luxury Villa, situated on the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate in South Africa, which was built from the ground up by a Dutch couple, photographer Anouk, and her husband Dennis. The villa uses local craftsmanship and home decor inspired by South Africa, with attention to detail throughout.

Read More
INTERIOR INSPIRATION Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR INSPIRATION Sandra van Aalst

BROWN INTERIOR INSPIRATION AND IDEAS- how to bring this on-trend colour into your home in a stylish way

Brown is having a revival - from espresso to caramel, the colour is slipping back into our interiors. The key is all about introducing brown in various subtle, nuanced, and rich tones in tactile textures, and teaming them with warm neutrals, cream, or white, to create balance and contrast. Read the article for inspiration and ideas on bringing brown into your interior in a fresh, modern way.

Read More
STYLING WITH FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Sandra van Aalst STYLING WITH FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Sandra van Aalst

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.

Read More
INTERIOR INSPIRATION Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR INSPIRATION Sandra van Aalst

INTERIOR STYLING INSPIRATION - places to find ideas from stylish hotels to online home stores and more.

If you are looking for interior inspiration and home decor ideas, there are countless sources to spark your creativity. From fashionable hotels to interior blogs and your very own wardrobe, I will explore the key sources that can help you gain the inspiration you need to style and decorate your space.

Read More