STUNNING VACATION RENTALS - with ideas to steal for your own home
Welcome to the BLOG
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, as well as an avid home renovator, I am here to help you style and decorate 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. In today’s post, I will be taking you on a tour of ten stunning vacation and holiday homes to steel ideas and take inspiration from for your own home.
BEAUTIFULLY STYLED VACATION HOMES
Photo: Sara & Rich Combs The Joshua Tree House© and Margaret Austin Photography© www.thejoshuatreehouse.com/tucson
I’ve long taken inspiration from the décor of stylish hotels, but when photographing interiors for magazines and researching my styling book, I discovered some super-stylish vacation rentals, like the JTH Tucson in Arizona pictured above and below, where every angle of every room could be a page from a magazine. Style is subjective, of course, and everyone will have a different idea of what a great aesthetic means to them, so I’ve hand-picked vacation rentals with a range of interior vibes. All but one have been featured in magazines or design blogs. Whatever your taste, you can steal ideas for your own home. And, if you’re a host, skip the safe formula of white walls, a grey or beige sofa, and a lone house plant, as infusing personality and something of interest in each room will set yours apart from just another ‘greige’ rental. You will find more on each property in the Beautifully Styled Spaces section of my forthcoming book - Styling Your Space.
THE JTH TUCSON
ARIZONA, USA
Photos: Sara & Rich Combs of The Joshua Tree House© and Margaret Austin Photography© www.thejoshuatreehouse.com/tucson
Sara and Rich Combs began with a personal desire to slow down and reconnect with nature, but have since expanded their wish to offer the same for their guests at the inn in Tucson, Arizona, which they transformed from a run-down building into a super-stylish retreat. Not surprisingly, it has been featured in many publications, including Condé Nast Traveller. Each room at JTH Tucson, also nicknamed the Posada, boasts transportive interiors that take you away from the everyday and embrace the essence of far-flung climes. You will find an organic aesthetic throughout, with rattan light fixtures, warm-toned timber, displays of oversized dried leaves, and an array of artisan cushions in rich, earthy tones, various shapes, and styles. But for the true immersive experience, guests can relax, unwind, and soak under the stars in the hot springs-style hot tub in this rather magical place. Check out more about the JTH Tucson and The Joshua Tree House in California at www.thejoshuatreehouse.com and on their Instagram @thejoshuatreehouse.
In the Yucca bedroom, as shown above, Sara and Rich have blended modern with traditional elements, such as the vintage rug and an original beehive fireplace. One of the features I admire and am keen to replicate in my own house is the vast dried palm leaves hanging above the bed as a nod to the desert surroundings. Then there’s the headboard in a rich mustard hue with leather straps that is suspended on the wall. Finally, touches like the brass wall lights and natural textures, like woven side tables, add stylish touches to the bedroom.
With its sunken bath decorated with green mosaic tiles and a walk-in shower, the bathroom has an inviting, spa-like feel. The palette is pared back but contrasts with the beautiful dark-beamed ceiling and is filled with greenery that thrives in natural light. Plants hang above the bath, while large potted types sit next to it, giving the space a restorative atmosphere.
This dining room is stunning with its mixed fe materials - the geometric tiled floor, and ethereal pendant light hanging above the rustic wooden table. Look through the arch, and you’ll notice built-in shelves with the wood echoing the table’s grain and ceiling beams. Earthy-toned tableware, glasses, wooden bowls, and other earthenware items are all beautifully displayed on the mix of wood and plaster shelving, giving the whole space a cohesive feel.
THE STACK
AN OLD ENGINE HOUSE CORNWALL, UK
Photos: courtesy of Unique Homestays. The Stack House is marketed under the name of The Stack. All images Unique Homestays© www.uniquehomestays.com.
Originally an engine house in the mining region of Cornwall, this fairy tale tower is full of exquisite artisan soft furnishings and characterful homewares. The gorgeous bedroom, pictured here, demonstrates the effectiveness of styling with layers, using lambswool blankets, patterned throws, and crumpled linen cushions in a mixture of earthy tones. Blending these different textures with handcrafted ceramics and a rustic wooden headboard has created an incredibly cosy and inviting space. Set on five floors, The Stack is an extraordinary Grade II listed tower which is now a luxury vacation rental. Coupled with this, its idyllic rural setting and rustic aesthetic have resulted in The Stack becoming a popular wedding location. It is also available to rent through www.uniquehomestays.com, where you can view more images.
It is amazing to think that this beautiful bathroom is located in an old engine house, but with its arch-shaped window, imposing ceilings, and rustic floorboards, the building provides the perfect backdrop. The slipper bath introduces classic elegance to the room, while the grand gilded mirror serves as the focal point, adding glamour to the bathroom. For final touches, the room has been styled with a tray displaying candles on the large window ledge, accompanied by wild flowers from the garden in simple glass vases.
I love this styled corner with a window seat and cushions in soft, muted tones, inviting you in, while a small wooden tray has been styled with a hand-thrown mug and a vase of flowers which add lived-in charm. With its rustic stone wall and brass bed warmer, it’s a little corner that captures the essence of The Stack.
In the kitchen, pictured above, the striking stone wall provides an ideal backdrop for the wooden shelves incorporating a plate rack and showcasing vintage bottles, books, and plates. The kitchen also features a large butcher's block-style island and dining table, which is dressed stylishly with a textured linen tablecloth, green glasses, and candlesticks.
CAPTAIN’S REST TASMAINIA, AUSTRAILIA
Photos: Jonathan Rose www.captainsrest.com
Captain’s Rest began life as a humble shack, originally hosting weary miners and fishermen. Recently named by Vogue as Tasmania’s ‘best stay’, the setting and interior have been likened to a kind of living poem, celebrating all that is wondrous, mystical, and awe-inspiring. Now heritage-listed, the shack has been lovingly preserved and beautifully curated by author, stylist and teacher Sarah Andrews. A former scientist, Sarah has gained cult status and worldwide recognition with a timeless style that collaborates with nature. Her philosophy is all about storytelling with curiosities, which she creates with unique results and attention to detail. The decor throughout shows how thoughtfully chosen vintage items can feel incredibly stylish while brimming with character, resulting in something truly special.
The bedroom is styled in earthy hues which draw the eye, with a deep green crumpled linen throw and pillows teamed with fine and bold stripes. The bed is a perfect example of layering to create an undone, stylish vibe.
Set against the shiplap wall on a shelf in the kitchen, Sarah has arranged a series of different-sized clay pots displaying stems of the dried silver dollar plant, next to vintage framed artwork and a timeworn fishing net. A neat row of earthenware cups is attractive and practical, as they are easy to find for guests.
The living room has the best of both worlds - views of the sea through the antique windows and, with its wood burning stove, a cosy winter atmosphere. Here you can snuggle up next to the fire on the enticing velvet day bed or sink into the sofa with a book and take in the stunning view.
THE OLD STABLES NEW FOREST, UNITED KINDOM
Photos: Sandra van Aalst for a house feature in Seasons Wonen, Modern Farmhouse and 25 Beautiful Homes www.warbornefarm.co.uk
Featured in five magazines worldwide, George and Kate Heathcote cleverly transformed old, run-down agricultural outbuildings into unique and sustainable barns, weaving in finds from the original farm and grounds with vintage items and artisanal craftsmanship. The original stables have been cleverly converted into a stunning open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space with polished concrete floors to give a modern edge to a traditional barn. Originally home to five working horses, The Old Stables is now a blend of contemporary finishes juxtaposed with rugged finds from the farm, such as the corrugated wall in the dining area, which echoes the outbuildings. Even though it was designed as holiday accommodation, the barn is full of unique details such as the silver birch bed crafted by George and the elegant black cardboard pendant lights made by Kate’s father.
This is another room where new finishes, like the Tadelakt plaster walls, are teamed with traditional style, such as the roll-top bath and original Crittall windows, which George has cleverly upcycled into a mirror. The sill is made from a piece of driftwood, which really adds natural texture and has been styled simply with rustic concrete pots, brimming with flowers and plants, to add greenery and enhance the overall look of the bathroom.
In the living area, the original stable doors immediately reflect the character of the barn. To furnish the space, Kate sourced an old Victorian medicine cabinet where she displays coloured glassware, which has become both a practical and stylish addition to the space. The armchair was a family heirloom, which she reupholstered in a soft grey striped fabric and styled with a grey Mongolian sheepskin and a rectangular striped cushion as a contrast. This room goes to show how carefully considered vintage pieces can really elevate a place and give it a sense of history.
This has to be one of the most unique bedrooms I have ever styled and photographed. George hand-crafted the entire bed frame from silver birch trees found on the farm, which, with the raw bark, has that natural, rustic feel. I love how the rugged timber sits against the clean, modern, polished concrete floor, and how even the clothes rail and dressing table have been fashioned from the same wood, making the whole room feel connected to its rural surroundings.
CASA ALEGRIA
PORTUGAL
Photos: Maria Myers @casaslegria.cabanas
I have chosen this image from Casa Alegria in Portugal to be featured on the cover of my forthcoming styling book. It’s a striking vacation rental, designed and self-built by homeowner and host Maria Myers, who also owned her own London interior boutique. Her styling expertise is abundant in the interior scheme and caught the attention of Casas de Portugal magazine, where she personally styled the villa for a full editorial feature. With its vast textural rope pendant lights, jute rugs, baskets, and bright white walls, the villa has a distinct beach vibe, with neutral coastal hues such as a sand-coloured sofa and similar tones in the bathroom and bedrooms. The decor is minimalist yet cosy, with touches of rattan set against the white backdrop of the walls and resin floors.
The bathroom has that relaxed, coastal charm in white and accessorised with muted colours. Everything is kept pared back and neutral. The woven mirror frame feels like a little piece of art, teamed with a striped towel and rattan pendant for that beach vibe.
The terrace area brings the interior vibe outdoors and is also decorated with oversized pendants and is styled like another indoor room with cushions, crockery, and table runners, all in various neutral shades of taupe and beige. Maria’s styling proves how you can turn a simple white table into a gorgeous tablescape.
The bedrooms are equally stylish with crisp white linens dressed with throws and cushions, and in the master bedroom, along with a freestanding bath, Maria has draped fabric over the bed for that dreamy sleep experience. This is a creative idea to give that canopy bed feel, but in a simpler, easier way.
SHALFLEET - A SEVENTEENTH CENTURY MANOR
IOW, UNITED KINGDOM
Photos: Sandra van Aalst for a house feature in 25 Beautiful Homes and Wohnen magazine www.shalfleetmanor.com
Pictured here is a seventeenth-century English manor I photographed and styled for a couple of magazine features, including 25 Beautiful Homes and Wohnen. Victoria, the owner, refurbished it as a weekend retreat for her family and a vacation rental for guests, preserving the historic features of the building, including the mullioned windows, panelled drawing room, and beams, yet added elegant modern touches throughout. Victoria’s design style is quintessentially English with a Scandi twist, which is apparent in most rooms, including the conservatory pictured here. She has styled the room with a classic sofa, combining a mixture of taupe and aqua-patterned cushions. The key to this look is all about mixing rustic with refined, like the rugged texture of the old honey-toned stone wall juxtaposed with linen and rich velvet.
Every inch of this room tells a story of the manor's history, from its dark wood panelling to the intricate carvings on the centuries-old fireplace. Victoria has kept the palette soft and neutral so the woodwork can take centre stage, choosing cream linen upholstery with a burst of burnt orange on the velvet ottoman to add a more modern touch to the traditional scheme. Victoria had already styled the shelves with white ceramics, so, in keeping with the scheme, for the photoshoot, we added a few more white pieces to the fireplace, as well as fresh greenery.
Mixing pattern-on-pattern in a room is always tricky to carry off, but Victoria has done this beautifully with the upholstered headboard in a soft blue floral print, sitting against wallpaper in a delicate chinoiserie design. The original dark wood beam gives the room a rustic touch, while the painted bedside table adds another shade of blue to the scheme. The different scales and motifs add depth and interest, and the blue tones complement rather than clash. To create this look, it’s wise to keep to the same tones, like Victoria has here.
As the living room is very spacious, Victoria has used the furniture, including seating and rugs, to anchor each space and create separate areas for a sense of cosiness. While Victoria was doing up the house, she sourced three intricately carved Moroccan trunks, which she has repurposed as side tables, bringing a touch of global character to the English country style. Victoria opted for elegant, classic-style chairs and sofas upholstered in natural textures, including striped ticking and linens, to bring a fresh, coastal feel to the room.
UBUNTU VILLA
NATIONAL KRUGER PARK, SOUTH AFRICA
Photos: Anouk at Dean productions www.ubuntuvilla.com
I was introduced to a Dutch couple by an interior stylist friend of mine who had stayed at Ubuntu and had been super enthusiastic about the décor. During their first trip around South Africa, Anouk and Denis fell in love with the country. Having found a plot in the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate some ten years later, the villa was built from the ground up and opened its doors in May 2019. What makes Ubuntu so special is their attention to detail, and every element of the design and styling was done by the couple. Having visited over 53 countries as commercial photographers, they included favourite details from lodges they’d stayed in, from practical little touches like towel hooks at eye-level to handcrafted furniture and thoughtful design. The living room pictured here is full of many stylish touches, from the striking metal pendant lights to the printed cushions and decorative ceramic vessels. This theme carries through the villa, with subtle hues, luxurious linens and leather, together with striking pendants made of metal, which all harmonise to establish a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere for their guests.
Each bedroom is subtly themed after the couple's favourite animals – elephants, leopards, and zebras. They designed the master bedroom to pay homage to leopards, adding native touches like the leopard-print throw and the wooden map of Africa to bring in that distinctive local character to the Ingwe bedroom, which means "leopard" in Zulu.
Anouk is a keen wildlife photographer and has created this gallery wall, in the image here, of her own close-up shots of animals native to South Africa. This is a space between the living area and the kitchen, and it shows how Anouk pays attention to detail in every corner of the villa by styling this area with the canvases above a tall woven table with a candle-lit lantern on it, together with a gold leopard - a stylish ornament that is another reminder for guests that they are in a wildlife estate.
In the Mangwa bedroom’s en suite, Anouk proves how small details can still help elevate a space and also how you can turn everyday bathroom items into design features. In the bathroom here, you’ll find decorative circular brass towel hooks and a contemporary round mirror with a rope strap, paired with a handwoven wall hanging, which brings an artisanal touch.
THE BISCUIT COTTAGE
MILFORD ON SEA
Photos: Sandra van Aalst
Designed specifically as a vacation rental by interior stylist and interior boutique owner Clare Southcombe-Homes, The Biscuit Cottage strikes the perfect balance of being stylish with all the modern comforts and understated luxury. It’s attached to Clare’s home, which we styled and I photographed for three magazines. The living room, which, like the rest of the cottage and Clare’s home, has a distinct Scandinavian style, and is full of vintage finds. Originally part of the interior shop, Clare has furnished the room with velvet upholstery on the ottoman and sofa to add an indulgent touch. This is enhanced by Clare’s layering skills using a mix of printed, washed linen, and velvet cushions for texture and pattern variety.
Here’s another angle of the living room, with the exposed brick fireplace featuring the original brick hearth with a wood burner, which served as a focal point for Clare to design the room around. It is such a great feature, adding history and warmth to the space. I love how Clare has used luxurious textiles like the velvet grey ottoman, vintage rug, and wool throw to balance the ruggedness of the brick.
The bedroom is gorgeous, and you can see why it made it to the cover of my Top tips on creating a super stylish bed publication which will be out soon. Clare’s styling gives the bedroom a layered look with crisp white bedding, pale green cushions, and texture from the bedspread and sheepskin throw. The scheme feels fresh but still full of character with a clever mix of vintage, like the pre-loved painted bed frame, teamed with classic glass pendant lights.
The French-style mirror, with its intricate detailing, was a vintage find that Clare painted in a soft green, which looks charming hanging above the elegant French-style La Chapelle basin she found on eBay. To add those finishing touches, Clare styled the basin with a few fresh flowers, an attractive product bottle, and a pretty soap dish.
DESERT WILD
JOSHUA TREE CALIFORNIA
Photos: Stephanie Wiley© & Marco Badalian© and courtesy of Natalie Saunders at Desert Wild©
With its earthy tones, plaster finishes, hand-picked textiles, and decor from across the globe, Desert Wild is one of the most beautifully designed and styled vacation homes. Not surprisingly, it was featured in Condé Nast Traveller as one of the best Airbnbs in the desert. It was created from the ground up by designer Natalie and her husband Louis, who combined clever design with the raw beauty of the desert. Drawing on many journeys to Morocco, Greece, and beyond, Natalie blends natural materials, handcrafted details, and a warm, earthy palette to create gorgeous spaces, like the living room pictured here that centres around a striking Georgia O’Keeffe-inspired fireplace. Throughout the property, handpicked Moroccan rugs and local hand-thrown pottery give an artisan feel, while native plants are dotted around to bring the outside in.
Curtains frame this Moroccan-inspired bathroom, which is stunning with its unusually deep soaking tub set behind a plaster arch. But what really impressed me was the view from the window of a cactus, which is such a clever way to add depth, greenery, and that feeling that you are in the desert while relaxing in the bath. Something I will take away and try to emulate in my own home.
With its plaster countertops, reclaimed wood cabinetry, and a large timber dining table handcrafted by local artisans, this kitchen/diner really encapsulates Natalie’s signature style. The woven pendant and other pieces of home decor in the kitchen were sourced on the couple’s travels to carry the global aesthetic throughout the house.
I particularly like the colours in this bedroom, with the bed linen in light saffron tones continuing the earthy vibe. But what I find rather special is the large plaster arch behind the bed, which creates a striking headboard and echoes the arch into the bathroom. There are also interesting pieces, including woven storage baskets, brass wall sconces, and even customised Desert Wild sun hats on display.
THE SHEEP FOLD
CORNWALL, UNITED KINGDOM
Photos: Sandra van Aalst for a feature in I deal Home magazine
TV presenter and architectural designer, Charlie Luxton, transformed a tumbledown shed that housed sheep into a stylish contemporary holiday home for his family and as a vacation rental. We styled and photographed the rooms for Ideal home magazine, who ran a six-page editorial feature on the property. As keen surfers, Charlie and his wife Kate, along with their two children, spend most of their holidays on the North Cornwall coast and stumbled across the site during one of their trips to the area. Although totally transformed, the couple retained its original barn character with traditional features, including aged oak flooring, metal rafters, and vaulted ceilings. Charlie’s wife, Kate, chose to use yellow as the accent colour to mimic the gorse which grows in abundance by the sea in Cornwall.
The bed was dressed with teal-coloured, crumpled washed linen, complemented by a silk dressing gown as a prop in similar tones and blended with yellow, which makes a striking combination. This maintains a cohesive look throughout the house with the yellow, which is carried into the bedroom with a wool throw, a rug, and a bunch of flowers.
With its natural wood combined with pops of yellow, the Sheepfold has a vibrant and cohesive feel throughout. The entryway has simple but effective wooden circular hooks to hang up your bag after a day at the beach.
Some of the furniture and fixtures, including the kitchen cabinetry you can see in the image here, are bespoke and custom-made by Charlie. Clever use of colour features on unusual accents, such as a yellow tap and overhead fan extractor.
