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Interior Styling for Real Homes: Ideas, Advice & Inspiration


A woman smiling in front of a minimalist indoor shelf with decorative objects, including a large cactus plant in a concrete pot, a gold textured sphere, a gold coral-like sculpture, and various vases, with a light-colored wall background.
Handwritten style text that says 'Hi, I'm Sandra'.

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.

ON THE BLOG

ON THE BLOG

INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst

The Home Decor Essentials That Make a Room Look Finished

In the article I am going to look at actual interior home decor items that make a space look far more stylish and work alone or together. It’s the details that add style, personality and tell a story. I’ll introduce you to the key home decor items that make a space instantly far more stylish including rugs, table lamps, mirrors, cushions, throws, plants, books, vessels and vases.

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INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst

Shelf Styling Ideas: How to Decorate Different Types of Shelves

From floating shelves to vintage units and tiny picture ledges, shelves come in all shapes and styles—and when styled well, they can transform a space. In this post, I’m sharing some of my favourite shelving ideas, including how I’ve styled shelves in my own home and in homes I’ve photographed. Whether you're working with a kitchen nook, bathroom alcove, or living room wall, you'll find creative ways to decorate shelves that feel personal, practical, and effortlessly stylish.

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INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst

Styling your Home with Blue Accents: Different Ways to Use this Timeless Hue

From pale powder blue to bold cobalt blue, it is one of the most versatile colours and remains a timeless hue. In this post, I’m sharing various ways to bring in blue, whether it’s adding drama with a bold accent wall or lighting up a corner with a ceramic blue lamp. I’ll take you through different ways to bring this classic colour into your home.

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INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst

Brown Interiors: Stylish ideas for Décor, Furniture and Colour Schemes

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.

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INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst

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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INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR STYLING 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. 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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