STYLING YOUR HOME IS A GAME CHANGER

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 images above and 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.

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.

ON THE BLOG

ON THE BLOG

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

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

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NATURAL, RUSTIC CHRISTMAS DECORATING - my festive home decorations
NATURAL, RUSTIC CHRISTMAS DECORATING - my festive home decorations

In this article, I am showing you my festive styling and decorating in my last house, which were decorations with a natural, rustic vibe made from fir, pine cones and other foliage and flowers, mixed with modern touches of white, silver and sparkle.

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PORTABLE LAMPS - Stylish Cordless Designs to Light Up Your Home
PORTABLE LAMPS - Stylish Cordless Designs to Light Up Your Home

In the article I am going to look at Portable lamps which are my latest favourite styling item. I use them on almost every surface. Without having cables or needing to be placed by a socket, portable lamps are extremely versatile styling items.

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HOME TOURS - A Stylish South African villa
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.

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

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STYLING WITH DRIED FLOWERS - ways to bring nature indoors
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 HOMES - with ideas to steal for your own home
STUNNING VACATION HOMES - 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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INTERIOR INSPIRATION - Ideas to spark your creativity from stylish hotels to online home stores.
INTERIOR INSPIRATION - Ideas to spark your creativity from stylish hotels to online home stores.

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.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM FOCUS/25 ON DESIGN LONDON
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
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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STYLISH BEDROOMS IDEAS - to inspire your bedroom refresh
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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Cover of look by Sandra van Aalst Styling Your Space showing a minimalist kitchen with a rustic wooden table, white dishes, woven baskets, and large woven pendant lights hanging from a white ceiling.

LAUNCHING

SOON

In this comprehensive book packed full of beautiful, inspiring images, you’ll find every aspect of styling. I’ve included plenty of insider tips and easy tricks to show you how, with a few accessories, plants, and home decor pieces, you can completely transform your home. You will see how styling doesn’t need to be complicated and can become effortless with a little insight and inspiration. You’ll start by taking tours around over a dozen gorgeous but very different homes, and I’ll also introduce you to the key interior styles to help you cultivate your own unique style. Early on in the book, I will show you before and afters from shoots where I took a snapshot before styling and photographing. I will also walk you through the styling process and show you areas where you can draw inspiration - from your wardrobe to fashionable hotels. There’s guidance on how to style each room and every surface, from dressing the bed to creating a vignette. You will also discover the key styling staples. Whether it's a bijou room or a whole house, having read the book, you will gain the confidence to elevate your space and achieve a stylish interior. Finally, to give you a much more immersive experience, the book is designed as a flip-book with turnable pages to give it that magazine-style feel.

A page example from book Styling Your Space by Sandra van Aalst Interior Style Host

Styling Your Space, which will be launching soon, will be my fourth book, as back in my fashion days I authored three books, including Catwalk, which hit the Sunday Times bestseller list.