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Interior Styling for Real Homes: Ideas, Advice & Inspiration

Handwritten style text that says 'Hi, I'm Sandra'.

I’m an interior writer, stylist, photographer for interior magazines and a Sunday Times best selling author, sharing ideas to help you style your home with confidence and ease. this blog is about interior styling for real homes.

If you love interiors and want your home to feel stylish, pulled together, yet still personal, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll be sharing styling advice to help you edit, layer, and finish your home with confidence, alongside articles on what’s happening in the interiors world — from design events and colour stories to features on interior gurus.

I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. 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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INTERIOR INSPIRATION Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR INSPIRATION Sandra van Aalst

WOW!house 2026

WOW!house 2026 is back with 22 beautifully designed spaces created by some of the world's leading interior designers. From colour-drenched salons and immersive bathrooms to elegant bedrooms and outdoor spaces, join me on a tour of my favourite rooms, the key interior trends I spotted and the styling ideas you can take home.

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INTERIOR SPOTLIGHT Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR SPOTLIGHT Sandra van Aalst

The Creative Eye of Holly Becker

Discover the creative world of Holly Becker — founder of decor8, bestselling author, stylist, and creator of The Eye - her brand new creative community. In this Interior Spotlight feature, I explore Holly’s unique approach to interiors and creativity, and explore why she continues to inspire interior lovers around the world. I will also share with you how you can join her studio and be part of her creative world.

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INTERIOR INSPIRATION Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR INSPIRATION Sandra van Aalst

Inside some of the Most Beautiful Vacation Rentals: with Styling Ideas to Steal

From a mirrored house in Mexico to rustic English barns and stylish Scandinavian cabins, these extraordinary vacation rentals are full of inspiring interior design and styling ideas. Discover the elements that make these spaces so special and magazine-worthy from layered textures and statement pieces to thoughtful styling and atmospheric interiors.

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SEASONAL STYLING Sandra van Aalst SEASONAL STYLING Sandra van Aalst

Outdoor Sofa Ideas: The Stylish Centrepiece for your Outdoor Space

From curved boucle designs to modular corner sofas and timeless rattan styles, outdoor sofas have become every bit as stylish as indoor furniture. In this feature, I explore the latest outdoor sofa trends, weather-resistant materials, styling ideas, and practical tips for creating a relaxed outdoor living space with rugs, cushions, greenery, and layered textures.

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SEASONAL STYLING Sandra van Aalst SEASONAL STYLING Sandra van Aalst

Styling with Spring Flowers - vase arrangements that look effortlessly chic

Bring the joy of spring indoors with effortlessly chic vase arrangements using both faux and real blooms. In this post I’m sharing my favourite styling tips—plus a real cross section of vases, from rustic terracotta and stone pots to vintage green-tinted glass and colourful statement pieces—to help you create a fresh, uplifting look in every room.

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HOME TOURS Sandra van Aalst HOME TOURS Sandra van Aalst

Vintage-Filled Small Home Tour: Styling with Reclaimed and Repurposed pieces.

Step inside The Little Gate House, a vintage-filled small home built in place of an old garage. Interior designer Helena Impett has transformed this compact space using reclaimed materials, preloved furniture, and beautifully repurposed pieces to create a home full of character, texture, and timeless style. Discover how to style a small space using vintage finds and thoughtful interior details.

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INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst INTERIOR STYLING Sandra van Aalst

Home Decor Essentials to Style Your Home and Make a Room Feel Finished

In the article I am going to look at actual interior home decor essentials that make a room look finished. It’s the details that add style, personality and tell a story. I’ll introduce you to the key home decor essentials 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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