Advice from the Experts: Sarah Lyon

As a design writer and product stylist, Sarah Lyon is exposed to every style and trend under the sun.

In her own home, she has experimented with many looks over the years, from pink and gold to traditional with a twist to Parisian glam with an eclectic touch. Through it all, she finds herself coming back to versatile and timeless pieces. She also gravitates towards unique touches, making spaces look more personal and collected, not like they’re right out of a store display window. Sarah has amazing advice for any situation; whether you're renting and moving yearly or settling down for the foreseeable future.

As she writes and looks for inspiration, Sarah discovers people who take amazing risks like bold wallpapers and painted arches. She is inspired by the stylistic choices that people have implemented in their rental spaces. Seeing gorgeous mantels in brownstones in Brooklyn and the West Village inspired her to explore temporary fireplace installs. And her appreciation for oversized light fixtures and bold chandeliers inspired Sarah to switch out the builder grade lighting in her rental spaces and opt for pieces with personality.

"Even if a space is temporary, it should be somewhere that makes you feel happy”

Because she has moved frequently  and enjoys changing styles, Sarah has found that versatile pieces are key. She gravitates towards items like console tables that can be styled and positioned in tons of fashions.

Versatile pieces allow you to not get too locked into one style.

As Sarah works with basics she's had for a while, she finds that uniqueness and change can come from decor. Her life-long detestation of clutter has manifested in perfecting the art of decorating shelves. Using decor to transform a space can be a great way to express style without angering a landlord or breaking the bank on a new home-style every year.

So if you're not 100% certain what style to commit to, start with the versatile, try out different looks through smaller decor, and allow yourself time to discover and develop your style.

If you want to see more of Sarah's home and design tips, you can find her on Instagram or on her website.

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