Content Creator Sara Toufali Manifests Stylish and Cozy Atmospheres

Sara’s vibe epitomizes breezy, boho-chic with comfy, refined color palettes and inviting textures. With a drool-worthy Instagram to show off her designs and prolific writings to boot, this photographer, blogger, and interior decorator is the real deal. 

Her lifestyle blog, Black and Blooms emphasizes plants, personal style, travel, and interior decorating. Only three years into launching, she quit her 9-5 job as a photo editor to focus full-time on her Instagram community and writing. 

Take a look at her amazing path, which balances the hard work of content creation with self-employed fulfillment:

What Do You Create?

Cozy spaces, art prints, presets, photography, and lifestyle content. 

What is the best part about what you create?

I’m very lucky to be able to do what I love and work from home on things I’m passionate about! It’s a privilege I don’t ever take for granted.

How does creativity bring goodness to your life?

It makes every day different and exciting. Trying new ways of doing things, experimenting, having fun with photography, decorating, and styling. It brings me a lot of joy to create, and I hope my work sparks joy and inspiration in others as well. 

What do people NOT know about what you do?

There’s a misconception that creators don’t have “real jobs” or do a lot of work. That couldn’t be further from the truth, in my opinion! We’re our own small business, and as everyone knows, that takes a lot of determination, discipline, and hustle. So much work goes on behind the scenes that our communities don’t always see. We often wear many different hats: photographer, stylist, videographer, editor, writer, marketer, website designer, and more!

Favorite part about your space? 

My plants! They add so much life and beauty to our home.

From where do you draw design inspiration?

Nature is my biggest inspiration. I’m all about bringing the outdoors in, and incorporating natural materials into a space is my favorite. My partner Eddie and I are both earth signs, so we’re very drawn to earthy materials like wood, rattan, wicker, seagrass, and bamboo. 

If this room were a song, what would it be?

“Easy Living” by Billie Holiday

What is one thing we wouldn’t know about this room from just looking at it? 

This couch used to be a very dark grey! We had custom slipcovers made and swapped out the metal legs for wooden ones. The light fabric and new legs completely transformed the look of the couch and the room as a whole.

Best way to enjoy this space? 

Candles lit, incense burning, twinkle lights on, a fresh bouquet on the table, while listening to old records and enjoying a glass of wine.

If you had to pick one, what design element stands out as your favorite?

I love our little jungle record corner. I was hired by a brand to do a bit of product photography earlier this year, so I played around with different styling in that corner. I moved our dining room bench to the living room as another space to display plants. I liked it so much, I placed our record player on the bench too and decided to keep the setup! 

Give it to us straight, what’s still “in-progress” about your space?

Eventually, I’d love to incorporate a Samsung Frame TV into our living room. We recently purchased one for the bedroom, and the art feature is so stunning, you can’t even tell it’s a TV. No more big black rectangle on the wall, it’s a total game changer! They’re a pricy investment though, so a second one for the living room will have to wait for now.

What was the biggest decorating struggle? 

Finding the perfect rug for the room wasn’t so much a struggle as it was a practice in patience. I knew I wanted a vintage Moroccan rug, but I couldn’t find the right size, colors, pattern, and price point for a long time. I searched for months until I finally found ours, and I knew it was the one right away. I think it may be my favorite decor purchase! It has so much history in it – one-of-a-kind, handmade in the 1970s, and very special to me. 

In your book, what makes a space beautiful?

I’m drawn to cozy, bright, plant-filled spaces. Rooms that instantly make you feel at home, where you can plop down anywhere and feel comfortable. It’s the way a space makes you feel – I’m all about good vibes. 

What decorating advice would you give to your children (human or plant)?  

Your home and what you decide to fill it with can be life-changing. And that’s different for everyone! Whether it’s plants, people you love, pets, memories, or treasures, everyone’s home is so personal. That’s a big reason why I love interiors so much. It’s all subjective. What works for you and your fam may not work for someone else. Waking up every day in a space that makes you happy is so fulfilling and can positively affect all other parts of your life. If there’s a room or corner in your home you’ve wanted to change up or decorate, go for it! You don’t even have to spend money to do it, sometimes simply rearranging the furniture and decor you already own can make a big difference.

What makes this space feel like home to you?

It’s my own relaxing sanctuary – all the pieces were chosen with a lot of love, and make me smile every day.

To learn more about Sara and peek into the rest of her stunning home, follow her on Instagram at @saratoufali and visit her site BlackandBlooms.com.