Meet Carola Lialiangas, the founder of Plum & Play. We’re pleased to embark on a little collaboration with Carola and are able to take a peek at her curated space with a couple of my art pieces in her beautiful home.

Who is Plum & Play?

My name is Carola, I am an interior stylist and I live in Utrecht in the Netherlands with my husband and our three kids, cat, and three guinea pics. I am creative and a bit chaotic. I have a huge soft spot for vintage and handmade items. These two elements give an interior a unique and personal touch. I love shopping at thrift stores and supporting small businesses.

How did Plum & Play come about?

I have actually always had a passion for interior styling. I got that from my mother. As a child, I would come home from school to find the living room completely transformed and suddenly, the dining area had become the seating area, and it was no longer green but terracotta!

During my studies in Media & Entertainment Management, I discovered my love for photography. When I had children of my own, these two passions - styling and photography- came together. Designing and photographing cozy children’s rooms became my absolute favorite thing to do! On my private Instagram account, I often shared pictures of beautifully styled corners of my home, and I always received great reactions. People even started asking me for styling advice. But with my busy family life and job as a Digital Campaign Manager, I never had the time to pursue it.

In January 2020, I made the scariest but best decision ever: I quit my job! It was amazing and so special to have so much time with my children. And finally, I had time to take that interior styling course I had always wanted to do! One thing led to another, and in January 2021, I launched my Instagram account @PlumandPlay, which immediately brought in exciting projects that I could easily combine with motherhood.

In September 2022, when my youngest started school, I decided to take the plunge. I chose not to return to a salaried job and soon after, I started professionally styling children's rooms and photographing products. Because honestly, what could be better than turning your passion into your profession?! Since 2024 I am also styling living room areas.

Where do you draw inspiration from when styling your beautiful home?

I love using Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. It’s so much fun to scroll through and create mood boards. But my inspiration often comes naturally as well. For example, when I see a wallpaper or a duvet cover, ideas automatically pop into my head about what would go well with it.

Which is your favorite corner in the house?

I honestly couldn’t pick a favorite corner. There are so many spots in our home that I love. I designed all three of the kids’ rooms with so much love, and every day, I feel happy when I step inside them.

Our house is becoming more and more ours. After two major renovations and the chaos of life with young children, we’re now entering a phase where we have more time to tackle new projects. For example, I came up with the idea for a cabinet, and my husband built it. That has definitely become one of my favorite corners a perfect spot to display my most beautiful (vintage) treasures.

Actually, all those cozy and unique corners together make our house feel like a home.

What are some things you can’t stand having in the house? Are there any house rules?

I do love a tidy home. I always say, a clean house is a clear mind. But of course, that’s nearly impossible with three kids. And I don’t expect my home to look like my Instagram feed—that’s not reality. That’s just some tidy, styled and photographed corners. A home doesn’t have to be picture-perfect; it’s meant to be lived in! I truly love it when one half of the table is covered in my kids’ craft projects, when I stumble upon a little shell collection in the cupboard, or when they’ve built forts out of blankets and pillows. But when the house feels like it has completely exploded, I’m grateful for all the beautiful storage solutions we have. That way, when I need a little peace of mind, the toys and craft supplies can be neatly tucked away out of sight.

What is your favorite kind of art?

We don’t have that much art in the house. I love posters to style rooms with. As said before I always look for unique items and I fell in love with your style the first time I saw it. I don’t think I can explain it. Art is a feeling and it calls to you when you see it.

Is there another place you dream of going to live other than in the Netherlands?

Where we live now, in the suburbs, I feel like we have the best of both worlds - schools, stores, and sports clubs close by for the kids, while still having enough space for them to play outside in our garden and for us to grow a small vegetable patch. It’s a comfortable balance between convenience and a touch of outdoor living.

But deep down, I always dream of something more: a life surrounded by nature, with an orchard, a large vegetable and flower garden, and space for chickens and horses. A place where we can live more in tune with the seasons, where the kids can roam freely, and where there’s endless room to grow and create. I think that’s why I was drawn to those specific illustrations from you: they speak to me.

Thank you Carola for sharing your space and doing this mini collaboration with us!

If you’d like to see more of Carola’s work, or are looking for inspiration for interior styling, you can find @plumandplay on Instagram.

The Space of Plum & Play