Elize Labuschagne Interiors was the first South African interior design firm with a web presence, but, in a world of dot.com immediacy, it still provides personal interaction and old-fashioned service. Elize has deliberately steered clear of a high-gloss interior design company with a hands-off showroom to choose the path of homely environment and hands-on involvement.Hers is professional service with soul.

She works with a small team of full-time staff, and has long-standing relationships with her sub-contractors. Whether the project is a compact home for a professional, or a world-scale embassy, this team works in the most synergistic and cost-effective way.

Space to dream
The company (established in 1987) operates from a Provencal-style studio in the peaceful suburb of Brooklyn, Pretoria. French doors lead from every room, and the scent of lavender and herbs has inspired many an innovative thought. The studio's neutral shell can absorb the cacophony of colour and texture flowing from the extensive sample library, and clients are enticed to relax and relish the air of creativity.

While the bulk of her commissioning comprises large corporate projects, Elize welcomes smaller projects where she can be totally creative, with no design limitations. These, she says, nourish her soul and creativity. Experimental projects, taking interior design to its creative limits, really get her pulse racing.