Comments0
03 Jun 2021
Comments0
03 Jun 2021
Ever since I can remember, I’ve been making spaces around me beautiful. I’ve always been a homemaker and even as a young child I regularly rearranged our home. It was how I lived out my creativity and my lovely parents just went along with it. This passion for interior design and decorating lingered in my heart and mind for many years, but I never thought to make a career out of it.
I really enjoyed my corporate and agency career, which both probably triggered and cultivated my love for innovation and technology. Design and decorating was simply something I did on the side for friends and family. But when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, I finally had the time to reflect and build up the courage to create an opportunity for myself and others like me – creative individuals with a natural talent and passion for decorating. In addition, as the economic turmoil caused by the pandemic shook our entire nation, I realised once again how crucial it is to support local businesses.
The words that stayed with me for quite some time and together with continuous prayer, encouraged me to start Gerieflijk during a global pandemic and in an unstable economy.
With social distancing lasting longer than expected, online-everything becoming the new norm and our homes turning into more than just living spaces, Gerieflijk was born during a 90-day lockdown period in Langebaan, on the West Coast of South Africa.
Gerieflijk is the result of a lifelong passion, combined with a desire to make a difference and an ethos underpinned by a drive to make the world a better and more beautiful place. The intention behind the business is to help uplift the local economy and transform homes around South Africa into spaces that inspire beautiful living.
Gerieflijk is more than a business, it’s a solution that helps to transform uninspired homes into beautiful living spaces - tailored to any budget while creating an opportunity for local interior designers and decor enthusiasts to consult safely, using our digital integrated 3D design software.
We virtually connect interior designers, decor enthusiasts, retailers and talented local makers with each other and with customers across the entire country. Gerieflijk was also created as a community, establishing a space for designers to support each other instead of competing against each other. Breaking those boundaries within the industry is crucial in order to uplift our surrounding communities by empowering them with growing job opportunities.
Gerieflijk is ultimately a convenient, one-stop, online interior design and decorating service that aspires to be more accessible and affordable than traditional interior design…with a mission to make every space we touch more beautiful, while supporting local.
Photo: Unique Homestays
Some Random Facts about Me…
I’m a former Free State farm girl, so my main interior style comes as no surprise – Modern Farmhouse. I am currently swooning over Mila Kunis & Ashton Kutcher’s Sustainable Farmhouse in Los Angeles!
My favorite Architectural Interior Designer is Claudia Varjao from Archi & Beyond. Take a look at her amazing projects on Instagram @cauvarjao and @archiandbeyond.
I’m a wanderer at heart so my favourite Instagram page has to be @journeyoverload. My bucket list locations are Norway, Switzerland, Croatia, Italy, France, Greece and Maldives – just to name a few…
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending quality time with loved ones (including furry ones) and being active in nature. Oh and you’ll catch me dancing at any time and in any place…pretty much whenever I hear a song that I love!
Sarize Coetzee | Founder & CEO
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved Gerieflijk™.
Back to top
Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll deliver delight to your inbox, whether that’s the latest interior design trend or tips for sprucing up your space. We promise we won’t spam you and we’ll never share your details with anyone else.
