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Why we do – what we do
Active Interiors
Active Interiors offers bespoke interior & professional styling solutions for Residential & Corporate projects — from single-room solutions to larger projects and our designs always remain relevant and meaningful.
Confidence is an important key in design and Elsabe and Janine are here to guide you every step of the way.
Active Curtains and blinds were opened over 20 years ago by Elsabe Retief and since inception, we have specialized in beautiful and professional window treatments, draping windows of all shapes and sizes.
Our style is clean and sophisticated with a touch of elegance which is evident in our Professional Cleaning service and together with our equipped installation and admin team we take great care.
Every Space Counts
What Makes Us Special
Elsabé Retief
I love people!! Since 1994, I have been the proud founder of Active Curtains and Blinds. I have been incredibly fortunate to be presented with numerous opportunities to cultivate remarkable relationship with my clients – (from client’s babies now having their own babies)
Professionalism, Expertise and Integrity is the backbone of our business. While growing this endeavour, my goal has always been to make the process of custom window treatments an exciting experience for our clients. After our in home consultation our client’s famous line is usually – “This was easier than I thought”.
I find excitement in embracing challenges, and my true passion lies in die world of Window Treatments. One of my greatest strengths lies in my ability to genuinely listen to your heart and inspire your creative spirit. It is important to me that the end result reflects your preferences and personality.
I am fortunate to be surrounded by an exceptional team of individuals who are true team players, surpassing any business owner’s dreams. Trust and camaraderie among all team members hold immense value for me. Together we consider the trust our clients place in us.
Family holds immense significance in my life. I am happily married to Andre, a dedicated life coach, who has been my unwavering source of encouragement during moments of self-doubt. God blessed us richly with a son and three daughters. Our children grew up experiencing a blend of home and business life since a young age and they have their own collection of delightful and occasionally nerve-wracking stories to share. Now, we are also further blessed with the joy of being grandparents.
I have a profound appreciation for the lush greenery that nature provides, and I love being surrounded by it. My one weakness is a good cup of coffee 😊
As I embrace new opportunities and challenges, I am grateful for the experiences that have shaped me, and I am excited to see what the future holds, as I hold on to Gods unchanging hand.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about my journey. I am eager to continue growing, learning, and contributing to the wonderful world of custom interiors.
Janine Heydenreich
I am a Professional Interior consultant, and I am delighted to share my personal journey. I have always believed that I am the author of my own life story. And although I have faced many challenges, I have also had a lot of experiences, learnings, and growth.
I was raised in Carletonville by 2 wonderful parents who remain an integral part of my life, my family instilled in me the values of always putting God first, that honesty is the best policy and that if I work hard and believe in myself, I can accomplish anything. They shaped me into the person I am today and gave me the foundation for my life endeavours.
I have never stopped studying and have always believed that no one can take your education away from you. I attended Pretoria Technikon where I completed my BTech degree in food service management. During my professional journey, I delved into various creative fields but knew Interior Decorating was my passion and I was ecstatic when I received my diploma. As I progressed, I took on roles with increasing responsibility, ultimately leading me to Active Curtains and Blinds where I have now been a Professional interior consultant for the last 10 years.
I am as passionate about living as I am about being creative. I use my love for creating beautiful things to inspire and excite and have always loved to help people. I enjoy the happiness my creative style brings. It is so rewarding to complete a project and it provides the greatest level of satisfaction for an Interior Professional like me.
Beyond my professional life, I was happily married for 14 years to a wonderful man who passed away in 2021. I am now a single mom to an amazing son and my ultimate goal is to raise him up to become a great man, I find great joy in this pursuit because I just love being a mom and it offers me a sense of purpose and belonging.
I am also an avid enthusiast of style, fashion, books, a good movie and an adventure every now and again, I find joy in dedicating time to these pursuits, as they offer me a sense of balance and rejuvenation.
Life has taught me many valuable lessons and I’ve learned that setbacks are opportunities for growth, that resilience and perseverance can lead to remarkable miracles. Embracing uncertainty has been a transformative process that has helped me embrace new perspectives. Embracing change has been crucial in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of life.
As I move forward, I aim to make meaningful connections, learn from others, and contribute to making the world a better place.