Through Her Own Lens

After years of photographing houses for Home, Elza Cooper shows us the beautiful space she created for her own family.

- Marie Opperman and Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel

A high roof makes the living room feel spacious. The Coopers whitewashed the brick-look wall tiles with a diluted white water-based paint.

They applied it with a rag and then rubbed it off so that the colour of the tiles would show through to give the space a warehouse aesthetic.

Before the Coopers moved to England, this stoep – which leads out from the living room – was their favourite place to hang out. Elza and Robert also whitewashed this brick wall with a mixture of white paint and water, but here they sprayed it off with a garden hose a few minutes later until they were satisfied with the look!

It’s in the detail

The green poster on the wall is an old ZamBuk advertising board. “I found it at an old café in the platteland,” says Elza. “I photographed the shop during my student days, and exchanged a photo for the board.”

Home photographer Elza Cooper has not only captured many interesting and creative people, but also their homes – each one so unique and lovely that it made a lasting impression on her.

“I visited some of the most beautiful gardens and homes around the country,” she says. “They offered loads of inspiration and I ‘borrowed’ many ideas. I love décor, a good story and history; I also have an artistic streak and I’m very sentimental.”