THE STUDIO

Canadian Elizabeth Macfarlane and Netherlands-born Eva van der Heul share a love of the English aesthetic - the faded florals in a country manor, the eccentric jumble of antiques in a Notting Hill terrace, the fearless mix of colour and pattern that seem to defy rules yet feel completely right. They admire its confidence rooted in heritage and patina, and its quintessential lived-in elegance.

Macfarlane Van der Heul is the London-based interior design studio born from that shared fascination. Elizabeth and Eva met while studying interior design at the renowned KLC School of Design and live with their families in London. Their work reflects both their international outlook and a distinctly English design education. Having both begun their careers as lawyers, they share an approach defined by professionalism and integrity that shapes every project from first brief to final reveal.

Elizabeth Macfarlane Eva van der Heul

The VISION

Their vision is to create a New English Style distilling the essence of traditional English interior design and presenting it with a fresh clarity.  They design characterful homes inspired by English heritage but with unexpected twists - authentic, comfortable spaces that are full of personality. Every project begins with a client’s own passions and possessions, and the goal is always to design spaces that are at once eclectic and harmonious.

 

THE Process

The core belief underlying the process at Macfarlane Van der Heul is that a home should be an authentic reflection of who their clients are and how they want to live so every project begins with conversation: about the things their clients love, the lives they lead, the pieces they’ve carried with them and the ones still waiting to be found.

Designing a home can be daunting, and Elizabeth and Eva care as much about the process as they do about the result. There is real pleasure in the making — in the slow gathering of ideas, the unexpected find, the moment a room finally comes together — and they want their clients to feel that pleasure too.

Macfarlane Van der Heul eschews trends in favour of quality and craftsmanship - working closely with architects, builders, craftsmen, artisans and dealers from the outset of every project. From antiques and vintage finds to contemporary art and one-of-a-kind commissions, every piece is sourced with care and intention. The homes Macfarlane Van der Heul designs are meant to be lived in, loved, and continually evolved long after they’ve gone.

What our clients say

“Elizabeth and Eva were a complete pleasure to work with! They brought to our project a mixture of creativity, style and faultless professionalism. What could have been a daunting and stressful experience was instead fun and exciting! I particularly loved the fact that they listened so carefully to what we wanted to achieve and delivered solutions that aligned with our budget, personalities and taste. I would absolutely recommend Macfarlane Van der Heul to anyone looking for intelligent, creative design expertise and seamless project execution!”
— Private residential clients, barnes
“We worked with Macfarlane Van der Heul to redecorate our kitchen and family bathroom. Elizabeth was a pleasure to work with. She had creative ideas, but was also sensitive to the practical needs of our family as well as our budget. We are delighted with the end results, which feel both stylish and very ‘us’. We have recommended Macfarlane Van der Heul to several of our friends who are equally thrilled with the outcome!”
— private residential clients, Queen's Park
“Elizabeth and Eva have been a dream come true. I had never worked with a designer before and they did not disappoint. Responsiveness is key for me and they exceeded my expectations. They were extremely efficient and well organised. They encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, for which I am SO grateful. The end result is fantastic - so much so that I am engaging them on another project.”
— private residential client, Hampshire