Interior design townhouse Haarlem: when the base is good but the interior won’t come together
In 2016, Choc Studio completed the interior design of a period townhouse in Haarlem. The house had been thoroughly renovated: rooms were opened up, the original room-and-suite restored to its former state. But the interior hadn’t followed. Targeted interventions gave the home the character and strength that the structure already deserved.
The brief: why does a well-renovated home sometimes still feel like it’s missing something?
The base was good: space, light, original details. But the interior didn’t match. Everything was white, and nothing connected to the character of the building. For years the owners tried to fix it themselves, adding cushions and accessories, making small purchases to bring the rooms to life. It didn’t work, and they couldn’t work out why. After a few years of muddling through, they decided it was time to get professional help.
The approach: colour on the walls, a darker dining table, and conviction where an all-white scheme had failed
Choc Studio assessed the interior and proposed an approach that would make a real difference without needing another renovation. The walls got colour: Fescue by Little Greene on the larger surfaces, Serpentine above the kitchen. Both shades add depth without making the rooms feel heavy.
The dining table had been white and looked out of place. On Choc Studio’s advice it was painted black, to better suit the character of the house. Two new sofas from Meridiani came into the living room, dressed with cushions from Pure Choc. A wool rug from Limited Edition and a blue stair runner from Balsan brought warmth and texture. Lighting from Moooi completed the picture.
The approach reflects a principle Choc Studio applies consistently: a strong base doesn’t call for compromise, it calls for conviction. Darker tones and custom pieces gave the interior the strength and coherence that an all-white scheme never could.
The result: an interior that finally matches the character of the buildingt
Femke: “Like an artist, Julia set exactly the right tone, with colour on the walls, a darker dining table, new sofas and considered styling. Our home finally feels like home. At last!”
The project was published in Stijlvol Wonen in March 2016.
Photography: Denise Zwijnen © Sanoma. Dining room: Laura Hage.
Does your home have a good base but an interior that won’t come together? Get in touch with Choc Studio for an introductory conversation.