Robbert Maarsen and Julia de Jong have been designing and realising interiors since 2007, as one continuous process. Robbert knows the trade from material to logistics, Julia combines design insight with project oversight. Together they do what most studios don't: the entire project, from first sketch to last detail.
A pretty picture is not enough. A design only proves itself once the interior is finished. Getting there takes a long series of decisions: about products, materials and lead times, about which tradespeople the job calls for and about the order in which the work is done. We lay out those decisions for you and manage the work until the furniture is in place.
At our studio in Bennebroek we take our time going through the interior designs for your project with you. Samples are laid out: you can feel the fabrics, see the wood and the stone side by side and get an immediate sense of the level we work at. Together with you, we then choose the products and materials that go into your interior.
Two owner-designers. The people you meet are the people who run your project. From the design through to completion we remain your point of contact, and while the work is under way we keep an eye on whether the design is holding up. You’ll never have to explain your project all over again.
When the design is carried out, we work with tradespeople we know: joiners, bathroom suppliers, kitchen specialists, flooring fitters, electricians, painters, plasterers, paperhangers and upholsterers. We know what they deliver and they know what we ask. That’s why a Choc Studio design gets built the way it was intended.
"Our new-build house had turned out beautifully, but it still needed an interior to match. After some searching we found Choc Studio. Julia and Robbert created several plans, which we eventually combined into one. With their smart ideas they turned our house into a home, something we could never have achieved on our own. We are still impressed by the result."
"When we realised that an interior architect could take our new home to the next level, we started looking and found Choc Studio in Haarlem. Everything we saw on their website appealed to us, so we booked an appointment. From the very first meeting, we knew it was the right choice. We already loved the stylish, contemporary atmosphere in the 3D proposals but now that we live in it, it’s even better."
"We admired the work of several interior designers, but we didn’t want too much bling. It still had to feel like our home, not the architect’s. At Choc Studio in Haarlem we found an atmosphere that resonated with us. They created a warm and liveable interior: classic with a modern chic twist, perfectly suited to who we are."
"We moved into our new house and bought some furniture, but it never really felt cosy and we couldn’t figure out why. After a few years of struggling, we decided we needed professional help from an interior designer. Choc Studio lifted our entire interior to the next level and struck exactly the right tone."
"I wanted to give my new home a high-end upgrade and decided to call in Choc Studio. I’ve known Robbert and Julia for some time, and they beautifully designed my previous home as well. Choc Studio listened carefully and translated my wishes into clear interior advice for this house. We quickly agreed that gold would add the glamour touch I was looking for. Subtle enough not to be kitsch, yet present enough to create a sense of richness."
"We’re usually very hands-on and don’t easily hand things over. But for the design of our home we placed our full trust in these interior designers. During his very first visit Robbert came up with ideas we immediately embraced. That is the real value of working with professionals: they bring solutions you didn’t even know were possible."
"I’m very happy I chose to work with Choc Studio. At first I only intended to outsource the living area, but it quickly became clear that the kitchen and bathroom had to be included too. In the end I handed everything over. Choc Studio coordinated the plumber, electrician, painter, wallpaperer and more. And even moved, unpacked and styled everything for me."
"I immediately clicked with Choc Studio and felt confident I could leave everything in their hands. Within a month, under Robbert’s direction, the entire house was renovated and Sanne and I were able to move into our new home. That first moment I had the remarkable feeling of stepping straight into Choc’s 3D design, a very special experience. The result is beautiful."
"Right after buying the property we went straight to Choc Studio. They had beautifully designed our previous home in Haarlem, so we knew they would make the most of this one too, as it was delivered as a bare shell. Julia and Robbert did brilliant work here, they literally thought of everything in this house."
"The moment we visited the design studio in Haarlem, we were sold. The style and atmosphere were exactly what we were looking for. Julia and Robbert advised and guided us wonderfully, understanding perfectly what we wanted. In the final days before moving in, Choc Studio placed and styled everything. We were overwhelmed. It was even more beautiful than we had imagined."
Robbert spent over thirty years in the furniture industry, from IKEA to Eric Kuster, so he knows how things work behind the scenes. Julia moved from communications strategy and project management into interior design, so she brings both design judgement and a clear overview of the project. We have worked together since 2007, and we know exactly what it takes to furnish a whole house.
We don't carry a collection of our own. That gives us access to the full range of brands and suppliers, from international design labels to Dutch craftspeople. Our choice is always driven by what best suits your design and your budget.
An interior designer gives you a plan you can use to prepare the renovation, brief contractors and suppliers, and end up with the result you had in mind. The real value lies in what doesn’t go wrong: a layout that turns out not to work, or a purchase you’d rather have undone.
Choc Studio has its own signature, modern chic, but doesn’t impose it. The interior has to suit the people who live in it. That’s why we start by listening to how you live and what you like. Our portfolio shows that every project looks different.
Choc Studio mainly works in Haarlem and the surrounding area, and further across the provinces of North Holland and Utrecht. For a project elsewhere, get in touch and we’ll discuss the options.