Spaces and products that tell your story. Bold, timeless and uniquely yours.
Striking and original design concepts for those who want to express a distinct identity through Color and Materials.
About e s • s t u d i o
I am Esther van Houdt, founder of e s • s t u d i o. My passion lies in creating spaces and products that respect their essence while enhancing their unique qualities. With a keen eye for aesthetics, I strive for the perfect balance through color and materials. With years of experience as a CMF (Color, Material, Finish) designer at Philips Design and a background in interior design, I bring a rich expertise to my work – where interiors, trends, and product design come together. My designs are crafted to spark the soul.
Interior Design
I believe in harmonizing architecture with the identity of its users, thoughtfully blending heritage and contemporary design in a meaningful and sustainable way. My interiors balance Color, Materials, and light to enhance both functionality and atmosphere. With a deep respect for a space’s essence and history, I create designs that feel both timeless and personal.
Trend Research & Talks
Understanding trends is essential for creating designs that feel relevant today and remain timeless tomorrow. I conduct trend research as valuable input for design projects, analysing shifts in color, material, and consumer behaviour to inspire unique concepts.
Product CMF Design
Color influences 85% of purchasing decisions—making it a key factor in product success. My strength lies in curating the perfect CMF combination to make your product stand out while staying true to your brand identity. I merge this expertise with an extensive knowledge of (sustainable) materials, ensuring your design is both timeless and future-proof.
Portfolio
Garden Pod | Amsterdam Oud-Zuid
A Sunny Evening in Zeeland – bringing the outdoors in!
Inspired by the golden glow of a summer evening in Zeeland, this garden house in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid reflects the warmth of copper sunsets and golden wheat fields.
Soft pastel lilac, warm yellows, and rich copper accents create an inviting atmosphere. A standout feature is the custom-designed, child-friendly staircase that seamlessly blends function with beauty – offering a perfect stage for the kids to perform their own plays while incorporating smart storage solutions. Every detail was crafted to bring that sunlit serenity into daily life.
Residential | Amsterdam Oud-Zuid
Art Deco Elegance, Reimagined!
In this beautiful Oud-Zuid home, the Art Deco details immediately caught my eye – becoming the foundation of my design concept. The interior seamlessly balances the home’s heritage with modern elements that reflect the owners’ style.
Elegant arches in champagne-colored steel-framed glass doors enhance the Art Deco style while offering flexible zoning for a growing family. The striped KitKat-tiled fireplace nods to the original glass doors. Inspired by an artwork, the bedroom’s warm browns and cool blues create a cozy yet dynamic vibe. At the owners’ request, the original bathroom was split into two. I proposed a layout that maximized space and functionality with a cohesive design.
Alpine Chalet | Vallée d’Aosta, Italy
For this family retreat in the breathtaking Vallée d’Aosta, I designed the interior of the living area and kitchen, creating a seamless connection between the home and its natural surroundings. Inspired by the region’s landscape, I incorporated locally sourced materials such as warm wood and Ceppo di Gré stone to ground the design in its environment.
To enhance this connection further, I introduced flagstone walls inside as a decorative element, echoing the textures of the exterior landscape. The lighting plan is designed to complement the materials, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere that harmonizes with the rhythms of nature.
This project embodies a refined yet organic aesthetic, where contemporary comfort meets the raw beauty of the Alps.
Yoga Studio | Château de Romécourt Elzas France
Proposal for inspiration: colors, materials, and aesthetics of the space, matching the castle’s special historical identity.
Two parts of this beautiful historic castle are rented out as gîtes. The third part will be transformed into a yoga studio on the ground floor and gîtes on the first floor. It features a characteristic dovecote in the tower and an impressive fireplace. Inspired by the details of its Renaissance architecture, I developed a proposal for colors, materials, and spatial layout while preserving the castle’s unique identity and history.
My presentation served as input for the subsidy application, supporting the vision for its development. Hopefully, this will lead to its realization.
Interior Design
Intake & explore
You’re ready to transform your space – whether it’s a home, office, hotel, restaurant, or something else. You have ideas but aren’t sure where to start. Endless scrolling brings inspiration, but combining styles, layouts, and lighting into a cohesive design can be challenging. How do you make it work -and ensure it’s achievable?
That’s where I come in! Our journey begins with a personal consultation to understand your needs, style, and space. I love discovering your passions, ideas, vision, and the cherished items that make your space truly yours. A site visit helps me grasp the full potential of the space. Whether it’s a renovation or a new project, this non-binding meeting ensures we’re the right fit and covers possibilities, budget, and key decisions.
From there, I guide you through three design steps to bring your space to life.
Phase 1
Concept & CMF (Color, Material, Finish)
I bring together all your wishes and starting points, gathering inspiration to create a mood board that reflects the desired atmosphere and style. These elements are then translated into interior features. As a CMF designer, I have a deep passion for colors and materials. Early in the design process, I provide a hands-on experience, allowing you to see – and feel – the suggested materials. This tactile approach with samples brings your vision to life and helps shape an interior that truly reflects your taste and identity.
Phase 3
Final Design
Once all choices are made and discussed with the contractor, your dream interior is almost ready! I refine the design, finalize any custom-made furniture, and ensure all elements are ready for implementation. This results in a unique and personal interior that reflects your vision. I can assist with ordering furniture, window coverings, and light fixtures to make the process seamless. You can make use of my network of reliable suppliers and professionals.
Phase 2
3D Floor Plan & Preliminary Design
I analyze sightlines, lighting, and the spatial possibilities of your location to determine the best layout and flow. A 3D floor plan provides a clear impression of your new interior.
I carefully select furniture, fabrics, and fittings and create a lighting plan. Additionally, I suggest tailor made furniture to address specific interior needs. The preliminary design is presented to you digitally, ensuring a well-balanced interior with thoughtfully chosen pieces that match your desired style.
Construction Supervision
e s • s t u d i o takes care of your interior from A to Z. You can choose to implement the final design yourself, or leave everything to me—saving you time and stress!
I work with trusted suppliers and skilled craftsmen to ensure the right materials and equipment are delivered. At key moments during the construction process, I am present to oversee progress and make sure everything goes as planned.
As a finishing touch, I personally take care of the styling, so your new interior is ready to enjoy from day one.
Trend research | Trend reports | Trend talks
Trend research | Trend reports | Trend talks
To stay ahead of the latest design developments, I regularly visit leading fairs and design weeks like Salone del Mobile in Milan. Each year, I create an in-depth CMF Trend Report, packed with groundbreaking insights that go beyond color palettes – showing not just NCS codes, but how colors come to life through materials and finishes. My CMF Toolkit transforms inspiration into action, giving brands and designers practical guidance on applying these trends in real-world designs.
For companies seeking tailored insights, I offer custom trend reports and engaging Trend Talks in Dutch or English. Interested? Let’s connect!
Product CMF Design
Trend analysis, colour and material concepts
Product CMF Design
Trend analysis, colour and material concepts
To launch a product successfully, choosing the right colours and materials is a key factor. My strength and expertise lie in finding those colours and materials that make your product attractive to your target group and that also match your brand image.
Trend analysis as the basis for the right colours and materials
To determine the right colours, materials and finishes for your product, I make a thorough trend analysis. Based on this analysis, I present a professional proposal for the colours and (sustainable) materials for your product.
What can es studio do for you?
CMF concepts | Trade fair visits including reports | Guidance in colour development | Creative workshops | Get in touch (links to contact page) | Other in consultation
Portfolio
Product CMF Design
CMF proposal for Iron model
For a leading Chinese manufacturer, we developed a collection of trend-driven CMF concepts designed to make an impact in the market. By delivering a striking color scheme that aligns with the latest trends, we crafted models that distinguish the product from the competition. With renders and detailed CMF instructions we ensure smooth production and seamless implementation. These distinctive, eye-catching designs will not only enhance the product’s appeal but also attract attention at trade fairs, helping the client stand out and capture the interest of potential buyers.
This project was realized in alliance with Breque.
Mepal | Colour proposal for On The Go – Limited Edition
For this limited edition lunch set, I created a color palette inspired by spring and summer trends in fashion, outdoor, and interior design. My proposal combined trendy and playful pastel shades with a fresh neon accent to add a bold, eye-catching touch. A limited edition deserves to stand out and make a statement! The result? A successful collection that sold out within the season. This project also highlights how CMF can refresh existing designs – introducing new colors can give a product a fresh look and extend its appeal.
Philips | Conscious Collection Breakfast set
Inspired by the Earthy trend, this collection embraces sustainability with natural materials and subtle imperfections. After thorough research, I proposed bioplastic, made from recycled vegetable oils instead of fossil oils, and speckled recycled fibers, adding unique textures. The result is a refined, nature-inspired collection that moves away from mass production toward a more conscious approach, featuring low-impact materials, a reduced CO₂ footprint, and timeless design.
Network & Alliances
I believe in combining strengths to create inspiring, functional, and meaningful projects.
Depending on the project scope, I seek alliances with experts to bring diverse perspectives and enrich projects with both global and local insights.
Collaborations include working with designers like Pepe Vargas Murueta of Instinto.Studio in Mexico City, where we unite global design expertise with local culture, heritage research, and sustainability.
I also collaborate with Breque. Brechje Vissers, an expert in aesthetic and cultural trend research, helping businesses implement trends into brand communication, design, and innovation strategies.
Through these partnerships, I develop CMF projects and transform spaces into engaging, eco-conscious destinations that inspire and connect.
I would love to hear your requests!
Esther van Houdt
+31(6) 215 678 33
esther@es-studio.nl
Amsterdam Oud Zuid
KVK: 90655214
VAT: NL004834418B49