WE BELIEVE in a HOLISTIC 
APPROACH to DESIGN

About Us

 

Noe is a multi-disciplinary Honolulu-based studio recognized for our holistic approach to design.

Our work is guided by rich textures, thoughtful layers, and a marriage of form and function. Our clean, minimalistic point of view makes for spaces that are inviting, balanced, elevated, and alive. We design for residential and commercial projects around the world that require a detailed eye and a personal touch.

At Noe Studio, we design environments that are full of warmth and authenticity. Whether the project calls for a simple aesthetic refresh, full-scale renovation, a custom build, or the task of rebranding from the ground up, we approach everything we do with a symbiotic sense of place in mind, so that the end result is always a space that feels uniquely suited for the type of life that exists there. We welcome collaboration and celebrate substance. Our goal is to create interiors that invite the world inside.

Our Team

  • Cat VanderLaan

    PRINCIPAL

    Cat is largely influenced by her background in architecture, inspired by global vernacular, and drawn to the indoor outdoor lifestyle of the tropical climate. Through designing at notable firms in Miami and San Francisco, collaborating with world-renowned architects, and servicing high-profile clients in both commercial and luxury residential projects, Cat has become passionate about the intimacy of enveloped space and giving persona to the built environment. Cat dives deeply into her designs, and provides a grounding sense to every Noe Studio project she works on.

  • Jess Cheng

    PRINCIPAL

    Born and raised in Hong Kong, a sense of creative awareness on a global scale sits at the root of Jess’s design philosophy. After immersing herself in the luxury fashion, publishing and design industries back home, Jess moved to Los Angeles where she worked on large-scale interior projects and major renovations for residential and commercial clients. She eventually moved to Hawaii inspired by the variety of opportunities and flourishing design scene. Having grown up with design, and witnessing many forms of creative expression around the world, Jess brings her keen sense of innovation to Noe Studio.

  • Liz McClellian

    SENIOR DESIGNER

    Liz was born and raised in Southern California, but had the honor of attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she fell in love with the ‘āina. With a background in environmentally conscious architecture, Liz sees interiors as an intertwined component of exterior conditions, which are forever changing. Her experience with tattoo shops and her current volunteer efforts with local art galleries encourage her to think of the interiors she designs as her pieces of art. This keen eye for artistry shines through as she looks to nature as a means of inspiration for the endless possibilities of interior design.

  • Chiara Handel

    JUNIOR DESIGNER

    Chiara grew up in the vibrant, coastal landscapes of California, where her childhood was abundant in creativity. She also spent many childhood summers living with her extended family in Italy, where she immersed herself in art, design, and history through the traditions and heritage of her culture. Her connection with Hawai'i is rooted in her family's beloved yearly surf trips, where she fell in love with the essence of island life and its harmony with nature. These diverse influences - Californian vibrancy, Italian artistry, and Hawaiian tranquility - have all played a role in shaping Chiara's point of view in design.

  • Nina Arakaki

    JUNIOR DESIGNER

    Growing up in Hawai’i, Nina has a deep connection to the islands’ culture, people, and lifestyle. This innate connection allows her to uniquely understand and serve Noe’s clients. Her design journey began with a passion for floral and events design that eventually evolved into interior design, and owning her own staging and design company. Nina’s modern minimalist design style is evident in every project she undertakes, resulting in spaces that are both timeless and elevated, and her staging experience has broadened her eye allowing her to design across a variety of styles.

Testimonials

  • “Noe Studio was instrumental in curating the aesthetic and design of my new home, with many special features that I wanted and they made a reality. The care, time, and effort they put into this project shows. Our home is everything we envisioned it to be, and that vision was able to come to life thanks to Noe.”

    PRIVATE CLIENT

  • “I had the pleasure of working with Noe Studio. The team is extremely knowledgable, very professional and makes you feel like you are their most important client. I was very impressed with the follow through on all aspects of my project.”

    PRIVATE CLIENT

  • "The Noe team is incredibly talented in creating striking spaces that are warm and practical. They genuinely valued our opinion and incorporated thoughtful touches throughout our home. We have completed two homes together so far and I will absolutely be working with them on all future projects."

    RACHEL G, CLIENT