MEET ERIN & JEANNE
ERIN Hiemstra, PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
Erin spent a decade shaping the global design conversation as the founder of the acclaimed editorial destination, Apartment 34. Today, as Co-Founder and Principal Designer of Studio Trovato, she translates her highly trained editorial eye into physical spaces, merging a refined, bicoastal-meets-European sensibility with the firm’s signature collector’s restraint.
Erin views interior design as an exercise in storytelling, believing a space is only as powerful as the objects within it. Dedicated to the "art of the find," she prioritizes bespoke pieces and emerging artists that cut through the noise to offer a distinct sense of place and time. This philosophy of slow, intentional design was deeply solidified during the multi-year architectural restoration of her own 150-year-old historic San Francisco residence—a masterclass in honoring a home's roots that was widely celebrated in Domino Magazine.
From her early recognition as a featured designer for the Sunset Magazine Showhouse to her work gracing the pages of Elle Decor, Est Living, and Rue Magazine, Erin has mastered the ability to bridge the gap between editorial aspiration and livable reality. At Studio Trovato, she ensures every project goes beyond looking beautiful to become an intentional, deeply personal sanctuary that matures with grace.
JEANNE CHAN, managing director
Jeanne’s love for interiors began at a young age when she started collecting international design magazines and constantly obsessing over design shops. While she grew up modestly in Hong Kong and San Francisco, she wasn’t bound by her humble beginnings, but rather used it to fuel her creativity and a quest for intentional living.
Jeanne established a keen eye for elevated designs by working at a top interior design firm that focuses on luxury residential interiors. She was influenced in an environment that held strong business practices and in-depth knowledge in classical architecture and design. She then took her passion towards entrepreneurship when she felt a strong urge to start her own business and was inspired to bring beautiful aesthetics into people’s everyday lives. She launched a modern lifestyle brand that manufactured a line of well-designed paper goods that was sold across U.S. and Europe. She grew the business over the course of eight years and continues to thrive with an entrepreneurial mindset.
While she takes pride in running a product business, her recent home renovation led her back into her passion for creating beautiful spaces and a venture in interior design. She believes that good design can nourish the mind and soul, and a home should be an extension and a reflection of you. Her approach is calm and collected, purposeful and refined. While her aesthetic is contemporary and timeless, she is a firm believer in layering different period designs and styles, mixing the affordable with the one-of-a-kind, paying attention to quality and craftsmanship, and incorporating sustainable practices by sourcing products made with honest process and quality materials.