People who measure twice and build once

Onicostrap is a joinery studio rooted in Amsterdam's craft tradition. We design and build fitted furniture that respects old buildings and modern lifestyles alike.

Our story

Onicostrap began when founders Maarten Koster and Elise van Dijk left a large kitchen franchise because they missed the craft. They rented a small workshop near the IJ and started taking on wardrobe commissions from friends in de Pijp. Word spread quickly — not through ads, but through neighbours who noticed flush doors and silent drawers.

Today we occupy a combined showroom and production space, with a client-facing studio on the Prinsengracht where you can review samples and 3D models over coffee. The name blends "onic" (Dutch slang for something solid and dependable) with "strap" — a nod to the leather straps Maarten's grandfather used in his shipwright's toolbox.

How we work with you

We keep teams small on purpose. Each project has a designer and a workshop lead who stay with you from measurement to installation. That continuity matters when you are juggling contractors, permits, and a family that still needs a functional kitchen during renovation.

We speak English and Dutch fluently, and we regularly work with expat clients who need clear documentation for landlords or VvE boards. If your building is monument-listed, we have experience coordinating with the Monumentenzorg and choosing finishes they approve.

Milestones

2011First workshop opened; three wardrobe projects completed in Amsterdam-Oost.
2014Expanded into kitchen joinery after a canal-house renovation featured in a local design magazine.
2017Registered as Onicostrap B.V.; moved production to Amsterdam-Noord with CNC and traditional bench work side by side.
2020Launched home-office fitted range during the shift to remote work; 40+ Zuidas installations follow.
2024Prinsengracht studio opened for client meetings; team grows to twelve full-time joiners and two apprentices.

What we stand for

Honest materials

We tell you when MDF is the right choice and when solid oak is worth the extra €1,200. No hidden veneers, no mystery boards — every specification goes in your quote.

Respect for the building

Canal houses lean, floors slope, and pipes appear where you least expect them. We design around reality instead of forcing a catalogue module into an impossible corner.

Fair pricing

Design consultations start at €195 for a half-day site visit within Amsterdam. That fee is deducted from your project total when you proceed — we never charge twice for the same work.

Aftercare included

Every installation includes a two-week follow-up visit and a five-year warranty on workmanship. Hardware from Blum and Hettich carries manufacturer warranties on top of ours.