
Maximize the space you have...then
create the space you need!

DO YOU LOVE YOUR HOME BUT NEED MORE SPACE, BETTER LAYOUT, OR AN INCOME-OPTION FOR IT TO FIT THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE?
HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING ABOUT A REMODEL, OR ADDING A PARENT-IN-LAW UNIT OR BACKYARD COTTAGE TO YOUR LOT?
I’m Val, and I am here to help! I can help you CAPITALIZE on your investment (your home!) by MAXIMIZING the space you have, HIGHLIGHTING the aspects you love, and IMPROVING the ones you don't.
BUT WHERE DO YOU START? AND WHO DO YOU CALL FIRST?
A contractor? Not yet. Not until you have some preliminary plans so they know what you want and they know you are serious about your project, otherwise they may not even return your call.
An licensed architect? Maybe...if you have a 5,000 sf project, complicated build site, or want high end custom finishes, then you may want to call an architect. However, make sure they have experience in these types of builds (ADUs and DADUs) and that they don't forget about your interior spaces and all the spaces in between.
So who do you hire? Well… me!
WHY HIRE AN RESIDENTIAL DESIGNER TO DO ALL THIS STUFF?
Not all Residential Designers are equipped (or interested in) helping with all things inside *and out* of
your home, but this is my specialty! Together we can REINVENT your space, from small projects like a simple
kitchen or bath remodel, to bigger dreams like adding a parent-in-law space to your basement or even adding a
small backyard cottage! And then creating outdoors rooms in between!
I will find out your specific goals for your home and property and together we will come up with a plan for how it will all come together. I will then prepare architectural drawings for contractor bids and for getting permits from the city. I love this stuff, and I’m here to help you love your home more!
Let's get started!

Not quite ready for a big remodel? Get my free Quick Start Guide on how to change spaces in your home by starting small.
Hi, I'm Val.
You are the expert on your home and what you like and I’m the expert on design. Together, we are the perfect team!
Here's how I can help;
By listening, asking questions, and determining your overall goals for your home and the future you envision. Then, I will take into account all your spaces, interior and exterior, and how they are connected. Space planning happens on an overall scale.
I am a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) with past work experience in healthcare, perfect for designing your 'forever space', and I can help you design, budget, document and execute your kitchen, bath, and basement remodel that works for the whole family!
I am also an ADU Specialist so if you decide a parent-in-law basement unit or a backyard cottage is for you, 1 AD Studio can help you achieve this goal. These create diverse living opportunities for family and friends and expand your living options as a homeowner.


She encouraged us to make sure we are maximizing the remodel effort.
“Val has been terrific to work with on our kitchen remodel. She is very good at being able to visualize and explain multiple options for a given space in real-time to help you figure out what you really want. She is very technically adept with her CAD drawings which really speeds up the time it takes to go from idea to a plan. She takes great care in getting exact measurements of your existing space at the outset of working with her to help ensure any ideas that get committed to paper or CAD are drawn to scale and reflect reality. On top of her design skills she is prompt with communications, completes her work when she says she will and is a pleasure to work with.”