Testimonials

Building my dream home was a true labour of love. I had a vision—a modern-day farmhouse nestled in the countryside—and I was committed to being hands-on every step of the way. To get a head start, I even purchased a set of plans online. While they captured many of the elements I loved, I quickly realized I was struggling to bring all my ideas together into a cohesive design that made me say: “That’s it!”

That’s when my general contractor suggested I reach out to Design Valley. One quick call to Peter Valiquet in the fall of 2021, and things began to move. We had a lot of decisions to make before breaking ground in the spring, and their guidance came at just the right time.

Once Peter and Brian were on board, everything began to click. I’ve always had a strong sense of the types of spaces I enjoy—but working with Design Valley challenged and expanded my thinking. They introduced ideas around spatial flow, sightlines, and passive solar design that made me pause and reconsider nearly every choice I was making. One major breakthrough was how to divide the home’s layout between active and passive zones—and how sunlight would interact with those spaces throughout the day. I hadn’t thought about any of that.

In the end, we landed on a stunning U-shaped layout with two sleeping wings flanking a breathtaking common area. The central living space—with its vaulted, beamed ceilings, grand arches, stone columns, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows—became the heart of the home. The east wing captures the morning sun in both bathrooms, making for a serene start to the day, while the west wing is set back just enough for the principal bedroom to bask in that same morning light.

The result is a home that feels palatial when entertaining, yet intimate. From major finish selections to the tiniest details, the team at Design Valley delivered. They navigated my hectic travel and work schedule with ease, keeping everything moving forward and on time for both the general contractor and sub-trades.

Working with the Gents from Design Valley has been an absolute pleasure. Their professionalism, creativity, and dedication are why I’ve invited them back for two more projects. I’m excited to see what we dream up next.

When Mark and I began planning a major renovation in the fall of 2021, we had our young daughter and a new baby on the way—and were quickly outgrowing our small war-time home. The one-and-a-half storey layout presented challenges: a narrow, winding staircase, tight doorways, and awkward angles made both movement and furnishing difficult. While the two bedrooms were a reasonable size, the sloped ceilings and irregular closet placements limited their usability.

A few years earlier, we had renovated the bathroom—thanks to a front shed dormer that provided some precious ceiling height—and added a bright playroom/solarium at the back. Those two spaces hinted at the potential we hoped to unlock throughout the rest of the house. We had a wish-list and a realistic budget (being married to an electrician certainly helped on that front!), and our next step was to find the right designer to guide us through it.

A friend recommended Peter Valiquet and Design Valley. Within days, Peter and Brian were at our home, asking thoughtful questions and diving right into the Design Development stage before the holidays. From the beginning, the collaboration felt easy and natural. Each draft was carefully considered and beautifully presented, and we were always given time to think and reflect—something I really appreciated.

The transformation that followed exceeded all expectations. By adding two full-length shed dormers across the front and back, we raised the ceiling height throughout the second floor, turning cramped into comfortable. Suddenly, we had two proper kids’ bedrooms, a second full bathroom, an open staircase with abundant natural light, and even a laundry room upstairs—a total game changer.

Over the garage, we added a new principal bedroom with vaulted ceilings, a walk-in closet, and access to the second bathroom, which now serves as our ensuite. Downstairs, the changes were just as dramatic: a spacious new kitchen, a cozy banquette dining area, and opened-up walls that made the entire main floor feel bigger, brighter, and more connected.

We are so grateful to Brian and Peter for bringing our forever home to life. The flow of the house, the light, the thoughtful use of space—it’s all exactly what we hoped for and more. We could never have imagined this transformation without them.

We are very pleased with the final design of the 3 Season Screened in Deck. Peter and Brian were very helpful in providing timely updates and drawings. You were available and responded promptly to our recommendations for changes in the design to reduce the final cost of the project.

Before meeting Design Valley, we really didn’t understand what an architectural designer could do for us. We assumed designers were only for the wealthy and thought interior design was mostly about finishes and colour—not about the structural or functional aspects of a home.

But within minutes of our first meeting with Brian Levesque and Peter Valiquet, our perspective completely changed. We started learning about traffic flow, the importance of lighting design, and how to improve the functionality of our main living areas—without blowing our budget.

Brian and Peter design with the individual user in mind. They helped us see the hidden potential in our home that we could never have imagined on our own. We’ve now worked with them on two projects: first, a complete redevelopment of our main floor in Arnprior, and now we’re finishing up work on our cottage on White Lake in Lanark County.

My husband, Peter Dodge, says:

“Now I get it! I’m telling all my friends about the benefits of working with designers. A friend of mine has a saying: the first custom house you build is for your enemy, the second for your friend, and the third for yourself. But with Brian and Peter, you skip straight to the third house and get it right the first time—you don’t end up living with your own mistakes.”

Design Valley has added so much value to both of our projects. Maybe not all designers do, but Brian and Peter have left a lasting impression. For example, during our kitchen renovation, Brian advised us against a trendy feature that would quickly date the space. Instead, he designed a kitchen that will still feel current 15 years from now—that kind of foresight has been invaluable throughout our projects.

The design process with Brian and Peter has always been collaborative. Often, we trusted their recommendations based on their experience. At times, we’d push back, and it would lead to great discussions where we’d arrive at solutions, we all loved. One example: we initially wanted an appliance garage in our kitchen, but as we worked through the layouts, we realized we didn’t have enough counter space. Brian suggested a pull-out drawer for the Vitamix instead, and it works beautifully.

Peter Dodge also shared:

“I told our drywaller that whenever I asked Brian a question, he always had an answer—with at least one reason, and usually two or three. My drywaller said: That’s because he’s always thinking about your job.”

Design Valley cares about our projects as much as we do.

One last point from Peter:

“My wife and I work together on our home and cottage projects, and we often disagree. Brian and Peter have helped us resolve many of our differences—honestly, they were better than marriage counselling!”

When it comes to any renovation or design project, budget is always front and centre for my partner John and me. That said, we never start a project without a folder full of inspiration photos and a must-have list longer than the actual budget allows—sound familiar? Like many couples tackling a major project, we dream big but keep one foot grounded in reality. And as seasoned Baby Boomers, this isn’t our first renovation rodeo. Over the years, we’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and the true value of having a great designer by your side—someone who catches the things we overlook and helps make our vision livable.

Nine years ago, we fell in love with a charming, turn-of-the-century brick home in Renfrew. It had great bones, curb appeal, a gorgeous yard, and a spectacular pool. But the interior? It needed a complete overhaul. Luckily, John is a bit of a Bryan Baeumler type—he owns all the tools and isn’t afraid to use them, which definitely helped us stretch the budget.

Enter Brian Levesque—an independent designer at the time—who quickly became the key to unlocking the home’s potential. He took the time to really understand our must-haves and delivered a vision that balanced modern function with the home’s historic character. His reimagining of the space improved traffic flow, added breathing room, and honoured the period style, all while updating it for today’s lifestyle.

Before retiring, I worked as a painter in high-end homes, so colour and architectural detail have always been passions of mine. I was deeply invested in the outcome. Between John’s hands-on help, our talented subcontractors, and Brian’s design insight, we created a home that feels both beautifully updated and timeless.

Fast forward to 2022, and like many homeowners, we found ourselves wishing for just one more room. Our idea? A four-season solarium that would also serve as an outdoor entertaining space—complete with a canopied BBQ kitchen and dining area. Cozy for two, but expandable for family and friends.

Naturally, we called Brian again. This time, we were thrilled to find out he had partnered with Peter Valiquet and launched Design Valley. Two creative minds for the price of one—it felt like we hit the jackpot.

John and I wrestled for a while over how large the addition should be, but with Brian and Peter guiding us through multiple design iterations, we finally landed on a plan that checked every box: soaring vaulted ceilings, a cozy feature fireplace, expansive south-facing windows to soak up winter sun and summer views of the pool, a protected rear entry, and a vaulted alfresco dining space perfect for hosting.

When all was said and done, we were left with more than just a beautiful addition—we gained a four-season retreat that’s become the heart of our home, especially during spring and fall when we’re not down south.

The final result? A space that feels like it was always part of the original home. Brian and Peter’s thoughtful design integrated seamlessly with the architecture, gardens, and overall character of the property. Their ability to blend the old with the new while enhancing the beauty of our backyard oasis was truly remarkable.

We couldn’t be more grateful for the vision, creativity, and care Design Valley brought to the table.

In 2023, a fire destroyed my summer home on the Ottawa River. It caught me completely by surprise and displaced my family for the entire season. But the loss was far more than structural—it was deeply emotional. The house held decades of memories, sentimental keepsakes, family treasures, and the kind of personal belongings that simply cannot be replaced.

If you’ve ever experienced a fire, you know that walking through the ashes searching for something—anything—worth salvaging is heartbreaking. It’s exhausting, surreal, and not a task I would wish on anyone.

I currently live in Denver, Colorado, though I’m originally from the Ottawa Valley, which is why this place meant so much to me. Returning here every summer was how I stayed connected to family, memories, and a part of myself that never really left the Valley.

When it came time to decide what to do next, I was genuinely torn. Do I sell the property as-is and move on? Or do I invest the time, energy, and money into rebuilding? In the end, I realized I simply wasn’t ready to give up those spectacular Ottawa River sunsets.

That’s where Peter and Brian at Design Valley stepped in and made all the difference.

Taking on a construction project from another country felt a bit like being tossed into the deep end of the pool without swimming lessons. Thankfully, they never let me sink. They guided me through every stage of the process with patience, honesty, and good humour.

As we moved through the design phase, I became increasingly excited about the possibilities. Together, we created a space that not only maximizes the incredible waterfront views but also works beautifully for the way my family actually lives—perfect for large, informal gatherings while still feeling warm and intimate for quieter moments.

Now, anyone who knows me knows I am not the kind of woman who gets excited about paint chips, tile samples, or lighting fixtures. Frankly, after about the third flooring discussion, my eyes glazed over. Brian recognized this early on and graciously took the reins—even selecting the furnishings himself. By the time I moved back in during the spring of 2025, the entire process felt almost effortless on my end.

Design Valley truly provided a turnkey experience: design, permits, engineering, project management, materials selection, and quality control. More importantly, they became my trusted eyes and feet on the ground, making sure every detail was handled and every promise delivered.

What began as a devastating loss has become a beautiful new chapter for my family, and I’m incredibly grateful for the role Peter and Brian played in helping make that happen.

I would absolutely recommend the Design Valley boys—and they get a very enthusiastic thumbs up from me.