--- title: "Creative Classics, Inc. — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/creative-classics-inc-pfvwus-pf~1132578454 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1132578454.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Creative Classics, Inc." category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/8d632aa30f15a6ec_8031-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Falls Church, Virginia 22046, United States" phone: "(703) 237-3434" website: http://www.creativeclassicsincorporated/@gmail.com rating: 5 review_count: 16 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 39 last_updated: 2026-09-01 --- # Creative Classics, Inc. Original Houzz profile: [Creative Classics, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/creative-classics-inc-pfvwus-pf~1132578454) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Falls Church, VA - **Serves:** DC Metro area - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (16 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2022–2023), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 25 Ideabook Saves Linda Valentino, the sole owner and designer, has been doing residential architectural design in the DC metro area for 30 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Princeton University and then spent a few years in Manhattan first with an interior design firm and then as a project manager for a construction development company before moving to Virginia in 1990. She started her own company in 1991 so that she could work from home while raising her two sons, Alex and Justin. She is equally comfortable designing new homes as she is with working on large or small remodeling projects and has acted as the general contractor for four new homes and one 1937 remodel in Northern Virginia. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - House Plans - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Drafting - Basement Remodeling - Mudroom Design - Attic Conversion - Basement Design - Deck Design - Garage Design - Laundry Room Design - Custom Home ### Areas Served - DC Metro area ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Creative Classics, Inc. | | Address | Falls Church, Virginia 22046, United States | | Phone | (703) 237-3434 | | Website | http://www.creativeclassicsincorporated/@gmail.com | | Followers on Houzz | 39 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Creative Classics, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/creative-classics-inc-pfvwus-pf~1132578454) - **Website:** http://www.creativeclassicsincorporated/@gmail.com - **Phone:** (703) 237-3434 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2022–2023), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 16 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — HU-223500057, Feb. 2022** > We have an older home on the historic registry in Falls Church and worked with Linda in part due to her expertise in navigating through the City process and in designing something that would blend with the historic nature of the home. Linda's perspective was invaluable during the design process, and her patience and flexibility with us as we progressed through contractor selection and budget-driven modifications was above and beyond. **★★★★★ — Robert Doyle, Oct. 2021** > I'm not an expert in design by any means, but it seems to me that a measure of a great home design must include the satisfaction of the people who live in it. And we are overjoyed with the changes. > > Linda came to our house and walked through several times, taking measurements and asking detailed questions about our intention in almost every corner of the house. While we had put together a rudimentary idea to give some context, Linda not only expanded on our ideas, improving them considerably - but she also found way to cut building costs by making minor adjustments to the designs, reusing walls and eliminating demo and new build costs. I found this over and over again while working with the builder. > > Not only did Linda's design modernize the house, but it did it in a way which was not jarring to the existing home (a typical Arlington Cape Cod) and certainly not disruptive to our use of the space. When I walked into our new family room for the first time - even before it was completed, it dawned on me how much Linda had considered the placement of windows and elevation. Despite the living room having a huge amount of glass, you'd never know we lived so close to neighbors on all 3 sides. We have a wonderful view across the back yard, and strategically placed windows which look out to green areas, and hide the houses surrounding us. > > The outside shape of the roofline is tasteful and interesting, and is reflected in the interior master suite Linda designed, which has dramatic, high ceilings, and just feels like you're on vacation when you walk in. We can't thank her enough! **★★★★★ — danieldu99, Sept. 2021** > Linda is a brilliant architect. I really enjoy working with her. She has a sense of responsibility and delivers beyond your expectation. **★★★★★ — Lisa Balzereit, July 2017** > Linda has a unique ability to listen to her clients’ needs and wants, understand the visual environment in which the project resides and incorporate any physical or environmental constraints while producing fantastic design. She has consistently exceeded our expectations while allowing us to be full participants in the process. **★★★★★ — Joseph Lott, July 2017** > I have had the pleasure of working with Linda for over ten years on many high end custom home construction projects and can without hesitation recommend her. Linda was our architect for an extensive house renovation on an investment property. She created a design that changed a 2 bedroom 1 bath house into a stunning 5 bedroom 4 bath remodel. She was invaluable in sorting through design options, structural issues, and building codes. She was on time in providing the initial design and numerous updates as well as the final plan. She could explain things simply without jargon or conflict. I especially appreciated how she smoothly incorporated our evolving ideas into the design. She was a delight to deal with. We will work with her on future home renovations. **★★★★★ — J Craig, July 2017** > Linda has been super to work with. She asks many questions and is open to owner input and design wishes. We used her for our first addition and are using her again on our second. **★★★★★ — Roland de Marcellus, July 2017** > We have worked with Creative Classics twice -- which is, of course, a recommendation in itself. The first time was six years ago when we were adding a large screened in porch to the house. We met with three different sets of architects, all of whom had been recommended by others, but Linda Valentino was the only one who "got it" and was really listening to what we wanted. She also recommended a number of additional features, such as a storage alcove under the porch, which have been invaluable. We are thrilled with the product, both aesthetically and practically. Neighbors, and even strangers, have commented on it. > > As a result of that experience, we hired Linda again over the last few months to design a large addition to our home. Again, she has been wonderful to work with. She listened carefully to what we wanted and captured it, but at the same time she made helpful suggestions. We highly recommend her. **★★★★★ — Darrin Phillips, July 2017** > I was fortunate to be introduced to Linda over 10 years ago. The first project we worked on was to convert 6 burned out row houses in Washington DC into high end residential. We were able to set record square foot prices with Linda's designs. Since that time Linda's company has provided her expertise in everything from smaller remodeling projects to large single family estate homes. She is a true expert in her field and a pleasure to work with. **★★★★★ — Rachelle Naab, July 2017** > Most recently Creative Classics designed two enclosed porches for my Arlington home; adding luxurious comfortable outdoor spaces that my entire family enjoys daily. Previously, Creative Classics designed a beautiful addition thoughtfully rendered to accommodate a couple adjusting to a new life with growing boys in a house built in 1938. Linda Valentino is a great listener, innovative problem solver, practical planner and a consummate professional. **★★★★★ — Adriane Hart, July 2017** > I loved working with Linda on our renovation. We converted an unused screened in porch into an entertainment media room. Linda did the structural drawings for the project and was invaluable in the time and effort that she put in to making our ideas a reality. Linda is an excellent designer, and is very detail oriented. We were able to build on the existing concrete slab which was cost effective. I would highly recommend Linda for any design project. **★★★★★ — skuemmerle, July 2017** > I have had the pleasure of working with Linda for over ten years on many high end custom home construction projects and can, without hesitation, recommend her **★★★★★ — Lisa Kennedy, July 2017** > I simply cannot say enough good things about Creative Classics. Linda Valentino has an exceptional style and design sense. She is particularly good at listening to what her clients' want and resolving complex architectural and structural design issues. Linda is a true professional. She works quickly and is careful to keep the project within budget. There is no question that I will turn to Creative Classics again when I add a new bedroom and bath to my Franklin Park home later this year. ## Selected projects - [Pennsylvania Avenue New House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pennsylvania-avenue-new-house-pj-vj~6734511) - Location: Falls Church, VA - Photos: 34 - [East Columbia Street New House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-columbia-street-new-house-pj-vj~5441079) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 23 - Description: A family room with stone faced wood burning fireplace opens to a large kitchen with sunny banquette that seats 10 easily A spacious entry hall is flanked by a large living room with 2nd wood burning fireplace and a 15x18 dining room. A half bath, mudroom and home office with separate entrance completes the first floor. The house also two staircases to the second floor which features a game room, a laundry room, 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths and 1 half bath. A wrap around front porch, large rear scree… - [King New House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/king-new-house-pj-vj~967918) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: A new hilltop home in Clifton, Virginia rises from the ashes after a devestating fire destroys the existing residence. Single story from the front but light-filled two stories in the rear. - [Lincoln Avenue New House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-avenue-new-house-pj-vj~2601170) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 25 - Description: A light filled open floor plan with traditional architecural details from top to bottom. 30' wide x 75' deep footprint is perfect for deep, narrow building lots. - [Gary Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gary-renovation-pj-vj~1583513) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - Description: A new second floor, family room and wrap-around porch turned this house into a home. The interior was completely remodeled including a new interior stair to the full basement that was previously lacking. - [Shiplette Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shiplette-renovation-pj-vj~1440072) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: A sunkend patio and screened porch with vaulted, exposed rafter ceiling and stone fireplace added much needed entertaining space to this Arlington home. A front porch repair, dining room expansion, master suite remodel and finished basement were also a part of the project but are as of yet unphotograped. - [Bozzo Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bozzo-renovation-pj-vj~1182972) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: A dated, dark, single story home gets a total transformation into a welcoming and spacious two-story stunner with second floor, rear family room and front porch/garage additions. - [Reinecke Wilt Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/reinecke-wilt-renovation-pj-vj~1182878) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - Description: A bright and sunny single story rear kitchen, family room & screened porch addition completed this charming Arlington home. A unique triple low pitched roofline avoided blocking large second floor bedroom windows. - [Great Falls Street Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/great-falls-street-renovation-pj-vj~967954) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: A tiny dated house is reborn as a 3 charming bedroom Craftsman bungalow that does NOT overwhelm it's neighbors. - [Dewyea New House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dewyea-new-house-pj-vj~967851) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - Description: A stately home deep in the heart of Virginia's horse country. - [Gerson-Reinecke New House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gerson-reinecke-new-house-pj-vj~967701) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: A new beautiful four-square style home with a view of DC from the finished 3rd level - [McLaughlin New House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mclaughlin-new-house-pj-vj~967685) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - Description: A deceptively modest 10,000 sq ft new home with large rear screened porch, walk-out basement and detached 2-car garage on a quiet cul-de-sac - [Ortner New House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ortner-new-house-pj-vj~968029) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - Description: A new home for a growing family with ample space for home-schooling and relaxing - [Ball's Hill Road New House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ball-s-hill-road-new-house-pj-vj~967843) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - Description: A sprawling and lightfilled Craftsman home featuring a central octagon stair, wraparound porch and semi-detached 2-car garage - [Nolt-Helms Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nolt-helms-renovation-pj-vj~967934) - Location: Arlington, VA - Photos: 4 - Description: A Craftsman bungalow gains 3 bedrooms but retains it's original charm with a modest roof line change and complete interior renovation which included but was not limited to a relocation of the existing kitchen and stair. [See all 15 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/creative-classics-inc-pfvwus-pf~1132578454) ## Community Q&A **Q: Color of White Oak?** *(in Flooring)* Hi, I am going to have white oak hardwood installed throughout the house. I wanted to just leave it unstained with just a clear semigloss finish, but when I saw the samples of the wood done that way, they did not look as I expected. Most of the pictures I have seen online of natural white oak have been very light in color. These samples, one done with a clear, water based finish and the other with a clear, oil based finish, look more like the brown color of a cardboard box, with the oil based being slightly darker than the water based. They look similar to this: http://woodfloors.org/white-oak-species.aspx But they really don't look anything like most of the white oak photos I've seen online, such as the ones below: http://hardwoodfloorinstallationmaryland.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/White-Oak-Hardwood-Flooring-in-Frederick-Maryland.jpg http://www.conceptflooring.com/photo-gallery/hardwood.html http://www.flooringusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Room-Image-White-Oak-Natural.jpg I know there are different grades and different species of white oak, but as I said, these samples look very different from almost any other white oak I've seen online. I'm not sure what accounts for the difference, if it's the grade of wood and/or the exact species of wood or what, but in any case, the wood has already been bought so I can't change it. Is there any way I can lighten the wood or make it a golden color instead of brown? I've heard that you can bleach and whitewash hardwood floors, but is that bad for the wood? Or could it be that certain finishes darken the wood while others don't? Or do all finishes darken wood? Thanks in advance for any information. A: I have the same issue and feel that the flooring contractor should have discussed this issue with me before patching some very visible small areas of my remodeling project with new wood instead of the salvaged old wood I provided him. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-01.*