CIRCLE Design Studio

We came to Circle Design Studio with a dream that was bigger than a floor plan. We are building our forever home — a lakeside retreat we've named "Selah," a Hebrew word meaning to pause, reflect, and rest. We wanted a place where our five adult children and grandchildren would gather every summer, where friends would come for long weekends, and where we hope to welcome people seeking spiritual rest and renewal. That's a lot to ask of a design team. John and his team delivered beyond what we imagined. We arrived with ideas and inspiration but real uncertainty about how to bring it all together on a sloped lake lot. Circle Design Studio took us from confusion to confidence. From the very first conversation, they listened to what this home was meant to be, not just what it was meant to look like. The result reflects it at every turn — the breathtaking entrance that opens to the lake, the kitchen designed to be the hub of family life, and the great room that flows to the deck. Their detailed 3D renderings brought everything to life in a way we didn't expect. We could not only see the home — we could feel it. We found ourselves walking through the rooms in our imagination, picturing our family around the kitchen island, our grandchildren on the deck, and quiet mornings with coffee looking out over the lake. The design stopped being a drawing and became a story we couldn't wait to live.

In the Spring of 2023, my wife and I decided to build a Mountain House getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains west of Blacksburg Virginia. We were living in Michigan at the time and wanted a place to escape to, and be near a slew of grandkids in the New River Valley. We approached John and Theresa after being referred to them by a friend, and explained our dreams, wants, and desires in an initial meeting. Their response to our situation was nothing short of amazing. John's creative ideas using logs, concrete, copper, glass and wood blew us away. Theresa's interior design pluck was spot on as she wove colors and texture together to make it magical. Brittany was the glue that held it all together as she specified furniture, fixtures and appliances that all blend together to make this place a showcase. In the end, we sold our home in Michigan and have moved into this "getaway" so we can fully enjoy it. Thanks to Circle Design we are living in a dream.

We hired Circle Design Studio in 2022 for a total home remodel and addition. We worked closely with John Dorlini and Brittany Newman, detailing our needs and desires to create a design which comprehended our aging in place over the next 30 years. After our original design/concept meetings, John was able to show us that we could fit everything we desired into the current home, saving a significant amount of money by not building an addition. We decided to gut the home on both levels completely, which allowed us to integrate a central open wood and glass staircase, a Stiltz Lift, and move the central corridor by 3 feet to allow for the enlargement of the master suite area overlooking Smith Mountain Lake. Over the years we collected a great deal of sculptural glass and other art pieces for which Circle designed several unique, custom built-in “Feature Walls” that allow us to display these pieces in an almost gallery like presentation. We feel Circle Design truly understood the unique features we were looking for and were able to creatively design them for our home. We have since built this home fully utilizing the architectural plans developed by Circle, which included all new framing, electrical, plumbing, lighting, doors, skylights, and windows. As a result of the excellent drawings, we were able to build our home seamlessly and had no issues with inspections or construction changes. We highly recommend Circle Design Studio for any new construction, renovation, or home addition work.

We could not be more thrilled with the design and remodel of our 1970's A Frame on Smith Mountain Lake, VA, and we recommend without hesitation the team at Circle Design. Our project included the reconfiguration of the kitchen and two bathrooms, upgrades in lighting and the HVAC system, and modernization throughout the main level. Working through the pandemic via zoom--and the inherent challenges of reconfiguring an A-frame, while bringing systems up to code--presented significant challenges. Theresa, John, Emily, Casey of the Circle Design team worked through these challenges professionally and cordially. We have done several successful home renovations and upgrades of our prior home, and this project ranks at the top; we were greatly impressed by the quality of the Circle team's workmanship and attention to detail throughout. We had an excellent working relationship with our project manager, Casey, as well as with George, Barry and their team of craftsmen. In sum, this was a great working "partnership" that provided everything we had hoped for.

I cannot recommend Circle Design Studio enough! I had asked them to redo my kitchen, master bathroom, and living room area and they did not disappoint! John and Theresa both came to my house in person, listened to my preferences and what I liked/didn't like, and created a design that was lovelier and more elegant than I could have imagined. I will also add that I had asked for a modern/Scandi style which is not commonly sought after in the area, and they did not disappoint! Previously my chief complaint about the house was that while spacious, the spaces were not very efficiently utilized. Their design was very clever, much more practical, and a way better use of the space! Several closets, a linen nook, and even a powder room bathroom were added without making the space feel cramped or awkward. The details and style were also very much tailored to my taste. Casey and Emily were also wonderful and professional to work with during the remodel process; communication was very easy and if I brought any concerns to the table they were swift to address them. I do not plan to buy another house as I love this one so much now, but if I did and wanted to remodel I would choose Circle Design Studio again.

Circle design studio designed and built my dream home, I have been following circle design team for few years and I was sure I would go to them when the time came to build my home. Theresa, John and the whole circle design team did an outstanding job in making my dream home become a reality, they were very patient and understanding when I made multiple changes to the original plan, the degree of craftsmanship and attention to detail was excellent, there were no major issues despite supply chain problems related to the COVID pandemic. Theresa also did the interior design and furnishings which were extraordinary, I come home everyday to the place I have come to love. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude goes to circle design team. If I were to build another home, I will definitely use circle design studio.

My family moved into a new house that had a perfect space for a golf simulator/theater room. The problem was that we were having trouble visualizing it. We reached out to John at Circle Design and it was the best decision we made! They gave us a 3D rendering of what the space would look like which really helped. We had several meetings to review and if we wanted to make little changes they did so with us on the call to see it right away. From start to finish they were very professional, helpful and detail oriented. I would highly recommend John, Emily and the entire Circle Design team for any one looking for help on a project!

Circle translated my wishlist and Pinterest board into a dream bathroom that checks all the boxes and puts the rest of my house to shame. The team was easy to work with, especially with the inevitable substitutions (supply chain issues with bathtubs, drawer pulls) and worked closely with the GC to make sure things were perfection. They helped make sure my budget was realistic and provided a contractor who gave clear line-item estimates and consistent communication. This was my first time working with a designer and I will happily use them for my next big project.

We had a terrific experience with Circle Design Studio. Circle was asked to create a design involving renovation of the kitchen, conversion of the laundry room to a master bathroom, and reimagination of two smaller rooms and a bathroom on the main floor. The result was a clever and restrained amalgam of functionality and aesthetics, and it exceeded our expectations. We're grateful to Theresa, John, and Emily for carefully considering our stylistic and functional needs and for working so diligently to bring many of our objectives to life in the design. We look forward to partnering with them again.

John and Theresa and their team were first rate. They were prompt, attentive, and really nailed the design for the look I was going for! They designed and drew plans for two large baths and a new back deck. I never thought I'd have to hire a professional to help me design a bath, but these rooms were huge and so poorly planned. John's drawings to reorient everything and Theresa's design saved the day. Plus, their mood boards and 3D mock ups made me feel confident in our choices. I would highly recommend them!

Our contractor recommended we talk to Circle Design Studio because of their quality work -- even though we are in the Richmond area and they are in Roanoke. We worked with them on a whole house remodel design for our 26-year-old home and then again on a complete new home design when we decided to build a new house instead. They really get a sense of your style. Especially with the remodel, they came up with wonderful ideas we would never have thought possible, allowing us to open up the kitchen to the great room for a more open-concept feel. And their 3D walk-thru images allow you to really visualize how the space will look. In a number of cases where we were having difficulty picturing something, they sketched out, in detail, several options for us to choose from. We especially like that they incorporated our feedback into the design, making it a truly collaborative experience. Beyond just the architectural design, they helped us select finishes -- again, sometimes suggesting things we would never have chosen but that look wonderful. Once our new home is completed, we hope to use their interior design services for the furnishings. Beyond their fantastic, inspired design capability, the entire staff is wonderful to work with. We would highly recommend them for either a remodel or a new home.

We worked with the Circle Design team in 2019 to design and carry out a remodel of our 1930s Cape Cod in Roanoke, Virginia. We wanted to stay within the footprint to keep costs contained but had been unable to find a design that worked for our needs. We had a narrow-galley kitchen and a wall that blocked the kitchen from dining room and created an awkward hallway space. John Dorlini and his team took the time to listen to our needs, provided feedback, and worked with us to craft an innovative design solution. The kitchen was enlarged, walls removed, the door was flipped on a downstairs bath, our upstairs bath was enlarged, new storage spaces were added, and the whole house (except basement) was completely updated, including the kitchen and two bathrooms. This was a complex project and the Circle Design team was responsive and professional throughout the work and we were very pleased with the end result and on-budget project, despite some slight delays and minor bumps during the renovation. The work has increased our enjoyment of the home many times over, and we have had multiple guests and visitors to comment on how open, modern, and welcoming the space now feels. We highly recommend Circle Design for their creativity, vision, and professionalism.