J Design Studio

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J Design Studio J Design Studio is a drafting and design studio based out of Revelstoke BC. JJ Vinet We offer design solutions for your construction needs.

If you have a room you've been looking to renovate or you're looking to build new, J Design Studio is here to help.

10/10/2026

2nd floor floor plan review and home design analysis showing how I would improve a residential floor plan before construction, renovation, or building permit approval.

In this floor plan review, I’m redesigning the second floor of a home to create a more functional layout with a second bedroom and second bathroom while working within strict existing design constraints. A client in Europe contacted me after their plans had already been submitted for a building permit, but they still had concerns about the interior layout and wanted to know whether the floor plan could be improved.

The challenge was that I could not change the exterior walls, window locations, internal structure, or stair location, meaning every improvement had to happen within the existing framework. In this episode, I look specifically at the second floor and explore how circulation, bedroom layout, bathroom placement, privacy, and overall functionality can be improved without fundamentally changing the existing building design.

If you are renovating a home, preparing plans for construction, working with an architect, or simply trying to make your floor plan work better, this floor plan review demonstrates how small changes to the interior layout can have a major impact on how a home functions.

10/06/2026

Architectural floor plan review and house design improvement for a home that is already being prepared for construction, focusing on how to improve the interior layout, entry, storage, hallway circulation, and bedroom design without changing the exterior walls, windows, stairs, or existing ensuite bathroom.

In this floor plan review, I take an existing house plan that has already been submitted for building permit and look at how the interior layout could be made more functional, efficient, and comfortable before construction begins.

The challenge was to improve the design while keeping the exterior walls and window locations exactly where they were, preserving the internal structure, leaving the stairs in place, and maintaining the client’s existing ensuite bathroom.

I found several opportunities to improve the entry space, add much-needed storage, widen and simplify circulation through the hallways, and make the children’s bedroom work better. This is a real-world example of how an architectural floor plan review can identify design problems and improve a home’s functionality before construction starts.

09/28/2026

Floor plan review, home design, house plans, architectural design, renovation ideas, and floor plan optimization all begin with a strong concept. In this floor plan review, I analyze an early designer’s sketch, refine the layout into a measured plan, and demonstrate how thoughtful design decisions can improve function, circulation, views, and everyday living before construction begins.

This sketch already contains many of the big design moves that experienced architects and residential designers consider from the very beginning, including neighbouring properties, window placement, privacy, and orientation.

I make subtle improvements to strengthen the original concept before presenting my own complete redesign while respecting the intent of the initial sketch.

Whether you’re planning a custom home, renovating an existing house, or simply interested in residential design, this review shows how small changes can dramatically improve the way a home functions.

09/20/2026

In this floor plan review, I show how angled walls and complicated framing can hurt home design, waste construction materials, increase labour, and make renovation or pre-construction floor plans harder to build. I review the front entry, mudroom, walk-through pantry, and kitchen to show how simplifying the floor plan and squaring off walls can create a more efficient, functional, and buildable home.

Good residential design is not about making a floor plan more complicated; it is about making better use of the space, simplifying construction, and creating a home that works for the people who live in it.

If you are designing a new home, planning a renovation, reviewing house plans, or preparing for construction, this floor plan review shows why simple design can often produce better results.

09/12/2026

Every floor plan review, home renovation, new home design, and small apartment layout depends on good door placement and proper door swing direction. In this floor plan review, I reveal the most common door swing mistakes, explain how poor door placement wastes valuable space, and show simple design improvements that make any home more functional before construction begins. In this video I review a compact 408 sq ft (38 m²) apartment where nearly every door creates unnecessary conflicts, reduces usable floor area, and limits furniture placement. By reversing door swings or selecting more appropriate door types, the entire layout becomes significantly more efficient without increasing construction costs. Whether you’re planning a renovation, designing a custom home, buying pre-construction, or simply looking to improve your floor plan, these practical design tips will help you avoid expensive layout mistakes and create a home that functions better every day.

09/06/2026

How to fix an awkward floor plan, design a small apartment, optimize furniture layout, and improve space planning without moving walls or changing the architecture. In this floor plan review, I break down how to make a small, awkward apartment more functional and livable through furniture placement, circulation, interior design, and careful space planning.

This studio apartment comes from a high-rise development in downtown Calgary, where leftover space and complex geometry created a challenging layout that was eventually sold as a small apartment. Rather than changing the walls, I look at how the space can be systematically programmed by studying circulation paths, identifying how people actually move through the home, and determining where furniture should be placed to create a functional layout. I also explore how selecting furniture that fits both the dimensions of the room and the personality of the homeowner can transform an awkward space into a comfortable and livable home.

If you’re renovating a home, designing a new house, planning a pre-construction project, or simply trying to get more out of a difficult floor plan, this review shows how thoughtful space planning and interior design can make even the strangest layouts work.

09/01/2026

A quick sketch to think things through.

08/29/2026

Developers from Edmonton asked me to review what initially appeared to be an eight-plex project, but after looking closer, it turned out to be two duplexes with legal basement suites designed to increase housing density while targeting high energy efficiency and net-zero performance. Although the overall concept was strong, the floor plans had several issues that would affect everyday living, including undersized kitchen appliances, limited storage, cramped living spaces, and a dining area that didn’t function well for families or shared living. In this video, I walk through the original floor plan, explain the design problems, and show how I redesigned the layout to create a larger kitchen with full-size appliances, improved storage, better furniture placement, and a more functional living space without increasing the building footprint. Whether you’re building a new home, planning a renovation, designing a duplex, or looking for better floor plan ideas, you’ll learn practical design strategies that can make a significant difference in how a home functions. Subscribe for more floor plan reviews, home design tips, renovation ideas, and architectural design insights from JDESIGN Studio.

Floor plan review, duplex floor plan design, home renovation ideas, legal suite design, and house layout optimization are essential before construction begins. In this video, I review a duplex floor plan with legal suites, identify the biggest design mistakes, and redesign the layout to improve functionality, storage, kitchen design, family living, and everyday usability.





08/23/2026

The most common house floor plan mistakes can make everyday living frustrating, especially during a renovation or before construction begins.

In this floor plan review, I analyze a single-family home design, identify layout problems, and demonstrate how thoughtful residential design can create a more functional, comfortable, and intentional home.

This week’s review looks at a single-family home from New Zealand that struggles with a weak entry sequence, an tight kitchen spaces, awkward furniture planning, and a layout that feels disconnected from the way a family actually lives.

Rather than simply pointing out problems, I explain why these design decisions don’t work and show practical solutions that improve circulation, storage, daily function, and the overall experience of the home.

Whether you’re building a new house, renovating an existing one, or simply looking for better floor plan ideas, these design principles can help you create a home that works better for the people living in it.

08/15/2026

Open concept floor plan design, home renovation ideas, and functional house layout optimization are the focus of this floor plan review. In this video, I break down the mistakes commonly found in open concept home designs and show how to improve circulation, storage, kitchen function, furniture layout, and everyday livability through better residential design principles. This floor plan initially appeared well designed because it avoided overcrowding and maintained generous circulation space, but a closer look revealed major functional issues including a lack of entry storage, insufficient kitchen prep and pantry space, limited linen and cleaning storage, and mismatched living and dining areas. By identifying these design flaws and systematically resolving them, I demonstrate how small changes can dramatically improve the functionality of a home while preserving the integrity of the original floor plan.

Address

1416 3rd Street West
Revelstoke, BC
V0E2S0

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12508143488

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