Our Story
One of the first things that you notice about Armando and Jana Valdez is that they make a great team, but this builder husband and interior designer wife each had separate careers before they met each other.
"I remember the night we met," Jana said, smiling, "It was at Matamoros restaurant, and we were there for the birthday party of a mutual friend. Armando walked up to me and asked me to dance. I nervously accepted because I don't know a thing about how to salsa!" she laughed. "After the dance, we sat and talked for hours. Armando explained that he was a builder and realtor. I shared with him that I was an interior designer and the conversation just flowed," she remembers. “He really won my heart the following week when he rescued me from a dead car battery. That’s just who he is, always looking after everyone else.”
The two were married five months later at sunset on the San Antonio Riverwalk. They soon began collaborating on projects as Armando's extensive construction knowledge and building experience perfectly complimented Jana's interior design abilities. Haven Design and Construction was born.
"It was the next natural step," says Armando, "We share a passion for enhancing the lives of our clients through our work. We draw the plans together; I manage the construction, and Jana selects the interior material finishes and furniture. Now, it's time to share our vision with others.”
Jana Valdez
PRINCIPAL INTERIOR DESIGNER, ALLIED ASID
KITCHEN & BATH SPECIALIST
Jana Valdez is the Principal Interior Designer for Haven Design and Construction. With 20 years of design experience, Jana is well respected for her discerning eye for color, attention to detail, and creative design solutions. Clients appreciate her personable demeanor and ability to translate their wishes into a design that perfectly reflects their personal style.
Jana was born and raised in Statesboro, Georgia and moved to Texas in 2011. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in interior design and has practiced in Georgia, South Carolina, Colorado and Texas. In addition to being a seasoned interior designer, Jana also has specialized training and many years of experience as a luxury kitchen and bath designer, with an emphasis on custom cabinetry design.
In 2016, she founded Haven Design and Construction with her husband and builder, Armando Valdez. Together they create beautiful and thoughtfully crafted homes in a variety of architectural styles. In 2018, their "North San Antonio Black & White Kitchen Project" went viral, garnering the attention of interior design clients nationwide. In 2018 and again in 2019, Jana was awarded the most prestigious ASID residential design award in the state of Texas, as the "Best in Show- Residential" winner for the ASID Texas Chapter at the "Legacy of Design Awards" in Dallas, Texas.
Although Jana is best known for her transitional approach to design, she believes that the client’s personality and the home’s architectural style should ultimately dictate the design plan. She enjoys the challenge of designing a variety of styles—whether it’s transitional, Mid Century Modern, a mountain home, or a lake house—each design is highly personalized and exclusive to the client. In her free time, she enjoys photography, creative writing, attending church, traveling, and mentoring design students.
M. Armando Valdez
LUXURY CUSTOM HOMEBUILDER
ICC CERTIFIED
REG #: RBC-22-00051
Armando Valdez is the Luxury Custom Homebuilder for Haven Design and Construction. With more than 30 years of construction experience, Armando is well respected for his extensive knowledge of construction and engineering. Clients and subcontractors appreciate Armando’s hands-on approach to project management and his dedication to producing properly engineered and structurally sound homes. In 2024, Armando received his International Codes Council Certification as a National Residential Building Contractor, legally certifying him to build in all 50 states.
Armando was born in Pleasanton, Texas and has resided in San Antonio for more than 30 years. He grew up working with his father, a homebuilder in Jourdanton, Texas, and was fully immersed in the trade from a young age. As a teenager, Armando’s father taught him plumbing, electrical, framing and the art of drafting house plans—a wealth of knowledge that continues to serve him today.
As a young man with a desire to serve his country, Armando then joined the US Army and served in Germany and the United States before receiving an honorable discharge to pursue his interest in real estate. Earning his real estate license led Armando to a career in property management, where he served as an Operations Director, hiring and managing a multitude of subcontractors, for more than a decade. In 2000, Armando began building custom homes in Timberwood Park and he knew he had found his true calling. Sixteen years later, Armando and his wife, Jana, founded Haven Design and Construction. Haven has since grown into a nationally award winning and respected design-build company.
Armando is a dedicated husband and the proud father of two sons, Mark and Gabriel. In his free time, he enjoys coaching a faith-based flag football team, fishing and golfing.
Featured Press
Kind Words
"Haven Design and Construction's design-build team performed a full renovation and re-design on our home. We can’t say enough good things about Jana, Armando, and their entire team. They were professional, detail oriented, and efficient. Jana’s design work is beyond what we could’ve expected and made the vision of our dream home come true. Armando and his construction team were true professionals and their craftsmanship shows. We enjoyed working with the Haven team and appreciate their communication, patience, and dedication involved in our project. We would highly recommend Haven Design and Construction!"
- LISA M.
