About Us
Based in Mill Valley, Family Friendly Designs serves the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Should we decide to work together, we’re going to embark on an intimate relationship. We’re going to learn a lot about your family — what’s working for you and what’s not. All families have their own dynamics, and for us, finding a way to satisfy everyone is the most interesting part of the job.
Before we start scrutinizing your bedroom furniture, you should know something about us.
Cathryn Ramin, Founder
I’ve lived in Mill Valley since 1998, when my husband Ron and I moved up from Los Angeles with our two boys, aged four and seven (time flies - they’re 31 and 34 now).
I was working for Restoration Hardware then, as head of communications — in fact, the day we moved into our house in Strawberry was my first day on my new job. In my absence, the movers carried furniture from the truck in one of those winter squall-rainbow-squall situations. Horizontal rain, in my front hall. You can imagine how that went.
I’ve always been involved with design, but for decades, I made my living as a journalist and author. I’ve published a couple of best-selling non-fiction books, and many magazine articles, including profiles of some of the world’s finest (read: super-expensive) designers.
It made me wonder: What were regular people with actual budgets supposed to do?
About nine years ago, we did a gut remodel of the spec house we’d bought in 1998, (article in Marin Magazine) and that’s when I realized that I could help families manage and even enjoy what can seem like an unsurmountable challenge.
It’s my pleasure to be able to bring happiness to families, while making life easier and more fulfilling.
Alice Shoua, Designer
My husband and I moved to Marin in 2002, with our three-year-old son. We bought a house in Novato that needed a ton of work and completely remodeled it. Our next home was in Tiburon, and it needed even more – of everything.
It helped that my background is in art and design. But did I wish I had some expert direction when I had a toddler (my daughter) wrapped around my legs, the painter was asking a question, the roof was leaking, and the new kitchen tile came in wrong? You’d better believe it.
The thing is, I loved the challenge. So much that I wanted to do it over and over again.
I’m a hands-on gal. I’ll be measuring your rooms, organizing anything that needs it, laying your carpets, creating mood boards so that you can see exactly what your choices are – and at what price. I’ll help you select your art, and because I have excellent handyperson skills, I’ll also be hanging it. If new lighting is on your list, that’s another area where I offer my expertise. If there’s construction going on at your house – or items set for delivery – I’ll be supervising and receiving. If something isn’t quite right (it happens)—I’ll be making sure it goes back, and you get the proper credit.
I pride myself on being a great listener, and always courteous, efficient and accurate. And I look forward to getting to know you.