1) G Street Fabrics, for one (watch for their sales; they also have clearance tables, so depending on how much fabric you need, it might be worth the time to go through their stacks). Also, Joanne's Fabrics has upholstery fabrics, too, and the HomeDec chat ladies over on WashingtonPost.com (every Thursday) have frequently recommended Discount Fabrics over in Thurmont, Md (probably a nice day trip if the weather stays breezy!). (And if an occasion takes you to North Carolina, there are lots of discount fabric places across the state!) 2) I have never needed reupholstery services, but there is a place in Arlington that is highly regarded (I once went there because for some strange reason they could access a catalog and samples for a line of window drapery rod hardware for me--and were NICE about it!), and that's Jose Goncalves on Lee Highway. (It's right next door to the Cowboy Cafe--yum! Great blue-cheese burgers! A bit of a dive when you walk in to the place--dark--but make a quick right-hand-turn and grab a table) A quick search of the WashPost chat's questions/answers on reupholstery shops turns up these mentions, too: Spicer's in Alexandria and Mount Vernon Upholstery in Alexandria. And you could always check out Calico Corners (tho I've always assumed they'd be pricey).

Hi adh -- We're using Southern Kitchens in Alexandria now, and they've been a pleasure to work with. However, they just do kitchen design (I suppose their cabinet lines could work in baths and closets too, but they wouldn't be able to help with fireplaces, etc.). Also, we're in the middle of new construction rather than renovation; and we're only partway in, so I don't have the post-finish-line reaction (which I think is the most telling). Friends of mine have used Case -- their reaction was, really expensive to use but really good work and guaranteed no illegal subs (which was important to them; they're both lawyers). And another friend of mine is really, really happy with the work Bowers has done for her. She's used them at least three times in major additions/renovation projects to her house. Just the fact that she keeps going back to them is impressive, IMO. Many years ago we did some small renovation projects with a company called Sage and I was less than thrilled with the process and the outcome. I would certainly not have gone back to them for any further work (though it certainly may be that it was as much my fault as theirs -- it was the first renovation I'd done). hope that helps...

Remodelfla- There's tons of really good slab distributors in your area - many guys like me and my "brothers" in the Industry and the SFA can help you decide which particular slabs will be best to work with for YOUR project. Most of us "in the community" are concerned about making sure that the final material you decide on will be the appropriate thing for the purpose that you are selecting it for. You see "pretty" - we see the natural qualities that you'll need to be made aware of - like fissures, pitting, vein orientation, color concentrations, potential for wear based on service application, etc. In Florida - many people like to use Marble in their kitchens - stuff like Cararra, Calacotta Oro, Danby, Statuary, etc - are all used in a lot of applications their in the Sunshine State - more than in other places in country - but the bottom line in all of this - is consumer education. Guys like me want to make sure that our customers KNOW what they are getting - BEFORE it arrives in YOUR home on the day of install. Like I always have said to members of our Industry - "If your customer KNOWS what they're getting BEFORE it arrives - they WON'T be SHOCKED when they GET IT" or to quote my good friend - the late Maurizio Bertolli - "Education BEFORE any SALE!!" hth kevin

Dovetail Millworks (Matt Spence) in Rixeyville, VA Here's a link to his website - http://www.dovetailmillworkinc.com/index.html. Mine aren't on the site and are more gorgeous than any there. He was a pure pleasure to deal with. I had spent a lot of time on Crown Point's website and had a pretty firm idea of what I wanted (shaker style, inset, cherry cabinets). He had lots of very useful ideas. I had him make my kitchen cabinets, including pantry, please three bath vanities, a linen cabinet in one bathroom, a built-in dresser in my dressing area, and a fireplace surround. Much of the beauty of my renovation is attributable to his work. I'll see if I can attach any photos. Not sure any on my computer taken with my Iphone do his work justice though.