I have no idea what the going rate for Design services in the area is, but have you considered looking on the Houzz website? You can search for pictures of your criteria in a particular geographic zone, which would let you select a candidate based on examples of their work. I'm sure there are lots who have their own websites with galleries of their own work, too, which you can probably turn up with a Google search. Word of mouth recommendations are always good, too, if you have any acquaintances who have used a Design service. Sorry I can't offer more specific advice other than to research your candidate, check references, review their work in other homes, etc. before signing a contract. Good luck with your project!

The KD we had at EXPO in Columbia, MD, has become an independent KD. However, I do not have her contact information right now. As far as design is concerned, she is very good...just don't let her do the final measurements! I would definitely use her again as long as someone else did the measurements. She does her best to do what the customer wants but is not afraid to tell you why she thinks something may not work. If you want it anyway, she'll do it. When we began planning, I had insisted I had to have an island. She pointed out to me that I didn't really have the room, but I insisted. So, she drew it up for me and pointed out the 22" aisles I had b/w the corner of the islands & the window area. I realized she was right with that design so posted here asking if anyone could me come up w/a design w/an island. Everyone here worked very hard to come up with an island plan (and there were some very creative ideas!) but in the end they made me realize an island just wouldn't work... So, I asked both my KD and the folks here to start from scratch and redesign...both my KD and all of us here came up with very similar designs in the end. The main differences were (1) she had put in cabinet pantry cabinets but we had a corner pantry (which is what I stayed with) and (2) I added a "mini peninsula" that my KD didn't have and wasn't totally happy with...but she told me to mock it up and if I was OK with it she would go ahead with it in the design...I was OK with it (I loved it!) so she put it in. The problems I had with her later had more to do with EXPO policies that she had to follow and, of course, the measuring mistakes. (It took an anonymous GWer's intervention on my behalf at Home Depot Corporate to get our local EXPO to make good on the measuring mistakes without charging me.) [I just asked my DH and he agrees with me on all points!]

What do mean by above? Price-wise, you mean? The unit is a rental/eventual sale townhouse owned by my mother-in-law. She lives in Bethesda, so a contractor there might be good. I am trying to help her with renovations after a long-term tenant moved out. I realize the unit is in a pricy area and would like a contractor who understands what the market needs. My MIL is thinking Ikea because 1) she is Scandinavian and 2) she is frugal. I told her the kitchens are well-reviewed here, so it might work. But we are open to suggestions. Is this contractor really high-end? Thanks.

I've only been there once, and it was in the midst of major budget cuts brought on by sequestration. I think it was only open four days/week when we visited in 2013. Hopefully the budget situation has improved and they are running at full speed. It's a national treasure and everyone with an appreciation for plants should see it. I hope to get back there in the not too distant future. Everyone should see DC at some point in their lives. The conifers are amazing, but the highlight for me was the Asian Collection. If you only have a few hours to visit, I would focus on these two collections. Thanks you, Conifer Kid -- it brought back a lot of good memories.