Deb
I know couple of people who do this kind of work. One of them will be for sure at my plant swap, if you here I will introduce you, another one might stop by, it is busiest time of the year for them.
If you looking to hire someone to do makeover garden or give you plant design Bob Nickolson from Lurvey's is the very best.
He does have talent and vision, I am always glad when he gives me tidbits of his wisdom.
If you are just frustrated by not having a perfect garden right away- join the club, that is where most of us are and that is why we have shovel... My best advice will be to visit as many gardens as you could and see for yourself- what kind of garden makes you feel good- do you need to stuff everything on top of each other or do you like formal arrangements, do you want to have separate beds for spring show, summer and fall or as I do, make sure that every bed has at least one plant at any given day that holds interest. It might never have look of the beds shown in magazines- where everything blooms at same time, but every morning I come out in the garden I discover something new and different- works for me but might not work for you. My garden start early Feb with snowdrops and continues till late fall with aconitums and fall crocuses. but I am messy and double and triple plant everything on top of each other, and yeah, you would not find any empty space here too ;)- saves me from mulching...
do not have "vision" so have to see plants grow before I have ideas what I like where so fall is my favorite time for moving plants and redesigning beds.

Lurvey's, huh? Heard of it, never been there. It's unlikely I'll make it to the swap so won't have the chance to meet your friend(s) unfortunately. I'd love to hire someone to walk the yard with me, bounce some ideas around and I'd just take notes on suggestions made. I don't need a detailed design but do better with a general plan to work from. I seem to have plant ADD and get distracted in mid planting so there's a disjointed quality to my gardens! You've given me some great things to consider - thanks.

I think the problem you will face is that this is the busy time of year for most landscapers. You will have more luck finding someone to take on a small job later on in the summer and into the fall.

Have you thought about taking a class or two at the Chicago Botanic Gardens?

HTH.
Rachel

Deb
Happy anniversary and sorry to hear that you would not be able to make it, promised to be nice gathering.
You welcome to drop by another time, I could share with you wealth of my landscaping skills ;)
Also if you interested I could ask my friend if she would take you as one time customer for visiting your garden and playing off ideas and designs. Am not sure how much such service costs though...

Rachel the Botanic would certainly be easy since I could ride my bike there it's so close - I've just never looked at whats offered beyond the MG program and know I don't want to do that. Thanks for the reminder. I know this is the busy time for professionals but it's also when I'm thinking about it!! I'm not one of those big winter dreamers - until the birds are chirping gardening isn't big on my radar.