Find Local Pros link above would be a start.

Yes, architect good but they can be particular about the size jobs they take and many shy away from remodel. You could start with an ASID interior designer in your area and that professional should know the right team members to have give input as you plan and proceed.

Remodel starts with a space plan first. Then depending on complexity, a structural engineer may consult or architect may be needed if the outside look of home is effected and electrical and mechanical engineers for the "systems" in your home. It takes a village! Sounds like a team and it could be but, if you go to a remodeling company they will do same.

You just have to investigate to see what feels best to you for how you like to work and how you want to proceed. For some people a contractor is the "Lead", for others it's an architect and for still others like some of my clients it's the space planner / interior designer. But, that primary relationship for the initial planning is what matters. Get that in place and then that professional can line anybody else and everybody else up that is needed.

For a contractor in the Seattle area John from We build is a great contractor for a architect Robert dlgoush he's in west Seattle also very good if you need phone numbers you can message me and I'll get them for you

Yes, use the Pro Finder. I don't know any architects who shy away from remodeling, and I certainly wouldn't wait to hire an architect until after you had determined your space plan. You would be losing a tremendous amount of value that way.

Find Local Pro's is a great way to find someone

Nothing wrong with client working through criteria, ideas and concepts before calling in the whole team of pros. I've done it for years. I work from time to time under the direction of a very skilled and talented architect and have worked with numerous architects over the years and they love it when space planner / designer has already pre-qualified some starting goals and criteria of owner and then is ready to hand off to next professional.

Really, client needs to interview a variety of professionals. I know dozens of architects, contractors, designers and they are all different and all have different strengths and qualities. But, I do find that the client budget is a deciding factor for some professionals to take a project on or not. I am not discouraging turning to an architect! I am saying depending upon the scope of the work, that there is more than one way to proceed!

@ Siegler - Of course homeowners should interview numerous professionals, and of course they should compile myriad ideas in order to discuss them with whoever they end up hiring. One thing I was responding to was a mis-characterization of the differences between the various types of professionals. I am also concerned about a glossing over of the distinction between programming (where the problems and general goals and parameters are determined, and which is very valuable) and having the homeowner proceed with designing without professional guidance.

It has been my experience that having the homeowner spend time designing if the project is of any complexity is counterproductive because (a) they usually have neither the expertise nor the experience to do the job effectively and (b) they end up becoming attached to specific solutions that often do not actually serve their larger goals. Design professionals are not drafting services - they have real expertise that is not limited to drawing ability and lists of vendor contacts.

I always tell my students that anyone can come up with a single reasonable solution to approach a problem, but, one of the things that differentiates well-trained designers is that they learn to generate numerous potentially appropriate solutions and then look at them critically. This is precisely in order not to become prematurely attached to any of them, in the interest of working out the best available approach given all of the variables involved.

Inspired work with finesse HERE Design....with all do respect...

Sometimes a homeowner is best matched up with a contractor. Sometimes a homeowner is best matched up with an interior designer. Sometimes a homeowner is best matched up with a remodeling firm. Sometimes a homeowner is best matched up with an architect. This is all I am saying plain and simple.

It's challenging out there. Lots of good competition. What else is new?

@ Siegler - I don't think it is true that clients are best served by being 'matched up' with any single professional on the job; in my experience, the situation you describe proceeds from concerns about budget, rather than because clients think it will give them a better project.

I find that the best-executed projects have a number of pros involved (including a contractor) early and all of the bases covered, and the pro leading the team is one whose training and normal scope of work align with the outer limits of the scope of the project.

This affords the clients the best available judgment at a time when decisions exert the most leverage.

Harper family ....thank you for allowing this debate / discussion to continue! You are good sports!

...to HERE Design.maybe and maybe not what you say is 100% accurate. Truth different for different people. You have your view and I have my view based on my interactions with homeowners. And guess what .....homeowner's have their view as to what is a "BEST PROJECT".

For me I find...
1) Some people want simplicity and a true improvement but, not a big scope of work. Many business sources that understand construction and interiors could help them.

2) I've met some very talented residential contractors capable of handling clients where the client already knows the design elements and finishes they want and then I've seen the kitchens and interiors and they've done a terrific job! Some pretty smart DIY'ers out there! Visit www.modernphoenix.net These are smart and dynamic homeowners who have raised the bar for EVERYBODY!

3) I meet client's who NEED architect because, of complex scope of their goals and the nature of the structure the homeowner lives in. Brought architects I know in on this scenario. DGL Architects....Dennis G. Lee AIA

4) I have clients that want the design input that I as a space planner and interior designer can give them. INTERIORS WORK happily provided by me!

Let's not kid ourselves....life is too, short....all the above are real and relevant.

All projects these days are always about budget for most homeowners ....at least that is the path I travel upon in life! I am designer to the "common man", that's who I talk to, that's who I know. Its a hard path. End of year and I'm really tired.

That's it. I'm done and have no more to say on the subject. Thank you to all for your consideration.

Dont spend all your time and money on the high priced people who draw and show you pictures. You might need some money to pay those dumb subs who do all the work. You cant live on a vacant lot no matter how good your design looks on paper.

...can't we all just get along! :)

Hi Maria, I'm in Kirkland. Can you forward photos / images of the space? How can I help ;)

My personal experience is you can chat with many professionals and there will be no charge or a minimal hourly fee just to get some ideas of what can and cannot be done. Once they put pen to paper is when the billing really begins. When we decided to build our house, we doodled it up on a cocktail napkin; took it to a draftsman in our local engineering firm, and she made it “legal". The bill was more than fair. But, she did not want to do the kitchen itself, as she said she was horrible at it. So, in came the kitchen designer to take over.

If you have a good builder, often he/she can come up with some great suggestions by just eye-balling it.

Thank you all for the recommendations , advice and input .
I know what I want for our home. Our kitchen open up to our family room we need more space with our growing family. We have an office off of the kitchen and a dining room we never use
I would love to have someone come in and say "'these are your options design it and show it to me ".

I see some space planning sketching in your future!

You are perfect candidate to work with a professional INTERIORS expert strong in conceptual planning. . So, that would be an experience ASID interior designer with good experience in kitchen and family planning OR a residential architect interested in remodel like HERE Design and Architecture.

Architects and INTERIOR Designer are strongest in "conceptualization"....showing "optimal" use of space etc... I'm sure there will be some protest about that but, in my career that is what I have seen. Interview and chat with pros. It will all shake out after that! Thanks for follow up and lively subject for discussion!

Thanks again all of you. Time to start planning. Will follow up with after photos once we start.

Update 4 years later and we took the plunge !
It's been a log road that started in May 2016 with only a few minor hiccups ( a small flood)
But just about done.

We ended knocking the wall down

Looks wonderful....must feel like a thousand pounds is off your chest! I just love it. Congratulations and I hope your "improvement drive" will always bring you joy and reward. Its not easy but, it can be worth it or at least I hope you have many good hours, good memories and healthy eating in this space for a long, long time! Thanks so much for sharing!

Thank you so much @sieglerdesign. We just love the space !