GETTING THE BIG PICTURE ON RENOS
Renovation Show offers a chance to plan, compare
The Calgary Renovation Show is set to provide guidance from the big picture to the fine details for all changes and updates you’re considering.
The show, which runs Jan. 12 to 14 at Stampede Park’s BMO Centre, is bringing in the talent to offer advice and solutions for improving homes.
One main stage message from Sabrina Smelko, host of HGTV Canada’s Save My Reno, is to focus on the big renovation picture, which starts with developing a doit-yourself mentality to channel your own sense of style.
“It’s not about spending a lot of money to have a good home,” Smelko says. “It’s totally about knowing what you’re even after and having a discerning eye. It’s all about pleasing your eye and walking into a space and having it feel comfortable for you and beautiful for you.”
Smelko appears on the main stage on Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Along with developing your DIY style, Smelko will focus on key ideas about renovations.
“She’s going to be talking about big picture — not the little fine details of the reno, but the big picture — why are you doing the reno, what do you need to consider when you’re doing a reno to make it something that works for you and your family and your lifestyle,” says Teri Salazar, show manager.
The trick to pulling off an impressive reno without an impressive budget is to spend wisely on making an impression, but also on the practical.
“In a kitchen, for example, spend on really great countertop stone. Get the real stuff,” says Smelko. “Spend on lighting, and a variety of lighting installed — dimmers, pot lights. And hardware — your cabinet pulls. That allows you to get away with saving on things like the backsplash — which is a super easy DIY that you can do, and subway tile still looks beautiful, it’s super cheap and affordable — and cabinets, as well.
“Elevate all of the affordable things with expensive stuff, but in smaller doses. Pepper those in and it will make the whole space look more expensive.”
Sarah Richardson, host of HGTV Canada’s Sarah off the Grid, is returning to the renovation show after seven years. The awardwinning designer and television personality is host and co-host of eight HGTV lifestyle series.
“She’s going to be talking about your home with her style. Giving people tips and ideas on how they can put that little bit of a Sarah touch on their own house,” says Salazar. Richardson appears on the main stage on Jan. 12 at 7 p.m., and on Jan. 13 at 1 p.m.
Along with the HGTV stars comes some excellent, practical and local advice: all about the rules of doing renos in Calgary. Renovation 101 — Managing Your Project with Safety, Bylaw and Our New Online Services will be presented by Jennifer Crack, from the City of Calgary’s planning and development department.
“If you don’t want to hire a project manager, and you want to be your own project manager of your renovations, what do you have to do, what does that look like with the city? What are the timelines?” says Salazar, noting that many people who would like to renovate may not yet have investigated what they will need in terms of permits and
how long it might take to gain approval.
Alongside Smelko, Richardson and Crack will be presentations by Neil Harding of Sleep Country, Rosalyn Lazaruk of Wicket Blue Interiors, Gary Sharp from the Canadian Home Builders Association, and Halyna Tataryn of Tataryn Group/Remax Real Estate.
The show has more than 200 local exhibitors, from general contractors to companies that specialize in kitchens, landscaping, roofing and more.
“Getting that face-to-face interaction, you can chat to (exhibitors), compare pricing, get a feel for their company and their work and if your ideals or visions align. It’s so hard to do that online,” Salazar says.