Home shows, tours deck HOUSING YEAR the

There really is no “dead of winter” for home building, improvement and sales, it all just moves indoors — to big indoors, for home and garden shows.

That’s the way this year began, and 2019 will take off the same way.

Work goes on. Homes are being built, and shown, and improved, but this time of year, between Christmas and New Year’s Day, is probably the closest there is to a lull.

So let’s take a breath and review the first half of the year before 2018 gets away. Next week, we’ll hold back 2019 just long enough for a glimpse back at the second half of this year.

January

Virtual reality, augmented reality, and new digital devices and apps captured Oklahoma homebuilders’ and the rest of the industry’s attention at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.

Locally, Oklahomans’ insatiable desire for home improvement ideas was at least staved off — but not for long — at the Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show at State Fair Park.

February

The Oklahoman’s Real Estate section introduced readers to two new industry leaders:

Jennifer Arsenault, 2018 president of the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors.

Kathy Fowler, 2018 president of the Oklahoma Association of Realtors.

March

Downtown living was highlighted in the annual Downtown Home Tour — three words in a row that are still hard to imagine for folks donning a little gray: Downtown. Home. Tour.

The Oklahoma City Home + Outdoor Living Show whetted folks’ appetite for spring gardening, and entertaining, and just hanging out in increasingly and comfortably furnished outdoors.

April

Art Deco and Mediterranean-style homes, a sparkling new office tower, repurposed shipping containers and other designs dazzled in the annual Architecture Tour by the American Institute of Architects Central Oklahoma Chapter.

Organizers of the newest annual neighborhood tour, the Quail Springs Home Tour, marched through a weekend of events like pros.

May

The Parade of Homes Spring Festival, organized by the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association, completed its second weekend as a success, again, showing the association was smart to add the event along with what is now the Fall Classic home parade several years ago.

Organizers of the annual Symphony Show House fundraiser for the Oklahoma City Orchestra League showed they still have a bank of ideas to generate new interest: See that pillow (or other decor)? Want it? Buy it now.

June

The Festival of Homes, in Norman and Moore, continued to grow, with homes open built by members of Builders Association of South Central Oklahoma, Moore Home Builders, and Southwest Builders Association.

Oklahoma Modernism Weekend took over the Gold Dome for its popular Mod Swap and sold out its Mod Home Tour.

[OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVES PHOTO] Above: Paula Beck and family pet Leo enjoy the view from the living space of the home she shares with husband Don at Carnegie Centre in a February photo. Their loft was part of the Downtown Home Tour in March.

[PHOTO BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVES] Left: Jennifer Arsenault, 2018 president of the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors, is shown inside a Mesta Park home in February.

[PHOTO BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVES] Kathy Fowler, 2018 president of the Oklahoma Association of Realtors, is shown at a home in the 9700 block of SW 24 in February.

[PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVES] The Oklahoma City Orchestra League’s 2018 Symphony Show House, 3115 Dutch Forest Lane.

[PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVES] Michael Hopkins, a collector of mid-century modern items, talks about his Frigidaire Flair Custom Imperial range at his home, 3704 Quapah Circle. Hopkins was vendor at the Mod Swap during Oklahoma Modernism Weekend in June.

[PHOTO PROVIDED] Dan Reeves, of Landmark Fine Homes in Norman, checks out an exhibit in January at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.

[PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVES] Alder Fine Homes included a small cottage with the home at 7001 Timber Crest Way in Edmond, an entry in Parade of Homes Spring Festival in May.