LEAVE IT TO BRYAN TO RENO A RESORT
Popular television host and renovation expert to headline 2019 Edmonton Renovation Show
It’s official: Edmonton is now Bryan Baeumler country.
For the sixth year in a row Baeumler, Canada’s top handyman, will headline the upcoming Edmonton Renovation Show, with this edition being held Jan. 25 through 27 at the Edmonton Expo Centre.
“Edmonton loves Bryan Baeumler,” said show manager Kristy Cairns about the HGTV Canada star.
“He is our number one requested celebrity and expert guest on our consumer surveys, year after year. To be honest, we totally understand why.
“Bryan is amazing with his fans, he has time for everyone. He is a down-to-earth guy who just happened to take his passion for home improvement and turn it into an empire. He’s extremely relatable to our show attendees.”
Baeumler, in turn, is already anticipating his return.
“I’m looking forward to a large double-double and some crisp Edmonton air and just the energy of the people in Edmonton,” said Baeumler, who has spent a large part of the last eight-plus months in the Bahamas, where he and his family have turned a rundown resort into a potential new vacation hotspot. It’s also the premise behind his latest series, Island of Bryan, which is scheduled to debut in April.
“We were just poking around on our boat,” Baeumler said, recounting how he and his family discovered South Andros Island and what would become their Caerula Mar Club resort.
“We had a couple of days — we were locked up in weather — and as people do, we were playing around on the internet. We were looking at properties for sale. This hotel popped up, we had nothing to do, so we thought we would make a quick trip over to the island for the day and make a day trip out of it and see this place at the same time. When we got here we fell in love with it.”
And that was it.
The star of Bryan Inc., House of Bryan, Leave it to Bryan and a host of other shows set a new course to become an innkeeper.
That idea, said Baeumler, did not come totally out of left field, as they previously tossed around the possibility of opening something like this but on a much smaller scale — more like a bed and breakfast. This was different.
“It was the perfect property, in the perfect state of disrepair, in the perfect hard-to-get-to location that intrigued us,” said Baeumler. “It really is like Gilligan’s Island; if you need something, you pretty much have to build it out of a coconut or you’re not going to get it until the next ship comes in.”
It’s these radical (yet practical) and entertaining changes that makes Baeumler so popular, added Cairns.
“The other thing we love about Bryan is that he always has something new and exciting that he’s working on, from his many different series here in Canada, now to his island resort down in the Bahamas. Even if you’ve had a chance to see Bryan on stage before, he has something new, funny and charming to say each time he visits.”
ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE
New and worth seeing does not just apply to the Baeumler aspect of the show.
“The Edmonton Renovation Show brings an all-inclusive experience for anyone looking at renovating their home: from on-design trends, floral workshops, inspiring keynote speakers and hands-on product demos,” Cairns said. “If you’re a veteran or a beginner, it’s a great opportunity to challenge yourself to step outside your usual creative bubble and learn new tricks of the trade, encounter new design ideas, and meet some industry professionals.”
Some of these features include Cabin Fever, the pet-friendly New Leash on Lifestyle segment, and the Winterscape Florals Workshop.
“Cabin Fever features all-wood cabins from Knotty Pine Cabins, which are completely customizable,” said Cairns. “More and more people are investing in real estate outside the city and are dreaming of owning property on the lake — I think it’s important to make your home away from home just as comfortable and functional, which is why I think this feature is so great.”
For those looking at something for the cat or dog of the house, there is the New Leash on Lifestyle component, where you will find design tips for a pet-friendly home.
Or if you’re looking to bring the outside inside, there’s the Winterscape Floral Workshop. Registration is required and there is a fee to participate, but Cairns says this floral workshop will allow show attendees to take home three “living wreaths” designed to sit horizontally, and includes lush foliage, bulbs, tulips and more.
“If you’re over the snow, this will help remind you spring is hopefully right around the corner.”
TRENDY ON A BUDGET
Interior designer Jamie Banfield is back with industry tricks when it comes to designing what some might consider the most important part of the home: the bathroom.
“As an award-winning designer, this is the perfect presentation to attend for homeowners who have
planned to tackle their washrooms, stay on budget, and most importantly, still on trend,” said Cairns.
And if windows and doors are what you’re in the market for, Al Dueck, owner and founder of Duxton Window and Doors, will be chatting with attendees on everything they need to know about replacing these vital home features.
“Coming off the year end, I think the Renovation Show comes at such a perfect time,” said Cairns. “It’s a great way to start fresh, and I think Edmontonians really take advantage of that momentum into the year to tackle all their home improvement projects.”