HOMES AWAY FROM HOME
Here are five must-see attractions at this year’s Ottawa Fall Show
As Ottawa cools down from a steamy summer, inspiration for home renovations and interior design are heating up. The much-anticipated Ottawa Fall Home Show takes place at the EY Centre from Sept. 27 to 30.
The event will host more than 200 exhibitors and allow visitors to learn about and get inspired by all things home, garden, renovation and decor. Show manager Robert Johnstone offered us his picks for the Top 5 must-see events.
1 Bonneville Model Home
When asked what attendees should most look forward to, Johnstone was quick to highlight the fully functioning model home on site. This year, the Bonneville Homes Héméra model home, which takes its name from the Goddess of light on Earth, takes the stage with decor by Dala Décor and landscaping by Aberdeen Development Group.
The home has two distinct areas. The first is an open-air space great for entertaining guests and the second, a more private and cosy space.
“People love, when they come to home shows, to not only interact and talk with people but also touch, feel and see live examples of what’s going on in the industry,” said Johnstone. “What’s cool about the house is it sort of encompasses everything. It has some landscaping, some furniture and decor.”
2 The High and Low Contest Back for the fourth year, The La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings and Décor High and Low contest offers people the opportunity to walk away with $10,000 of La-ZBoy home furnishings. All you have to do is guess which room carries the higher price tag. One winner will be chosen.
Johnstone said many people are discouraged from re-decorating in fear of spending heaps of money. “I think what La-Z-Boy is trying to demonstrate is you can make your house look great on a low budget or high budget,” he said.
3 CREATEducation Zone Get hands on at the CREATEducation Zone with a variety of workshops. Visitors will be introduced to trends in home decor and will also be able to experience some DIY projects.
Workshops include creating floral arrangements with FlowerNite, building air plant terrariums and kokedama balls with The Urban Botanist, upcycling with DIY expert Sarah Kidder with #613DIY: Inspire, Renew, Restore, creating rustic signs using Milk Paint with Lisa Silfwerbrand from Recreated Designs and refreshing furniture using Chalk Paint with Malenka Originals.
4 The Main Stage
The Main Stage is where various experts in their field inspire and educate on a variety of topics. Headlining this year’s show is HGTV celebrity Sarah Richardson. In addition to her presentation, Richardson will do one-onone speed dating consultations where people can get a few minutes to discuss their personal design projects or gain inspiration. Others speakers include Mary Taggart, editor-in-chief of Ottawa At Home magazine, DIY and design expert Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault and Andrew Downward, HGTV/W Network celebrity and lifestyle columnist, among others.
5 Interact with more than 200 exhibitors
The main highlight is interacting with the more than 200 exhibitors, explains Johnstone. Some of the biggest names in renovation and construction in Ottawa, such as OakWood and Ottawa General Contractors, will be on site, as will a variety of smaller, grassroots contractors.
“You really get a range of different opinions and ways of doing things,” said Johnstone.
“The idea behind it is almost like going to a shopping centre that is specialized for taking your house and turning it into a home.”