Mark the date on your calendar
B. C. show not only packs star power, it offers innovative products, designs and technology – not to mention ideas to turn your thumb green
The B. C. Home & Garden Show returns with a five- day run later this month. Peter Simpson has the lowdown on the event’s star power, and its not- to- be- missed presentations.
Housing junkies take notice. Following an appearance at the Vancouver Convention Centre last year, Western Canada’s largest consumer home show returns to BC Place on Feb. 22 for a five- day run.
The convention site, albeit an outstanding host, served as the B. C. Home & Garden Show’s temporary home while the stadium was given an extreme makeover, including a retractable lid.
If you haven’t yet visited the newlook stadium, the home show will be an ideal event to experience the improvements. I can see why the B. C. Lions expressed such a glowing endorsement of the venue.
The show will feature more than 425 exhibitors showcasing a wide range of home- related products and services. I am always intrigued by the innovative design and technology that debut at the show.
Over the years, I have swiped from the home show many ideas I can incorporate into our own home or outdoor space. And, whether I need it or not, I always purchase a little sumthin’ from an exhibitor or two, risking serious eye- rolls from my long- suffering, yet amazingly accommodating wife.
When the lovely Carolyn became The Missus, she was well aware I was an unrepentant housing junkie. Actually, the tipping point came when, without meds of any kind, she agreed to be married at the home show, among thousands of strangers. The bonus is we get to celebrate anniversaries at the show every year.
According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., B. C. homeowners are expected to spend about $ 7.6 billion on home renovation, improvement and repair this year, 12 per cent of the Canadian total.
The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association Renovation Council will have a prominent presence at its popular Renovation Gallery, presented by Fortisbc. Showgoers can view award- winning home renos and discuss their dreams with renovation contractors, designers and suppliers.
You won’t want to miss the 1,450- square- foot display home showcased by Karoleena Homes. The Kitsilano, like many innovative show homes featured at the show in the past, is a factory- built beauty.
The show offers lots of star power, as well. Celebrity contractor Bryan Baeumler of HGTV’S Leave It To Bryan will be there ( I wonder how the Beav feels about that show title). The popular Hillary Farr from the W Network’s Love It Or List It also promises to be a crowd- drawing headliner.
For the gals, there’s Tomboy Tools’ Lori Mitchell, who says her secret to releasing the inner diva is found in the tool box, prompting her menacing slogan, “pick up a hammer and let your ponytail fly.” The amicable Mitchell will also share her home- improvement techniques for women.
For the guys, there’s the Ultimate Man’s Backyard, sponsored by The Province. This manly man exhibit will feature an outdoor kitchen, putting green, and a hot tub large enough for the whole team.
Graeme and Tammy Huguet, the award- winning hubby/ wife renovation partners from My House Design/ Build Team, and parents of five daughters, will be on stage to share their family’s experiences with home makeovers, including tips on how to survive living in a construction zone.
Presented by Kenorah Construction & Design, Designlab can help homeowners figure out their personal style before starting a renovation. Through mood boards, quizzes and handson help, showgoers’ style will be dissected into the anatomy of good vs. bad design. Sounds like the ’ 60s.
On display will be more than 9,500 square feet of attractive and inviting gardens. You might want to pack a camera. Local landscaping experts will be on hand to share their insights on how to turn barren mounds of dirt into blossoms and blooms. With a little help, anyone can develop a green thumb.
Don’t miss The Vancouver Sun Gardeners’ School presentations. No garden discussion worth its salt would be complete without experts Brian Minter, Art Drysdale, Carolyn Herriot, Ciscoe Morris, Vancouver Sun’s own Steve Whysall, and a large supporting cast of local specialists.
The Outdoor Entertaining Stage will be the place to learn how to turn up the heat on your patio or deck and take your entertaining to a new level. The presentations by local culinary experts will focus on trends in food, cooking, beverage pairings, outdoor décor and party planning.
The kind- hearted folks at Habitat for Humanity will explain their initiatives at their interactive display. Consider adding a dollar to your show admission to help support this worthwhile cause.
This year, I will be participating in the HGTV stage presentations. Certified Aging In Place specialist John Quinton and I will tag- team to talk about how homeowners can efficiently and cost- effectively adapt their much- loved homes to accommodate current and emerging mobility challenges.
More than 10 million Canadians, roughly a third of the country’s population, are aged 40 to 59. The leading edge of the baby boom generation turned 65 last year, and there is much to consider and plan for the housing needs and expectations of this silver tsunami. Indeed, time flies, doesn’t it?
Tickets to the home show can be purchased online.
Visit www.bchomeandgardenshow.com to purchase tickets and view details on show features, dates and hours of operation.
You can’t beat the B. C. Home & Garden Show for fun, excitement, ideas and limited- time offers that can’t be refused.