Home & Garden Show offers all kinds of spring projects
The dawning of spring sent hundreds to the Texarkana Home Builders Association’s annual Home & Garden show Saturday—in search of warm weather-related home improvement planning.
David Christian, the association’s CEO, said the event, which started in about 1992, brings at least 500 to 600 local and area residents out to visit with 50 to 60 local and area vendors about residential addons, interior remodeling and other improvements.
Christian added that this year’s attendance seems higher because people seem more hopeful about a better economy.
“Some of the more recent trends in home improvement planning that I’ve noticed are in the areas of both kitchen and bathroom remodeling. This includes hard-surface replacements for countertops and other areas,” Christian said. “I would say that from what I’ve seen so far today (Saturday), attendance at this two-day show has probably been better then it’s been in the last few years. Both the vendors and the customers seem more enthusiastic about the economy. It looks to be picking up.”
As for kitchen remodeling and improvements, Mark Lafferty of Lafferty’s Home Center said his firm, which opened in Texarkana in 1971, has gone from offering kitchen appliances to selling home furnishing commodities for bedrooms, dining rooms and living rooms since it moved near Interstate 30 and University Drive in 2008.
When it comes to the more recent trend in kitchen remodeling, Lafferty said it seems customers are moving toward softtone cream colors, as well as gray-colored teak wood dining tables and chairs.
“These soft-tone colors are becoming more popular because they give dining areas a more relaxed look,” he said. “A lot of people like where they live. They just want to put a new face on where they live.”
One of the event’s other vendors, Mike Richardson, owner of Richardson Fence & Patio, said he has seen a more recent trend in the popularity of vinyl-coated chain-linked fencing.
“This type of fencing is becoming both more popular and more affordable,” he said.
The show also included representatives for the financing of home improvements.
Anthony Pinkham, senior vice president and commercial lender for BancorpSouth-Corporate Banking, said his office at 3113 Richmond Road offers home improvement loans.
“There seem to be a lot more people wanting to take out loans for home improvements as well as for mortgages on new housing,” Pinkham said. “New housing appears to be taking off. But for residents with homes that are 30 years old and older, it’s time for updating the look and size of their homes.”
For new-home sales, Pinkham said R.J. Norris, a local mortgage loan officer for BancorpSouth’s mortgage division, is the person to see.
The show will continue from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at Texarkana Convention Center on Cowhorn Creek Road.