Hello there home and design lovers! If you haven’t pre-bought your tickets to the show yet, it’s not today. The show starts today and you can save $3 if you get your tickets online – use the code: RENOVATION. Enjoy!

Opening Night Backyard Party!

Help us kick off the 2011 BC Home + Garden Show in true country style with a Backyard Party presented by JRFM on Wednesday, March 2nd from 6 – 9pm.

Get  immersed in Home + Garden entertainment including food stations provided by the Vancouver Community College Culinary Arts Team, springtime country music by local artist  Chad Brownlee and surprises sprouting from every corner of the show. Consider it our version of a tailgate party, tailored to every home and gardener out there. You’ll give it two green thumbs up!   

Discover a revolutionary take on recreational property and secondary suites in the modular, affordable and eco-friendly Karo Cabin by Karoleena Homes, landscaped by Arcon Rock & Waterscapes with appliances from Trail Appliances. Coming soon to CBC’s Dragons’ Den, the Karo Cabin redefines the modern dwelling while showcasing the latest in décor and design trends for 2011.

Renovation Gallery: The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) presents the ever-popular Renovation Gallery with 1,000 square feet of exhibit space showcasing before-and-after photos of professional renovations that will educate and inspire. Pros will be on hand to answer all your renovation questions.

We’re so sure you’ll love your day out at the show that we’ll refund your admission if you’re not satisfied!  Any attendee not completely satisfied with the BC Home + Garden Show may visit the on-site Show Office to fill out a survey to receive a full refund.  Refunds will be sent by mail and received no later than April 2^nd, 2011.

Just 29 more sleeps until the highlight of my February – the National Home Show in Toronto! If you’re planning on attending buy tickets online and save $4 off your price of admission! Use the promo code: RENOVATION.

Here are some details on the upcoming Spring shows in Canada:

National Home Show: Feb 18-27, Presented by RE/MAX, Direct Energy Centre Exhibition Place

Restore, Refresh, and Renew your home at Canada’s largest home show, the 2011 National Home Show presented by RE/MAX. Get help from top celebrity and industry experts such as: Debbie Travis, HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler, Colin & Justin and Jim Caruk. Shop the latest products with over 700 retailers, and take home new ideas and solutions for your home at our new Boulevard of Dreams!

Calgary Home & Garden Show : Feb 24-27,  BMO Centre & Corral, Stampede Park

Four days only to get help from top celebrity experts like HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler and shop over 650+ exhibitors where you can find the latest renovation, decor and landscaping products for your home.

BC Home & Garden Show:March 2-6, Vancouver Convention Centre (new location)

Five days only to get help from top celebrity experts like HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler and Colin & Justin, plus shop over 650+ exhibitors where you can find the latest renovation, decor and landscaping products for your home.

Edmonton Home & Garden Show:March 24-27, Edmonton Expo Centre,

Four days only to get help from top celebrity experts like HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler and shop over 600 exhibitors where you can find the latest renovation, decor and landscaping products for your home.

For more home show listings visit Home Renovation Guide’s events section.

HRG has had a great time at the 2010 National. It was the first year that we had a booth and it was great to get feedback from the attendants as well as other exhibitors about how our site HomeRenovationGuide.com is a great resource for people looking to renovate their homes. HRG is the official online sponsor of MarketPlace Events, which holds this annual trade show and HRG provides a little welcome gift for all of the exhibitors. The spring flowers by local florist Cool, Green, and Shady were lovely and really brightened up the show room with a breath of spring.

As well, it was the first time I had the opportunity to live blog from the National for spotlight.rogers.com, a Rogers Communications Inc. lifestyle site where you can catch up on the latest pop culture news.

Here are my articles, with a look at the show and lots of green tips:

http://www.spotlight.rogers.com/life/green/8289/live-national-home-show

http://www.spotlight.rogers.com/life/green/8411/dream-green

http://www.spotlight.rogers.com/life/green/8436/green-house

Now I leave with some pics of the cool Challenger Cube house as well as this year’s fab Dream Home – enjoy!

A look at this year’s Fall Home show. Enjoy!

We had a chance to meet the gregarious and gorgeous Colin and Justin (of Colin & Justin’s Home Heist on HGTV) at their booth, promoting charity auction event, “After the Heist Home Tour”, in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. Tickets were available for a VIP Home tour that included the opening VIP night mingle and nosh with the fab duo, a jaunt across town to visit 15 homes the pair had “heisted”, and a copy of the Home Heist Style Guide. The event also included a live auction for participants to bid on various prizes, including a design consult with the “makeover mavens”.

Although the event has passed, you can still make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society via the website www.aftertheheist.ca.

For more info on C & J, visit http://www.colinandjustin.tv/.

Today is the first day of the Fall Home Show at the Better Living Center. If you’re planning on attending this weekend, it’s still not too late to save $4 off (use promo code: RENOVATION) the regular price of admission if you buy your tickets online.

Here’s a look at this year’s attractions. I’ll be posting pics of the show tomorrow so watch out for that.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2009…

THE PLANNING STAGE presented by Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse

Need help updating your look? Don’t go at it alone; look no further than the Planning Stage presented by Lowe’s for the latest in kitchen design, DIY, renovation and holiday décor and entertaining. Local experts and celebs will offer insight and advice to help with all your home improvement needs. Don’t miss Bryan Baeumler live on stage Oct. 1st at 6:30 pm

THE MODERN LIVING LOUNGE CELEBRATE IN STYLE

Get the inside dish. Join Ontario’s hottest chefs, Entertaining Experts and Beverage buffs for not-to-be-missed tips and tricks for the Holiday season. Complete with holiday décor presentations and wine and spirit samples and suggestions, this ultra modern lounge will take you from holiday hopeless to the hostess with the mostess!

TIME TO UPDATE YOUR LOOK? HGTV WORKSHOP SERIES

If your home’s look is mismatched, out-of-date or just plain hopeless, help is coming! Re-fresh, Re-love and Re-energize your space with the help from local design celebrities and experts at the Fall Home Show’s annual hands-on workshop series. Get up to the minute advice on topics ranging from redecorating in a recession and choosing the right color to buying vintage furniture and laying flooring. Please check back soon for schedules.

Tech Style with ConnectPro by Future Shop designed by HGTV’s Cheryl Torrenueva

Take a departure from shabby chic and step into the 21st century with the ConnectPro by Future Shop Tech Style gallery and showroom, showcasing the ultimate in electronics and automated accessories. This ultra-modern exhibit displays forward-thinking and seamless solutions for every room of the house.

DESTINATION RENOVATION

Don’t go it alone. If you have big renovation plans but are stumped about where to start, look no further than Destination Renovation by BILD. Meet face-to-face with renovators and builders alike for a no-nonsense, one-on-one construction consultation that will save you valuable time and money. Presented by BILD (Building Industry and Land Development).

And much much more! For more details visit www.fallhomeshow.com.

Planning on getting tickets to the Fall Home Show Oct 1-4, 2009 at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place? You can easily buy tickets online and by entering the promo code: RENOVATION, you’ll save $4 off the door price.

The Calgary Home & Interior Design Show is happening this weekend so it’s not too late to pick up some last minute tickets. Buy online and use the same promo code: RENOVATION to save $4 off the original price.

Hope to see you there!

As the economy is picking up (or so they tell us in the news), it looks like home construction and the home improvement industry are too. All perfect timing for the upcoming fall home shows across North America where hungry home enthusiasts can meet their fave TV makeover show celeb, get a first look at the latest trends & technologies and find those dream items and unexpected treasures.

In Canada

First up it’s the Calgary Home & Interior Design Show running Sept 17th-20th

Fall Home Show 2009 , Oct 01 – Oct 04, Toronto, ON

Vancouver Home + Interior Design Show, Oct 15 – Oct 18, Vancouver, BC

In the US:

Orlando Home Show, Sep 18 – Sep 20, Orlando, FL

Capital Home Show, Sep 25 – Sep 27, Washington, D.C., DC

Jacksonville Fall Home & Patio Show, Oct 01 – Oct 04, Jacksonville, FL

Deseret News Fall Home Show, Oct 09 – Oct 11, Salt Lake City, UT

If you know of any home shows in your local area please let us know!

It’s the last weekend of the National Home Show in Toronto, a massive display of Home Improvement vendors and more. From fireplaces, to kitchen counter top surfaces, luxury whirlpool spas, and smaller knicknacks, you’ll find it all.

Here’s a look of the Dream House, presented by the Toronto Star, sort of like a funhouse maze for grown-ups.

Don’t forget to watch out for the new Prius.

What? National Home Show
When? Feb. 20 – March 1, 2009!
Where? The Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd.

The largest home show in Toronto is coming up next week with a plethora of home improvement and decor products, accessories, ideas, and celebrity guest appearances.

What to Expect at the Show: (info provided by www.NationalHomeShow.com – visit the official show site for more details)

* The Dream Home – Built by Probuilt by Michael Upshall and styled by Janette Ewen.

* Toronto Star Dream Gardens

* tySTYLE presented by Toshiba

* Colin and Justin, hosts of HGTV’s Home Heist (appearance courtesy of Penguin Books)

* Carson Arthur, host of HGTV’s Green Force

* Scott McGillivray, host of HGTV’s Income Property

* Cheryl Torrenueva, host of HGTV’s Home Heist and Restaurant Makeover

* Corbin Tomaszeski, appearing on HGTV’s Restaurant Makeover

* Igor Shamraychuk, appearing on HGTV’s Restaurant Makeover

Show Date & Hours

Friday, February 20th
11 am to 9pm

Saturday, February 21st
10am to 9pm

Sunday, February 22nd
10am to 6pm

Monday, February 23rd to Friday, February 27th
11 am to 9pm

Saturday, February 28th
10am to 9pm

Sunday, March 1st
10am to 6pm

Admission

Adults: $15.00 (at the door)
Adults: $12.00 (online)
Seniors (65+): $11.00
Seniors: $8.00 (online)
Youth 13 – 17 years: $11.00
Youth 13 – 17 years: $8.00 (online)
Children 12 and under: FREE

* Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Buy online and save (use promo code:RENOVATION) !

Show Venue & Location

The Direct Energy Centre,
Exhibition Place,
100 Princes’ Blvd.
Toronto ON
416-263-3000

Website:

www.NationalHomeShow.com