Calgary Home + Design Show: That's A Wrap!

All good things must come to an end, and so on September 22 we wrapped the Calgary Home + Design Show after four amazing days at the BMO Centre. From interior design to culinary creations and celebrity sightings, it all came together under one roof - complete with hundreds of local retailers, designers, experts who made it all possible! We couldn't have done it without them.

Missed out? Don't fret. We've rounded up our favourite features and the most memorable moments from the show!

Our favourite contractor, Bryan Baeumler, lit up the Trail Appliances Main Stage and had fans fawning over his renovation know-how. Leave it to Bryan to bring on the crowds!

Oi! Scottish designers Colin & Justin had everyone in stitches with their signature humour and tips for designing the perfect Canadian cottage.

It got hot up on the Samsung Cooking Challenge: Tag Team Kitchen with host and celebrity chef Corbin Tomaszeski. Congrats to Calgary's own David Pyle, who walked away with $5,000 worth of Samsung Chef's Collection appliances for his own kitchen.

Guests cherished ChairLIFT! Local media personalities and tastemakers raised over $1,000 for Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta and their affiliate ReStores thanks to their creative takes on pre-loved chairs. Congrats to Nyla Free of Nyla Free Designs for scoring the top bid of $220 for this beauty.

And, don't forget to mark your calendars! Catch even more fantastic features and celebrity guests at the Calgary Home + Garden Show, happening February 26 - March 1 at the BMO Centre & Corral. Stay tuned to our website for more details, coming soon.

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Ultimate Upcycle Challenge 2: ChairLIFT

The Calgary Home + Design Show is back at the BMO Centre, starting tomorrow. From then until Sunday, you'll find limitless inspiration for redesign and renovation - even culinary creations. With so many fantastic features it's hard to pick a favourite, but the Ultimate Upcycle Challenge 2: ChairLIFT is definitely up there!

So what is it? We've gathered a group of ten local media personalities, designers, and tastemakers to upcycle a pre-loved chair, rescued from ReStore Calgary, with only Rust-Oleum products and a $50 design budget (plus a little elbow grease), for silent auction. With 100% of the proceeds benefitting Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, you can bid on your favourites for the chance to walk away with a one-of-a-kind masterpiece and rest easy knowing you helped support a worthy cause.

The best part? We're giving you, our loyal blog readers, an advance sneak-peek at the finished products! Eye up the goods now, nab your favourites, then get down to the show to place your bid. Don't forget to check in on its status - we have a feeling these beauties won't go without a fight.

Here's a glimpse of a few of the fine chairs you'll find:

Wanda Weston of WW Design Studio created this loveable love seat.

Ricky Zayshley of Avenue Calgary went for gold with this gorgeous chair.

Patti Pon of Calgary Arts Development was inspired to craft this pretty in pink creation.

Swing by the ChairLIFT exhibit tomorrow through Sunday to see the rest of the designs from:

• Amy Jo Espetveidt of Calgary is Awesome 
• Heather Draper of The Heather Company
• Jaelyn Molyneux of Avenue Calgary
• LeAnne Bunnell of Elle Design
• Lindsay Saunders of Cinder & Sage
• Nyla Free of Nyla Free Designs

Don't miss out - buy your tickets to the Calgary Home + Design Show online now and save $3 courtesy of HomeStars. We can't wait to see you there!

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Sponsor Spotlight: Samsung

We're thrilled to have Samsung join us for the Calgary Home + Design Show (September 18-21 at the BMO Centre) and the Vancouver Home + Design Show (October 16-19 at BC Place). Here's a little inside scoop on what's cooking with Samsung.

1. What are your featured products this season?
This season we're introducing the new Samsung Chef Collection - a suite of premium culinary appliances inspired by renowned chefs from around the world. Every appliance in the collection combines breakthrough technology and sophisticated design to build the best kitchen possible and ensure the highest quality results.

• Food Preservation at its Finest - With its thoughtful attention to innovation and design, the Samsung Chef Collection 4-Door Refrigerator represents the next generation in food preservation, storage, organization and meal preparation.

• Meal Prep Innovation - Samsung's Chef Collection features three new sleek slide-in range innovations (gas, induction and electric) with Flex Duo technology to conveniently make two different dishes at the same time at two different temperatures and provides a custom, built-in finish that instantly upgrades any kitchen.

• Cook Every Meal to Perfection - Samsung's Chef Collection Over-The-Range (OTR) Microwave's new sensor cooking equips home chefs with the ultimate in cooking performance with a simple touch of a button. 

• Don't Forget the Dishes - Beautiful spotless dishes are just as important to the dining experience as the food itself. But the basic technology and design of dishwashers - with their inefficient conventional rotary and circle water sprays has not advanced in 40 years, until now. 

2. What inspires your products?
The new Samsung Chef Collection was designed in collaboration with some of the world's finest Michelin Star master chefs. Inspired by their insight and expertise, we've revolutionized everything but the kitchen sink, creating innovative ways to store, prepare, and present your favourite foods. From innovative touches to impeccable design, it's everything you need to go from cook to chef.

3. What can we look forward to from you at the show?
At this year's show, three home cooks will each partner with a top chef in Calgary and Vancouver in a battle for culinary supremacy. Armed with Samsung's Chef Collection appliances, fresh ingredients, and plenty of ambition, the dueling duos will race against time as they take turns behind the burner to create the perfect entree and dessert. Expert judges, including Chef Corbin Tomaszeski, will select the winners, with the last home cooking standing scoring $5,000 worth of Samsung Chef Collection appliances for their own kitchen.

The Samsung Cooking Challenge: Tag Team Kitchen will take place on Saturday, September 20th at 1PM in Calgary and Saturday, October 18th at 2PM in Vancouver. Don't miss out on Samsung's fine features - buy your tickets to the Calgary Home + Design Show and the Vancouver Home + Design Show now!

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NAMES IN LIGHTS AT THE CALGARY AND VANCOUVER HOME + DESIGN SHOWS

Bring on the stars! The Calgary and Vancouver Home + Design Shows are just around the corner, which means you’re even closer to meeting your favourite design, cooking and home improvement celebs. Aside from perusing through hundreds of booths from local vendors and big-name brands alike, you’ll also catch top talent that will bring you to your feet and leave you feeling inspired.

Without further ado, say hello to our celebrity line up!

COLIN AND JUSTIN

We’re thrilled to announce the triumphant return of Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, stars of Cottage Life TV’s Colin & Justin’s Cabin Pressure, after an achingly long absence. You can catch this dynamic duo detailing how to achieve a chic cottage look from cabin to condo. It’s an appearance that begs the question: will their famous kilted sartorial style make a return to the stage?

Calgary: Saturday, September 20 at 12PM and 6PM on the Trail Appliances Main Stage

Vancouver: Saturday, October 18 at 3PM and 7PM on the Metrie Main Stage

BRYAN BAEUMLER

Who could forget Canada’s favourite handyman? Bryan Baeumler, contracting king and star of HGTV’s Leave it To Bryan, is back to offer his trustworthy and no-nonsense brand of renovation know-how. Pick up valuable tricks of the trade while scoring advice on how to avoid the pitfalls of home improvement.

Calgary: Friday, September 19 at 6PM and Saturday, September 20 at 2PM on the Trail Appliances Main Stage

Vancouver: Friday, October 17 at 7PM and Saturday, October 18 at 1PM on the Metrie Main Stage

CHEF CORBIN TOMASZESKI

Do you delight in delicious dishes? Then don’t miss Chef Corbin Tomaszeski as he does double-duty hosting and judging the Samsung Cooking Challenge: Tag Team Kitchen. Chef Corbin will select the winners, with the top home cook scoring $5,000 worth of Samsung Chef’s Collection appliances for their own kitchen.

Calgary: Saturday September 20 at 1PM for Samsung Cooking Challenge: Tag Team Kitchen and Sunday September 21 at 12PM on the Trail Appliances Cooking Stage

Vancouver: Friday, October 17 at 6PM and Saturday October 18 at 2PM for Samsung Cooking Challenge: Tag Team Kitchen on the Vancouver Magazine Cooking Stage

Are you as excited as we are?! Catch these celebrities and more top talent in Calgary and Vancouver this fall. For tickets to spot these celebs in Calgary, click here. To see them in Vancouver, click here. 

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