Thank You Edmonton!

What a show! After 12 months of planning, the inaugural Edmonton Fall Home Show came to fruition and was a huge success!

From the talented local and national designers that were showcased on the main stage, to the incredible lineup of fabulous chefs on our cooking stage and the extensive list of exhibitors showcased on the show floor, attendees were thrilled with our very first Edmonton Fall Home Show.

Janette Ewen and Jef Hancock from Parker Barrow took to the main stage, presented by Edmonton Journal and furnished by Urban Barn, with inspiration for your home from around the world. Through sharing personal stories and images of their travels and design finds, Janette and Jef enlightened the audience with their real world experiences.

The Ultimate Upcycle Challenge brought in Rust-Oleum Canada spokeswoman and Cityline regular, Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault to the show. For the past few months, local media, bloggers, designers and artists have been working hard to help raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Each selecting a well loved chair from Restore, participants took some expert advice from Leigh-Ann and gave their chairs an up cycled make-over.

A huge thank you to each participant for their efforts and to our auction bidders! We were able to raise more than $1800 for Habitat for Humanity. We look forward to the next challenge in January!

With an incredible lineup of local chefs, guests were treated decadent delights from some of Edmonton’s newest and finest restaurants on our cooking stage presented by SONiC 102.9. To add a little spice (or cheese flavour) to the stage this year, guests had the chance to enjoy SONiC’s Doritos Challenge and our Twitter Pork Chopped! Challenge with local, amateur chefs. Talk about inspiring your tastebuds!

Enjoy the holiday season everyone, we will see you again very soon! The Edmonton Renovation Show runs January 29 - 31, 2016 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. Mark your calendars, we’ll meet you on the show floor!

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A Minute with the Edmonton Fall Home Show Manager, Terri Higgins

The all-new Edmonton Fall Home Show is fast approaching! The excitement is building, homeowners are itching to get out on the show floor, and our top design authorities are preparing to share everything they know about design and decor on the Main Stage! 

Edmonton already has the Home & Garden Show and the Renovation Show, so what separates the brand new Fall Home Show from these two fabulous events? We sat down with Marketplace Events’ Terri Higgins, Show Manager for all three shows, who gave us the inside scoop! 

Why a third show in Edmonton?

"Our exhibitors have been asking us to produce a Fall Home Show in the market for years! The Edmonton Fall Home Show is an opportunity for our clients to promote their business and sell face-to-face to over 20,000 consumers. We also have a unique audience – 96% of our consumers only attend one of our shows in the market annually.

It offers Edmontonians another exciting option for researching and planning their home improvement and interior design projects. It gives them the opportunity to shop and save with over 200+ retailers and industry experts during the fall season." 

What makes this show different from the other two in Edmonton?

"The Fall Home Show will have more of a focus on interior design. We have a wide range of exhibitors from renovation to landscaping to design but our features are really design orientated. We have some new designers we haven’t worked with before presenting on our Main Stage, including Janette Ewen and Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault, and our Ask a Designer feature is an exciting way for homeowners to chat face-to-face with design experts about their home improvement projects."

What are you most excited for in the fall show?

"Cory Christopher’s Workshops – it’s so amazing to have Cory at the Fall Home Show because instead of simply presenting, he is getting his hands dirty and teaching consumers the art of floral design. Our Upcycle Challenge: Chair Lift is another fun feature that incorporates DIY design with charitable work, with proceeds from the auction benefiting Habitat for Humanity."  

Tell us about MPE's support for local designers.

"We have been very fortunate to work with some of the best designers in Edmonton and have seen their careers launch as a result of their participation in our events. Our events give them the opportunity to showcase their products and services in front of thousands of attendees.

We want our attendees to be able to shop great design and be inspired at our events. 38% of visitors who attend our shows are specifically looking for advice, solutions and inspiration for decorating a room in their home. We have given local designers the chance to be involved in this show launch and showcasing their talents through presenting on our Main Stage and/or getting involved in a handful of exciting new features on the show floor." 

What makes MPE's shows different from the rest?

"Our goal is to create relevant inspiring features on the show floor to enhance the visitors experience at our shows. We champion new and creative ways to make each event relevant and memorable to our visitors, which gives us a unique edge."

We can't wait to see Terri's and the Marketplace Event team's vision come to life at the all new Edmonton Fall Home Show, happening October 23-25, 2015 at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

If you haven't bought your tickets yet, we've got to ask: what are you waiting for? Buy 'em in advance to SAVE BIG and avoid box office lines! Right now you can get 2-for-1 tickets on Facebook. Pick up a pair and head to the show this weekend.

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Less is More at the Edmonton Fall Home Show

Has anyone ever told you that less is more? Perhaps this phrase is hard to hear when you are trying to make your tiny apartment look like a spacious luxury home that fits more than your cat and a stack of Nicholas Sparks books. But trust us, even your small space can have big style - you just have to know where to start.

Janette Ewen, interior stylist and lifestyle expert, says it’s important to look at small spaces as opportunities rather than challenges. After many years of contributing to publications like House and Home and Chatelaine and appearing regularly on Cityline and HGTV, Janette knows a thing or two about how to make rooms go from drab to fab whether they’re big or small.

Four Tips for Decorating Small Spaces

1.      Pick patterns wisely. Janette says wallpaper, textiles, rugs and accessories can fill small spaces with life and character that can’t be achieved in larger rooms. If you think the only way to make your space seem larger is to go with minimal furniture and decor, you are wrong.

2.      Use lighting to your advantage. Maximize the natural light coming through the windows with chic and simple coverings, and consider an ornamental drape of you’d like something more luxurious (just make sure you only use one drape and tie it to one side to let natural light in).

3.      Bare walls, be gone. Your first instinct might be to paint the walls white to create the illusion of more space, but painting them with black matte paint will create visual space.

4.      Be Fearless. If you are afraid to take design risks, you will never see the results you want. Janette says it is important to just dive in and go for it no matter how unsure you might be about the outcome; you will never know if you don’t try.

Janette is a top authority for all things interior design, and she is sharing her wealth of knowledge with homeowners at this year's brand new Edmonton Fall Home Show. The home and garden event of the season takes over the Edmonton Expo Centre October 23-25, 2015.

Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 when you connect with us on Facebook! Treat a friend or family member to the show - we can't wait to see you there!

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Master your Kitchen at the Edmonton Fall Home Show

Spend hours and hours pinning chef-inspired recipes and chic dinner party ideas, but you never really know where to start when it comes to the actual cooking part? Dreaming is nice, but what if you could actually learn how to master your kitchen and put all of those clever ideas into action? 

The Edmonton Fall Home Show’s incredible Cooking Stage sponsored by SONiC 102.9 is sure to provide you with the right ammunition to kick your kitchen projects into high gear. With some of Alberta’s finest culinary experts teaching the audience how to master their meals in our stylish, design-inspired kitchen, you will leave the show floor with delicious recipes, a list of local products to stock your kitchen, and a full belly thanks to mouthwatering samples from the pros themselves. 

On top of all that, audience members will also get the chance to win culinary prizes and a one-chance opportunity to speak one-on-one with our featured Cooking Stage presenters. You will be able to pick their brains for tried and true culinary advice, tips, and tricks to rule your kitchen.

Our featured cooking talent includes:

●     Erin Howe and Chris Short, instructors at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in the department of continuing education, who will each be presenting their top level culinary knowledge

●     Mercer Tavern’s Robbie Oram, the master of bringing experience and adventure into his inspired dishes

●     Phil Wilson, Edmonton’s own “Baconhound” who travels around the city in search of our most mouthwatering meals to share his reviews with friends, family, and foodies

●     Ben Chalmers, the magic behind Edmonton’s hugely popular Corso 32

●     Nelvin Reyes, a grill mastermind at the luxurious Pampa Steakhouse who has a passion for producing culinary perfection with every dish

●     Lindsay Porter, El Cortez’s executive chef brings a taste of modern Latin food with a tequila twist

●     Executive Chef Corey Rakowski from 12 Acres showcases his team’s first hand knowledge of growing food and rearing livestock.

●     Levi Biddlecome, our red seal certified Asian Fusion aficionado who has used his impressive record of chef experience to open Attila The HUNgry, Edmonton’s first Asian Fusion food truck

●     Alexei Boldifreff, NAIT alumni and owner of S’WICH Food Truck, who has experience working in some of the city’s finest restaurants and a passion for producing simple dishes with big, bold flavours

Enjoy a weekend chock-full of culinary excellence brought to you by SONiC 102.9, along with everything you need to make your home design and style vision come to life. The Edmonton Fall Home Show is happening October 23-25, 2015 at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

Don't have tickets yet? Buy 'em in advance to save time and money. Right now you can get 2-for-1 tickets via Facebook. Save BIG on tickets and skip the box office line? It doesn't get much better than that!

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Upcycling: Making Your Space Uniquely You

Anyone can revamp their space with a little bit of elbow grease, but it takes a special design mind to bring real life to the room. If you think you are lacking in the creativity department, you’re likely selling yourself short. Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault, the DIY queen herself, says using your personal touch to upcycle a pre-loved piece of furniture is just what you need to take your reno to the next level.

Picture this: you’ve got your budget in place, you’ve found the perfect piece of furniture to restore, so what’s next? How can one frugal find change the entire look and feel of a room? Leigh-Ann says it’s all about originality.

“Who hasn't dreamed of having a flamingo pink antique armoire with a gold leaf interior and vintage crystal knobs?" Leigh-Ann asks. "Okay, maybe that's just me, but I don't know of a store where I could buy precisely that item. However, when I find the perfect affordable second-hand armoire, I plan to roll-up my sleeves and create the ultimate upcycle piece to showcase my style.” 

The beauty of upcycling is that you are able to use your own personal style to create a statement piece that is a one-of-a-kind conversation starter. Not to mention it can create the illusion that the whole room got a fabulous makeover. 

 “Not only does upcycling provide a creative outlet to fully showcase your personal style, but it also ensure that unique piece will be unlike anything your neighbors could buy from a generic furniture store,” explains Leigh-Ann.

If you’re not sure where to start, check out Leigh-Ann’s favourite frugal furniture finds for inspiration: solid wood accent chairs. 

"They are so easy to find and often incredibly affordable," Leigh-Ann beam. "And I particularly love them because they are quick to makeover in any colour or finish imaginable, and also can be tucked into any corner or even used as a side table or plant stand."

Or you could try upcycling an antique china cabinet or sideboard. Leigh-Ann "loves when their cold charm meets a fresh coat of chalk paint in a vibrant, unexpected hue!"

As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to upcycling old furniture. If you'd like to learn more about how to master the art of DIY, check out Leigh-Ann's presentations sponsored by Rust-Oleum at the all new Edmonton Fall Home Show, happening October 23-25, 2015 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. 

Deal Alert: Get 2-for-1 tickets to the show when you connect with us on Facebook! Buy 'em early to save big and avoid box office lines.

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Sponsor Spotlight: FLOFORM

We're thrilled to once again have the pleasure of working with FLOFORM. This innovative company is sponsoring the Calgary Home + Design Show, the Vancouver Home + Design Show, and the Edmonton Fall Home Show. Everything they do is designed to deliver homeowners the countertops they deserve, on time and on budget, for a kitchen that exceeds expectations.

For more than 50 years, FLOFORM's skilled craftspeople have been helping homeowners select, create, and install countertops with just the right balance of storage, style, and comfort. The FLOFORM team will work with you, starting with your vision and budget, and guide you through every step of the renovation process - so you and your family will love your kitchen for years to come.

Before folks can discover and explore FLOFORM's offerings and lounge at the shows, we connected with the FLOFORM team to talk trends, featured products, and more. Check out our brief interview below!

What are your featured products this season?

"Cambria has launched two new quartz designs from their Marble collection, Ella and Brittanicca. These two new designs are innovative and absolutely breathtaking. There will be more to come from Cambria in fall 2015 and spring 2016."

Ella 

Brittanicca

What can we look forward to from you at the Calgary Home + Design Show, the Vancouver Home + Design Show, and the Edmonton Fall Home Show?

"We will be highlighting the latest in innovation from Cambria. They've launched two new designs from their Marble Collection that have legendary style. Those who visit our booth will be among the first to see these in a full slab!"

What home design and decor trends are you anticipating for 2015?

"Although we are not design trend experts, here are some trends we have our eye on:

• Countertops - Whites are all the rage, especially on the west coast. Specialty edge profiles are also becoming quite popular.
• Fixtures - We are seeing a lot of warm metallics. Though silver, chrome, and stainless steel are still quite popular within kitchen fixtures, we are seeing a lot more warm metallics. Gold, copper, and bronze are great to use as accents to really make your kitchen pop.
• Sinks - Undermount sinks make your countertops standout and give your kitchen a clean and modern look. Undermount sinks make for easy cleaning as there are no edges on your countertop. Apron front sinks have an exposed panel in the front, which makes a great, eye-catching piece in your kitchen."

What is your favorite part of the Calgary Home + Design Show, the Vancouver Home + Design Show, and the Edmonton Fall Home Show?

"As an exhibitor, it is always nice to be face-to-face with a large volume of customers who are interested in your product. We have products that are engaging and we are always so excited to show them off! These shows always have the best features throughout the venue, such as the feature home, cooking stage, main stage, and of course the FLOFORM Lounge!"

What advice would you give homeowners who are starting a home improvement project?

"This goes without saying, but definitely do your research and talk to several different vendors at the show. Make sure you trust who you are working with and that they've clearly outline the scope of work for you."

There's a lot to think about when designing a custom kitchen. But with a little planning and help from FLOFORM, your renovation can be simpler and a lot more fun. Learn how FLOFORM takes the guesswork out of creating a custom kitchen by visiting them at the Marketplace Events Home Show nearest you. This skilled team will be in Calgary at the Calgary Home + Design Show, September 17-20, in Vancouver at the Vancouver Home + Design Show, October 22-25, and in Edmonton at the Edmonton Fall Home Show, October 23-25.

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