That's a Wrap on the Calgary Home + Design Show!

With the end of the Calgary Home + Design Show upon us, it is now time to welcome fall with open arms 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 the hundreds of local retailers, designers and experts who made it all possible!

Missed out? Don’t fret. We’ve rounded up our favourite features and the most memorable moments.

Our favourite contractor, Bryan Baeumler, lit up the Trail Appliances Main Stage with his wife Sarah, and had fans fawning over his renovation (and marriage) know-how.

The Parker Barrow design duo returned to Calgary just in time for fall, sharing their insider tips and tricks to incorporate worldly touches into your home.

Things got cookin’ on the Trail Appliances Cooking Stage with the Samsung Junior Chef Challenge, hosted by chef Pierre Lamielle. Congrats to Calgary’s own Ryley Pochapsky, who walked away with $5,000 worth of Samsung appliances for his family’s kitchen - not to mention a hip pair of Samsung headphones for himself.

Guests couldn’t resist the Ultimate Upcycle Challenge: Take A Seat - all 10 entries were scooped up and given a second chance at life! Designs by local media personalities, designers and tastemakers raised $1,295 for Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, thanks to their creative takes on pre-loved items of choice. Congrats to Melissa Wagner of Interiors to Inspire for scoring the top bid of $250.

And, don’t forget to mark your calendars! Catch even more fantastic features and celebrity guests at the Calgary Home + Garden Show, happening February 25 – February 28 at the BMO Centre & Corral. Stay tuned to our website for more details, coming soon.

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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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CHEF KNOWS BEST AT THE CALGARY HOME + DESIGN SHOW

This fall at the Calgary Home + Design Show, we’re proving that chef really does know best. From September 18-21, 2014 at BMO Centre, catch your favourite foodies as they dish out delicious dining ideas on the Trail Appliances Cooking Stage. From sweet to savoury (and always insanely scrumptious), these chefs have something in store for everyone.

Before you meet them on stage, say hello to our talented line up.

Chef Corbin Tomaszeski

Celebrity Chef

Chef Corbin earned his claim to fame in the Food Network’s Crash My Kitchen and has since made a flock of faithful fans. This fall, catch him doing double-duty hosting and judging the Samsung Cooking Challenge: Tag Team Kitchen. He’ll select the winners (along with a panel of esteemed local culinarians) and the top home cook will walk away with $5,000 worth of Samsung Chef Collection appliances for their own kitchen.

When: Saturday, September 20 at 1PM (Samsung Cooking Challenge: Tag Team Kitchen) and Sunday, September 21 at 12PM (cooking demonstration)

Chef Tomo Mitsuno

Executive Chef, Goro + Gun

Born and raised in Osaka, Japan, Chef Tomo Mitsuno attributes his love of cooking to his grandfather, who always encouraged him to try new food. Before seeing him on stage, you can meet this busy chef at one of his many restaurants in Calgary, including: Blowfish Sushi, Wild Orchid, Ubu Lounge and his latest venture, Goro + Gun. 

When: Saturday, September 20 at 5PM and Sunday, September 21 at 1PM 

Ashley Rogers

Lead Gelatiere, Fiasco Gelato

If it’s something sweet you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. A Vancouver expat, Ashley Rogers traded her love of flaky pastries for frozen desserts as Fiasco Gelato’s Lead Gelatiere. We can’t wait to see what she has in store – we know it will be delicious.

When: Friday, September 19 at 3PM

Sharon McCormick

Owner, Poppy Innovations

Goodbye bran! Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring. The desire to create healthy and tasty dishes led Sharon McCormick to open Poppy Innovations, offering “gate to plate” programs and workshops that teach about growing, harvesting and cooking. Share in Sharon’s enthusiasm for fresh cooking and learn a thing or two about cooking with ingredients that are as delicious as they are wholesome.

When: Friday, September 19 at 1PM and 4PM

Carolyne McIntyre Jackson & Jodi Willoughby

Owners, Crave Cupcakes

Have a sweet tooth? Then you can’t miss this sister act. Carolyn McIntyre Jackson and Jodi Willoughby teamed up to create Crave Cupcakes in 2004 to bring their love of good old-fashioned fresh baking to Calgary. With a decade of sweet treats under their belts, we promise you’ll leave inspired to create your own oh-so-good solutions.

When: Friday, September 19 at 2PM

Catch these culinary innovators and more this September at the Calgary Home + Design Show.
Remember, it pays to buy your tickets online! 

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Summer Sneak Peek at the Calgary Home + Design Show

With the sun blazing down and backyard barbeques filling up your social calendar, it’s easy to forget that fall is only a couple of months away. Though we love the ice cream, lazy Sundays at the lake and dining al fresco that summer brings, we can’t wait for fall to arrive – and with it, the Calgary Home + Design Show. What’s in store this year, you’re wondering? Short answer: lots. 

Here’s a sneak peek at our top five things to see at the Calgary Home + Design Show, happening September 18-21 at the BMO Centre.

1. Trail Appliances Cooking Stage

Stop by to meet Calgary’s best-known chefs and foodies at the Trail Appliances Cooking Stage. You’ll catch Tomo Mitsumo, owner and chef of Goro + Gun, and other top chefs from Poppy Innovations, Crave Cookies & Cupcakes, Fiasco Gelato and Downtownfood. Plus, don’t miss the Samsung Cooking Challenge: Tag Team Kitchen, featuring three home cooks partnered with three top chefs in a battle for culinary supremacy, hosted by Chef Corbin Tomaszeski. We have no doubt you’ll find inspiration for your own culinary creations!

2. ChairLIFT

If you’re going to sit, you may as well do so in style. Local media personalities, designers and tastemakers will each upcycle a pre-loved chair with Rust-Oleum products and a $50 budget (plus a little elbow grease) for silent auction, with 100% of proceeds benefitting Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta and its affiliated ReStore Calgary. Bid on your favourites for a chance to walk away with a one-of-a-kind masterpiece and the pride of knowing you helped support a worthy cause.

3. Life Hack 

If disorderly junk drawers and difficult DIYs are bringing you down, this is the place for you! Learn how to live a clutter-free life with inspiration from the students of the Bow Valley Interior Decorating program and get the down low on clever tricks, tactics and shortcuts to keep your life organized on the cheap. Like to get social? Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for the chance to share your life hack – it might be featured at the show!

4. Food Truck Alley & Eatery presented by CJAY92

You asked, we delivered. YYC Food Trucks presented by CJAY92 are back by popular demand, with delicious offerings from Calgary’s favourite driving diners. Fiasco Gelato, Subs n’ Bubbles, Bento Burrito, Waffles & Chix and more, will be on site to satiate your appetite. You’ll find this mouthwatering fare just outside the south entrance to the BMO Centre.

5. Ask a Designer

Up your style quotient, free of charge! Bring in those colour swatches, fabric samples and floor plans - now is your time to ask a designer. Alberta’s top interior designers, like Wanda Weston of WW Designs, Paige Johnston of Lux Design, Suzy Leslie of Alterior Design Inc and Nyla Free of Nyla Free Design, will be on-site to offer up no fuss, no muss design know-how in 10 minutes or less – just the right amount of time to make magic happen in your home.

Are you as excited as we are for these fine features? We have so much more in store for you this fall, be sure to buy your tickets to the Calgary Home + Design Show online early for the best deals!

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