Virginian-Pilot correspondent
© February 1, 2014
HAMPTON
Beat the winter blues by planning for spring with a visit to the Hampton Roads Home Garden Show next weekend.
This year’s event, presented by the Peninsula Housing and Builders Association, features flying dogs, national home-and-garden celebrities, an interior design competition and a $10,000 garden giveaway.
The event kicks off at 10 a.m. Friday and runs through Feb. 9 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.
“Exhibitors will be on hand to offer recommendations that will refresh and renew the inside of your house, plus save you money, energy and improve the air quality in your home,” said Linda Jenkins, president of the Peninsula Housing Builders Association.
Chip Wade will be one of the main speakers. He has been featured on the Atlanta team of HGTV’s “Designed to Sell,” as well as that network’s “Curb Appeal: The Block,” “Showdown” and “Design Star.”
Don Engebretson, also known as the Renegade Gardener, will cover topics such as “Crafting Cool and Creative Containers” and “Top 10 Gardening Blunders – and How to Avoid Them.” The Minnesota native is a field editor, writer and garden scout for Better Homes and Gardens magazine, writes for other publications.
“Virginia is for lovers, and I love Virginia,” Engebretson said. “It will be good to be back in coastal Virginia and share my ideas with gardeners.”
This is Engebretson’s first time at the home-and-garden show, but he has made multiple appearances in the Hampton Roads area for other events. If there is time, Engebretson hopes to do “on-the-spot” landscaping consultations after some of his presentations. Attendees are asked to bring a picture of their current or potential landscape for the consultation.
Back by popular demand will be Habitat for Humanity’s ReStoration Challenge. Three local, professional interior designers will create a room using items from the Habitat ReStores in Newport News and Williamsburg.
The designers can repurpose the items by reupholstering, repainting or reconfiguring them. Each designer will have $1,000 to decorate a 10-by-14-foot room.
Janet Green, executive director for Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg, said Habitat’s ReStores focus on recycling, and the challenge will allow show attendees to see how used items can be made to look fresh again.
“We divert tons of stuff away from landfills every day,” Green said.
All items used in the redesigned rooms will be available for purchase after the show, and the proceeds will help fund Habitat’s local building projects.
In addition to the decorating and gardening events, show-goers can watch the high-flying antics and demonstrations from the pets in John Misita’s K-9s In Flight.
Show-goers from the Peninsula have a chance to win a $10,000 garden giveaway from Landscapes by Eric Bailey. The prize includes a hardscape feature, lighting, plant material, mulch and tree care, as well as outdoor furniture. Entry forms are available during the show.
Staci Dennis, sdennis@cox.net
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If you go
What Peninsula Housing and Builders Association’s Home Garden Show
Where Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton
When 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb 7-8, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb 9
Cost $10 for general public; 12 and under are free. Active-duty military and seniors receive a $2 discount.
Parking Free
More info 757-305-9029 or visit www.hamptonroadshomeshow.com
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