If you're interested in the latest and greatest innovations in the home improvement industry, visit the Old House New House Home Show happening Friday through Sunday, Feb. 10-12, at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.
The venue will be filled with more than 250 businesses that will share decorating trends and roll out materials, designs and more.
If you go
An admission fee of $7 for adults and $4 for seniors (kids are free) gets you unlimited access to workshops and demos for ambitious do-it-yourselfers. For those who want to hire someone else for the job, there will be plenty of businesses from which to choose.
Lisle-based Kennedy Productions hosts the popular event, which got its start in 1977 in Crystal Lake with 14 companies. It has been held at Pheasant Run since 1984.
"Over the years, we've had about 10,000 people come over the three days," events producer Laura McNamara said. "There's a full range of vendors for people to explore."
Attendees can pick up a map to navigate through the attractions, which will be spread throughout the mega center, ballroom, and main hotel. They're even utilizing hallways and lobbies.
"I feel like we're brimming with displays and fun things to explore," McNamara said.
Large companies like Sleep Number and Renewal by Andersen, as well as local suburban family-owned businesses and mid-sized retailers will showcase their wares.
The weekend's highlights include a paint color forecast at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10, by Sherwin-Williams. The company will map out new trends for the year so homeowners can find out if gray is still the color you should paint your walls.
"There are four trends that they'll walk through," McNamara said. "It's a beautiful presentation and it talks about influences and why colors are popular."
On Saturday from 7 to 10 a.m., WGN Radio will broadcast live from the event, featuring Lou Manfredini's Mr. Fix-It Show, sponsored by Perma-Seal. The broadcast promises to be a big draw.
"It's so fun because it's cool to see how a radio show is put together," McNamara said. "Lou's amazing -- very knowledgeable, talented and funny."
After the broadcast, Manfredini will meet and greet guests in the Perma-Seal booth.
On Sunday, Feb. 12, at noon, Decorating Style School will feature a DIY Playbook. Also planned for the weekend are free demonstrations by Century Tile.
"They have a great fellow named 'Pete the Pro' and he'll be mixing up the materials and showing what it's like to lay tile yourself and the step-by-step instructions for those who want to tackle that kind of project," McNamara said.
The show will include green/eco-friendly vendors such as Independence Renewable Energy, which sells solar energy systems, and By the Yard, a company that turns plastic milk jugs into outdoor furniture.
"It's beautiful and durable, very appealing and functional," McNamara said. "They'll have some pieces at the show for people to look at."
For kitchen and bathroom updates, the show will feature Jim Keller Kitchen & Bath, Specialty Woodworking, Inc., and Boone Creek Cabinets. Their samples and designs will spark many project ideas.
"We as homeowners tend to spend a lot of time in both of those rooms," McNamara said. "Some people entertain in their kitchens, so that space has become so important to the way we live now."
You may even get lucky enough to win $1,000 toward your next big project if you choose to register for the grand prize drawing. The winner will be contacted by phone.
"It's always fun for us to make that call," McNamara said. "People always say, 'I really won?'"
A portion of the show's proceeds benefits Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley/ReStore Elgin.
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