Preparing for the Home Show
It’s a new year, with new experiences and projects right around the corner. This is the time of year when we kitchen designers start gearing up for the spring remodeling and building season. Homeowners have been inside thinking about their new projects and are getting stir crazy, tired of the snow and cold weather. There’s relief in sight, and it’s called the Official Spring Home Show.
Lisa Scott, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Peoria, has been getting ready for the 2004 Official Spring Home Show since last March. The home show will take place February 27 to 29 at the Peoria Civic Center. There will be about 220 companies in 450 booth spaces. Approximately 35 home builders will be in attendance, along with landscaping companies, countertop suppliers, and, of course, kitchen design firms. The Peoria Civic Center will be transformed with beautiful plants, flowers, and even a completely furnished and landscaped modular home constructed just for the weekend. Scott said this show has the distinction of being the largest consumer home show in central Illinois.
In addition to this home show, Scott announced a show will take place February 13 to 15 at the new East Peoria Convention Center. The Home, Lawn and Garden Expo will feature lawn and garden companies in 200 booth spaces and will also have a modular home built on site.
We’ve been designing our booth display for a couple months now. This year, we’ll be using the display in the Peoria show, the Bloomington-Normal Home Builders Show in March, and then add it to the Bloomington showroom. Deciding what to showcase is sometimes challenging, since we want to highlight a popular cabinet style and finish, accessories, and appliances. This year, we’ll feature a maple cabinet with a pewter glaze, "limestone" engineered countertops, and an off-white cottage-style island on bun feet with a two-inch-thick Brazilian Cherry wood top. In addition, there will be high-end stainless steel appliances and a bath vignette.
Before you go, prepare a list of questions for the vendors you want to visit. Normally, this isn’t the place to bring your blueprints. Instead, pick up plenty of business cards and make follow-up calls the week after the show. Make plans now to stop by one of these home shows and get ready for spring. TPW
Lisa Scott, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Peoria, has been getting ready for the 2004 Official Spring Home Show since last March. The home show will take place February 27 to 29 at the Peoria Civic Center. There will be about 220 companies in 450 booth spaces. Approximately 35 home builders will be in attendance, along with landscaping companies, countertop suppliers, and, of course, kitchen design firms. The Peoria Civic Center will be transformed with beautiful plants, flowers, and even a completely furnished and landscaped modular home constructed just for the weekend. Scott said this show has the distinction of being the largest consumer home show in central Illinois.
In addition to this home show, Scott announced a show will take place February 13 to 15 at the new East Peoria Convention Center. The Home, Lawn and Garden Expo will feature lawn and garden companies in 200 booth spaces and will also have a modular home built on site.
We’ve been designing our booth display for a couple months now. This year, we’ll be using the display in the Peoria show, the Bloomington-Normal Home Builders Show in March, and then add it to the Bloomington showroom. Deciding what to showcase is sometimes challenging, since we want to highlight a popular cabinet style and finish, accessories, and appliances. This year, we’ll feature a maple cabinet with a pewter glaze, "limestone" engineered countertops, and an off-white cottage-style island on bun feet with a two-inch-thick Brazilian Cherry wood top. In addition, there will be high-end stainless steel appliances and a bath vignette.
Before you go, prepare a list of questions for the vendors you want to visit. Normally, this isn’t the place to bring your blueprints. Instead, pick up plenty of business cards and make follow-up calls the week after the show. Make plans now to stop by one of these home shows and get ready for spring. TPW