If You Go
37th Annual Spring Atlanta Home Show
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, March 20; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, March 21 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, March 22
Where: Cobb Galleria Centre, Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta 30339
Cost: $10; free ages 12 and under, or ages 65 and older (with ID)
Info: 770-798-1997, AtlantaHomeShow.com
Whether you pin design ideas online, snap photos of inspirational rooms or rip pages out of magazines, the Spring Atlanta Home Show offers an opportunity to meet remodeling and landscaping experts ready to help you confront design challenges and dreams.
“They’re looking for new things, for things that will inspire them and excite them and get them motivated,” said Debra Bobo, an interior designer with CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio in Norcross.
As Georgia’s largest home show, the event hosts more than 350 exhibitors, along with speakers and demonstrations on topics from outdoor living spaces to kitchens and baths to garages. Five exhibitors at the March 20-22 show shared their tips for updating and remodeling existing homes.
CSI Kitchen & Bath
The trends: Master bathroom suite updates are growing even more in popularity, with homeowners choosing luxurious freestanding tubs, showers and fixtures, nicer cabinets and tile, and bells and whistles such as towel warmers, hand showers and heated floors. Some homeowners are even spending more than they would in a typical kitchen renovation, said Mimi Clausen, vice president. For floors, walls and showers, porcelain tile — even with a wood-grain look — and marble are the top choices.
The style: Contemporary is on the surge, with more options and homeowners seeking cabinets with simple, clean lines. To go contemporary in a kitchen, one option is choosing European frameless cabinetry with a flat door, said designer Bobo. Subway tiles are available in larger sizes than before, and porcelain tiles also are becoming bigger.
The tip: If you're attending a home show — or visiting a kitchen or bath showroom — peek into the cabinets. By opening cabinets and drawers, you can see the LED lighting, pull-out units and other organizational tools that can keep kitchens, bathrooms and other areas of the home clutter-free.
Landscape Plans Plus
The trends: Adding decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits and arbors continues to be where homeowners invest their time and money. Paver systems are trendy because they remain more affordable than natural stone or brick, said landscape architect and company principal Bruce Holliday. Many homeowners also desire to change plants and landscape design that previous owners or builders have installed, which sometimes are overtaking walkways and windows. "They're the wrong plant. They want more color and texture," he said.
The style: Higher-end kitchens, with price tags of $10,000 and up, feature weather-resistant granite and marble countertops and bar seating, in addition to patio sets and dining tables.
The tip: Since people are staying in their homes for a longer period of time, ask about the maintenance and growth of certain plants, over three to 10 years.
Concrete Resurfacing Products
The trends: Homeowners want to transform old, ugly concrete or to fix cracks, uneven concrete and other surface issues. A stamped overlay is increasing in popularity because it gives the look of stamped concrete without having to remove and repour the concrete, said Mike Dussling, owner of the Suwanee company.
The style: Anything goes. Through the hand-coloring process, companies such as Concrete Resurfacing Products can mix and match 10 basic colors into any combination, Dussling said. "We literally take a big jumbo sponge and lightly dip it in the color and wipe it over the surface. Quite often we have a homeowner that will stand there (saying), 'I like that color, put it there, less of it here.' They'll customize their job."
The tip: The most popular colors are champagne and sahara. You can stand out in the design, instead of using unusual colors, such as green. "We try to steer them away from it," Dussling said. "I plead with them not to hold me responsible."
ShoreWall Systems
The trends: Most homeowners would love to clean up clutter in the garage — and even reclaim a parking space that has been overtaken by lawn equipment, bikes and athletic gear. "All their stuff that they don't want in the house goes in the garage," said Jared Larson, vice president of the LaGrange company.
The style: Garage kits such as those ShoreWall Systems offers are being designed to handle more weight and extend to the ceiling. The ShoreWall System, for example, can hold up to 600 pounds and has adjustable shelves, which are installed on a track system; a pegboard back is optional.
The tip: When buying a garage organization system, ask about whether it will need to be installed — which can increase the cost — or if it can be a DIY project.
Vision Stairways
The trend: "Atlanta has always been a traditional market. That's changed. We're seeing a more modern look on stairways," said Jim Lewis, owner of the Woodstock company.
The style: Stainless steel, iron and custom turned balusters are growing in demand, with people recognizing that stairs can make a strong first impression. "We look at the stairs as the largest piece of furniture in your house," Lewis said. Stairways can range from changing out balusters for $20 each to spending $5,000 or more on a new stairway design.
The tip: Don't paint your treads, Lewis said. "It's slippery and it scratches," he said. Instead, ask about stain options, which can even make the stairway look as if it is painted black.
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