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Find ideas at Old House New House Home Show in St. Charles

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.

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.

  Kathy Lazzara of East Dundee checks out some all-weather outdoor furniture by By the Yard, Inc. at the Old House New House Show in St. Charles. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
Pamela Coslet of Geneva-based Vineyard Chic Kitchens will be presenting the daily kitchen design workshop at the Old House New House Home Show. Courtesy of Vineyard Chic Kitchens
John Habermeier of West Chicago-based Synergy Builders will present the daily beautiful bathrooms workshop at the Old House New House Home Show. Courtesy of Synergy Builders
Pete the Pro and Mark Carlson of Century Tile will conduct hands-on, do-it-yourself demonstrations on tiling in their booth at the Old House New House Home Show in St. Charles. Courtesy of Kennedy Productions
A portion of the proceeds from the Old House New House Home Show will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley and the ReStore Elgin. Courtesy of Kennedy Productions
The Old House New House Home Show will include a variety of displays such as this marble countertop by Ultimate Stone, based in Elk Grove Village. Courtesy of Kennedy Productions

If you go

What: Old House New House Home Show, featuring the latest in home remodeling, renovation, building and repair. Includes vendors, exhibitors, workshops and a grand prize drawing.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday, Feb. 10-12

Where: Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles.

Cost: Adult admission is $7; seniors older than 62, $4; free for children younger than 18. Free parking.

Details: <a href="http://www.kennedyproductions.com">www.kennedy productions.com</a>

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