2015 Idea Center
Check back soon for information about the 2016 Home Remodeling Fair Idea Center.
The Idea Center is packed full of a wide variety of experts ready to answer your home and garden questions. At the "Ask a Pro" booth in the Idea Center, architects, landscape architects, certified kitchen designers and interior designers provide free, no-obligation advice, and people are encouraged to bring photos, sketches and questions.
All Day in the Idea Center
Ask the Pro
Architects, master gardeners, interior designers, arborists, certified kitchen designers, and landscape designers will be on hand all day to talk with you about your remodeling, decorating, or landscaping ideas at no charge or obligation. Bring photos of your existing space and any plans or sketches you’ve developed.
Volunteers include:
- architects and certified kitchen designers:
-- Robert Hartranft (Harts Design)
-- Tan Nguyen (Nguyen Architects, Inc.)
-- Gene Nicolelli, Jr., AIA
-- Michael Anschel and Scott Barsness
(Otogawa-Anschel Design/Build)
--Charles Habiger, AIA, CID
(THPA Architects & Planners)
- landscape architects:
-- Richard Woldorsky (Bachman's
Landscaping)
--Tylor Wortz and Tom Hoese
(Magnolia Landscape & Design Co.)
- interior designer Paulette Goodno (Transformations Interior Design)
- arborist Manuel Jordan (Heritage Shade Tree Consultants)
- Master Gardeners from the Hennepin County Master Gardener program
Remodeling Plan Books
Remodeling Plan Books featuring remodeling ideas for Cape Cods and split entries will be available at the fair for $5. These books show existing floor plans and three-dimensional sketches of the remodeled space. The books also offer tips to ensure the finished remodeling project fits with the original architecture. These books are a joint project of the 14 Twin Cities suburbs.
Radon, Lead, & Indoor Air Pollution
Environmental Health Specialists will staff an Indoor Air Pollution booth in the Idea Center and answer questions on radon and mitigation, lead hazards and other common indoor air pollutants like mold. Radon detection test kits will be available for $5. Stop by for a chance to win a free Radon detection test kit.
Green Remodeling Advice
A representative will be on hand from Minnesota GreenStar to discuss how you can make your home more resource- and energy-efficient, healthy, beautiful, and sustainable. Come learn how to affordably “green” your renovation project inside and out and learn the value of getting your project certified.
Planting for Clean Water
Representatives from Blue Thumb and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District will be on hand to discuss how the Planting for Clean Water™ program makes it easy for residents interested in doing their part to protect and improve water quality, including information on planting native gardens, rain gardens, turf management, community clean ups, stormwater education programs, grants and more.
Remodeling Recycling Resources
Staff members from Better Futures Minnesota will be available to answer questions about how you can utilize their services to recycle building materials. Better Futures recycles appliances, kitchens, baths, and fixtures using a method of deconstruction which reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, creates jobs, and typically reduces the overall cost of your remodeling project because the materials reused or recycled are tax deductible.
Keeping Your Home Safe – Fire Safety and Carbon Monoxide Detection
A Fire Safety Specialist will share advice and answer your questions about keeping your home safe from fire and carbon monoxide dangers. There have been many advances and changes to fire codes regarding smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. By taking some basic and common sense precautions, most fires in the home and illnesses or deaths from carbon monoxide can be prevented.