Looking to build or remodel a house? Hoping to enhance outdoor space? The Tri-State Home Show is the place to go for ideas.
The 44th annual show will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center next weekend. It's sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Southern Tennessee.
"We promote and protect the home building industry," said Teresa Groves, spokeswoman for the association.
Attendees will be able to make their way among 435 booths and more than 200 vendors offering tile, flooring, windows, landscaping, heating/cooling and scores of other services.
Several giveaways will be offered and children's activities provided.
Seniors receive a $2 discount on Friday, a donated canned good is worth a $1 discount on Saturday. On Sunday, bring a bulletin from your particular house of worship and a $2 donation will be contributed to the house of worship.
IF YOU GO
* What: 44th annual Tri-State Home Show.
* When: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Feb. 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 28.
* Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St.
* Admission: $7 adults, children 16 and under free
* Phone: 624-9992.
* Web site: www.hbast.org.
KEY TRENDS
We asked several exhibitors at this year's Tri-State Home Show to identify five key trends in the industry.
1. Backyard as outdoor oasis.
"People are trying to stay home and are spending the money to make a backyard look like a resort," said David Bradshaw, general manager of Home and Lawn Care Services Inc. Outdoor kitchens are often a popular element of these transformations.
His company offers a full range of outdoor living services, including outdoor kitchens, landscaping, water features, pergolas and fire pits, to turn to the landscape into a "masterpiece," Mr. Bradshaw said.
2. Kitchen as "living" room.
"The kitchen is becoming the focal point in homes, not just for cooking but for entertaining or a family gathering place," said kitchen designer Bill Byles of Wood Hollow Cabinets Inc., a custom cabinet design center and showroom. Another trend involves hand glazing the outside of cabinets for an old-fashioned, worn look, he said.
4. Shower as spa. Tricked-out shower systems featuring rain heads, body-spray fixtures and handheld attachments are the big trend for master bathrooms, said Chris Finley, branch manager of the Noland Co., which markets commercial and residential bath fixtures, faucets, jetted tubs, shower systems, vanities and bathtubs.
Bathroom vanities made to resemble furniture are also growing in popularity, he said.
5. Design elements as artwork.
Mountain City Tile sells and installs ceramic and porcelain tile, granite and quartz countertops, and hardwood and laminate flooring.
"Glass tile is quite popular in kitchen backsplashes as well as showers," said sales manager David Harris. A trendy way to use glass tile, he said, is to use multiple, small, colored tiles to create a mosaic.
Kitchen backsplashes formed from different elements -- stone and metal, for example -- are also favored by homeowners.