St. Charles Old House New House Home Show Returns to Pheasant Run Resort This Weekend.

A Welcome from Our Event Founder

I’m a handy gal… I always have been; I truly enjoy working around my home.  Over the years I have tackled many do-it-yourself projects in my 1920’s English Tudor, such as refinishing furniture, wallpapering, landscaping my yard and restoring woodwork trim.  I have a few toolboxes with excellent gear, from pliers to small and large crowbars.  My favorite is a fishing tackle box filled with helpful implements and fasteners.  I’m also the proud owner of a new toolbox, a red Craftsman on wheels with drawers.

There are many projects I’m comfortable diving into, however, some are just beyond reach.  My favorite thing about The Old House New House Home Show is that it picks right up where my skills end.  With so many talented contractors, savvy designers, cutting-edge manufacturers, repair specialists and skilled craftsmen participating, I always know who to call when that next big project comes up.

People often ask me about the name of the show, Old House New House.  My husband and I felt that it celebrated the spirit of transformation that comes with remodeling, renovation and home improvement.  This idea took hold in 1983 when we completed a three-story addition on the back of our home.  We were able to retain the charm and mystique of an older home, and at the same time embrace the modern conveniences and comforts available with new spaces. 

Whether building a new home, enhancing an older home, modernizing existing rooms, making-over tired spaces or maintaining your current surroundings, I hope you catch the spark of creativity you are looking for to tackle projects with ease.  Happy home improvements!

Joanne Kennedy is the Founder and President of Kennedy Productions, Inc.  Since 1984, she has been happily hosting, managing and producing The Old House New House Home Show with her daughters and her outstanding staff.

Big Visions for Small Projects

– By David M. Dolby

The last decade has presented one distinctive and significant architectural trend: the transition from new construction to home improvement.  After the early decade’s high volume of new home construction lowered, homeowners instead began evaluating their existing homes to find alternative solutions. For the past few years, my architectural firm has concentrated on designing remodels and additions to already-existing homes.  After searching for lots to build on or bargain homes to purchase, homeowners have decided that improving current homes is the best solution to satisfy their needs. 

Anyone considering a remodeling or construction project should first consult an experienced and trustworthy architect.  Of course you should contact an architect for large projects, but don’t hesitate to contact an architect for the small projects.  Many architects excel with small projects and by way of smart design are able to save their clients money.  Whatever the scale of the project, often times the money saved in construction costs as a result of smart design exceeds the cost of the architect.

An architect can bring to life a bigger vision than a client thought possible.  In many cases, a simple rear addition can create an open family room and new kitchen layout, which provides the heart of the home with more livable space.  A second floor addition can give a house a master suite with all the luxurious amenities homeowners are currently seeking.  Sometimes, a home simply cries for an exterior face lift to make a tired front more attractive. These solutions can be small, simple and affordable but have a tremendous impact on the overall comfort and allure of a home.

David M. Dolby, is a Licensed Architect and President of ALA Architects & Planners, Inc.  Dolby has been in business for 22 years and currently has a total of 4 licensed architects and 5 designers on staff.  Visit Booth #610 or www.ALAArchitects.com for more information. 

Butterfly Gardening - Hosting the Regal Monarch – By Monica Buckley

There is nothing as graceful as a monarch butterfly sailing with strong wing strokes over the garden wall, and few moments as enjoyable as when that butterfly stays to visit, floating from flower to flower. Often, monarchs come in groups to frolic together in the sun, a spectacle that gardeners across America have come to cherish. 

Monarch adult and caterpillar on butterfly milkweed.

Photo by Alex James Bramwell.

Adult monarchs need plenty of nectar to fuel their legendary migration to and from the mountains of central Mexico, and butterfly-loving gardeners often plant nectar-heavy flowers to attract them. But equally essential to the monarch’s survival are the plants they lay their eggs on—the only plants their caterpillars are able to eat: the milkweeds. To really support the monarch, cultivate its food plants and learn to accept some leaf damage—the sign of happily growing baby monarchs. Their nibbles rarely harm these perennial plants.

There are many species of milkweed, and some are exceptionally beautiful. They grow to various heights and feature flowers in a range of colors including pink, purple, white, yellow and orange. There is a milkweed to complement every garden. All milkweeds fit in naturalized gardens with other native plants, but many can also work in the traditional border or cottage garden.

Each milkweed has its preferred ecological niche. The intensely fire-orange, short-statured butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), for example, doesn’t like wet feet and prefers sandy soil. Most of us know the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) from the empty lots and open fields of our childhoods. It is tall, spreads easily, and is quite happy in a range of conditions. Asclepias incarnata, AKA rose, red, or swamp milkweed, is a pretty, dark pink milkweed that doesn’t mind clay and periods of inundation. Unlike butterfly milkweed, this one doesn’t like dry soils. The stunning white Asclepias perennis can tolerate a bit of shade. The intensely colored purple milkweed, Asclepias purpurascens, has a habit much like common milkweed but does not spread. There are several other gorgeous milkweeds native to our area.

Learning which species are suited to your conditions can help you incorporate these important native plants into a garden that will host the entire lifecycle of the regal monarch. It takes a monarch less than a month to go from egg to adult, and in the northern summer our gardens can support as many as four generations before migration begins in the fall. 

It has become essential, if our children are to enjoy these beautiful creatures, that city and suburban areas host healthy stands of milkweed. Developed complexes with lawns have taken over much of its habitat; farmland is now planted with roundup-ready crops, preventing wildflowers such as milkweeds from growing between the rows.  Woodlands and prairies, with the full complement of native plants, are now extremely rare. 

More and more, it is up to gardeners to provide the native plants that many of our butterflies require. For the monarch, it’s the milkweed. Plant some in your garden, or consult a native plant nursery or landscaper to choose the right combinations for your conditions.

Monica Buckley works with Art Gara, founder and owner of Art and Linda’s Wildflowers, a native plant landscaping company serving the Chicago area. Art and Linda’s uses many species of milkweed in its native plant wildflower gardens, which are ideal for attracting many kinds of butterflies, birds, and other creatures. Visit www.artandlindaswildflowers.com or Ballroom Booth # 808 or for more information.

Solid Ground – A Guide to Selecting Flooring

Whether you plan on installing new flooring in one room or throughout your entire home, there are thousands of options available to help you make a statement. A vast variety of materials, colors, textures and patterns can combine to compliment every room in your home. Follow my simple suggestions to help you narrow your focus and find the perfect floor for your home.

Decide on Decor
Decide what look and feel you want for the specific rooms. Flooring is often referred to as the fifth wall in home decorating and is a key design element in setting the ambiance of a room. I call this the “WOW” factor. You can make a statement in a room with a patterned carpet. Textured floors add visual interest. Vary the width on plank flooring or set wood on a diagonal for effect. Darker of flooring can add depth and drama to a room while a neutral carpet can be a great backdrop for bold furnishings.

Lifestyle Logistics
Do you have an active home with children and pets? Do you like to entertain? Will the area have to weather heavy foot traffic? These aspects will influence the products you select from as some flooring types are more durable than others. Remember, flooring should enhance your home, but needs to be chosen for its practicality too.

Location Location
Always factor in room conditions so that your flooring is best serving its purpose. Will this be a wet area? Is it above or below grade? Are the temperatures cool or warm? Is sound an issue? Is your comfort more important? Remember your goal for that particular room and choose the right floor for the job.

How About Health
Take into consideration allergies and other health issues when selecting your floors. Anyone with serious allergies should steer away from certain types of carpet, which
could retain dust, mites and dander. There are good hypo-allergenic alternatives such as tile, wood, cork, bamboo, and some vinyl products for a better fit.

Best for Budget
What is your budget for this flooring project? Set a limit of what you are comfortable spending and then price out options. Although some products may cost more, if they wear better over time and last longer, they are a better value in the long run.

Go Green
There are many options for eco-friendly flooring such as bamboo, cork, wools, polyester and vinyl. Remember, let’s save the Earth one floor at a time.

Trending
Cork is becoming a main-stream material for flooring. It has moisture-resistant qualities, a soft, cushioning effect, is low-maintenance, can offer some insulation and absorbs sound as well.

Carlos Martinez is a Residential & Commercial Flooring Specialist with Family Flooring America. Visit Booth # 147 or www.wefloor.com for more information.

Transformation Exhilaration

There’s a certain rush that comes with witnessing a home renovation. Hanging a building permit can be nerve-wracking. How will your lives be disrupted? How long will the project take to complete?

The demolition can even seem a little scary. Will your home ever look the same again? But as a project starts to take shape, and the contractors begin to work their magic, the excitement undoubtedly unfolds and the transformation exhilaration begins.

The Old House New House Home Show is a wonderful forum to investigate options and discover ways to unlock some transformation potential in your home. Perhaps you have an unfinished basement that could become a gaming center, gathering space, in-law quarters, dance or yoga studio. Maybe you are considering a kitchen or bath renovation or an addition. A fresh coat of paint, maybe with chalkboard or magnetic options, can add new dimensions to a children’s play room. New window treatments can dress up a room visually and also add practical insulating benefits. Adding a mud room, lockers or a hobby room can help to keep things organized with everyday living.

Assimilating technology into everyday living is another exciting frontier that
can bring transformation exhilaration. Custom entertainment centers help dress up the electronics in our homes. Lightweight, ultra-thin flat panel screens and motorized lifts for screen storage are becoming more mainstream along with automated controls for lighting, window treatments and home security. Integrating computers and mobile devices with wireless technology will surely impact the ways we all enjoy home living.

As a Producer of The Old House New House Home Show, I enjoy interacting
with so many qualified craftsmen, creative designers, skilled contractors and remodeling specialists who can help to update, renovate and makeover living spaces.

Seeing new products and services to simplify or streamline the flow and functionality of our home is always inspiring. Tips from the trades offered in workshops and presentations have always helped me learn the language of projects and make well-informed decisions. Maybe I’m a habitual home remodeler... always exploring ways to improve howalways seeing the potential for transformation. I guess I have the right job then.

Laura McNamara is a Producer of The Old House New House Home Show, and transforming her West Suburban fixer-upper, one exhilarating project at a time.

St. Charles IL, Home Improvement Show - September 29-30

Join us on September 29-30, 2012 as the Old House New House Home Show Returns to Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, IL. We are the largest, most innovative and longest-running home show in the Chicago area. This bi-annual event features 300 award-winning contractors, creative craftsmen and distinguished experts. Spectacular displays, cutting-edge workshops, appealing attractions and state-of-the-art products focus on home improvement, home life and enjoyment. This unique forum brings together hundreds of professionals and thousands of project-driven homeowners.

Kennedy Productions has presented consumer shows of distinction since 1977. It is well-established, consistently attractive and selective, making it the finest, most highly-anticipated home show in the area. Events are characterized with an astute attention to detail, professional management and extraordinary client service. The Old House New House Home Show is well-established, consistently attractive and selective

Fall 2012 Press Release

Old House New House Home Show® Returns with Ideas, Information and Inspiration

for Homeowners

ST. CHARLES, Ill. –– Join 300 of the area’s award-winning contractors, talented designers, creative craftsmen, skilled carpenters, landscape architects and home maintenance specialists at The Old House New House Home Show,^® September 29 and 30.  Learn practical pointers, design basics and tips from the trades at Pheasant Run Resort, located at 4051 E. Main Street (North Avenue) in St. Charles. Now in its 28th year, this best-in-class event attracts thousands of homeowners in search of solutions for home improvement projects.  Show hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $7; seniors (62+) and children (under 18) attend free. Parking is free. A portion of the ticket proceeds benefits The Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, the partner philanthropy based in Elgin.

Homeowners can see the latest trends in kitchens, baths, basements, additions, architecture, landscaping, roofing, waterproofing, flooring, tile design, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, painting, decorating and more.  Catch the spark of creativity from industry experts, share ideas and gather the resources to tackle home improvements with ease. This outstanding event helps homeowners research options, de-mystify projects and learn the language of renovation. Attendees can meet experts face-to-face, learn important factors to consider and make well-informed decisions for any home improvements, large or small.

A variety of workshops are included with admission:

Lou Manfredini, Mr. Fix It Enjoy Lou’s humorous, helpful and hands-on approach to homeownership on Sunday at Noon.  From maintenance and upkeep to cutting-edge green renovations, Lou shares his expertise and enthusiasm for home improvements. 

New This Year, “10 Steps to the Perfect Room” Sally Morse, Creative Director of Hunter Douglas will present this workshop loaded with practical pointers and decorating  know-how at 1 p.m. each day.  This dynamic presenter has her finger on the pulse of new trends for color and design.

Learn the Secrets to a Great Kitchen  The award-winning design team from Normandy Remodelers will present this wildly popular workshop at 2 p.m. each day.  Learn the components of an eye-catching layout, maximize flow and functionality and enjoy engaging “before and after” photos.  E-mail photos of your kitchen challenges to info@kennedyproductions.com. Designers will select and spotlight a few key projects for inclusion in the workshop and a fresh outlook.

Dreaming of  a New Bathroom?  Scott Skiermanski of Stoneridge Builders will present this new workshop at Noon on Saturday.  See the latest trends in beautiful bathrooms and discover how to create a comfortable, luxurious and updated space.    

Healthy Home VNA Flu Shot Clinic  Keep your home healthy this fall with the Visiting Nurses Flu Shot Clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

One lucky homeowner will win the Grand Prize, a $1,000 home show gift certificate to use with the exhibitor of choice. No purchase necessary. See website for contest rules and past prize winners.

The remodeling trend continues to stay strong as many homeowners look to improve rather than move.  The Old House New House Home Show provides an excellent opportunity for enhancing, beautifying and reviving living spaces.  Explore new products and discover the possibilities to makeover, renovate, rehab and enjoy home surroundings to the fullest potential. For a current exhibitor list, directions to Pheasant Run, contest rules, or a printable $1 off admission coupon, please visit www.kennedyproductions.com or call 630/515-1160 for more information.

About Kennedy Productions, Inc.

Since 1977, the Kennedy family has been carefully crafting, presenting, managing and hosting quality events, including the bi-annual Old House New House^® Home Show at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles. This women-owned business researches and selects top-notch companies with cutting-edge products and superior services to provide a reliable resource for homeowners. For more information, please visit www.kennedyproductions.com