The Philadelphia Home Show had it's opening day yesterday and I was there! The home show is open today, January 19, and January 20. It will also be open next weekend on January 24, 25, and 26th. The home show is the Philadelphia area's showcase of the newest trends, products, and ideas in home building, renovation, and decorating. If you are in the market for any of these services or products this is the place to find them. There are rows and rows of vendors offering information on their products and services often with special pricing at the show.
I was amazed at the quality of products available to update, upgrade or start new with your home. From kitchens, bathrooms, pool, patios, and other living spaces you will find it all under the Philadelphia Convention Center's roof.
My tips for visiting the Philadelphia Home Show:
- Visit the home show's web site for the schedule, ticket information, and directions at PhillyHomeShow.com.
- Free parking and shuttle available at the Sugar House Casino to and from the show.
- Review the schedule to see when Ahmed Hassan, formerly of DIY Network’s Yard Crashers,and John DeSilvia of DIY’s Under Construction and Run My Renovation will be at the show.
- Pick up a free copy of House & Home when you enter the show for a map and event schedule.
- Wear comfortable Shoes and clothing.
- There is food for purchase at the show or you can head across the street to the Reading Terminal Market, which is what we did for lunch.
- There are plenty of freebies available like tote bags, pens, pencils, magnets, and other loot so pick up what interests you.
My top picks of what to see and do at the show:
1. Crafty Camper. Denise Sabia has transformed a camper into an adorable mobile craft workshop and market. Visit her at CraftyCamper.net and on her blog The Painted Home. This is my favorite exhibit at the show, even though I would love a new kitchen or bathroom from the show, the Crafty Camper gets my #1 pick of what to see and do at the show because we had a similar trailer when I was growing up, just not as cute at the Crafty Camper.
2. Simon’s Sticker Room by IKEA: A room with a message.This room started out as a white room with furnishings from IKEA. The idea is to let show guests take a sheet of heart stickers (provided by IKEA at the show) and place them anywhere in the room they choose. The thought behind this is to raise awareness for Simon's Fund with screenings and education. Be sure to stop by and put your heart out there!
This is the room when we visited the show on the first day in the morning. They want the room to be full of hearts, so do your part and decorate.
3. Habitat for Humanity’s Unhinged Challenge: DIY bloggers, celebrity experts, and style makers took part in the Ultimate Upcycle Challenge. Their task was to re-purpose a door from the Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia ReStore location. My pick for the most creative.useful, and worthy of voting for your favorite project daily on the Facebook page.
You can vote for your favorite upcycled project and all items are for sale too. Read about blogger Kim Wardell's upcycled project on her blog Design Life Kids that is on display at the Philadelphia Home Show. Take a look at her upcycled door:
(photo above courtesy of Kim Wardell, Design Life Kids)
4. Family Day on Monday, January 20, It will be a day filled with activities for kids and families. All kids under 12 get in FREE and since it is a holiday it's most likely a day off school so take the kid to the Philadelphia Home Show.
4. Family Day on Monday, January 20, It will be a day filled with activities for kids and families. All kids under 12 get in FREE and since it is a holiday it's most likely a day off school so take the kid to the Philadelphia Home Show.
5. Hero Day on Friday, January 24 help celebrate our local military, fire fighters and police officers. Invite them to go to the show with you. They receive one free ticket when they show their military ID.
Disclosure: I received a press pass to the Philadelphia Home show for this post.
The comments and views are my own.