Austin has plenty of stores that cater to your home and garden needs. But, let’s face it, it’s pretty cold out, and it would be kind of nice to explore a whole bunch of home remodeling, decoration and gadgetry all in one, warm place.
This weekend, if a blitz of home products, celebrity home improvement personalities and workshops sounds appealing, you can have it all.
The Austin Home and Garden Show, now in its 16th year, opens Friday at 2 p.m. at the Austin Convention Center downtown. It features home energy efficiency and renovation seminars each day. It has a “Kids Zone” with crafts, movies and remote controlled models. Last Chance Forever will offer a birds of prey show, the Capitol of Texas Zoo plans to have a few critters on hand, and the Austin Humane Society will be there offer pet adoptions.
Along with the latest trends in patio and home stylings, the show also has an area dedicated to tiny houses. The small homes, typically under 800 square feet, are among the latest trends in alternative living in the United States.
Meanwhile, students of the Art Institute of Austin will design three interiors as part of a competition for scholarship money.
Gardeners can learn about caring for roses from Travis County Master Gardener Holly Plotner and explore the possibilities of gardening with drought resistant plants with Master Gardener Cheryl Harrison. And homeowners can take a crash course in harvesting rainwater.
Perhaps the most anticipated seminar is the “10 Things We Learned While Renovating Our Home on National Television” discussion with Brandon and Jen Hatmaker, who were featured on HGTV’s “My Big Family Renovation.” The Buda couple was featured on the show during a six-month makeover of their 100-year-old home.
Entry is $8.50, or $6.50 for seniors.