Remodeling show brings project ideas to public

Visitors to this year's Home Builders Association Remodeling Show will find ideas for all types and sizes of projects. Charlyce Ruth, HBA office manager, said that remodeling doesn't have to mean anything as drastic as adding a room or replacing an entire kitchen.

"It can be as simple as replacing lighting in your house or painting a room or changing the dcor," Ruth said.

About 90 vendors will be on hand to provide information and advice at the show, which is in its third year, Ruth said. She stressed that homeowners who want a new look without spending a lot of money will benefit from attending the show.

"Putting a new mirror in your bathroom can totally change the look of the entire room, but you haven't spent thousands of dollars, and it looks great."

On display

White River Hardwoods, Woodworks Inc. has participated in the show every year. Manager Ron Spellman said a lot of people use vinyl windows when remodeling because they don't realize there is a wood window available. White River will have a new model wood window on display at the show. For an inexpensive price a person can remodel using a "good solid, wood window," Spellman said.

"You don't lose that look of wood and you can save some money."

Spellman said a homeowner can save $100 to $150 per window by using a tilt pack instead of installing a new window.

The wood windows are designed for any houses that have double-hung windows. White River will conduct seminars during the HBA Remodeling Show to explain the wood tilt-pack remodel units.

Pella Windows and Doors, which also is participating in the show, now offers replacement windows in addition to new units. Mike Benna, sales manager, said Pella will have window units on display that are often the same price or less than vinyl windows.

Pella will also display eye-catching windows and doors with mini-blinds or pleated shades tucked behind a pane of glass. The "slim shade" mini-blinds and pleated shades are available in several different colors, Benna said. They can be used in hinged or sliding glass doors.

The Personal Valet

Jamie Baird, owner of the local California Closets franchise, is no stranger to the HBA Remodeling Show. At her booth this year, she'll be showcasing a new product, the Whirlpool Personal Valet clothes vitalizing system.

Baird said the Personal Valet, an appliance that is 3 feet wide by about 5 feet tall, is designed to help people cut down on their trips to the dry cleaner.

"It won't eliminate them, because it doesn't clean the stains from your clothes. What it's going to do is de-wrinkle them and freshen them. We have basically found that the reason most people take their clothes to the dry cleaner is for pressing and freshening, not always to get them clean," Baird said.

The Personal Valet can be built into a California Closets system or a laundry room. It also can stand alone, Baird said.

Baird said Whirlpool, the maker of the Personal Valet, chose California Closets to handle in-home sales and distribution of the product.

"It makes sense. It's a good marriage between in-home storage and organization and fabric care, basically," she said.

Baird said the Personal Valet, which costs from $1,000 to $1,400 and is available in several colors and in a decorator series, can be a good economic option.

"It's for the people who go to the dry cleaner weekly or monthly and spend that $50 to $100 a month on dry cleaning," Baird said.

Baird will be giving demonstrations and seminars about the Personal Valet at the HBA Remodeling Show. She's also going to have a drawing to give away one Personal Valet.

Prize giveaways

During the show, students from Ozarks Technical Community College and Southwest Missouri State University will build a playhouse, which will be completed Sunday.

Chances to win the playhouse will be sold for $5, and a winner will be drawn Sunday.

Proceeds will be split between the construction programs at both schools.

Included in the price of admission is a chance to win "a kitchen full of appliances," Ruth said.

The giveaway is sponsored by Metro Builders Supply and Whirlpool Corporation.