BC Home + Garden Show 2023: 10 things to take in at the big show

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The BC Home + Garden Show is back in full bloom with expert advice on building, gardening and whipping up tasty dishes in the kitchen. Also on hand will be vendors showcasing renovation products and the latest innovations.

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Show manager Amber Beaton sees the show, though always popular, as resonating even more with consumers today.

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“With the threat of rising interest rates and inflation, I think people are more thinking about staying home and low-cost renovations,” she says. “Updating their own spaces rather than dealing with this crazy housing market right now.”

That in mind, Beaton offers some ideas on how to navigate the show for both information and inspiration for anyone considering a home project.

The Main Stage: Spring into action with tips from industry experts

Front and centre at the show is the Main Stage presented by Sleep Country Canada. It will feature home-renovation expert and HGTV star Bryan Baeumler, who will offer practical advice to those looking to remodel their spaces, as well as anecdotes about his shows. Professional organizer Megan Golightly will have tips on how to overcome clutter, with an approach that makes the process achievable for even the most clutter-challenged. Graeme Huguet, founder and general manager of My House Design/Build/Team, will provide insight for building and renovating from a local perspective, and speak to his company’s holistic approach to design and construction.

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Vancouver Sun Gardeners’ School: Get inspired by a horticultural specialist

The Vancouver Sun Gardeners’ School offers a host of horticultural specialists to inspire and educate. Local gardening gurus Brian Minter, Alex Augustyniak and Carissa Kasper will be speaking and new this year is Emma Terrell, the Urban Botanist. She’ll discuss unique ways to grow and bring plants into your indoor space. “She does moss walls and virtual workshops,” Beaton says. “She’s a lot of fun.”

Honomobo: Tour a pretty fabulous prefab container home

Honomobo, the company that builds modular and prefab container homes with a stylish, modern esthetic, recycling shipping container metal into some of its projects, will showcase three designs that showgoers can tour. The installation will also include the company’s signature Honomobar, constructed with recycled container metal, where you can indulge in a cocktail.

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Food Network Stage: Create dishes served by Canada’s top cooking talent

Celebrity chef and Great Canadian Baking Show judge Bruno Feldeisen returns to the Food Network Stage, showcasing his take on sweet treat favourites. Behshad Zolnasr, executive chef at Vancouver’s C|Prime Modern Italian Steak & Wine, will dish on classic recipes and share some of his own, while food journalist Joanna Tymkiw will offer ideas for plant-based meals.

Herb Your Enthusiasm: Make your herb garden grow

For those wanting a gentle introduction to gardening with good odds for producing results, there is Herb Your Enthusiasm presented by Vegepod, which produces pods where you can grow everything from flowers to vegetables and, yes, herbs. Included will be an interactive activity for children to show them how simple it is even for young ones to grow plants.

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Got Craft: Go on a treasure hunt and meet the makers

Got Craft’s pop-up market returns to the show and Beaton says it’s bigger than ever. Got Craft features a curated collection of innovative, design-driven small makers and shops ranging from home décor items, jewelry, and clothing to personal care and food products.

Art’s Nursery Garden Market: Make it happen with plants and flowers

Gardening enthusiasts will also have their own shopping extravaganza, courtesy of Art’s Nursery Garden Market. The long-time horticultural retailer will offer a wide range of tools and plants for purchase. “It will be a huge area to visit,” Beaton says. “It’ll be their store condensed into a pop-up.”

BC Hydro Learning Centre: Learn how to boost your home’s energy efficiency

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For those interested in boosting their home’s energy efficiency and perhaps reducing their monthly bills, the BC Hydro Learning Centre will present an interactive installation showing how to power our homes to reduce energy consumption.

The M(ART)ket: Bask in creativity and artistry 

The M(ART)ket, a pop-up gallery for art lovers, showcases the work of three artists, with their work available for purchase. Artist Donna Giraud will be featured again, and also on display will be works from Shakun Contemporary Art and equestrian and landscape painter Theresa Eaton.

Garden Party Flowers’ Spring Blooms: Go home with fresh blooms

Nothing says spring like a seasonal bouquet. Vancouver’s Garden Party Flowers’ Spring Blooms pop-up flower shop will create colourful bouquets. For a lasting memento, there’ll be a selfie backdrop station where showgoers can take photos with their bouquets.

The BC Home + Garden Show runs from March 16 to 19 at BC Place Stadium.