Move over whites and greys, warm tones are in this year.
According to Graham Vanstone, executive director of the Ridge Meadows Home Show, one of the biggest home shows in B.C., colour trends are moving from stark neutrals to the rich browns, soft coral reds, and muted orange of terra-cotta, a type of fired clay pottery.
Vanstone also noted furniture colour trends this year are inspired this year by rich, highly saturated jewel hues inspired by precious gems like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and amethysts. Colours include teal, fuchsia, and amber.
And, flooring design trends are patterned, he said – diagonal, chevron, hexagonal, and herringbone, are in.
Vanstone gearing up for this year’s show running May 1-3 at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge and the Albion Fairgrounds outside.
Here, guests will have to opportunity to talk to hundreds of experts in home renovation, design, decor, backyard landscaping, beauty and wellness, and lots more.
The Ridge Meadows Home Show was founded more than 50 years ago, the collaboration between two long-standing Maple Ridge families, Owen Fuller of what used to be Fuller Watson Home Furnishings and Appliances, and Jack Sheppard with what is now known as of Haney Appliance and Sound.
It became a nonprofit in 1995, first known as the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Home Show, that now goes by the Ridge Meadows Home Show.
Currently, more than 20,000 people attend the show every year, coming from communities across the Lower Mainland and beyond.
Vanstone, who took over as executive director of the show in 2022 from Cass Winder, said the show has paid for well over $250,000 on ground improvements to the fairgrounds.
“Things like removing old lighting and replacement with the current lighting that’s there, adding more electrical on the site so that other groups can use power, putting fencing around the pump station to make it safer for people using the park,” he explained, in addition to sharing their assets with other local event organizers.
The show, he said, means a lot to the community, not only because it is a great place shop local connect with family and friends, but it is also great place for local businesses to grow their companies and make connections.
“It takes quite a bit of work to sell out a show of this size, but we’re very fortunate to have a great exhibit sales manager, (Deb Bradbury), and a great assistant project coordinator, (Flori Chaykowski),”explained Vanstone, whom, he said, all work in tandem to get new and exciting exhibitors in and continue to build the show.
This year the entrance to the show will be at the main entrance to Planet Ice and the first rink will contain exhibitors in decorating, appliances, and home theatre. The second ice rink will have housewares, wellness products, a marketplace, and the Body, Mind, and Spirit Psychic Fair. The third arena in the Golden Ears Winter Club will have experts in renovating, building, landscaping, and it will also feature the popular sampling area.
Outside will be the free Family Fest, with entertainment and activities for the whole family.
Here people will find the main stage with live entertainment for the whole weekend, including: the James Buddy Rogers Trio, singer and songwriter Miss Shauna, Bonnie Kilroe’s Celebrity Imposters – Through the Decades, a new dance by Tyson and Dakota, Norden the Magician, West Coast Circus, Dunvegan Dance, and Blue Crane Contortion.
To the right of the main stage, people will be able to catch dog performances in: agility, rally obedience, nose work, and dancing.
The Paw Patch will be located at the north side of the fairgrounds, where people will find all they need to know about dog nutrition, gadgets, training, and more.
In the building on the south side of the fairgrounds, Scouts Canada will be holding a Kubkar Rally.
There is a children’s craft area and a Monster Foam Party on the grounds to the left of the main stage. There will also be free mini golf, and Shooting Star Amusements will have a midway set up, additional ride and game fees apply. Save $10 on a ride pass until Thursday, April 30, at https://shootingstar.ca/.
Haney Builders’ Supplies will have a giant sandbox, there will be face painting by donation, there will be a balloon artist, and an outdoor marketplace.
For the adults there will be a beer garden, featuring a new lager by Farm Country Brewing, specifically for the Ridge Meadows Home Show.
And for when you get hungry a barbecue cook-off for Ribfest, and plenty of other delicious food trucks available featuring everything savoury and sweet from mini doughnuts, donairs, gourmet coffee, and more.
The show runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 1; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 2; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, at 23588 Jim Robson Way, Maple Ridge.
Tickets for the inside trade show are $5 and $8 per family.
Entry to the Family Fest is free.
Parking is also free with a shuttle running from the overflow parking area at the Albion Sports Complex.
For more information go to: https://www.ridgemeadowshomeshow.com/.