'Rate My Space' moves to TV
This summer, HGTV will premiere its first primetime program based on the phenomenally successful online feature HGTV's "Rate My Space." Inspired by HGTV.com's most popular online interactive feature and hosted by designer Angelo Surmelis, the new series will preview on Sunday, June 8 at 10 p.m. immediately following HGTV's "Design Star," and will premiere in its weekly time slot on Thursday, June 12, at 9 p.m. In addition, Angelo will dish about the rooms posted on the "Rate My Space" Web site and offer advice to help homeowners improve their room design during his weekly 2-minute online videos called "Spacecasts" on HGTV.com.
Flower Day at Eastern Market
The 42nd Annual Flower Day at Detroit's Eastern Market is 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 18. This spectacular one-day family event features thousands of premium flowers, trees and shrubs for sale. Extras include food to purchase, the Wacky Wagon Contest, musical entertainment, dancers, mimes, clowns, a Craft Fair and a pick-up/drop-off service. For more information on parking, location and driving directions, go to Flowers
HGTV Design Star finalist from Shelby Twp.
The third season of HGTV's Design Star, which airs Sundays at 9 p.m., premieres June 8, and Shelby Township, Mich., designer Tricia Beaudet, 37, is one of 11 semifinalist. She describes her style as "timeless, sophisticated and traditional mixed with unexpected elements." Good luck to Tricia! To find out more, go to Design Star
Win a Year of Flowers at Thrifty Florist
Thrifty Florist is celebrating the centennial of Mother's Day with a fabulous contet. Participants can fill out entry forms now through May 11 at any of the company's 16 Metro Detroit locations for a chance to win their Mother "Flowers for a Year," a gift valued at $500. The winner will receive 12 monthly gift cards that can be used at any of the stores for a beautiful mixed bouquet. On Mother's Day from 1-4 p.m. each store will have cake for Mom. Questions? Go to www.thriftyflorist.com or call (888) THRIFTY.
Arkitektura InSitu moves to Rail District
Arkitektura InSitu, which had a store in uptown Birmingham for years, is moving this weekend to Birmingham's trendy Rail District. The new address is 2131 Cole St. Phone is (248) 646-0099. The store offers more than 100 modern American and European designs, including Herman Miller, droog, Vitra Editio, Flou, Poliformand Varenna Kitchens. Find the best in modern design in furniture, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms and wall/closet systems. Stop in for the grand opening sale. For more information, go to www.arkdet.com.
Spring is here! Win a garden book!
My pansies and violas are planted in containers. The hostas are poking up. Jeff, my lawn care guru, mowed the grass yesterday. Spring is finally here! If you're interested in winning a nifty garden book, "Down to Earth with Helen Dillon: Advice and Inspiration from One of the World's Great Gardeners" (Timber Press, $29.95), send me a postcard with your name, address and the name of the book on it. I'll be giving away a garden book a week this summer, so keep coming back to the Homestyle blog. Send your postcard to Marge Colborn/Homestyle, The Detroit News, 615 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226.
2008 Designers' Show House
The Jr. League's 2008 Designers' Show House opens this Saturday, May 3, and runs through May 18 at 15637 Windmill Pointe Dr., Grosse Pointe Park. If you're a decor buff like me, you will go and be delighted with what you see. Our Metro Detroit interior designers are every bit as talented as decorators in New York City and Los Angeles. In fact, I am constantly amazed by the talent we possess here. This show house isn't as grand as some show house/mansions in the past, but you'll still come away with some great idea. In particular, check out the rather small original bathrooms with tiles in green, peach and blue, especially if you have a small bathroom you're thinking about renovating. Also, landscape designers have worked their magic on the grounds with several "secret" garden oases. Call (313) 881-0040 or go to www.jldetroit.org for tickets and more information. Looking for a perfect Mother's Day trip? This could be it!
Win big in BH&G Contest
Better Homes and Gardens magazine, which reaches more than 39 million people monthly, and Wells Fargo & Company today announce the start of the 2008 Home Improvement Challenge. The annual contest continues an 86-year tradition of seeing first-hand how America tackles home improvement projects. Better Homes and Gardens editors award the most innovative efforts in eight categories. Entries are accepted through January 31, 2009.
The Grand Prize Winner of the 2008 Home Improvement Challenge will receive $40,000 in cash and will be featured in Better Homes and Gardens. Entries for projects of any size and scope are accepted in the following categories: additions, bath, decorating, exterior face lifts, green improvements, kitchen, outdoor improvement, projects under $5,000 and renovation. One winner in each category will be awarded a $2,500 cash prize.
Visit www.bhg.com/challenge for more details and to enter your home improvement project.
European antiques have arrived
Their ships are in! Judy Frankel of Antiques Centre of Troy, 2830 W. Maple Road, Troy, (248) 649-4399, and Chris Pray of Europe Direct Antiques Warehouse, 927 Hilton Road, Ferndale, (248) 691-9155, are unloading the contents of shipments from European -- even as I type! Frankel has more than 500 items from England, France and Belgium, for example. Pray has wonderful, large pieces of furniture. Call the stores for hours before you go, but go, even if it's just to examine the ware and get educated. A photo from Judy Frankel's space is shown here.
Royal Oak's 10th Annual Dream Home Expo
The City of Royal Oak and Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools together are sponsoring the 19th Annual Dream Home Expo, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at Royal Oak Middle School, 709 N. Washington. The event is designed to help resident obtain information about adding to or remodeling their homes. "Families considering moving to a larger home are invited to attend the expo and discover 'You don't have to leave the place you love to have the home of your dreams'," says G. Anders Linell of the Roya Oak Neighborhood Schools. Architects, builders, home improvement firms, landscapers, members of financial institutions and city employees will be on hand to answer questions. Admission and parking is free. Questions? Call (248) 588-5050 ext. 200 or go to www.dreamhomeexpo.com.
