Idea Center
The Idea Center is packed full of a wide variety of experts ready to answer your home and garden questions. At the "Ask a Pro" booth in the Idea Center, architects, landscape architects, and interior designers provide free, no-obligation advice, and people are encouraged to bring photos, sketches and questions.
All Day in the Idea Center
Ask the Pro
Architects, master gardeners, interior designers, arborists, a certified kitchen designer, and landscape designers will be on hand all day to talk with you about your remodeling, decorating, or landscaping ideas at no charge or obligation. Bring photos of your existing space and any plans or sketches you’ve developed.
Volunteers include:
- architects Andre Latondresse (JAL Architects), Tan Nguyen (Nguyen Architects), Robert Hartranft (Harts Design), AIA, and Bob Shaffer (The Foundation Architects)
- landscape architects Judie Erickson (Portals and Pathways) and Richard Woldorsky (Bachman's Landscaping)
- interior designer Paulette Goodno (Transformations Interior Design)
- arborist Manuel Jordan (Heritage Shade Tree Consultants)
- certified kitchen designer New Spaces
- plumbing professional David Skallet (St. Louis Park Inspections)
- Master Gardeners from the Hennepin County Master Gardener program
Remodeling Plan Books
Remodeling Plan Books featuring remodeling ideas for Cape Cods and split entries will be available at the fair for $5. These books show existing floor plans and three-dimensional sketches of the remodeled space. The books also offer tips to ensure the finished remodeling project fits with the original architecture. These books are a joint project of the 14 Twin Cities suburbs.
Radon, Lead, & Indoor Air Pollution
Environmental Health Specialists will staff an Indoor Air Pollution booth in the Idea Center and answer questions on radon and mitigation, lead hazards and other common indoor air pollutants like mold. Radon detection test kits will be available for $7. Stop by for a chance to win a free Radon detection test kit.
Ask the Pro - Plumbing Questions?
Still have a leaky faucet or toilet or another perplexing plumbing problem? Discover how you might be able to fix your plumbing problem from plumbing pro David Skallet in this Q&A session in the Idea Center.
Green Remodeling Advice
A representative will be on hand from Minnesota GreenStar to discuss how you can make your home more resource- and energy-efficient, healthy, beautiful, and sustainable. Come learn how to affordably “green” your renovation project inside and out and learn the value of getting your project certified.
Planting for Clean Water
Representatives will be on hand from the Blue Thumb program and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to discuss how the Planting for Clean Water™ program makes it easy for residents interested in doing their part to protect and improve water quality, including information on planting native gardens, raingardens, turf management, community clean ups, and more.
Healthy Yards for Clean Waters: Raingardens and Beyond
A Landscape Design professional will be on hand from Metro Blooms to discuss how you can beautify your property and help to protect our clean waters by simple choices in yard care and landscaping practices. Metro Blooms is a private, nonprofit organization.