Home & Garden Show on tap

Kimberley McGee

Thursday, March 21, 2002 | 8:42 a.m.

Information

It's where we eat, sleep, dream, grow.

It's where we speculate about the future, the world -- and if the dining room wallpaper should be updated to the current decade.

To aid homeowners in search of new and exciting home accessories, the 24th Annual Las Vegas Home & Garden Show returns to Cashman Center Friday through Sunday.

More than 400 booths and exhibitors will hawk home products and offer advice to homeowners.

Artistically enhanced glass patio doors, technologically improved spas, steel gazebos, and window treatments that add warmth to a room in design and function are a few of this year's featured displays, Harry Sleight, the show's producer, said.

"This is an enormous show," Sleight said. "Anything new that's out there, you'll see it here."

A bevy of home-improvement ideas are displayed in this year's "Sweet Dreams" cul-de-sac. The three-house faux neighborhood is set up at Cashman Center to show off the latest in design and innovations so that homeowners can marvel at the products offered.

"We pack the homes with everything new from the roof to the floor to the landscape outside," Sleight said. "We want people to get close to the products, see them in action."

The show takes the homeowners' interests outside this year with a large backyard and spa display. The emphasis is on making the back yard another room of the house with screened porches and hideaway beds for sleeping under the stars.

"It's become interesting what you can do to your home," Sleight said.

Professionals in all home-related fields will be on hand to answer questions and sell products.

Home shows offer professionals a chance to meet the public and get creative with their products, said Yvonne Larson, general manager of Cantera Doors at 6380 Valley View Blvd. The wrought-iron works company, based in Austin, Texas, opened a shop in Las Vegas six months ago.

At past shows customers have asked Larson about a vexing problem they might have with an ugly door or plain window, and she offers some ideas. Together, they play around with some options until finding a solution to beautify the customer's home.

"It's really more hands-on at the shows," Larson said. "You can be creative and learn more about what people want."

This year the show features local utility companies, which will offer tips on energy conservation. A program by Nevada Power will extend ideas on how to cut back on high rates.

Company representatives discuss no-cost, low-cost and moderate-cost tips with homeowners who want to reduce power bills, said Bob Balzar, director of Nevada Power's Energy, Efficiency and Conservation Department.

"We want people to know what's going on in their home's heating and cooling system," Balzar said. "If they do, they can keep their power bills down."

Checking for worn weather stripping around entry doors is key for frugal homeowners. Stripping traps cool air inside while keeping unwanted elements outside.

"It's a task force, a war on hot air, pollen and dust," Balzar said.

Changing air filters monthly, peeking into the attic to check for gaps in duct work and cleaning the area around the air conditioner outside are minor maintenance chores homeowners can practice to keep their pennies in their pockets.

"We encourage customers to do a tuneup on their home (in spring)," Balzar said. "It makes a difference."

Homeowners who attend these shows are usually the types interested in completing simple tasks that quickly improve the home, Balzar said.

"This is simple stuff that helps the customer to know," Balzar said. "It's not rocket science."

It's homework.