What's the best part about summer coming to an end? The Vancouver Fall Home Show of course! It took place this year from September 28 to October 1, 2023 at the Vancouver Convention Center in Vancouver, BC. For those eagle-eyed Tom Cruise fans out there, you may recognize it as the location where they filmed the Mumbai market scenes for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol!
A stunning globe greeted guests as they entered the convention center.
I love trade shows! They're such a great source for home improvement ideas, project inspiration, and expert advice. I went on a beautiful Saturday and it was so much fun spending the day leisurely checking out all the vendors and presentations. Of course, I got tons of new home décor ideas that I can't wait to try!
A fun play area with an oversized Jenga set. Although it seems like the coloring wall is a bigger hit with the adults!
1. The Main Stage
There were multiple seminars each day on the main stage, all brimming with home reno and design ideas. Presenters included Bryan Baeumler from HGTV Canada's Island of Bryan, Jamie Banfield from Jamie Banfield Design, and Graeme Huguet from My House Design/Build/Team.
I attended Jamie's presentation, which focused on kitchen and dining area renovations. He gave a great piece of advice: don't just think about how you want to live now, but also think about how you want to live in the future. Are you thinking of growing your family and will soon need more space around the kitchen table? Will you be spending more time cooking if you find a job where you can work from home? Kitchen renovations are a big investment and you want to make sure you plan them well to ensure you get years of enjoyment out of them.
2. The Cooking Stage
Is it just me, or is one of the hardest things about being an adult is to figure out what's for dinner every night? When I saw that one of the presentations on the cooking stage was how to make meals that are both easy and nutritious, I was in! Tori Wesszer, co-author of the cookbook Fraiche Food, Fuller Hearts, gave a demonstration on how to make a Tropical Tofu Bowl, complete with grilled pineapples and mango salsa. It looked really easy to make and delicious. By the way, her co-author is her cousin, Jillian Harris, who was The Bachelorette on Season 5!
Other presenters included Bruno Feldeisen, a judge on The Great Canadian Baking Show, Hollie Fraser of Punk Rock Pastries (now that's an awesome name for a bakery!), and Deseree Lo, a runner-up on Top Chef Canada.
3. M(art)ket
There's no excuse for any more blank walls! Featured one-of-a-kind canvases, prints, and photographs. Local artists vendors included Monica Deac Art, Shakun Contemporary Art, and Kelsey Renee Studio.
Macramé hangings are fantastic if you want something to elevate your walls, but want something that's a bit more unique.
4. Got Craft Pop-Up Market
It was wonderful to see a number of small, local businesses take part. There were craftspeople showcasing their one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, chocolatiers selling unique flavors of chocolate (lemon basil anyone?), and Indigenous artists proudly displaying their hand-knitted blankets.
5. Paws for a Cause
This year's show also included an opportunity to meet rescued dogs in the Vancouver area. Sure, they might not have much to do with home renovations and design, but who cares when they're so darn cute! This sweetie was definitely smiling at me!
And to top it all off, it was an absolutely gorgeous day in Vancouver. Not a bad end to the summer! Can't wait for next year's show!
