Show to offer a home away from home

 Frank Fontana, who is a designer and host of HGTV's 'Design on a Dime,' is to headline the show with a presentation on Saturday at 4 p.m. ASSOCIATED PRESS Enlarge

James Moline isn't just raising the roof at the Home Builders Association of Greater Toledo's House and Home Show -- he's eliminating it altogether.

Mr. Moline, along with about 20 suppliers he works with on projects at Sylvania-based James E. Moline Builders Inc., constructed a 4,000-square-foot model for people to tour and view their work firsthand. It's all part of creating a cohesive display, he said.

"We've created a home inside of this place," Mr. Moline said. "It's not a physical home with a roof and a floor. You walk in and you come in to a foyer, and there's a kitchen and a living room."

Last year, Mr. Moline and his suppliers were spread across the show, and connecting prospective clients with the right people was cumbersome, he said.

"It was just clunky that way," Mr. Moline said. "Now we're all together."

The House and Home Show kicks off at 3 p.m. Friday at SeaGate Convention Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave. It runs until 9 p.m. The show also is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $6 at the door.

The show is sponsored by Appliance Center, The Blade, and Welcome Home to Innovative Living.

New home construction is on an upswing, and people always are thinking about remodeling their homes, said Bill Brennan, executive vice president of the association. He said the show is a perfect place to see what's possible.

"Remodeling has stayed fairly strong in this economy as people realize they can't sell their house," he said. "If they are able, people are putting money into it to give it the amenities they want."

About 150 vendors across 200 booths will show off the latest in home designs, fixtures, and appliances. The purpose of the show is to let people see what innovations they can incorporate into their home, Mr. Brennan said.

Frank Fontana, host of HGTV's Design on a Dime, will headline the show with a presentation at 4 p.m. Saturday. Mr. Fontana said his job is to show people what's possible while working inside the confines of a budget.

"It's like having an opportunity to sit with a professional designer that you see on TV," he said, adding that he'll be able to briefly discuss design ideas and home plans with show attendees.