36th Conejo Valley Home Remodeling Show Features Home Improvement Ideas and Tasty Food Truck Fare

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. - April 4, 2013 - PRLog -- WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF.--Hundreds of home improvement, design and landscape products will be on display at the 36th Conejo Valley Home Remodeling Show & Gourmet Food Truck Event, Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21 at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza (880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village). Gourmet food trucks will be at the show on Saturday, April 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  

         Twice a year, the home show brings together more than 150 home improvement specialists including kitchen and bath contractors, landscapers, roofers, window manufacturers and interior designers. "Spring is the time when homeowners start planning their summer improvement projects. The home show gives them the opportunity to talk with a variety of professionals all at one location," says Rick Goodman, the show's organizer.

         Gene Blankenship, owner of All American Traditions in Simi Valley, will be exhibiting the latest kitchen and bath cabinetry at the show. A building contractor for almost 30 years, Blankenship has noticed recent shifts in design tastes. "We're seeing more people go from preferring stained cabinetry to painted cabinets including white and off-white," says Blankenship. "Stainless steel appliances are still popular. However, many of our clients are now willing to spend on higher-end stainless steel brands."  

         Blankenship notes that changes in designs happen on the East Coast about three years earlier than in California. He is noticing an increased demand for inlaid porcelain tile designs. "Porcelain is becoming trendy," he says. "It looks natural and is better in the bath than natural stone. Maintenance is cut in half."

         Heading outdoors, a new trend in pool design is the all-natural pool--a combination pool and pond. Plants are designed into a regeneration zone in and around the pool. The pool's water is pumped through the plant zone and through a biological filtration system to help keep the water clean. Surface water is kept free of leaves, dust, pollen, suntan lotion and other surface items through skimmers and overflow gutters. Unlike traditional pools, no chemicals are used in all-natural pools. Pool heating costs can be lower because the regeneration zone is relatively shallow and acts as a passive solar collector.  

         "All-natural pools are new to California," says Troy Becker, owner of California BioNova, which designs, engineers, builds and maintains the pools. "It's a complex system to design. They can take four to six months to build including engineering and site prep."

         Maintenance entails periodic changing of skimmer baskets and vacuuming. "Maintenance is more of a landscape issue than a pool issue," says Becker. "Plants need to be trimmed and maintained."  

         Becker says a traditional pool can be redesigned into an all-natural pool. "A Jacuzzi can also be included, although it would be on a separate system," he says. Becker and California BioNova will be at the remodeling show to answer any questions.

         The Conejo Valley Home Remodeling Show, a bi-annual event since 1995, takes place in spring and fall. The cost at the door is $4 per person. For free tickets, go to  http://westlakehomeshow.com or www.facebook.com/ConejoValleyHomeShow. For more information, call 805-529-0760, go to  or e-mail showkase9@gmail.com.