Looking to ditch the drab in your decor?
By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Saint-Onge is known for turning drab digs into chic spaces like a peaceful Zen bedroom or charming Old World study in The Learning Channel's "While You Were Out." The show gives designers a $1,500 budget and two days to redecorate a room.
"I realize, especially since 9/11, that home is where the heart is, and people really do try to focus on making their homes the best they can be," Saint-Onge said via telephone from New York City. He will be in Hawai'i for the 2003 Interior Finish Showcase tomorrow and Saturday at Gentry Pacific Design Center.
The free event will showcase practical and luxury interior design elements through more than 50 local and Mainland exhibits featuring hardwood flooring, moldings, appliances, paints and more.
Event organizer Erik Jensen of J.E. Higgins Lumber Company said many people think it's too expensive to redesign a home.
"The reality is it doesn't have to be," Jensen said. "We provide those options."
Vendors include representatives from the American Society of Interior Designers and the American Institute of Architects — Hawai'i Chapter.
"It's going to be a tremendous resource for people," said Rick Cowan, president of Studio Becker Honolulu, which is displaying kitchen, bathroom and wardrobe options.
Free seminars and workshops include Renovation Financing, Installing Laminate Flooring and Surviving the Construction Process.
Saint-Onge — named one of the top 15 designers younger than 40 in America by House Beautiful magazine — will hold a free seminar at 11 a.m. Saturday.
"Everybody likes to know about the behind the scenes of 'While You Were Out,' and I'll be talking about that," he said. Saint-Onge will also provide tips on how to create great spaces without breaking the bank. Among his tips:
- Get rid of furniture that doesn't work in the room. "The simplifying of what's in the room is really, really key because then it gives you the basic palette to work from," he said. "Sometimes just changing the furniture around is such a creative way to change the feel and the look of the room."
- Paint. "If you don't like it, you can always change it," Saint-Onge said. "That's the thing that's nice about it."
- Accessorize with things such as throw pillows, picture frames, books and candles. "Bringing in those little points of personality are really going to make the difference," he said.
Reach Zenaida Serrano Espanol at 535-8174 or zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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2003 Interior Finish Showcase
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday
- Gentry Pacific Design Center, 560 N. Nimitz Highway
- Admission: Free
- For more information, see www.gentrycenter.com or call 537-3932.
- "While You Were Out" designer Stephen Saint-Onge will present a free seminar at 11 a.m. Saturday.
'While You Were Out'
- The Learning Channel (analog channel 71 and digital channel 331)
- 9 p.m. Fridays (the newer episodes)
- Online: http://tlc.discovery.com
