A true exhibition celebration

The 14th Port Elizabeth HOMEMAKERS Expo was a true celebration of design, creative products, DIY experts and household items and furniture; proudly sponsored by Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre, Algoa FM, Tavcor and ADT. With a record-breaking 19,544 visitors through the underground doors of Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre, the visitors could find a lovely variety of products and things to do including keeping the kids entertained.

Overall Barista Winner, Donavan McLaghan

Donavan McLaghan in action

Overall Stand Winner, Crossways/Rhino Group

Overall Winners, Crossways/Rhino Group

CSI wall

The 2013 entrances were designed by the students from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) Interior Design department. The entrances had fun elements of furniture pieces, beautiful designed chandeliers and inspirational chalk art sayings.

The Antique Roadshow was an absolute blast from the past! Visitors brought in interesting antiques to be appraised, some valuable and some not. Crowds of visitors enjoyed watching Clinton Kirby from Vigne & Howard Auctioneers, host the three live auctions. The regular bidders calmly made their bids; while some of us enjoyed making our first bid on a possible buy... it was a lot of fun!

The three IID stands (The South African Institute of Interior Design Professions) were of outstanding quality with quirky elements that showcased their talents.

Our judges were surprised by the creativity that the exhibitors brought to the show this year. Choosing the overall winner was a difficult task, but never the less, they were very confident about their final choice.

Overall Stand Winner: Crossways/Rhino Group

The concept of the Crossways Farm Village and Rhino Group is superb and inspirational. Crossways is situated on the eastern boundary of the Kouga Municipal Area and bordering the renowned Van Stadens River Valley and Wild-flower Reserve near Port Elizabeth. The development offers idyllic country living that is green and fully self-sustainable.

Rhino Group on the other hand brings the sustainable products and technology to the Village such as solar heating, harvesting, boreholes and irrigation dams, state-of-the-art sewerage treatment plant, local recycling and much more. It was a winning concept and display.

Gold Certificate Winners: Crossways/Rhino Group, Adendorf, Kountertop, Maywood Panel Company, Stretford Space, Trish Strydom Interiors.

Silver Certificate Winners: Easi-Turf, East Cape Game Properties/Royalston, Exhibit Art, House of York, Koelro 123/African Lights, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, The Plantation Shutter Co., Viva Vintage, Webster's Flooring, Wizard Interiors.

Bronze Certificate Winners: All Weather Awnings & Blinds, American Shutters, Brink Bamboo, Computer Gadgets, Decorative Details, Derik Furn, Easylife Kitchens, Eskom, Major Tech, Wetherlys.

In the belly of the expo, the Gourmet Garage was pounding with vibe and flavours of coffee. A perfect spot to relax to the background music of Algoa FM while sipping on a cup of coffee or glass of wine. The regular barista followers were packed in front of the stage watching the barista's compete for the regional title! Donavan McLaghan, 2012 Cup Tasting Champ was the overall winner.

The lucky grand winner of the Dream Home Prizes Competition was announced earlier this morning on the Algoa FM Breakfast show. Congratulations to Margi Knipe, a local Port Elizabeth lady! She has won an amazing combination of prizes worth over R100 000! We couldn't have done it without our exhibitor prize sponsors: Computer Gadgets, Executive Blind Manufacturing, Easylife Kitchens, Hamid's Persian Carpets & Kilims, Wetherlys, Luxaflex, ADT, Ascot Bedding & Furniture, Little Tree, Webster's Flooring and Maywood Panel Company.

And last but not least, a big thank you to the PE community who without thinking twice supported out CSI project, A Brick in the Wall. The full amount will be donated to the Eastern Province Child and Youth Care Centre. Once again, we couldn't have done it without our sponsors: Oasys Innovations and Missing Link.

Twitter - @SAHomemakers
Facebook - www.facebook.com/HOMEMAKERSonline