From celebrity contractor Tom Silva, of the PBS series, This Old House, to a tour of a newly built modular home and downtown condos, the Tidewater Builders Association’s New Home & Remodeling Show & Tour offers ideas and inspiration for your new or your old home.

The event, scheduled for May 4-7 at the Scope Exhibit Hall, is presented by the Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority and Hampton Roads Ventures, an investment firm specializing in developing underserved communities.

“With all of the revitalization that we've been seeing in Norfolk neighborhoods over the past few years, it seemed like the time was right to bring a consumer new home and remodeling show to Norfolk,” remarks TBA President John Olivieri. “It's a chance to showcase the urban living environment and provide some insight and ideas to people who are thinking about improving their homes.”

An estimated 200 exhibitors will be on hand to showcase new and innovative products for the home and remodeling. Guided walking tours on Saturday and Sunday will allow guests to see the downtown Norfolk renaissance close up, with stops at new urban condos.

“The guided walking tours will be a real eye opener to people who may not be familiar with all of the changes that have taken place in Norfolk over the past few years,” states Olivieri. “And they'll get a chance to stop and see what an urban living environment is like with stops at some of the downtown lofts and condos.”
Celebrity contractor and renovation expert Tom Silva of the Public Broadcasting Stations’ This Old House, will share his vast construction knowledge and extensive remodeling and renovation experience during presentations at 2 and 6 p.m., Friday, May 5 and again at 2 and 5 p.m., Saturday, May 6.

Celebrating his 19th season on This Old House, Silva also appears on the Arts & Entertainment channel’s Ask This Old House; which answers questions from viewers regarding home remodeling issues, and Inside This Old House, that gives a behind-the-scenes view of what really goes on during those extensive home renovation projects.

Show guests will see first hand why there’s been an increasing interest in modular homes, sometimes called “systems built” homes, which are constructed indoors and delivered to a site for quick assembly. Located in front of the Chrysler Hall, adjoining the Scope, the Mod-U-Kraf home will be constructed by A-Plus Builders during the week prior to the show.

Not just a house in a box, these homes are as diverse as their potential homeowners. From large luxurious estates to smaller affordable cottages, they now offer an extensive range of styles. A Cape Cod-style model will be open for guests during the event. Afterward, the home will be moved to the Bayview section of Norfolk, to replace the home of a Norfolk family who recently lost their previous home to fire.

At 1 and 3 p.m., Sunday, May 7, guests will be educated and entertained by “Bed & Bath Lady” Mary Grover. Hailed as a cross between Martha Stewart and Richard Simmons, Grover will cover a wide range of bed and bath topics, including fancy towel folding tricks to how to make a bed look like a beautiful department store display – yet comfortable enough to use for sleeping, reading, and watching TV.

Also on Sunday, Gene and Katie Hamilton, seasoned remodelers and authors of 20 books on the topic, will share their wisdom and advice during presentations at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday May 7, including “Improve, don’t move,””Fix it and flip it,” and “Kitchen and bathroom remodeling.”

The four-day event is coordinated by Tidewater Builders Association and presented by the Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority and Hampton Roads Ventures. Promotional co-sponsors are The Virginian-Pilot, Cox Communications and WHRO.

The show is open from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, May 4; 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6; and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, May 7. Admission is $8 for adults; children 12 and under are free. Active-duty military and senior citizens can receive a $1 discount. On Cox Friday, May 5, guests may present a Cox Communications bill for a $3 discount for up to two people. More information and a $2 discount coupon are available at www.tbaonline.org.