Seattle Home Show: Exhibits to inspire home projects

Spring is just around the corner, and that means no more excuses. Need inspiration to kick off your home projects? Head to the 64th Seattle Home Show, which runs today through Feb. 24 at Seattle's Qwest Field Event Center.

More than 600 exhibits will feature ideas for the home, yard and garden — everything from the impressive Idea Street of homes (built and furnished in five days), to the latest high-tech home products, to landscaping, to dozens of seminars.

This year's show focuses on green design and efficient living — from energy-efficient appliances to sustainable materials to fully constructed Built Green and Energy Star certified homes.

Find booths and experts for everything having to do with kitchens, bathrooms, home entertainment, fireplaces, lighting, painting, outdoor living and landscaping, and more.

Idea Street boasts furnished and landscaped display homes from traditional stick frame to manufactured housing.

Dozens of seminars are free to attendees, with topics ranging from "Eliminate the Guesswork from Color Selection" to "Carbon Smart Technologies: Solar, Radiant, Geothermal." Other seminars cover buying a first home in today's market, working with architects and decorating like a pro.

Some of the new products debuting include a motorized spa cover that turns into a gazebo when open; a washer that automatically dispenses detergent with each load of laundry; a new high-definition video content server that allows you to store CDs and DVDs in a single location and choose the one you want by clicking on an image of the cover art.

Show hours are 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday; and 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $6 for seniors (60+) and $3 for juniors (7-15). E-tickets are available at www.SeattleHomeShow.com.

Parking will be available at the Qwest Field Event Center Garage, Qwest Field north lot, Safeco Field Garage and Union Station Garage. With four or more in your vehicle, parking is free in designated parking areas.

Free Metro shuttles will be available today, Sunday, Monday, Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 from the Northgate (Fifth Avenue Northeast and Northeast 112th Street), South Bellevue (Bellevue Way and 112th Avenue Southeast) and South Renton (South Grady Way and Shattuck Avenue South) Park & Ride lots.

Those who buy tickets online get bonuses: a free cup of clam chowder at F.X. McRory's good today through Feb. 24, and free parking in the Qwest Field north lot after 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Colleen McBrinn: 206-515-5655 or cmcbrinn@seattletimes.com