Johnson County Home and Garden Show
America's DIY designer, TV host and Author Frank Fontana is best known in the media as "The Straight Guy-With A Queer Eye" and host of HGTV's top-rated DIY design show, Design on a Dime. On the show Frank puts his skills and budget savvy styling tools to the test daily to makeover one room, with only a one thousand dollar budget, all in one day! In addition to taking the reins of Design on a Dime, Frank was also the lead designer of HGTV's Takeover My Makeover, a featured designer for the Change the World campaign and starred in HGTV's Christmas special Decked for the Holidays, as well as the highly popular HGTV competition, "Showdown".
Recently signing a new production deal for his own live radio and home improvement programming for a major brand, Frank is also a regular fixture on NBC's TODAY Show, WGN news, and a Home Style contributor to Oprah.com. Many recognize Fontana as the real life "Italian Stallion" of the design world and underdog winner of ABC Television Network's 2004 D.I.Y reality competition, The Great Domestic Showdown. Fontana, earned his design chops through the highly acclaimed "School of Hard Knocks" as the lead designer for his own design firm for the last fifteen years. His design firm Frank Fontana Designs is now headquartered in downtown Chicago and services commercial and residential clients nation wide.
Frank's new book, "Frank Fontana's Dirty Little Secrets of Design" is currently available in bookstores nationwide as well as amazon.com.
For Frank's speaking schedule click here.
Kevin Rutan is a world-traveled authority on the use, techniques and
application of faux painting. A graduate in faux woods and faux marble from the prestigious Guegan Institute of France, Kevin has introduced faux finishing to thousands of students. In addition to teaching at his studio, Fe Fi Faux, in Greensboro, North Carolina, he teaches at shows and studios across the United States and abroad.
Kevin takes the mystique out of faux painting and explains glazes, techniques, application and finishes, in a language that the painting novice can comprehend. At the 2008 Remodeling Show, Kevin will show how environmentally friendly paints and supplies can produce professional and beautiful results. Not only are there great non-toxic paints available, according to Kevin, but thinking "green" extends to the planning and clean-up of projects as well. Kevin will give demonstrations all three days of the Show.
For Kevin's speaking schedule click here.
Joe Lamp'l's (aka joe gardener¨) infatuation with gardening and nature began as a child. After a run-in with his parents' favorite shrub, he panicked and jammed the broken branch into the ground. A few weeks later, it had taken root. Joe was not only relieved; he was also hooked on horticulture.
That passion resulted in a lifetime of learning and is now evident to a nationwide audience who has watched Joe as host of the popular series, Fresh from the Garden on DIY Network and GardenSMART on PBS. As one of the country's most recognized and trusted personalities in gardening and sustainability, today Joe combines his national television experience and expertise of gardening and horticulture, environmental stewardship and passion for living a more eco-friendly life, as host and executive producer of the award-winning national public television series, Growing a Greener World¨, named by the Garden Writers Association as Best New Digital Product, including television for 2011, while also taking top honors for television writing.
In 2011, The American Horticultural Society selected Joe as the recipient of the Society's B.Y. Morrison Communication Award, which recognizes effective and inspirational communication-through print, radio, television, and/or online media-that advances public interest and participation in horticulture.
Off-camera, Joe is founder & CEO of The joe gardener¨ Company, devoted to environmentally responsible gardening and sustainable outdoor living. Joe is deeply committed to "growing a greener world" through his online radio show by the same name, books including, The Green Gardener's Guide, nationally syndicated newspaper column and more.
Joe will give presentations on the Garden Stage all three days of the Show. For Joe's speaking schedule click here.
