The ‘Fixer Uppers’ Chip and Joanna Gaines headline KC Home Show

Chip and Joanna Gaines, stars of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper,” will be the featured headliners at this year’s 67th Annual Greater Kansas City Home Show.

Held the weekend of March 20-22 at Bartle Hall and presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (KCHBA), the Home Show inspires and provides practical solutions for homeowners to get a jump on spring home and garden projects.

At each of their four presentations the couple will share design tips for creating feel-good spaces. Chip’s construction background, matched with Joanna’s flair to add just the right touch, evolved into Magnolia Homes, their Waco, Texas, home renovation business, and their instant success on HGTV.

Natural and unassuming, the Gaineses have a relaxed charm and appealing chemistry that shines through as they help clients purchase a home and renovate it to function for today’s lifestyle.

Joanna describes her design style as simple and classic, farm inspired, industrial and unexpected. But she notes that “at the end of the day, I work for my client. My job isn’t to push my style on them, it is to pull their style out and make it all come together. I like the challenge of any and all design styles.”

For Do-It-Yourselfers desiring to freshen their home on a budget, she suggests starting small with cosmetic changes or re-arranging a room to better fit the family’s needs.

“Don’t be afraid to break the rules,” she said. “For example, an unused formal living or dining room could become a playroom for the kiddos. I try to make the home work for the homeowners’ needs (and) encourage others to try something new and not be afraid to go with your gut.”

In addition to renovating their own home, owning a real estate sales company and developing a gated community of villas in Waco, Joanna also has a retail online and storefront company, Magnolia Market.

Other popular presenters on the stage this year include Jennifer Bertrand, owner of Kansas City’s Bertrand Designs, who designed “18,000 square feet of happiness” in Kansas City’s latest Ronald McDonald House; Kristin Rieke of rak’ designs, specializing in Kansas City and Rocky Mountain design and lifestyle; Kansas City’s own Chrysy and Jeff Huff of Restoration Emporium; and Jennifer Allwood, a professional faux finisher and owner of The Magic Brush Inc.; Theresa Maybrier, an interior designer at Ethan Allen; and photographer Erin Schuerman, who will discuss visual marketing.

Home Show attendees will find nearly 250 exhibitors, including builders, remodelers, landscapers, interior designers and contractors, offering a bevy of cutting-edge decorating, design and building trends and construction materials for spring home and garden projects.

Visitors won’t want to miss the Landscape Square, an impressive feature that shows off the work of several area landscapers as they transform the center of the exhibit hall into a spring garden oasis, providing ideas for a multitude of garden creations.

They can also walk through a 700-square-foot cabin — fondly nicknamed the “Scout Shack” — built with the latest materials, lighting and appliances to inspire those remodeling or building even the smallest home. Members of The Boy Scouts will be on hand to help visitors try their hand at a rock climbing tower and explore a 25-foot tall tipi.

Shoppers will delight in the Pop-up Cash and Carry Market offering Zum products; spices, salts and sweets; and custom reclaimed wood pieces. Pet lovers will have the opportunity to find a new four-legged friend from Furry Kids’ Refuge and have a finger-painted pet portrait by artist Thom Richart of Hands All-Over.

The Pub in the Park beer garden returns this year to allow show visitors to relax and enjoy a Boulevard beer with a view of all the beautiful lawn and garden displays, or watch a little basketball on TV.

Since 1948, the Greater Kansas City Home Show has welcomed hundreds of thousands of Kansas City area residents to view the most current and wide-ranging displays of home improvement, technology and decorating ideas to make their home a place of comfort and beauty.

This story was originally published March 14, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "The ‘Fixer Uppers’ Chip and Joanna Gaines headline KC Home Show."