Northridge : Show Highlights Everything for Home

Part carnival, part convention, the 19th annual Home Remodeling and Decorating Show welcomed visitors to Cal State Northridge on Friday to sample the wide world of home improvement.

Under two enormous tents in the college’s North Campus area, visitors browsed booths devoted to everything from kitchen cabinets to carpets, floor tiles to funeral arrangements.

Funeral arrangements?

“It’s a way to reach out to the community without having to directly call them,” explained Donald Wood, who represents several mortuaries at home shows. “We’re not here to sell them anything. We’re here to offer them information.”

Elsewhere, vendors schmoozed passersby on the virtues of “the ultimate cleaning system for healthy minded people” and “the super salsa machine.”

“It’s not a window--it’s a brand-new product,” was how Jeffrey Bank extolled a new acrylic window designed to protect existing windows from noise and temperature extremes. Around him, several samples demonstrated that the material keeps out heat, cold and even rock ‘n’ roll.

Northridge resident Phyllis Stevenson said she came to the show to collect ideas for projects around the house. She’s about to start a major bathroom renovation for her disabled son. “Just the thought of having people come in ripping up the bathroom is terrifying,” she said.

Chris Stevenson is accustomed to traditional bathrooms but looks forward to such conveniences as an open area beneath the sink to accommodate his wheelchair. “I want to be able to roll right in,” he said.

The show continues through Sunday.