Milwaukee/NARI Announces Home Improvement Show Contest Winners

The Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., the area’s leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource for more than 52 years, awarded prizes for displays that were constructed and designed as part of the 52nd annual Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Show held Thurs. Feb. 13 – Sun., Feb. 16, at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis.

In the Show’s Outdoor Living Area, which featured a Wisconsin Wilderness theme, Aquatica, a division of Dean Pipito Waterfeatures in Wales, Wis., received the “2014 People’s Choice Award” for Best Landscape Design in voting by Show attendees. The Aquatica display featured a variety of plants, flowers, and shrubs along with hardscaping materials surrounding a pond.

In the tablescape design competition, which allowed attendees to vote on romance themed displays in the Milwaukee/NARI Information Center, the Zilli Hospitality Group of Waukesha received the most votes for its presentation depicting “The Great Gatsby.”

An Interior Design Contest, sponsored by Nehmey Construction in Oak Creek, for area college students was part of the Show for the eighth consecutive year. Students from Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, and Waukesha County Technical College each designed and created a 12' x 12' space with a “bring the outside in” theme. Based on votes cast by Show attendees, the design by Gateway Technical College was the contest winner. Each school receives $1,000 for its school interior design program from the Milwaukee/NARI Foundation, Inc., the charitable arm of the home improvement council, with Gateway also receiving a plaque commemorating its recognition.

The Gateway design featured a dining room with an ambiance using elements inspired by the outdoors, featuring warm, neutral tones with earthy prints and finishes to create a classic and informal space. Gourmet Mushroom painted walls with white birch branches arranged against the orange far wall gave a nod to nature. A unique selection for the room was a dining table created from a reclaimed section of fence which was painted and distressed. Each chair surrounding the table was distinctive and unified by the same color pallet. The walls were appointed with salvaged window shutters, exterior lanterns, and a mirrored window while birdcages functioned as artistic light fixtures.

The Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council was chartered in July 1961 as a Chapter of the National Home Improvement Council. In May of 1982, the National Home Improvement Council merged with the National Remodelers Association to form NARI – the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. With more than 740 members, the Milwaukee Chapter is the largest in the nation.

The Council’s goals of encouraging ethical conduct, sound business practices, and professionalism in the remodeling industry have led to the growth of the remodeling industry nationwide and made NARI a recognized authority in that industry.

For more information on the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council and to receive a free copy of an annual membership roster listing all members alphabetically and by category and the booklet, “Milwaukee/NARI’s Remodeling Guide,” call 414-771-4071 or visit the Council’s website at www.milwaukeenari.org.