Dans Hamptons

Welcome to the Hamptons Home and Garden Show in Southampton and this useful supplement published by Dan's Papers. This three-day event is among the most distinctive, high-shows of its kind on the East Coast. It has taken nearly a year to cull the extraordinary lineup of exhibitors you'll be meeting on the Expo floor. They come locally, from the NYC tri-state area and from around the nation. They have one thing in common - they are serious about selling their products and services on the East End. They value your presence and want your business. Never before in the Hamptons has such a wide selection of high-quality home improvement solutions been showcased at one time. In fact, the Expo has grown more than 40% from last year alone.

It's all here for you, from whatever phase of home improvement you are in or considering. We have what you need, even if it is just organizing your closet or an extreme makeover of your entire residence. Whether you need a shot of inspiration or to be juiced up by a plethora of fresh ideas, we have it for you. It's fun just to roam through the aisles of 275 eye-catching displays inside our huge 32,000 square foot, fully enclosed and carpeted tent and building as well our Outdoors Luxury Living Expo. What a rare chance to "shop the store" on our 17-acres, so, check out the Hamptons Miracle Mile, Home Improvement version, May 4-6, at the Southampton Elks Fairgrounds on County Road. 39.

In addition to home improvement displays such as windows, doors, flooring, roofing, pools and spas, this year the Expo embraces design and decor. You'll see rows and rows of tantalizing kitchen, bedroom and living room vignettes where interior designers "do their thing." Experience striking artisan, one-of-a kind furniture for both indoors and outdoors, made by some of the most talented furniture-makers on the East Coast. In fact, we are offering attendees a free 20-minute interior design consultation with savvy members of the American Society of Interior Designers, brought to you by @Home Magazine. Get jazzed by meeting gifted stonescape designers and masons who "work magic" with stone to enhance both indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Even the standard home improvement staples at this show are unique and upscale. From terra-cotta roofs, rare antique wood and wide plank flooring, to lavish pools and spas, powerful marble entrances and fireplaces, memorable landscaping and well-built sunrooms, are just for starters.

You'll be able to compare prices on competitive services such as lawn and tree care, fencing, chimney cleaning, waste removal, basic remodeling, window treatments and tinting, even mortgage and financial services. Not to be out-done, Chase Bank is offering "on the spot loans," so perhaps it pays to check-in with them before you whisk yourself around the Expo. Your budget may now be more robust than you anticipated.

We aptly refer to the outdoor portion of the show as Outdoor Luxury Living Expo, which is sponsored by radio station WBAZ. Come and see why. Explore 45,000 square feet of magnificent displays. You'll see ways to better express yourself in your outdoor living space. Is it outdoor furniture that you seek? We are practically growing teak wood trees in the back field and there are even outdoor bedrooms and kitchens on display. You can back your SUV up for the following items, which will all be in full stock such as memorable arbors, 12-foot estate fountains, garden antiques, pool houses and collectable Persian rugs. If technology is your thing, you'll tinker with high-tech kitchens, cutting-edge security systems, cool smart rooms and the hippest audio and video set-ups. They all come installed.

The Hamptons Home & Garden Show offers its timely answer to Earth Day with the GreenHamptons Pavilion. A select group of 25 displays with eco-friendly products are identified in the indoor Expo. You can save thousands of dollars off your energy bill with some of the products featured in this area. To explain it all for you, we have two green buildings that serve as solar energy learning centers. Bring the kids along as experts while you walk through the "A to Z of the solar electric and heating, geothermal and wind power processes." Special thanks for "going above and beyond" to Go Solar's SunShack Learning Center and Anthony Mussos's Green Cottage. The Cottage will be auctioned off on Sunday at 2 p.m. The bidding starts at $7k. See the companion article on the GreenHamptons Pavilion in this supplement.

Are you an art collector? We'll get you juiced as you view a selection of art works, ranging from unique indoor and outdoor sculpture, artisan-made furnishings, to decorative art and fine art paintings - including an art show for local living legend painter Robert Dash, presented by Mark Borghi Fine Arts.

If "off-beat items" and services turn you on, you've come to the right place. Get ready for DJ Chef (yes, he cooks and spins) and his in-home inventory prep services. There will also be yard sales run by pros, Radu's famous fitness workouts, (wear loose pants) and even the NYS Comptroller Office for Unclaimed Funds who are there to return your money. You read that right. Last year, 190 lucky attendees -remarkably, 1 out of 3 that stopped at their booth- got good news and a check.

If you're "in the Trade" (builders, contractors, architects, interior designers and real estate agents) you are cordially invited to the VIP tent for Saturday's B2B Networking Party, 3-5 p.m. and bring plenty of business cards to pass around.

Luxury living as an idyllic lifestyle is personified in the Hamptons, and not surprisingly, at the Hamptons Home & Garden Show too. You can sit down and relax in one of our designer furniture lounges, which are scattered throughout the show. This includes Hamptons.com's Internet Lounge, that is a must stop. For a couple of extra dollars, ($35) you can purchase a VIP Pass, which gets you into the coveted VIP tent in the middle of the Oudoor luxury Living Expo. Interiors are by Anne Marie DeSalvo of DeSalvo Interiors and New York Spaces Magazine, you can refresh in this trendy setting filled with complementary coffee, beverages, wines, beer, bourbon, mint julips and tasty treats.

Getting hungry yet? Have lunch with us. Try the smart, tasty and affordable fare offered in the Moroccan Restaurant, presented by Black Tie Caterers. Thirsty, the Southampton Publick House Beer Garden featuring Southampton Ales and Lagers is a natural choice for those over the age of 21.

Get warmed up for the 2007 summer Season of Fund-Raisers, after all, the Hamptons is the fundraiser capital of the world. There's a three-day silent auction of indoor and outdoor estate furniture benefiting the No Place Like Home Foundation and its cheerleader, Lorraine Bracco, who plays Dr. Melfi on HBO's hit show, "The Sopranos" will take the stage on Saturday at 2 p.m. On Sunday at 2 p.m., the Green Cottage will be auctioned in the HD Communications Theater on the Expo floor. Waldbaum's will be collecting for the Children's Health Foundation throughout the Expo.

A big aspect of this show is the many benefits derived from sitting in on the highly-rated seminar series - all held in the HD Communications Theater on the Expo floor. Our mistress of ceremonies, interior designer, author, columnists and radio talk show host, Natalie Weinstein, keeps the pearls of wisdom flowing Saturday and Sunday. Check our website, www.hhgshow.com and the on-site show program for specific topics, time and speakers.

So it's all here for you, with valuable resources, boundless ideas, rare finds, great bargains, doses of inspiration, requisite fundraisers and photo-opportunities. The entire show is also being taped and made into a one-hour TV-Special by Hamptons TV. So, come celebrate the official opening of the 2007 Hamptons season. On behalf of the exhibitors and sponsors, our 22 media partners, speakers and the hardworking team at the Hamptons Expo Group, I welcome you. Enjoy the Show and do support our exhibitors.