Gwinnett Daily Post

Staff Photo: Brendan Sullivan Harold Davenport and his wife Barbara, left bed, test out the Serta iComfort bed beside Martin Simons and his wife Janice as an America's Mattress sales rep electronically adjusts the settings during the North Atlanta Home Show at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Friday. The home show which featured beds, appliances, windows exhibits and more, goes on Friday through Sunday.

DULUTH — Dawn Hurst and her husband are building a house.

“There’s a ton of decisions to make,” Hurst said as she pushed a stroller through the North Atlanta Home Show at the Gwinnett Center on Friday.

Hurst was in the right place.

With everything from flooring and cabinets to windows, landscaping and even spray foam, the annual home show gave the couple the opportunity to learn about just about anything that could be wanted or needed in their new home.

From a display of blinged out cabinet handles to an entire porch and pagoda built in the convention space, representatives from some of the region’s biggest companies involved in the housing industry will be on hand all weekend to show off the newest and most unique wares out there.

“We have interest in the stamped concrete and unique flooring,” Hurst said.

George Hobby, the owner of Powder Springs-based Home Energy Solutions, said his company typically gets about 250 people signed up to receive energy audits, weatherization or other services. It means about $100,000 in business for the company.

“It’s great for exposure,” he said of the show.

Fred Heal drove from Milledgeville to look around.

“I want to see what’s new,” the residential contractor said.

But with sessions on real estate, vegetable gardening and even beekeeping, the show isn’t just designed for people embarking on a big project. Anyone interested in upkeep or a small boost to their biggest investment can find an idea.

John and Pat Post have already upgraded the floors and countertops in their 18-year-old Mountain Park area home, but they still hope to re-design the master bath and maybe get new siding.

“It’s just time to redo some things,” Pat Post said. “And I love to decorate.”

Mary Anne James and her friend Jeanne Barber laughed as they looked through the cabinets of a kitchen set up in a display.

“We are oohing and ahhing,” said James, of Sugar Hill, as they found an organized Tupperware drawer. “Isn’t that just a woman’s dream?”

The women had a few projects in mind and let the show be their inspiration.

“Who doesn’t want to redo her kitchen?” Barber said.

The North Atlanta Home Show continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth. Tickets for adults are $7, with discounts for seniors and military members. Kids 12 and under are free. For more information, visit www.atlantahomewhow.com.