HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY FROM JEAN AIROLDI, SPOKESPERSON

By Béatrix Marik
Editorial Director of Les idées de ma maison magazine

In store windows, the approach of Valentine’s Day is heralded by those cute, iconic, cardboard cupids, perfectly plump and rosy, aiming their arrows—and with a panoply of red hearts. Valentine’s is that day when chocolate shops are raided and thousands of dozens of long-stem red roses are offered to one’s sweetheart for a very pretty penny (thanks to the enduring law of supply and demand). And if the majority of lovers revel in this classic ritual of roses-restaurants-sweet chocolates-sweet nights, there are others who seek to honour the festive occasion…otherwise.

At home, what better time to get out the photo album of your wedding or favourite vacation and place it centre stage on the coffee table, for example? Same goes for those cards that you’ve lovingly stowed away in a box. Why not display them on the bedroom dresser for a few days? Or you can simply move your loved one by placing a magnificent flower on her pillow, the perfume and grace of which will quicken her heart. And when it’s just the two of you, nothing can top a succulent meal savoured cheek to cheek with a special bottle of wine that would otherwise have been out of reach in a restaurant. And don’t hold back with the cliché love songs. On this night, all is sublime and nothing is ridiculous!

Throughout the house floats the floral, sensual, enticing scents emanating from a Lampe Berger, and in the bathroom, the tub is filled with perfumed water scattered with petals. Then, at an ideal moment of the evening, comes the surprise of a new piece of jewellery.  Or! You can’t get more romantic than placing on the finger of your loved-one, the wedding band that mysteriously disappeared the week before and magically reappeared with a few meaningful words engraved on the inside.

But the celebration of love can be lived in any number of ways.

Valentine’s Day is the necklace made of your loved-one’s arms encircling your shoulders. It’s the warmth of the body snuggled just a little closer than usual on the couch in front of the TV. It’s the evoking of the time when you first met with phrases that begin with, “Remember when…” or “I’ve never forgotten…” It’s a lover’s caress on the beautiful round belly of the woman who’s carrying their child. It’s honouring the occasion by giving money to a cherished cause. It’s quality time spent with Dad or Mom, who now live in a residence or are staying in hospital. It’s a child’s noisy kiss on his mommy’s cheek. Valentine’s Day is the words that promise many song-filled tomorrows—in our hearts and in our homes.

As children we dream of Nintendo and computers. By adulthood our dreams evolve and we aspire to cosier comforts. But that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten the joy that electronics and gadgets can bring us!

Come discover the adult recreational world of the future, created by partners like Palason Billard, Simulation F-1 and Audio Video Centrale. Far from serving a purely functional purpose, homes are progressively transforming into spaces for entertainment and recreational activities specifically designed for adults. It’s a matter of reclaiming our youth and getting together for some fun after a long, arduous day’s work.

In a world of constant excitement, all we want sometimes is to escape and treat ourselves to a universe devoted to play and entertainment. However, creating a games room within your sacred home that’s unique and provides a break from reality calls for a certain set of rules to be followed—if you want to maximize this room’s power to deliver a sense of well-being and escape.

Visit the Games Room for Adults at the National Home Show and bring your dreams to life!

Visitors of the Games Room for Adults will have the chance to win this amazing F-1 simulation chair. Experience the thrill of being behind the wheel of a powerful F-1 car! Compliments of Simulation F-1, this chair is valued at approximately $4500.

The National Home Show isn’t just a show of awe-inspiring exhibitors, it’s a dream opportunity to gather advice and ideas. All throughout the Show, visitors will have the chance to attend conferences, each one more stimulating than the next! Would you like to learn about home staging? Then come listen to what France Arcand has to say on the subject. Want to hear discussions about renovating? We have plenty of people for that! Legal or tax questions concerning properties? Experts will be there for you.

Most of all, be sure not to miss the conferences given by our spokesperson Jean Airoldi on Sunday March 21 and Saturday March 27.

For the schedule and complete listing of our conferences, visit http://www.salonnationalhabitation.com/fr/attractions/conferences.snh

Are you a member of a social club at work or in your personal life? Would you like to offer your colleagues and friends the opportunity to purchase tickets at a reduced price? Contact the National Home Show for details about our consignment ticket program. This program allows you to pre-order tickets in bulk (minimum of 10) and resell them to your group members at $11.50 per ticket instead of $15—a 23% savings!

Toyota Ride and Drive - Test drive a Toyota Vehicle! Toyota Canada is proud to be the official automotive sponsor of the Montréal National Home Show. Test drive a selection of Toyota vehicles including the all-new, 3rd Generation 2011 Sienna. See the Toyota main display for more details.