Cottage & Lakefront Living Show coming Feb. 23-26 to Novi, MI

Cottage, lakefront property and vacation homeowners or those looking to buy, build or rent will find everything they need on display at the pre-season fifth annual Cottage & Lakefront Living Show Feb. 23- 26.

“You’ll find us at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi,” said Mike Wilbraham, show producer of ShowSpan, Inc. “We’ve gathered exhibitors under one roof for the convenience of showgoers to showcase their latest and greatest on every aspect of cottage and lakefront living.”

Here is a preview of what can be discovered at the show:

Vacation and retirement lakefront custom homebuilder will showcase different types of log home and timber-framing construction. Architects will exhibit their custom residential architectural services and explain how the home’s function is considered during the planning process along with aesthetics, environment and state and local regulations. The Log and Timber Frame Showcase will include how a cabin is put together, floor plans, profiles, roof options, log species, cedar siding, full logs, post and beam and do-it-yourself or contractor built home packages. Builders, contractors and architects will be available for scheduled private consultations through the show’s website.

Mexican thatch and bamboo Tiki bars and décor that are for sale or rent will be displayed. The Tiki bars setup and breakdown in minutes for winter storage and range in size from four-person pub table to seating for 12.

Enclosed and sit-on-top kayaks, aluminum rolling, floating and stationary docks with vinyl decking, polyethylene floating docks and swim rafts, aluminum hydraulic boat and pontoon lifts, roll-in, floating and portable docks, paddleboats, rafts, water toys and aluminum vinyl, steel, wood, boulder, sheet piling and bulkhead materials for seawalls, along with easy-to-use weed removal rollers and tools to create a sandy beach and remove the weeds from the lake shorelines and bottoms and natural shoreline restoration will be displayed.

Tropical and traditional color patio furniture made from recycled milk jugs that can be left outside year-round and warranted to resist fading, cracking or mildew; permanent, energy efficient metal roofing systems in a variety of designs and colors; radiant barrier flake insulation; walk-in Jacuzzi tubs designed for seniors; pergolas, sunrooms, solariums and screened rooms will be displayed.

Handcrafted building techniques of a stand up paddleboard will be demonstrated and other handcrafted lightweight, high performance wood-covered fiberglass custom boats will be exhibited.

Decorative and functional accessories will be available for purchase at the Lakefront Marketplace from aerial photographs of over 1,500 Michigan lakes to Northern Michigan cherry products, spice dips, chocolate candy, fudge, peanut brittle, roasted nuts, pasta sauces, salsas and other food items.

Michigan artists at the Cottage Fine Art Show will present wildlife photography, Great Lakes and Michigan inland lakes steel silhouettes, Petoskey stone art, jewelry and custom woodcarvings for sale.

Also featured will be Petoskey stone inlaid rustic night stands and various table furniture made from American chestnut, walnut, oak and ash wood and finished with elm wood legs, desk items from clocks to business card holders, lamps, household items and carved animals. Custom chainsaw/carved oak and white pine wood mantels, coffee tables, cigar store Indian, bald and American eagles, sport memorabilia, boat slip signs, TV surround and other wood products will be exhibited.

Sharing and keeping the cottage in the family for use currently and for future generations will be one of the seminars offered by experts at the Cottage Living Stage. Challenges and opportunities of “Waterfront Design,” “Buying & Selling Waterfront Property in Michigan,” “Nature Photography at Your Cottage.” and “Birds of Prey: What You ProbablyDidn’t Know about Your Neighbors” will be among the other Cottage Living Stage seminars.

Cottage Living Center will provide the opportunity to relax and work on a community puzzle, put a pin in an oversized Michigan map to show where cottages are located or read a book selected from the 2012 Essential Cottage Reading List provided by Horizon Books of Traverse City. Patrons are able to post a cottage for sale or rent on the Community Cottage Available Board.

Ideas to increase your outdoor living space are incorporated in the landscape displays that include wooden cabins, fireplaces, cooking options, patios, decks and gardening products. Other exhibits include log, timber frame and cedar homes, cottage rental, architects, cottage furnishings, lakefront homebuilders and realtors, lakeshore maintenance, boats and docks, outdoor recreational equipment, non-profit environmental organizations, government agencies, financing and other products and services. Experts throughout the show will provide tips, advice and knowledge on purchasing, planning, maintaining, financing and landscaping for spring, summer and year-round cottages and lakefront living.

Suburban Collection Showplace (formerly Rock Financial Showplace) is located at 46100 Grand River Ave. between Novi and Beck Road in Novi. Show hours are from 2 – 9:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10; $4 for children 6-14 and children 5 and under admitted free. Discount coupons for $2 off Thursday or Friday adult admission are available at show’s website and participating Wendy’s restaurants. Free crossover admission from the Cottage & Lakefront Living Show to Outdoorama. On site parking is available for a fee. Social networkers can follow the show on Twitter http://twitter.com/novicottageshow or become a fan on Facebook http://NoviCottageShow.com/Facebook. For more information, visit www.NoviCottageShow.com or call (800) 328-6550.