Presented by the City of Decatur and Georgia Historic Preservation Division, the sixth annual Decatur Old House Fair is set for this Saturday February 9th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel and Conference Center at 130 Clairemont Avenue.

This year’s theme is “Form Follows Function”, which “explores the relationship between home improvement and historic charm through an array of DIY, sustainable living, maintenance and renovation tracks.”, according to a post on Atlanta Intown.

The exhibit area will open at 9a and seminars begin at 10a. Among the topics being presented/discussed this year:

• A wood window workshop
• The Architecture and Career of Leila Ross Wilburn
• Creating a Maintenance Plan for Your House
• Creating a Master Plan for Your Landscape
• Reviving Old House Chimneys and Fireplaces
• Plumbing Pitfalls in Older Homes
• The American Small House

Decatur’s Preservation Planner, Regina Brewer, highlights the American Small House in a note to the community…

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Decatur’s Preservation Planner Regina Brewer writes in with this announcement about this year’s Decatur Old House Fair…

Given the number of times the dear readers of DM have debated “old versus new”, this event with the theme “Something Old, Something New” should satisfy all.  It’s the Decatur Old House Fair and it’s the one event where no one will look at your strangely when you utter words like “muntin” and “corbel” in the same sentence as “energy efficiency” and “low flush toilets ”.  In fact, you will be among many people who are currently pumping out the water from their basements and are eagerly looking forward to the session on “Mastering Moisture and Water Problems” (soon to be a movie with Kevin Bacon and filmed in any neighborhood with old houses!).

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Regina Brewer sends in this one-of-a-kind press release for us!.

The Decatur Old House Fair or as some like to call it “Why did I buy this money pit and will these people tell me how to fix stuff?” event

Yep, it’s spring, when a young man or woman’s thoughts turn to “what color should I paint our house?” or “I’m not going another summer without insulating this place” or better yet “I am not sharing a bathroom with my three boys any longer! I need an architect and a contractor!”

It’s time for the Decatur Old House Fair on Saturday, February 18th at the NEW Courtyard by Marriott! That’s right, you too can wonder around from seminar to seminar trying to listen to really smart people tell you how to do cool stuff to your old house. What kind of cool stuff? Fixing those wood windows that are currently painted shut and have tub and tile caulk for glazing (oh, wait, those were my windows!). How about learning how to research the history and style of your house and find out if Leila Ross Wilburn designed it. died in it, walked by it, or maybe she ignored it entirely, but you love it anyway. Hate your weed filled yard with bald patches and three half dead Nandina’s as “landscaping”?

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Many of you have already clicked-thru on the ad above, but for those that haven’t I wanted to remind everyone about Decatur’s most-excellent Old House Fair tomorrow from 9am to 5pm at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in downtown Decatur.

What’s in store this year?  Here’s some info from the city’s official press release…

Homeowners attend how-to seminars and workshops on restoring old windows, historic landscapes, researching an old house, kitchen and bath ideas, energy efficiency, and much more. The Fair also includes a large exhibit hall of professionals, retailers, and suppliers specializing in home improvement, historic preservation, and interior furnishings.

Exhibit area opens at 9 a.m.; seminars begin at 10 a.m. Topics include:

* Ranch Houses in Georgia and DeKalb County-Iconic or Ordinary?,  Researching Your Old House/What Style is Your Home (Bring Pictures!), Energy Efficiency in Old Homes, Wood Window Workshop,  Maintaining Your Old Home, “Greening” Your Old House, Plaster and Paint,  Creating 20th Century Landscapes, Creating Historic Interiors in a Modern World, Understanding Wood Floors and Wood Details in Older Homes, Kitchen and Bath Solutions for Older Homes, Ask Bill! Q &A on Older Home Dilemmas, Working with an Architect and Design Solutions for Additions and New Construction in Historic Neighborhoods,  Storm Windows for Old Houses.

Tickets can be purchased HERE and are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Back for a second year, the Decatur Old House Fair will take place Saturday March 6th at the Holiday Inn Conference Center beginning to 10am.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

According to the city’s press release, topics of discussion include…

• Wood Window Repair and Maintenance (offered twice!)
• Maintenance Plans for Old Houses
• Design Strategies for Additions and New Construction in Historic Neighborhoods
• Energy Efficiency in Old Houses
• “Greening” Your Old House
• Major Repairs –Wood Stripping, Plaster, and Lead Abatement
• Historic Landscapes
• Creating Historic Interiors in a Modern World
• Researching Your Old House and What Style is Your House? (Bring a picture of your house!)
• Storm Windows in Old Houses
• Hiring a Contractor
• Zoning, Permitting, and Preservation Commissions

Just got the schedule for this Saturday’s 1st Annual Decatur Old House Fair!

Looks like Regina’s lined up some really great speakers…and its only $10 if you buy tickets in advance (list of merchants here), and $15 at the door.  The full schedule is online, but here’s a taste…

• A historic window restoration workshop
• A sensitive additions seminar from an architect and preservationist from re-FORM
• A “Research Your House” seminar with GA resident expert Ken Thomas (who also happens to be a Decatur resident!)
• A “What Style is Your House?” seminar
• A seminar on “greening your old house”
• A seminar on historic landscapes
• A “How to Hire a Contractor” seminar by Renewal’s CEO
• A “Remodeling for Sustainable Living” seminar

I’m obviously a nut for this sort of thing so I’d say any ONE of these seminars is worth the price of admission.

Over at The Decatur Minute, Regina also promises free goodies from vendors…and free coffee.

Again, it’s 10a-5p this Saturday at the Holiday Inn Conference Center/Plaza/Whatever.  If I’ve missed anything, any and all details can be found HERE.

I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say that a lot of Decatur’s pride stems from its historic neighborhoods. (Lord knows it’s not coming from Quizno’s plaza!)

Now the city, in conjunction with the Decatur Preservation Alliance and DeKalb History Center, is giving you a helping hand in learning about and maintaining your historic home!

On Saturday, October 25th from 10a-5p, Decatur will host its first-ever Old House Fair at the Holiday Inn Conference Center.  Admission is only $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

All the details can be found here.