It’s all about nature, says Sandra-Lynn Thomson of Thomson’s Edge and one of the main stage speakers at the 2026 Ottawa Fall Home Show, which runs Oct. 1-4. Thomson will be offering audiences a sneak peak into kitchen and bathroom trends in 2027.
Natural finishes, stone countertops, matte finishes, sustainable products, wood, plants: watch for them all in kitchens and bathrooms, she says, underscoring how a return to cosy, human-scaled environments can help us weather the onslaught of an overly busy and conflicted world.
“Making it feel as natural as possible. Even in bathroom walls, we’re going more toward the matte finishes. The biggest thing is getting back to nature.”
Thomson (more on her company’s work here) is on stage at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. She joins a cavalcade of other speakers at the show, including the headliner: celebrity designer, entrepreneur and TV personality Sarah Richardson, speaking at 6 p.m. Friday and again Saturday at 1 p.m.
Richardson invariably draws a packed audience, but All Things Home readers can enter our contest to win a pair of tickets for reserved, front-row seating. Four pairs of tickets are up for grabs.
There are six other speakers, including Lindsay Haley, general manager of multi-award-winning Amsted Design-Build, on designing with intention; custom home builder, renovation pro and TV personality Chris Palmer; and All Things Home co-founder/stage host Anita Murray providing a sneak peek into award-worthy Ottawa homes.
On Saturday, audiences will be treated to two performances by Rockland’s Julianna Labelle. The young lady with the knock-out voice (she’s 11) performed at this year’s Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill and has opened for the likes of Dan Hill and Andy Kim.
“She’s great,” says show manager Chris Cigos. “She’ll be raising money for charity.”
Along with the opportunity to hear Julianna and other stage presenters, Cigos says this year’s show — which is jam-packed with experts, design inspiration and professional advice — offers visitors a chance to meet exhibitors ranging from renovation specialists to heating and cooling pros, roofing businesses, and other services.
“People want to get face-to-face with exhibitors and get a head start on projects they maybe haven’t been able to get to and educate themselves on where products are coming from, what are the costs going to be. There’s just so much uncertainty (in the world), so this more than ever is the best time to be face to face and get direct answers from exhibitors.”
Noting the barrage of scams and AI-supported bad actors who seem to await us at every turn along with the high cost of being a homeowner, Cigos says a show like this gives visitors the opportunity to meet and assess exhibitors in the flesh and decide who to hire.
The Ora modular home by Bonneville.
Other draws at this year’s Fall Home Show:
- The Ora, a 932-square-foot, open-concept home with two bedrooms by Bonneville. The company has been building affordable modular homes for 65 years.
- The CHEO Foundation promoting and selling tickets for the Minto dream home, an always popular fundraiser which opens Sept. 15 and this year blends Parisien elegance with Ottawa architectural heritage and modern touches. (Watch for our in-depth article on the dream home coming soon.)
- The Perth Brewery is back, offering a place to relax with a snack and cold beverage.
For more show details, such as times and admission, visit ottawafallhomeshow.com. (See the ad on All Things Home for discounted tickets.)
