Blog & Social

See celebrity guest expert JEFF DEVLIN on the Main Stage

Friday, Feb. 28 at 6 pm and Saturday, March 1 at 11 am

With more than 20 years in the professional carpentry business, Jeff’s passion and dedication, along with his natural ability to entertain those around him with humor, honesty, and a smile, led him to the world of television. Jeff has many years and numerous shows under his belt for HGTV, DIY Network and Magnolia Network, including I Hate My Bath, Ellen’s Design Challenge, In With the Old, Stone House Revival and many others, totaling more than 200 episodes.

In addition to his extensive TV experience, Jeff, a southeast Pennsylvania resident, remains very hands-on. His SchoolHouse Woodworking custom woodworking company focuses on hand-cut joinery and historic methods of building items ranging from farm tables to custom cabinetry, and his retail store named Sycamore & Stone Farm, which specializes in handcrafted, local items, is located in an old 1735 Pennsylvania stone bank barn.

Jeff’s love for fixing things and his hard-earned experience perfecting his craft has led him to independently accomplish the complete renovation of two historic Pennsylvania farmhouses, one of them being the current house of his dreams, a 250-year-old stone farmhouse. He shares this labor of love with two children, Reese and Aidan; Gretel, a 13-year old St. Bernard; Benji, a one-year-old mutt; and a handful of chickens.

Jeff will be presenting on “Tips for Hiring a Contractor,” when he’ll share some great tips and tricks with show visitors. In anticipation of that, he shared some of his own personal and professional preferences:

When you design a room, what is the most important interior design advice you give? Design for you and your family’s needs. Following trends is easy, but they are just that - trends - and a new one is always right around the corner. Be honest with what you need as well as the budget to make it happen. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so your kitchen won't be, either! Really think through your options and look at not just today's needs, but also down the line so you can ensure your project is truly timeless.

Tips for incorporating a new design trend into your home?

Start small, and then live with it for a bit. Dramatic change, at least for me, is jarring.

What do you recommend as a rule of thumb for mixing patterns or materials (i.e., metals) in design and décor projects?

I am pretty safe when it comes to patterns, and keep it to one pattern and then muted tones around so there is not a lot of competition between materials in a room.

What is an outdated home trend you hope doesn’t come back?

Open concept.

Are you a plant fanatic, or is your green thumb lacking?

Definitely not a green thumb.

Best home purchase for under $100?

Fresh bath towels.

What’s your favorite paint color?

Antique Pewter, or the tried-and-true Mop Board Black.

What home gadget or tool should every homeowner own?

Loving my Roomba, and with dogs, it  keeps things much less hairy without the effort.

In your opinion, what's the most underrated tool in your toolbox?

Chisels.

What project are you currently working on?

Restoration of an 1812 farmstead.

What’s your next home project?

Just decided to redo our own kitchen and build all the cabinetry to fit our style and needs.

Which HGTV star would you most like to work with and why?

Ben Napier (Home Town), because he seems very cool and knowledgeable. 

What is your favorite type of music to listen to when you’re working?

Love me some acoustic singer-songwriters.

What do you enjoy about being at a home show?

I love getting to meet all the fans and answer their questions, as well as seeing all the different vendors and products.