Being a Vendor at the HGTV Dream Home 2023 with Belgard

I still feel like I dreamed it…it was December 2022…

You see, I’ve been watching HGTV since college (that would be the late 90’s in case you didn’t know!). I’ve tried all sorts of decorative and home improvement and DIY projects over the years because of my obsession with HGTV. So, when I got an email asking for a quote for one of our bars to go to Morrison and be the outside bar for the HGTV Dream Home, and work with one of our favorite beverage caterers, Peak Beverage, I think I might have stopped breathing for a moment!

It’s so cool how they do these events…

Basically, all of the corporate sponsors of the home, like Belgard for the exterior stonework, for example, get to have the house to themselves for a bit of time. They use that time to host influencers to come and visit the house and have one-on-one time with the designer and representatives from the corporate sponsor. The influencer may even get some products from that corporate sponsor to use as a give-away to their followers or to use for one of their own sponsored DIY projects, which they’ll post about, of course. 20 years ago, this “influencer” marketing concept wasn’t even really a thing, unless maybe you were Michael Jordan, and now it is a brilliant way for content creators to get up close and personal with products they and their followers would really use! And it’s a fantastic way for the corporate sponsor to get in front of TONS of people that will be potential customers.

So, when we pulled up to the HGTV Dream Home…

Geez, I never imagined I’d get to say that phrase! We knew the area where the planner wanted us to park. So, we started getting Betty the Camper Bar stabilized and upacked…and DECORATED! Because you DO NOT show up to an HGTV Dream Home without some decor for your vintage camper bar, ok ya’ll! So, of course I had already spent time drooling over all of the images on the HGTV website of what designer Brian Patrick Flynn had created, a “stunning grand mountain escape.” And I tried my best to blend Betty’s decor with the Dream Home. The home is basically tucked into the forest, so I knew we needed a woodland feel. Brian had lots of cozy elements and some rustic and vintage elements in his design. So, I ransacked my warehouse (and my basement!) and came pretty close! When I was chatting with Brian (as one does when one is at the HGTV Dream Home…) and I mentioned that I used his design as inspiration for my bar decor he even said, “your effort did not go unnoticed.” Really!!?? You, Brian Patrick Flynn, noticed my attempt to decorate my vintage camper bar??!! Eeeekkk! I think I fainted. He even posted his own photos of Betty on his Instagram! If you don’t follow him, YOU SHOULD!

Then we got to see the Dream Home!!!!!!

I remember walking up the stairs to the front entry, which, by the way, is located next to a stunning waterfall, pond, outdoor kitchen and firepit, and entering the front door. It was surreal. I’d watched the shows for decades but never imagined that I would get to go to one of the Dream Homes. Belgard was the sponsor for this event and there wasn’t an inch of the exterior of that home that wasn’t touched by an incredible Belgard product. Holy smokes was it stunning! I could’ve quite happily spent the rest of my life sitting outside in those perfectly designed outdoor vignettes. Read a book by the waterfall, yes please! Cocktails while watching my hubby grill something in the outdoor kitchen, uhm yes, I’d do that. Smores over the firepit, where do I sign?

Anyway, the event was a success, Betty was a hit, and I was on a high for about a month…oh who am I kidding? I’m still on a high from being a vendor at the HGTV Dream Home! But wait there’s more! HGTV called me again…oh yes. Yes they did! Read my next blog post to find out more!