Ocean of ideas

Weary of winter white? Bachman's Spring Ideas House, opening this week, will display waves of Aegean aqua, as well as other shades of fresh greens and calming blues in decorated room vignettes inside the historic Bachman family home on Lyndale Avenue S. in Minneapolis.

This season's theme, "Aegean Oasis," showcases eclectic decor and design trends inspired by an overseas retreat. Theme rooms include a Mediterranean-style living room layered with textured wood, raw woven materials and natural accents, a "glass garden" sunroom and a quirky "lounge" accented with glass orbs, feathers and arrows. For entertaining inspiration, professional designers have set three different spring tablescapes mingling pattern, color and floral design. The Spring Ideas House will be open daily, Thursday through April 13 at 5936 Lyndale Av. S. Tickets are $5, which includes a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase; part of ticket proceeds go to Art in Bloom. Buy tickets online at www.bachmans.com or call 612-861-7311.

Improve it

Gather tips and advice for your next big or small home and landscaping project at the Home Improvement and Design Expo, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd., Maple Grove. The event includes demonstrations, seminars and new product exhibits. Cost is $6; free with a nonperishable food item. Go to www.expoguys.com or call 952-238-1700.

Well-crafted

Find out how the Arts and Crafts movement has connections to interior design, women's rights and literature at a Gabberts program on the history of Arts and Crafts, 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Love Arts and Crafts stenciling? Learn how you can incorporate it into your home, 6:30 p.m. March 26. Both events are free at Gabberts Furniture and Design Studio, 69th St. and France Av. S., Edina. To register, go to www.gabberts.com or call 952-928-3123.

Edible landscape

Fruit and vegetable gardens not only produce ingredients for favorite dishes, but they create colorful outdoor spaces. Emily Tepe, author of "The Edible Landscape," will explain how your garden can do double duty, including planning color and texture combinations, planting, pruning, watering, repelling pests and harvesting. The free program and book signing are from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Minnesota State Horticultural Society, 2705 Lincoln Dr., Roseville. Register at www.northerngardener.org.

LYNN UNDERWOOD

Avoiding kitchen mistakes

Considering a kitchen update? A free seminar on "Top 10 Kitchen Design Mistakes" — and how to avoid them — will be offered at Crystal Kitchen Center on Saturday, 9 to 10:30 a.m. and again noon to 1:30 p.m. Design experts also will discuss the latest cabinet accessories and appliances, green design, code issues and more.

To attend, please RVSP at 763-544-5950. Crystal Kitchen Center is located at 5620 Winnetka Av. N., Crystal.

Kim palmer