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Collin show features TLC and HGTV stars - Frisco, Allen & McKinney

August 2005 - Britney Porter

"While You Were Out" invites you in to Frisco Conference Center

Andrew Dan-Jumbo of TLC's "While You Were Out" interior design program and "America's Flower Man" Dale Rohman will headline the first-ever Collin County Home, Garden and Interior Design Show this month. The show will be held in the new 90,000-square-foot Frisco Conference Center located inside the Embassy Suites, which is adjacent to Stonebriar Centre.

Organizer Debbie Richardson expects at least 10,000 people will attend the event. Over 200 vendors will show off their latest innovations in landscaping, gardening, interior design, and home aquariums.

The home show will run from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27; and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28.

The Hunk Behind the Tool Belt
Named as one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2003, some call Andrew Dan-Jumbo "The Hunk behind the Tool Belt." He calls himself a “Man of Many Hats."

When this heartthrob isn't remodeling a room or outdoor space on "While You Were Out," he's traveling to regional shows. "I'm looking forward to Frisco's home show because it's one of the first of the season," said Andrew in his familiar British accent. "I do anywhere from 25 to 40 shows." After a presentation on home repair and remodeling, Andrew will share behind-the-scene stories from "While You Were Out." "A lot of people want to know if it's really as chaotic as it looks," he said.

Born in Nigeria and raised in Shoreham, a coastal town near London, Andrew attended St. Martin's College of Art & Design. After a career in graphic design, he returned to the U.S. and co-founded Eurotek, a commercial and residential construction company. Now, Andrew travels 220 days per year for "While You Were Out." Of the 60 shows per year, and five specials, 15 shows cover outdoor makeovers.

Of course, he's so busy designing and building for others, he hardly has time for his home in Buffalo, N.Y. "I had the privilege of installing hardwood floors. ... But last year, I spent 301 days on the road, so building furniture for my home is low on my list of priorities."

How did TLC discover Andrew? "They didn't. I found them," he said. Andrew's friend was remodeling a kitchen when word got out that TLC was launching a new home design show. "I submitted a horrible short video tape filmed in the same kitchen as [my friend] who didn't get hired."

Andrew's good looks and craftsmanship have attracted the attention of "Oprah," "The View," and "CNN." If he's not hitting the airwaves, Andrew's hitting the ocean's waves to surf. But sometimes he sacrifices the sport for his job. "I didn’t know – signing up for the show – to what extent it would impact my life," Andrew said, "but I enjoy working on the show so it’s a happy sacrifice."

America's Flower Man
Expect a bouquet of creativity with Dale Rohman's tips and tricks on how to recycle simple household items to flaunt your flowers .

"There are all kinds of home remedies to make flowers last longer," Dale said. "For instance, a half a teaspoon of bleach and a half a teaspoon of sugar for every cup and a quarter of water is basically the same ingredient as in the food packages you get at flower shops. The sugar acts as food, and the bleach kills the bacteria in the water."

"Now I call tulips 'dancing flowers.' If you don’t want your tulips to bend over, add a table spoon of vodka and 3 cups of water to them. Then you have a good excuse to have a little booze in the house!" Dale jokes.

A regular on Home and Garden Television and the Discovery Channel, Dale's 45-year career in floral design has earned him the moniker "The Flower Man." "[The name] was suggested by my friend Gary Zide, but I tell people that I slid from my mother’s womb with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and America’s flag in the other!"

Dale's Web site is as colorful as his personality. Logon to find items to purchase as well as his book Tricks of the Trade. Dale has also published A Time for Flowers, and Fantastic Wreaths.

What’s the biggest mistake we make when preparing a flower arrangement? "To be intimidated by Martha Stewart and other professionals," Dale said. "Flowers are here to add beauty to our lives. It doesn't have to be something that's grand and glorious. People say 'I can't do this or that.' Just cut the end of a stem with a sharp knife – not scissors – it draws the water faster ... and then you’ve done it! You've become a floral artist!"

America's Flower Man and The Hunk Behind the Tool Belt will be signing autographs at the Collin County Home, Garden and Interior Design Show.

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