Joshua Foss
You may recognize artist and designer Joshua Foss as ‘”Organic Josh” from this past season of HGTV’s hit series Design Star. Joshua is a green designer and sustainable lifestyle consultant at the forefront of the green-building industry and lives by the motto that being green should not sacrifice style. A self-proclaimed “metro hippie,” Joshua is out to prove that sustainability is an attractive and affordable option.

Joshua has a unique approach to design. He combines a formal education in fine arts, half a dozen years working as a carpenter, a commitment to the environment and experience working as a designer from Seattle to Orlando. He heads Thrive Design Studio (www.thrive-ds.com/), a Minneapolis-based green design and consultation firm. He will be at the show Feb. 6-7.

Lee Snijders, Design on a Dime
Lee Snijders’ former career as a Walt Disney Imagineer taught him an important lesson: as long as you have imagination, your creativity is limitless. He’ll be the first to tell you he’s not your stereotypical designer; his approach to design comes from his diverse creative background. His inviting and sophisticated interiors range from classic mid-century modern and contemporary styles to his own unique tropical environments.

Snijders’ passion for entertaining and design began at an early age. In 1990 he created Lee Snijders Designs, which encompassed his love of interior and furniture design. In 1995 he was given the opportunity to work with Walt Disney Imagineering as a dimensional designer, where he became part of the WDI creative team. For four years he helped create numerous theme parks and attractions. While continuing his residential interior business, Snijders’ new dream was to be a part of the growing home decorating television market.

In 2001 he was asked to be the designer spokesperson for House to Home and then appeared on numerous television design shows. His career as host and designer for Design on a Dime has brought him back full circle, encompassing both his love of entertaining and interior design. Snijders’ latest career endeavor is a first of its kind design, lifestyle and travel Internet reality show broadcasting on www.realleetv.com. For more information about Lee Snijders, visit www.leesnijdersdesigns.com or www.realleetv.com.

“Dr. Gadget” Dave Dettman
“Dr. Gadget” Dave Dettman is the world’s top consumer product promoter, casting his keen eye on new consumer products and advising what to buy and what NOT to buy, debunking some well-marketed myths along the way.

Dave’s exciting and successful broadcast career began well over a decade ago when he secured the rights to The Happy Cube, the best selling toy in Europe. Through his creative and natural marketing skills as well as a solid understanding of the dynamics of the marketplace, Dave quickly found success marketing The Happy Cube to retail giants including Wal-Mart, Disney, the NFL and thousands of other retail outlets.

In addition to starting his “gadget” career off with a bang, The Happy Cube also gave Dave a lesson in the “other” side of marketing. During his visit to the International Toy Fair in New York City in 1991, Dave discovered what the word “knock-off” really meant. Someone had copied the already successful Happy Cube and Dave was forced to defend all legal aspects of it. Several thousands of dollars later, he learned that to out-sell and out-market is better than to out-spend a thief on a new product. The existing patent on The Happy Cube simply gave Dave and his partners the right to fight back.

This experience spurred Dave on to form Mr. Product, a company that would help people get their products to market safely. This company would provide a path of least resistance, a “safe harbor” for inventors and their ideas, with the motto (and now the tag line) “Watch Your Ideas Come Alive!” For more information about Dr. Gadget, visit www.doctorgadget.com.

About the Des Moines Home & Garden Show
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2008, the Des Moines Home & Garden Show – The Big One!SM is the city’s oldest and largest show of its kind, featuring the latest trends in home, garden and interior design concepts from hundreds of companies. Scheduled for Feb. 6-10, 2008, this year’s show will be the largest in its 30-year history. Visit www.desmoineshomeandgardenshow.com or call 800-HOM-SHOW (800-466-7469) for more information.

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Posted: January 29, 2008 at 11:51 am by erica