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PLAINS — Jeff Devlin, host of DIY Network’s “Stone House Revival” and “I Hate My Bath” has always had a passion for remodeling older homes and giving them “a modern twist,” so they can be livable.

“I’m an old house buff,” he said while taking a break from speaking to a group of excited fans. “I like to take the old homes, expose the bones of them to kind of bring back the history.”

That’s exactly what Devlin has been doing with historic homes in Bucks and Chester counties for the past two seasons on “Stone House Revival.” The West Chester native has more than 20 years of experience in the contracting business, so it only seemed fitting that he would be one of the main attractions at this year’s Home and Living Show sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Held at Mohegan Sun Pocono, the expo featured 50 vendors this year from across the state as well as from Florida, Ohio and New York, all pitching various types of services and products to homeowners.

Anne Cragle, a representative from HBA of NEPA and organizer of the show, estimated that 1,500 people attended the two-day event and said that many different types of people come, including first-time home owners as well as people who’ve owned a home for a long time and are interested in upgrading certain spaces.

“I have seen a few young couples I know that are just building or planning to build, and then there’s a lot of people who are downsizing-empty nesters,” Cragle said.

Devlin held a series of presentations for homeowners interested in renovating spaces in their homes, giving advice specifically on how to plan for the project, find good contractors and how to work with them as well.

“You have to put in the work. They don’t just show up at your door,” he said, referring to contractors. “I think when they watch they show, everybody gets inspired to be able to do certain things, but I think at the end of the day, you need to educate yourself a lot more and that’s what the experience of a home show can do with the presentations.”

Another key feature of this year’s show was a model “tiny house” courtesy of Tiny Estates, a company based in Elizabethtown in Lancaster County. CEO Abby Hobson first saw tiny homes during a visit to Colorado two years ago, which inspired her to recreate the homes to use as hotel-style lodging in Elizabethtown. Tiny Estates will be responsible for cleaning, maintaining, and booking the homes and will then split the revenue with builders. The towable, 268-square-foot tiny home featured at the expo was a farmhouse model, which included a sleeping area for two people, a loft that had enough room for another sleeping area as well as a kitchen with appliances and a bathroom.

“Kids love the loft,” Hobson said as a boy climbed up a ladder to explore the space.

“Just watch your head,” she warned.

Tiny Estates will be the first of its kind on the East Coast when it opens with 20 units on April 9.

“I’m excited for the opening day,” Hobson said with a smile. “We just started taking bookings this week, so it’s exciting to see people that were interested finally be able to make reservations and plan to come in April.” \Hobson’s ultimate goal is to have a total of 100 units and plans to “slowly expand” Tiny Estates in the future.

Tiny Estates owner Abby Hobson, right, talks about tiny houses with Gemma Burak, her sister Santina, and father David, all of Peckville, during the Home and Living Show at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Sunday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_TTL012918HomeShow_3.jpg.optimal.jpgTiny Estates owner Abby Hobson, right, talks about tiny houses with Gemma Burak, her sister Santina, and father David, all of Peckville, during the Home and Living Show at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Sunday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

George Whibley, general manager of A&B Sunrooms and Remodel of Plains Township, left, demonstrates one of their screen and window systems for Joe Sedon , of Wilkes-Barre, at the Home and Living Show at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Sunday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_TTL012918HomeShow_2.jpg.optimal.jpgGeorge Whibley, general manager of A&B Sunrooms and Remodel of Plains Township, left, demonstrates one of their screen and window systems for Joe Sedon , of Wilkes-Barre, at the Home and Living Show at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Sunday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Leaf Filter representative Edward Patterson, left, explains the company’s gutter protection systems to Ann Wheeler of Plains Township during the Home and Living Show at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Sunday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_TTL012918HomeShow_1.jpg.optimal.jpgLeaf Filter representative Edward Patterson, left, explains the company’s gutter protection systems to Ann Wheeler of Plains Township during the Home and Living Show at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Sunday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Kulsoom Khan

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