2027 Speakers & Celebrities

Jenn Nawada Appearing on Friday at 2pm & Saturday at 2pm

As the Landscape Contractor for This Old House and Ask This Old House, Jenn Nawada shares creative, practical landscaping solutions with viewers across the country – helping them make their outdoor spaces more beautiful, functional, and sustainable.

Jenn has worked in the landscape design and construction field since 2001 and founded Nawada Landscape Design, Inc. seventeen years ago. Specializing in residential projects, she designs and installs landscapes that are sophisticated, stylish, and environmentally responsible. Her work helps clients discover the full potential of their properties, fostering stronger healthier connections between people and the natural world. Collaborating with some of Boston’s top professional tradespeople, Jenn manages and executes both large and midsize landscape projects from concept to completion.

Jenn first joined This Old House in 2010 as the Landscape Designer for the Auburndale project, where she worked alongside Roger Cook to transform the front yard into a welcoming garden. She became a regular on Ask This Old House in 2015 and was named the official Landscape Contractor for This Old House in January 2020.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies from Rollins College in Florida and a Master of Arts in Landscape Design and Land Use Planning from the Conway School of Landscape Design in Massachusetts. Jenn has been a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist since 2004. Before launching her own business, she was the lead designer at a Boston landscape firm, worked 4 years at the historic Weston Nurseries of Hopkinton, and taught Environmental Education at Shelburne Farms in Vermont.

Jenn lives in the Boston area with her husband and two sons in an early 1900s home she continues to restore and reimagine – one project at a time.

Follow Jenn on Facebook @Jenn Nawada, Twitter @JNawadaTOH, Instagram @JNawadaTOH

Michael Siewert DESIGN 101 with Michael Siewert

Michael Siewert, aka Signature Mike, is thrilled to return home to Louisville and share his design knowledge that he has grown since he moved from Louisville in 1997! From Washington DC to his home now in Augusta, GA, Mike owns a design store, Signature Interiors & Gifts, where he offers anything your home might need. He writes a weekly column for the local newspaper and he hosts his own weekday TV Show, The Signature Mike Show, that airs on CBS, Channel 12 WRDW. He is the headliner for Home & Garden Shows in Augusta, Savannah and Orlando. More than anything, Mike uses his platforms to empower people to make their own design decisions.

Professor Pine and Austin Appearing Friday at 1pm & Saturday 12pm

Margaret Shea, Dropseed Native Plant Nursery Appearing Saturday at 2pm

Mary Wheatley Chef & Master Gardener

Marlena Wolf, of Edible Gardens Inc. Improve health & self sufficiency through Home Gardening with Edible Gardens.

Edible Gardens Inc. helps families improve their health and self-sufficiency through home gardening. Marlena Wolf, entrepreneur and educator, has built her 20-year career in organic farming, growing "real foods", and mentoring home gardeners.

Wolf designs custom raised bed gardens with a Southern Living appeal. The elements of style include red cedar planter boxes, stone pathways, defined borders, and trellising. The highest quality materials are used: rich soil, non-gmo plants, irrigation, and deer fencing if desired. Her team installs these ‘turnkey” garden packages year-round in the Louisville area. They provide maintenance services and monthly workshops for continued support. Marlena publishes a yearly garden calendar and speaks on academic stages. Certifications from Annie’s Project, The Garden Coach Society, and Women’s Carpentry Class has kept her expertise sharp.

Check out her Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Appearing Friday, January 9th at 2 pm, Saturday, January 10th at 5 pm, and Sunday, January 11th at 1 pm.

Greater Louisville Bonsai Society Bonsai Education

In this presentation we will be discussing the basics of bonsai history, care and maintenance of them. We will have trees that we will be doing demonstrations on wiring and trimming of them in preparation for spring growth. We will also be talking about the horticultural aspects that make it possible to have bonsai that are hundreds of years old but can grow happily in a small pot. Q&A to follow.

The Greater Louisville Bonsai Society was established in 1971 as a club for people passionate about the living art that is bonsai. GLBS conducts monthly meetings and activities throughout the year. Through the use of hands-on workshops, professional demonstrations, lectures, and video presentations, the members strive to increase their proficiency in this challenging and rewarding hobby. All are welcome at any skill level or age.

Jimmy McKinney of J & R Construction Appearing Friday at 5pm to speak on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's).

J&R Construction

Jimmy McKinney of J & R Construction Appearing Friday at 5pm to speak on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's).

Hiring the Right Builder for Your ADU, Remodel, or Aging-in-Place Project

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are one of the most practical ways families can adapt their homes to changing needs. Whether the goal is aging in place, accommodating family members, or creating flexible living space, success depends on more than construction alone. It depends on planning, design, and choosing the right contractor.

Building or remodeling for aging in place often includes principles of universal design, such as improved accessibility, safer layouts, and long-term functionality. These considerations apply not only to ADUs, but also to home remodels and additions that allow people to stay in their homes longer and more comfortably.

Choosing the right builder can make the difference between a stressful experience and a positive one. ADUs and aging-in-place remodels frequently require tying into existing plumbing, electrical, and structural systems. A contractor experienced in remodeling and additions is often better suited for this work than a builder who focuses only on new construction.

Key Considerations:

Clarify your goals: An ADU may be a backyard cottage, garage conversion, or basement apartment. In some cases, a remodel or addition may better meet your needs. Knowing your priorities helps guide design and budgeting decisions.
Experience matters: Not all builders are the same. Look for professionals with proven experience in remodeling, additions, and accessibility-focused projects.
Ask the right questions: Licensing, insurance, references, and relevant project experience are essential. Use provided checklists and handouts to guide your conversations.
Expect transparency: A reliable contractor should offer clear scopes of work, realistic timelines, and well-defined budgets.
Personal fit counts: You’ll be working closely together. Trust, communication, and mutual respect matter.
Consider long-term costs: Assisted living can cost $60,000–$80,000 per year. In just a few years, those costs can exceed the investment in an ADU or aging-in-place remodel that serves a family for decades.
Visualize the outcome: Drawings and plans help homeowners understand how an ADU or remodel can work within their existing property.

At its core, building an ADU or remodeling for aging in place is about more than square footage. It’s about independence, family connection, and long-term stewardship of your home.

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