Bath Bliss creates stunning retreats from the outdated and the ordinary.
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Table of Contents
Axiom Roofing says face-to-face relationships are key. Page 6
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WRS Ferndale going strong after 40 years.
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Black Mountain Sauna utilizes local cedar timber.
Welcome to the 2026 Whatcom County Home & Lifestyle Show
The Whatcom County Home & Lifestyle Show at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden is the largest home and garden show north of Seattle. This year’s event is April 24-26. (Photos courtesy BIAWC)
Welcome to the Largest Home Show North of Seattle, a free, family friendly weekend with entertainment, food and more than 200 exhibitors to inspire ideas for how you can imagine or reimagine your home.
The Building Industry Association of Whatcom County presents the 2026 Whatcom Home & Lifestyle Show April 24-26 at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden at 1775 Front St.
This event is sponsored by Judd & Black Appliance and is open each day from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The association, also known as BIAWC, celebrates 45 years of serving Whatcom County with this special show, which is Whatcom County’s largest and most trusted destination for all design and home improvement information, inspiration and direct connections for you with local industry leaders and trendsetters.
In addition to the 200-plus exhibitors who will showcase home improvement, remodeling, landscaping, décor and lifestyle products, the Home & Lifestyle Show
offers a chance to talk directly with local builders, designers and contractors from across Whatcom County and the Pacific Northwest.
It’s also one of the region’s biggest spring events for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts.
The Home & Lifestyle Show is also a fun event for all ages with the Ribs and Roofs BBQ Competition; Food Truck Roundup; workshops, seminars and live demos; Lego Building Competition; and Reptile Show.
The Building Industry Association of Whatcom County is a private, non-profit trade organization of builders, remodelers and other businesses related to the home building and construction industry.
Founded in Bellingham in 1978, BIAWC has continued to be a voice for the construction industry in Whatcom County.
BIAWC offices are at 1650 Baker Creek Place, Bellingham. Call 360-671-4247 or email info@biawc.com for more information.
More information at biawc.com.
Here are some of the highlights of this year’s Whatcom County Home & Lifestyle Show:
Ribs & Roofs BBQ Competition
• A sanctioned Pacific Northwest BBQ Association BBQ competition featuring 20-plus pitmaster teams
• Attendees can sample BBQ during scheduled tasting hours while supplies last
• Proceeds support local trade scholarships and youth woodworking programs
Food Truck Roundup
• A gathering of popular Whatcom County food trucks
• A chance to sample local favorites alongside the show’s activities
Workshops, Seminars & Live Demos at the Peoples Bank Stage
• Educational seminars about home innovation, gardening, and more.
• Whatcom Dahlia Society Pop Up Shop on Saturday
• Young Entrepreneurs Market on Saturday
• Entertainment from The Reptile Man on Saturday
• Everyone’s favorite Master Gardner Ciscoe Morris on Sunday
• Live stage presentations from experts and local businesses.
Family Activities
• LEGO brick pit and building competition with Brad Bergman of LEGO Masters
• Woodworking area for kids (all weekend)
• Gnome scavenger hunt (all weekend)
• Character visits for kids on Saturday
• Face Painting & Balloon Animals on Saturday
• Indoor Golf Simulator (all weekend)
• Other interactive activities and displays for families.
Event Basics
• April 24–26 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day
• Free Admission
• Location: Lynden fairgrounds at the Northwest Washington Fair & Event Center, 1775 Front St.
Bath Bliss comes to Home & Lifestyle Show
Creating stunning retreats from the outdated and ordinary
By Racquel Muncy Staff Reporter
FERNDALE — Taras Kouian has more than 10 years of experience remodeling bathrooms, creating stunning retreats out of the often outdated and ordinary spaces. He takes pride in what he does and funnels that pride and experience into his company, Bath Bliss Remodel LLC.
Kouian said with his experience in the field he knows exactly how to work with clients to get them the space they are envisioning.
“We do everything in the bathroom from start to finish,” he said.
This includes everything from flooring and countertops to shower door and bath installation and Kouian helps clients understand the pros and cons to their choices. He also covers several topics in blog posts on his website.
For example, a walk-in shower can help a building feel more spacious and stylish, while also being advantageous for those seeking to age in place.
However, if the only tub in the home is being replaced it could reduce resale value and it is not ideal for families with small children.
A bathtub, on the other hand, can feel relaxing and luxurious, but takes up space.
Kouian has built himself a team that includes a regular group of contractors that Bath Bliss trusts and works with to ensure projects are completed to his high standards.
He said he also prides himself in project efficiency, typically completing projects in less than a week. Part of this efficiency comes from the use of onyx solid surfaces.
“It goes on a lot quicker, but still gives that solid, quality look,” Kouian said. “My clients have been loving it.”
The surface is made from a blend of alumina trihydrate and polyester resin that creates a durable, non-porous surface that is easy to install, easy to clean and easy to maintain.
Bath Bliss will have a display of the onyx
surface available at the Whatcom County Home & Lifestyle Show for attendees to see in person.
This is Kouian’s first time at this particular home show and said he is excited to show the community that there is a bathroom specialist that wants to serve them well.
“I mainly want to get my name out there to Whatcom,” he said. “I want to serve my community.”
The Whatcom County Home & Lifestyle Show is from April 24-26 at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center. It is the largest home show north of Seattle and provides a free, family-friendly weekend of home inspiration and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
The Bath Bliss booth will be located inside of the WECU Expo Building.
Outside of the home show, Kouian can be reached at 360-784-2727.
More information about Bath Bliss Remodel can be found at bathremodelexperts.com.
Taras Kouian of Bath Bliss Remodel LLC has built himself a team that includes a regular group of contractors his company trusts and works with to ensure projects are completed to his high standards. This year will be Kouian’s first time at the Whatcom County Home & Lifestyle Show, April 24-26 at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center. He said he is excited to show the community that there is a bathroom specialist that wants to serve them well.
(Courtesy photos)
Face-to-face relationships are key to Axiom Roofing
By Bill Helm Editor
LYNDEN — Axiom Roofing has been a proud exhibitor at the annual BIAWC Home & Lifestyle Show since 2021.
“Our experience in Whatcom County has been incredibly rewarding; the show consistently facilitates meaningful engagement with local residents, which has directly resulted in successful project leads and long-term contracts,” said Jason Visser, residential project manager at Axiom Roofing.
Visser explained that the BIAWC Home & Lifestyle Show is “an invaluable opportunity for us to move beyond digital and phone interactions and connect with the community in person.”
“We believe building authentic, face-to-face relationships is essential,” Visser said. “This event allows us to personally shake hands with our neighbors and establish a deeper level of trust with both current and potential customers.”
Serving the Pacific Northwest since 2002, Axiom Roofing is a sister company to Axiom Di-
vision 7 and Axiom Construction and Consulting. They expect the best work to be performed “on every single job we set foot on.”
“From the initial consultation and scheduling through the construction and site cleanup, we take each job seriously,” Axiom states at its website.
According to Axiom, re-roofing your house or business doesn’t need to be a painful process.
“Axiom knows that the faster we get it done, and the fewer surprises along the way, the happier you’ll be,” their website states. “That’s why
Above and on opposite page: Since 2021, Axiom Roofing in Lynden has taken part in the annual BIAWC Home & Lifestyle Show at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden.
(Bill Helm/ Lynden Tribune)
we provide an accurate schedule, fast proposals, efficient work and timely follow ups.”
Axiom Roofing serves residential and commercial clients on new construction and reroofing projects with a commitment to “work diligently to provide clear communication with an accurate proposal and schedule.”
“Attention to detail is our main priority,” Axiom states.
When Axiom Roofing joined the Axiom family of companies it gained extensive resources and the know-how of Axiom while maintaining its unique culture of hard work, quality craftsmanship and diligence.
More about Axiom Roofing at axiomrfg.net and on Facebook: Axiom Roofing Co. Also call 360-354-9937 or email info@axiomrfg.net. Hours are 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. until noon Friday. Closed weekends. Address is 1841 Front St Suite A, Lynden. Also locations in Bellingham, Everett and Seattle.
Black Mountain Sauna utilizes local cedar timber
By Racquel Muncy Staff Reporter
DEMING — Brandon Starrett spent more than a decade as a general contractor specializing in finished carpentry. A few years ago he moved into saunas, having previously built a few.
Working with cedar is something Starrett enjoys, from the look to the smell to the finished products.
“I love working with my hands,” he said.
In 2024, Black Mountain Sauna was born.
“We got to the point we were making them in our shop,” he said.
Starrett uses cedar timber from Whatcom County and his small team of himself and three employees does everything themselves from cutting the logs to creating the finished product.
“It’s 100% local,” he said, adding that the saunas have a three to four week turnaround. “Everything we produce is from Whatcom.”
Starrett and his team build both barrel saunas and traditional saunas.
The saunas are built specifically for the weather of the Pacific Northwest and include a glass entry door, 30-year architectural metal roof, high performance roof underlayment and trim and professional-grade exterior stain.
Each sauna comes fully assembled and ready to use. Delivery is free within Whatcom and Skagit counties.
The barrel saunas are designed with the largest diameter in the industry at 7.5 feet and are available in a variety of lengths to accommodate seating needs.
Traditional saunas are crafted to European sauna standards and are built on solid concrete foundations with insulated walls and floors to guarantee exceptional heat retention.
Black Mountain Sauna will install the heater of the buyer’s choice as well, however electric heaters require an electrician to make the connection to the house. Electric or wood heater options are available.
This year Black Mountain Sauna can be found at the Whatcom County Home & Lifestyle Show for the first time from April 24-26 at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center.
Brandon Starrett, at right, likes to work with his hands. It's one reason he founded Black Mountain Sauna, located in Deming. Starrett uses cedar timber from Whatcom County, pictured at right and on opposite page, and his small team of himself and three employees does everything themselves from cutting the logs to creating the finished product.
(Courtesy photo)
Black Mountain Sauna will be located with the outdoor booths, just outside of the WECU Expo Building in spot O76.
Starrett said there will be a model on display at the home show for attendees to check out and potentially purchase.
However, he said he is mainly looking about promoting the business and getting the Black Mountain Sauna name out to more of the community.
“I’m hoping to generate some business,” he said.
Outside of the Whatcom County Home & Lifestyle Show, Black Mountain Sauna can be reached at 360-389-2238 or BMsauna@gmail. com. More information can be found at blackmountainsauna.com.
WRS Ferndale going strong after 40 years
Who says you can’t do it all?
By Bill Helm Editor
FERNDALE — It was back in 1982 Jerry Libolt began a career that led to the founding of Western Refinery Services.
More than 40 years later, Western Refinery Services, known now as WRS, employs more than 250 people to do asphalt paving and seal-coating, civil construction, technology and design, industrial maintenance, land-leveling scrapers, UAV mapping and inspection, emergency response, demolition and processing, landscaping and hydro excavation utility location. At their website, WRS asks rhetorically, “Who says you can’t do it all?”
Marketing & Communications Manager Kaelyn Sayles said recently that WRS has exhibited at the BIAWC’s annual Home & Lifestyle Show for many years now. This year, WRS will again be one of the show’s more than 200 exhibitors.
The WRS paving team at North County Landscape Company's new company headquarters (above) and leveling land for a project (left). This year, WRS will again be one of the Home & Lifestyle show’s more than 200 exhibitors. “This is a weekend we look forward to every year,” Marketing & Communications Manager Kaelyn Sayles said. “We’re sure to circle it on our calendars so we can continue to be involved.”
(Photos courtesy Western Refinery Services, Inc./WRS)
“This is a weekend we look forward to every year,” Sayles said. “We’re sure to circle it on our calendars so we can continue to be involved.”
Sayles explained that BIAWC does “an excellent job putting on the Whatcom County Home & Lifestyle Show.”
“From organization to communication, it’s obvious they want their exhibitors to be successful in whatever goals they have for the weekend,” she said.
According to Sayles, WRS is motivated to be an exhibitor at this annual show “year after year because we value the opportunity to be out in the community.”
“This is a great weekend to meet our neighbors as well as reconnect with people we’ve seen at past home shows, previous jobs, events and even just around town,” Sayles said. “We enjoy being able to talk with people about what we do, what WRS is all about and helping people figure out how to reach their project goals.”
WRS is at 2380 Grandview Road, Ferndale. Visit their website at wrsweb.com for more information.
Also email info@wrsweb.com or call 360-366-3303.
The WRS sealcoating and striping crews at the Fairway Center in Lynden getting the parking lot Fair-ready. WRS is at 2380 Grandview Road, Ferndale. Visit their website at wrsweb.com for more information. Also email info@ wrsweb.com or call 360366-3303.
(Photo courtesy Western Refinery Services, Inc./ WRS)
