Indoors & Out: Smart Home giveaway, home tours, classes and events

The HGTV 2016 Smart Home mixes yesterday's Craftsman-style architecture with today's high-tech home-automation systems.

The home-improvement cable channel is giving away the Raleigh, N.C., residence, which blends Southern traditional styling with modern functionality. The rooms are completely decorated with the latest color schemes, fabrics and furnishings.

The open gourmet kitchen's bold blue and crisp white palette is a backdrop for sleek high-end appliances. The living room offers a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, walls of glass and stylish accessories. The lower-level media room features a wet bar and masculine design details. A 65-inch smart TV is included in a home theater system. The porch offers one of the coolest high-tech functions — your phone can control three motorized screens that go up and down to keep out bugs or open up views. The nursery even has a smart humidifier and night light.

Sound like a place you'd like to call home? Enter daily, once at HGTV.com and once at DIYNetwork.com, for your chance to win the HGTV Smart Home, a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC and $100,000. The grand-prize package is valued at more than $1.2 million. Deadline is June 2.

Impress your graduation-party guests with a fresh table centerpiece you made yourself. Bachman's May Floral Design Workshop explains how to combine contrasting patterns for a harmonious balance using spring flowers and other materials, 2 to 4 p.m. May 21, 6010 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. Cost is $50 and covers materials. Workshops are for adults and children 13 and older. Register at bachmans.com or call 612-861-7600.

What do you get when you give 23 interior designers the chance to embellish every room in a 6,000-square-foot house?

Find out at this year's ASID Showcase Home, a totally renovated residence for an Edina family. The updated fresh interiors mix Euro-style luxury with family functionality, from the metallic wallpapered foyer to the tranquil boudoir. Check the May 22 Star Tribune Homes section for a story and lots of photos.

The Showcase Home is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays from May 21 to June 12 at 6301 Knoll Dr., Edina. Tickets are $10 at the door or online. Special events include an opening gala on May 20 and designer-led tours for an extra cost. Go to mspmag.com/hometour.

If you're planning to redo a room or are hunting for furniture, here's an opportunity to show your photos, fabric samples, Pinterest boards and Houzz ideas to Gabberts pros at "Coffee With a Designer," 10 to 11 a.m. May 21. Coffee and treats will be served. The free event is at Gabberts in the Galleria, 69th St. and France Av. S., Edina, and at 3201 Country Dr., Little Canada. For details, call 952-927-1500 or go to gabberts.com.

Are you pondering putting in a new floor? Natural Built Home's "Flooring: Design and Performance" class explores design tips, flooring materials, budget and ways to save money, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. May 21, 4020 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls. To register for the free class, go to naturalbuilthome.com or call 612-767-3739.

Explore the legendary Mill District through your smartphone camera lens. The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota is leading a smartphone history and photography tour to teach shooting techniques to capture the Mill District's range of construction styles, shapes and textures, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 19. Meet at the A-Mill Artist Lofts gallery room for a short presentation at 315 Main St. SE., Mpls. On the tour, you'll hear stories behind the Mill District's development, industry and architecture, and stop at key points, such as the Stone Arch Bridge, to practice your photography skills. Cost: $25; $21 for members. Register at mnpreservation.org by clicking on "Services" then "Education."

Buy tried-and-true plants and seedlings grown by Master Gardeners at the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener plant sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 21, inside the Hopkins Pavilion, 11000 Excelsior Blvd. Sun and shade annuals, perennials and vegetables will be available, and Master Gardeners will answer care questions. Bring a cart or wagon. Call 612-596-2130.

LYNN UNDERWOOD

A tiny, sustainable concept dwelling, the lightHouse, will be displayed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art this week as part of "Third Thursday: Art of Sustainability." Designed by architect Geoffrey Warner, the lightHouse made its debut as a prototype at the Minneapolis Home + Garden show. Now it's been revisioned as a one-room mobile hotel and a model for ecotourism, built by University of Minnesota College of Design students alongside Warner and a professional team. Built within a salvaged 8- by 20-foot shipping container, the lightHouse features a spray-foam shell, triple-paned windows and doors, solar-powered HVAC, all LED lighting and hydronic inflow heat. The lightHouse will be open 6 to 9 p.m. May 19 at the Art Institute, 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls. The event is free and open to the public. The lightHouse will move throughout the Twin Cities. Next on the calendar is the Stone Arch Bridge during Northern Spark next month. For more information, visit weeHouse.com.

Need help or inspiration to get your garden growing? Gertens is offering two free seminars on May 21. At 11 a.m., you can learn about perennial gardening. Perennial experts will offer tips on plant selection, planting and care of perennials. At 1 p.m., a discussion on flowering shrubs, including shrub selection, care and planting. Preregistration is requested at gertens.com/events. Gertens is located at 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights.