Home Design & Restoration

  • Home Design & Restoration Exhibits are evaluated by these criteria:
    • Items must be designed to be used for home decorating, home furnishing or home management (no clothing, purses, note cards, scrapbooks/photo albums, etc.)
    • Accessories should be of high quality (as compared to quick, simple crafts), suitable for use in the home several months throughout the year. Holiday-specific items are discouraged. Exhibits made from kits are also discouraged as kits limit decision making in the design process.
    • Items should show creativity and originality, along with the application of design elements and principles. Youth are required to include the design elements and principles they used along with simple explanation of how they designed their project with their exhibit. Information on the elements and principles of design may be found in the Design Decisions manual, as well as Portfolio Pathways and Sketchbook Crossroads
    • Entered in correct class: What medium was changed or manipulated? What medium is the majority of your exhibit made from?
    • Items should be ready for display in the home:  pictures framed, wall hangings and pictures ready to hang, etc. No single mat board or artist canvas panels.  Wrapped canvas (if staples not visible on edge) is accepted without framing, but still needs to include hanger. Make sure hangers are strong enough to support the item. Command strips are not adequate hangers. Items not ready for display will be dropped one ribbon placing.
  • State Fair Entry – Items should not be ones made for beginning level or other projects    (ex: simple (10 minute) table runners or woodworking) total entries equal to 1 entry per class.  Exhibits from the beginning level project, such as Design My Place, are county only and not state fair eligible. The quota may be distributed within the projects as a county chooses.  Exhibits should represent the county's best items, not just fill a quota. Sending delicate, breakable, or valuable items is highly discouraged.
  • Size of Exhibits – Exhibits may be no taller than 7 feet and no wider than 6 feet.
  • Entry Tags:  An entry tag, which includes a clear description of the entry, must be securely attached to each Home Design and Restoration exhibit.  Use color, pattern/picture descriptions to aid in identification. No straight pins.
  • Identification-attach a label with the exhibitor’s name and item description to each separate piece of the exhibit.
  • Supporting Information- Supporting information is required for all exhibits. Attach information to explain steps taken. Information must include the elements and principles of design used and steps taken to complete project. Tag templates can be found on      4-H State Fair website: https://go.unl.edu/ne4hhomedesignrestoration.. Exhibits without supporting information will be dropped a ribbon placing.   

Division 251 – Design My Place (No State Fair Entry)

C251001         Needle Work Item –(SF200) - (such as Swedish weaving, needlepoint, embroidery, etc.) Made with yarn or floss.

C251002         Simple Fabric Accessory ––(SF200) - pillow, laundry bag, table runner, etc.

C251003         Batik or Tie-Dye Accessory–(SF200) 

C251004         Metal Tooling or Metal Punch Item ––(SF200) -  for room or home.

C251005         Storage Box or Rack ––(SF200) - made or recycled by 4-H’er to fill a need.

C251006         Bulletin or Message Board ––(SF200) - made or recycled by the 4-H’er to fill a need.

C251007         Coasters–(SF200) - made by the 4-H’er to fill a need.

C251008         Problem Solved –(SF200) - use creative method to show how you solved a problem       (ex. air quality, water, sound, temperature, fire escape plan, etc.)

C251008         How-To-Video–(SF200) create a video showing how to make your bed or organize a room.

Division 256 – Home Antique Restoration

  • This project area is for items with historic, sentimental or antique value that are restored, repurposed or refinished to keep their original look and value. It is not for “recycled” items. For example, a bench would be considered an heirloom if the original finish is restored, but if decorated by painting it would be considered recycled. Entering highly valuable items (especially small ones) is discouraged, as exhibits are not displayed in closed cases. NOTE:  Resources to support this project area are available on the 4-H website.
  • Attach information including:
    • List of steps taken to complete your project. Before and after pictures are encouraged.
    • Keepsakes documentation:  how you acquired the item and the history of the item (may be written with pictures included.

sf C256001       Trunks –(SF206) - including doll-sized trunks or wardrobes.

sf C256002       An Article –(SF205) - either a repurposed “treasure” (accessory) from an old item or an old “treasure” (accessory) refinished or renovated. May include a display of a collection or collectibles, being careful not to destroy value of the collection. 

sf C256003       Furniture –(SF205) - either a repurposed “treasure” (accessory) from an old item or an old “treasure” refinished or renovated. May include doll-sized furniture.

sf C256004       Cleaned & Restored Heirloom Accessory or Furniture –(SF205) - A reconditioned and cleaned old piece of furniture or accessory that is functional for use or display. Item might be cleaned and waxed, and simple repairs made. Item would not be refinished or repainted but reconditioned to restore it to its original look or to prevent it from further damage as a valuable heirloom. Consult extension publication Care and Conservation of Heirloom Textiles for information on textiles. This publication can be found in Digital Commons at: https://go.unl.edu/gcnh (Refinished items go in classes 2-3.) This class is for situations where it may be best to do very little to the item to maintain its antique value.  Item or article should be of complexity suited to an advanced project.

Division 257 – Design Decisions

  • Attach information to explain steps taken. Information must also include element or principle of design used.

sf C257001       Design Board – (SF201) - for a room. Include: color scheme, wall treatment, floor treatment, etc. OR floor plan for a room.  Posters, 22 inches x 28 inches. Show what you learned with before and after pictures or diagrams, samples, story, cost comparisons, optional arrangements, etc.

sf C257002       Problem Solved, Energy Savers or Career Exploration –(SF201) - Identify a problem   (ex. leaky windows, storage needs, inconvenient room arrangement, cost comparison, energy conservation, waste management, etc.) OR, explore a career related to home environment (what would it be, what education is needed, what would you do, etc.). Using poster, notebook, or other method, describe the problem and how it was solved OR your career exploration. (p.74-93)

sf C257003       Solar, Wind, or Other Energy Alternatives for the Home –(SF201) - Can be models, either an original creation or an adaption of kit. If kit, label and explain what was learned and how the item could be used in or on exterior of home. 

sf C257004       Technology in Design –(SF200)Incorporate technology into a project related to home environment; for example, using conductive thread to create a circuit that enhances a wall hanging or create the design with a 3D printer.

sf C257006       Window Covering –(SF200) - May include curtains, draperies, shades, shutters, etc.

sf C257007       Floor Covering – (SF200) - May be woven, braided, painted floor cloth, etc. May be exhibited as a poster.  

sf C257008       Bedcover – (SF200) - May include quilt, comforter, bedspread, dust ruffle, canopy, etc. For quilts, state who did the quilting. (No fleece tied exhibits.)

sf C257009       Accessory Original Needlework/Stitchery – (SF200) -May be commercially framed. 

sf C257010       Accessory-Textile 2D – (SF200) -tablecloth or runner, dresser scarf, wall hanging, etc. (No fleece tied blankets or beginning/10 minute table runners)

sf C257011       Accessory-Textile 3D – (SF200) - (pillows, pillow shams, fabric bowls, etc. No fleece tied exhibits) 

sf C257012       Accessory – 2D– (SF200) 

sf C257013       Accessory-3D – (SF200) - (string art, wreaths, etc.)

sf C257014       Accessory Original Floral Design – (SF200) - arranged by 4-H member.

For classes 15-18, determine entry by what medium was   manipulated.

sf C257015       Accessory Original Made from Wood – (SF200) - burn, cut, shape or otherwise manipulate

sf C257016       Accessory Original Made from Glass– (SF200) - etch, mosaic, stain, molten, or otherwise manipulate

sf C257017       Accessory Original Made from Metal – (SF200) - cut, shape, rabbit, sculpt, reassemble or otherwise manipulate 

sf C257018      Accessory Original Made from Ceramic or Tile – (SF200) -Treatment to exhibit must go through process that permanently alters the medium. Painting alone is not sufficient.

sf C257019     Accessory Recycled/Upcycled – (SF207) -Item for the home, reuse a common object or material in a creative way. Include description of what was done to recycle or reuse item in your attached information.

sf C257020     Furniture-Recycled/Remade– (SF207) -made or finished by using a common object or material in a creative way. Include description of what was done to recycle or reuse item in your attached information

sf C257021     Furniture-Wood – (SF203) -Opaque finish such as paint or enamel.

sf C257022     Wood Furniture – (SF203) -Clear finish showing wood grain. 

sf C257023     Fabric Covered Furniture – (SF200) -May include stool, chair seat, slipcovers, headboard, etc.

sf C257024     Furniture-Outdoor Living – (SF200) -Furniture made/refurbished by 4-H member suitable for outdoor use.(NOTE: May be displayed outside). Include description of what was done to recycle or reuse item in your attached information

sf C257025     Accessory-Outdoor Living – (SF200) -Accessory made/refurbished by 4-H member suitable for outdoor use. (NOTE: May be displayed outside). Include description of what was done to recycle or reuse item in your attached information.