HOME DESIGN & RESTORATION
The purpose of Home Design & Restoration is to learn design principles and develop graphic design techniques. In addition, activities in this category encourage a well-thought-out design plan and diverse artistic techniques.
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. 4-H members 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 allowed. 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. Items not ready for display will be dropped one ribbon placing.
- Items should not be made for beginning level or other projects (ex: simple (10 minute) table runners or woodworking).
- State Fair will not allow exhibiting weapons (knives, tomahawks, etc.). If your item is selected for State Fair, you can submit a photo or video of your exhibit and the judge would do their best to judge it accordingly.
- Entry Tags: An entry tag which includes a clear description of the entry must be securely attached to each Home Environment exhibit. Use color names or pattern/picture descriptions to aid in identification.
- Identification: In addition to the entry tag, a label with the exhibitor’s name, county, project division, exhibit class number and years in the project should be attached to each separate piece of the exhibit.
- Supporting Information: Supporting information is required for all Home Design & Restoration exhibits and can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hhomedesignrestoration. Attach information to explain steps taken. Information must also include the elements and principles of design used.
- Size of Exhibits: Exhibits may be no taller than 7 feet and no wider than 6 feet. All exhibits must be easily lifted by two 4-H staff.
All static exhibits must receive a purple ribbon at the county fair in order to be eligible for State Fair selection.
State Fair Premier 4-H Science Award is available in this area. See General Rules in State Fair Book for more details.
Optional: If a 4-H member has used unusual or complicated techniques to create their exhibit, a written description would be helpful for the judge. (Write on one half of an 8½-inch by 11-inch sheet and attach to the exhibit.)
Exhibits may not use copyrighted materials such as cartoon characters or commercial product names. Exhibits must be designed to be used for home decorating or home furnishing (no clothing, purses, note cards, scrapbooks/photo albums, etc.). Prepackaged kits will NOT be accepted. Kits are defined as any prepackaged item where the materials and design are predetermined by the manufacturer. Articles that use patterns or pictures from magazines as starting points for design are acceptable. Items should be ready for display in the home (pictures framed, wall hangings, and pictures ready to hang, etc.).
Items are to be made or finished by the exhibitor. 4-H members who have a portion of the exhibit repaired or done by someone other than themselves should indicate steps done by others and support or explain why that step was done by someone else (for example, welding of a furniture item).
See beginning of this division for information needed.
County Only Project
Purple, $3; Blue, $2; Red, $1.50; White, $1
C251001 Needlework item (made with yarn or floss)
C251002 Simple fabric accessory, like a pillow, laundry bag, pillowcase, table runner, tie blanket etc.
C251003 Accessory made with original batik or tie dye
C251004 Simple accessory made using wood
C251005 Simple accessory made using plastic
C251006 Simple accessory made using glass
C251007 Simple accessory made using clay
C251008 Simple accessory made using paper
C251009 Simple accessory made using metal tooling or metal punch
C251010 Storage item made or recycled
C251011 Bulletin or message board
C251012 Problem solved: use a creative method to show you solved a problem (air quality, water, sound, temperature, lighting, fire escape plan, etc.)
C251013 Video showing how to make a bed, organize a room, or the steps you used to make your simple accessory
*Denotes State Fair Entry
See beginning of this division for information needed. Attach information to explain steps taken. Information must also include element or principle of design used.
Purple, $3; Blue, $2; Red, $1.50; White, $1
*C257001 Design board for a Room - Include: color scheme, wall treatment, floor treatment, etc. OR floor plan for a room. Posters should be 22 inches x 28 inches. Show what you learned with before and after pictures or diagrams, samples, story, cost comparisons, optional arrangements, etc.
*C257002 Problem Solved, Energy Savers OR Career Exploration – Identify a problem (as problem 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)
*C257003 Solar, Wind, or Other Energy Alternatives for the Home – 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. (p. 74-93)
*C257004 Technology in Design – Incorporate technology into a project related to home design or use technology to develop the design; for example, using conductive thread to create a circuit that enhances a wall hanging or create the design with a 3D printer.
*C257006 Window Covering — May include curtains, draperies, shades, shutters, etc.
*C257007 Floor Covering – May be woven, braided, painted floor cloth, etc. May be exhibited as a poster.
*C257008 Bedcover — May include quilt, comforter, bedspread, dust ruffle, canopy, etc. For quilts, state who did the quilting. (No tied fleece blankets.) (p. 50-53)
*C257009 Accessory — Original Needlework/Stitchery.
*C257010 Accessory – Textile – 2D (tablecloth or runner, dresser scarf, wall hanging, etc. No tied
fleece blankets or beginning/10-minute table runners.)
*C257011 Accessory – Textile – 3D (pillows, pillow shams, fabric bowls, etc.)
*C257012 Accessory – 2 D
*C257013 Accessory – 3D (string art, etc.)
*C257014 Accessory – Original Floral Design.
For classes, determine entry by what medium was manipulated.
*C257015 Accessory – Original made from Wood – burn, cut, shape or otherwise manipulate.
*C257016 Accessory – Original made from Glass – etch, mosaic, stain, molten or otherwise.
*C257017 Accessory – Original made from Metal – cut, shape, punch, sculpt, reassemble or otherwise manipulate.
*C257018 Accessory – Original made from Ceramic or Tile – treatment to exhibit must go through process that permanently alters the medium. Painting alone is not sufficient.
*C257019 Accessory – Recycled/Upcycled Item for the home - reusing a common object or material in a creative way. Include description of what was done to recycle or reuse item in your attached information.
*C257020 Furniture – Recycled/Remade, 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.
*C257021 Furniture - Wood Opaque Finish such as Paint or Enamel.
*C257022 Furniture - Wood Clear finish showing Wood Grain.
*C257023 Furniture - Fabric Covered — May include stool, chair seat, slipcovers, headboard, etc.
*C257024 Furniture - Outdoor Living — Furniture made/refurbished suitable for outdoor use. (NOTE: Will be displayed outside). Include description of what was done to recycle or reuse item in your attached information.
*C257025 Accessory – Outdoor Living — Accessory made/refurbished by 4-H member suitable for outdoor use. Include description of what was done to recycle or reuse item in your attached information.
*Denotes State Fair Entry
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.
Attach information including:
1. List of steps taken to complete your project. Before and after pictures encouraged.
2. Keepsakes documentation: How you acquired the item and the history of the item may be written with pictures included.
Purple, $4; Blue, $3; Red, $2; White, $1.50
*C256001 Trunks, including doll-sized trunks or wardrobes
*C256002 An article, 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.
*C256003 Furniture — either a repurposed “treasure” from an old item or an old “treasure” refinished or renovated. May include doll-sized furniture.
*C256004 Cleaned and restored heirloom accessory or furniture — A reconditioned and cleaned old piece of furniture or accessory so that the item or furniture 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 the 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.