The purpose of Home Design & Restoration is to learn design principles and develop graphic techniques. In addition, activities in this category encourage well-thought-out design plans and diverse artistic techniques. Be sure to take note of the rules section to develop a successful project.
Rules
Home Design & Restoration exhibits are evaluated by these criteria:
1. Items must be designed to be used for home decorating, home furnishing or home management (no clothing, purses, note cards, scrapbooks/photo albums, etc.)
2. Accessories should be of high quality (as compared to quick, simple crafts), suitable for use in the home for 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.
3. Items should show creativity and originality, along with the application of design elements and principles. 4-H member is required to include the design elements and principles they used 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 and on page 41 in the fairbook.
4. Entered in correct class: What medium was changed or manipulated? What medium is the majority of your exhibit made from?
5. 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 are allowed. Wrapped canvas (if staples not visible on edge) is accepted without framing. Make sure hangers are strong enough to support the item. Command strips are not adequate hangers. Eye hooks and wire make a great hanger. Items not ready for display will be dropped one ribbon placing.
6. Items should not be made for beginning level or other projects (ex: simple (10 minute) table runners or woodworking). Exhibits from the beginning level such as Design My Place and Let’s Create Crafts/Celebrate Arts are county only, not state fair eligible and supporting information is optional.
7. Entry Tags – An entry tag which includes a clear description of the entry must be securely attached to each exhibit. Use color, pattern, or picture descriptions to aid in identification. No straight pins. In addition to the entry tag, a label with the exhibitor’s name and county should be attached to each separate piece of the exhibit.
8. Supporting Information – Supporting information is required for all state fair eligible exhibits. This includes Design Decisions, Visual Arts, and Heirloom Treasures. Information must include the elements and principles of design used and the steps taken to complete project. Tag templates can be found on our Cedar County 4-H webpage under Fair & Pre-Fair Day Resources or https://go.unl.edu/ne4hhomedesignrestoration Exhibits without supporting information will be dropped a ribbon placing and not eligible for State Fair. County only exhibits DO NOT REQUIRE the supporting information. Interview judging or the supporting information is still encouraged.
9. Number of Entries – 4-H member may enter one exhibit per class number. For example, “C251901 Needlework Item” is a class.
10. Size – Exhibits may be no taller than 7 ft. and no wider than 6 ft. All exhibits must be easily lifted by two people.
Beginning Projects
Design My Place
Classes 1-13: (SF200) Classes 1-16 Not State Fair eligible. Supporting information optional.
C) C251901 Needlework Item (Made from yarn or floss)
C) C251902 Simple Fabric Accessory – Pillows, laundry bag, pillowcase, table runner, and tie blanket, etc.
C) C251903 Accessory made with batik or tie dye
C) C251904 Simple Accessory made using wood
C) C251905 Simple Accessory made using plastic
C) C251906 Simple Accessory made using glass
C) C251907 Simple Accessory made using clay
C) C251908 Simple Accessory made using paper
C) C251909 Simple Accessory made using metal tooling or metal punch
C) C251910 Storage Item made or recycled
C) C251911 Bulletin or Message Board
C) C251912 Problem Solved: Use a creative method to show you solved a problem (air quality, water, sound, temperature, lighting, fire escape plan etc.)
C) C251913 Video showing how to make a bed, organize a room, or the steps you used to make a simple accessory.
C) C251914 Simple Accessory made from recycled materials
C) C251915 County Only - Other Item Made in this Project
C) C251916 County Only - Other Item Made in this Project
Let’s Create Crafts/Celebrate Arts
Classes 1 – 14: (SF200) Classes 1-16 Not eligible for State Fair. Supporting information optional.
C) C259901 Chalk
C) C259902 Carbon/Ink
C) C259903 Leather or Metal
C) C259904 Nature Projects and Corn Shucks
C) C259905 Pigment/Water Color
C) C259906 Holiday Ornament
C) C259907 Ceramic
C) C259908 Textiles
C) C259909 Bead Work
C) C259910 Wood
C) C259911 Recycled item
C) C259912 Legos – Bring at your own risk – must be displayed on a tray, in a box, or in a clear plastic container.
C) C259913 County Only – Other item made in this project
C) C259914 County Only - Other item made in this project
C) C259915 County Only - Other Item Made in this Project
Supporting information tags can be found on our Pre-Fair & Fair Resources webpage.
Supporting information is required for all State Fair (SF) eligible Home Design & Restoration exhibits. This includes Design Decisions and Heirloom Treasures. Visual Arts have questions to answer.
County only (C) exhibits do not require supporting information, but it is encouraged.
Intermediate & Advanced Projects
Design Decisions
Attach information to explain steps taken. Information must also include element or principle of design used.
SF) C257001 Design Board for a room (SF201) – 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 (such 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)
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. (p. 74-93)
SF) C257004 Technology in Design (SF200) – 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.
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 tied fleece blankets.) (p. 50-53)
SF) C257009 Accessory (SF200) – Original Needlework/Stitchery.
SF) C257010 Accessory (SF200) – Textile – 2D - table cloth or runner, dresser scarf, wall hanging, etc. No tied fleece blankets or beginning/10-minute table runners.
SF) C257011 Accessory (SF200) – Textile – 3D - pillows, pillow shams, fabric bowls, etc. No fleece tied exhibits.
SF) C257012 Accessory (SF200) – 2D
SF) C257013 Accessory (SF200) – 3D - string art, wreaths, etc.
SF) C257014 Accessory (SF200) – Original Floral Design
For classes 15-18, determine entry by what medium was manipulated
SF) C257015 Accessory (SF200) – Original made from Wood – burn, cut, shape or otherwise manipulate.
SF) C257016 Accessory (SF200) – Original made from Glass – etch, mosaic, stain, molten or otherwise manipulate.
SF) C257017 Accessory (SF200) – Original made from Metal –cut, shape, punch, sculpt, reassemble or otherwise manipulate.
SF) C257018 Accessory (SF200) – Original made from Ceramic or Tile – Treatment to exhibit must go through process that permanently alters the medium. Painting alone is not sufficient.
SF) C257019 Accessory (SF207) – Recycled/Upcycled 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 (SF207) – 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.
SF) C257021 Furniture (SF203) –Wood Opaque finish such as Paint or Enamel.
SF) C257022 Furniture (SF203) – Wood Clear finish showing Wood Grain.
SF) C257023 Furniture (SF200) – Fabric Covered - May include stool, chair seat, slipcovers, headboard, etc.
SF) C257024 Furniture (SF200) – Outdoor Living - Furniture made/refurbished 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 (SF200) – 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. NOTE: If State Fair eligible, may be displayed outside.
C) C257901 County Only - Other Item Made in this Project.
C) C257902 County Only - Other Item Made in this Project.
C) C257903 County Only - Other Item Made in this Project
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 on the 4-H website. 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.
SF) C256001 Trunks (SF206) – Including doll-sized trunks or wardrobe
SF) C256002 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” from an old item or an old “treasure” refinished or renovated. May include doll-sized furniture.
SF) C256004 Cleaned and 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 the Digital Commons at https://go.unl.edu/gcnh (Refinished items go in classes 2 or 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.
C) C256901 County Only - Other Item Made in this Project.
C) C256902 County Only - Other Item Made in this Project