Department: Home Design & Restoration

Premiums: Purple $3.00 Blue $2.00 Red $1.00 White $ .50

Purpose: The purpose of Home Design & Restoration is to learn design principles and develop graphic design 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.

Department 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 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 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.
  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 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. 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 project, Design My Space, are county only and not state fair eligible.
  7. Items that focus on technology and science for the home are acceptable.
  8. Bringing a delicate, breakable, or valuable item is highly discouraged. 
  9. You may bring up to two items per class, if both are selected for State Fair you may only send one item and you must let the Extension Office know which one will be entered at State Fair by the end of the fair. Each 4-H member may only send two items to State Fair in the home design and restoration projects. 
  10. 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.
  11.  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.
  12. Identification: In addition to the entry tag, a label with the 4-H member’s name and county should be attached to each separate piece of the exhibit.
  13. Supporting Information: Supporting information is required for all exhibits. Information must include elements or principles of design used and steps taken to complete project. Tag templates can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hhomedesignrestoration. Exhibits without supporting information will be lowered a ribbon placing.

Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hhomedesignrestoration. 

Division: Design Decisions

Division Rules:

  1. Attach information to explain steps taken. Information must also include element or principle of design used (p. 9-12).
     
  • C257001 Design Board for a Room (SF 201) - Include: color scheme, wall treatment, floor treatment, etc. OR floor plan for a room. Posters, 22" x 28", or multimedia presentation (on CD). 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 (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, multimedia presentation (on CD) 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 (SF201) – Can be models, either an original creation or an adaptation 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 (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.
     
  • C257006 Window Covering (SF200) - May include curtains, draperies, shades, shutters, etc.
     
  • C257007 Floor Covering (SF200) – May be woven, braided, painted floor cloth, etc. May be exhibited as a poster or multimedia presentation (on CD).
     
  • C257008 Bedcover (SF200) - May include quilt, comforter, bedspread, dust ruffle, canopy, etc. For quilts, state who did the quilting. (No fleece tied exhibits.) (p. 50-53)
     
  • C257009 Accessory – Original Needlework/Stitchery (SF200)
     
  • C257010 Accessory – Textile – 2D (SF200) - table cloth or runner, dresser scarf, wall hanging, etc. No tied fleece blankets or beginning/10-minute table runners.
     
  • C257011 Accessory – Textile – 3D (SF200) - pillows, pillow shams, fabric bowls, etc. No fleece tied exhibits
     
  • C257012 Accessory – 2D (SF200)
     
  • C257013 Accessory – 3D (SF200) - string art, wreaths, etc.
     
  • C257014 Accessory – Original Floral Design (SF200)
     
  • C257015 Accessory – Original made from Wood (SF200)– burn, cut, shape or otherwise manipulate
     
  • C257016 Accessory – Original made from Glass (SF200) –etch, mosaic, stain, molten or otherwise manipulate
     
  • C257017 Accessory – Original made from Metal (SF200)–cut, shape, punch, sculpt, reassemble or otherwise manipulate.
     
  • 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.
     
  • C257019 Accessory – Recycled/Upcycled Item for the home (SF207) - 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.
     
  • 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.
     
  • C257021 Furniture – Wood Opaque finish such as Paint or Enamel (SF203)
     
  • C257022 Furniture – Wood Clear finish showing Wood Grain (SF203)
     
  • C257023 Furniture – Fabric Covered (SF200) - May include stool, chair seat, slip-covers, headboard, etc.
     
  • C257024 Furniture – Outdoor Living (SF200) - 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.
     
  • 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.

Division: Design My Space (County Only)

  • C263001 Needlework Item (made with yarn or floss) (SF200)
     
  • C263002 Simple Fabric accessory (SF200) - like a pillow, laundry bag, pillowcase, table runner, etc.
     
  • C263003 Accessory Made with Original Batik or Tie Dye (SF200)
     
  • C263004 Simple Accessory Made using Wood (SF200)
     
  • C263005 Simple Accessory Made using Plastic (SF200)
     
  • C263006 Simple Accessory Made using Glass (SF200)
     
  • C263007 Simple Accessory using Clay (SF200)
     
  • C263008 Simple Accessory Made using Paper (SF200)
     
  • C263009 Simple Accessory Made using Metal Tooling or Metal Punch (SF200)
     
  • C263010 Storage Item Made or Recycled (SF200)
     
  • C263011 Bulletin or Message Board (SF200)
     
  • C263012 Problem Solved (SF200) - Use a creative method to show you solved a problem (air quality, water, sound, temperature, lighting, fire escape plan, etc.

Division: Heirloom Treasures & Family Keepsakes

Division Rules:

  1. 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.
  2. NOTE: Resources to support this project area are available on the 4-H website. Attach information including:
    1. List of steps taken to complete your project. Before and after pictures are encouraged.
    2. Keepsakes documentation: how you acquired the item and the history of the item may be written, pictures, audio or video tape of interview with family member, etc.
       
  • C256001 Trunks (SF206) - 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 (SF205) - May include a display of a collection or collectibles, being careful not to destroy value of the collection.
     
  • C256003 Furniture (SF205) - 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 (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 Digitial 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.

Cheyenne County 2025 Fair Book