DEPARTMENT HOME DESIGN & RESTORATION
(Previously known as Home Environment)
Co-Superintendents:
Kelly Vincent & Jackie Ropers
A. Entries will be interview judged on Wednesday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building. 4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15.
B. HOME DESIGN & RESTORATION EXHIBITS will be 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, as well as Portfolio Pathways and Sketchbook Crossroads.
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 matboard 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. Size of Exhibits: Exhibits may be no taller than 7 feet and no wider than 6 feet. ALL EXHIBITS MUST BE ABLE TO BE EASILY LIFTED BY TWO (2) PEOPLE!
7. Items exhibited in Design Decisions and Heirloom Treasures/Family Keepsakes, should not be beginning level projects (ex: simple (10 minute) table runners or woodworking). Exhibits from the beginning level project, such as Design My Place, are county only and not state fair eligible.
8. 4-H’ers should consider the risk of entering items that are delicate, breakable, valuable, or have a high sentimental value. The Extension Staff and volunteers strive to keep the exhibits safe and secure. However, the Custer County Ag Society, the Nebraska Extension-Custer County, and the Custer County 4-H Council are not responsible for loss or damage of any exhibit.
C. USE OF COPY WRITTEN IMAGES: Copyrighted writing, artwork, videos, and images may be used in 4-H educational exhibits under Fair Use for educational purposes of Copyright Law. In order to qualify for Fair Use, 4-H’ers must: 1) only use a small amount of copy-written work, 2) add new meaning to the work to make it original, 3) rework it and use it in a totally different way, and 4) use it for nonprofit purposes (not to make money). Giving credit to the original creator is also recommended.
D. NUMBER OF ENTRIES PER INDIVIDUAL - Each individual is limited to one entry per class unless otherwise noted.
E. IDENTIFICATION - A label with the 4-H member’s name and county should be attached to EACH separate piece of the exhibit.
F. 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 on the 4-H State Fair website: https://go.unl.edu/ne4hhomedesignrestoration.
G. Exhibits without the required supporting information and/or fail to meet class requirements will be dropped one ribbon placing.
DESIGN MY PLACE BEGINNER LEVEL
A 4-H member may enter one exhibit per class. Entries not eligible for State Fair.
Ribbons P. B. R. W.
$2.50 $2.25 $2.00 $1.75
CLASS C251001 Needlework item (counted cross-stitch, embroidery, needlepoint, Swedish weaving).
CLASS C251002 Drawstring Laundry Bag, made according to instructions on Design My Place CD.
CLASS C251003 Bookends, made according to instructions on Design My Place CD.
CLASS C251004 Bulletin Board, made according to instructions on Design My Place CD.
CLASS C251005 Storage Rack, made according to instructions on Design My Place CD.
CLASS C251006 Accessory made with original batik or tie dye (pillow, table runner, pillowcase).
CLASS C251007 Simple accessory made using metal tooling or metal punch.
DESIGN DECISIONS INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
One entry per class.
Ribbons P. B. R. W.
$3.50 $3.00 $2.50 $2.00
Attach information to explain steps taken. Information must also include element or principle of design used (p. 9-12).
CLASS C257001 Design Board for a Room. Include: color scheme, wall treatment, floor treatment, etc OR floor plan for a room. Posters, 22” x 28”. Show what you learned with before and after pictures or diagrams, samples, story, cost comparisons, optional arrangements, etc.
CLASS 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).
CLASS 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).
CLASS 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.
CLASS C257006 Window Covering - May include curtains, draperies, shades, shutters, etc.
CLASS C257007 Floor Covering - May be woven, braided, painted floor cloth, etc. May be exhibited as a poster.
CLASS C257008 Bed cover - May include quilt, comforter, bedspread, dust ruffle, canopy, etc. For quilts, state who did the quilting. (No fleece tied exhibits.) (p.50-53)
CLASS C257009 Accessory - Original Needlework/Stitchery.
CLASS C257010 Accessory - Textile - 2D (tablecloth or runner, dresser scarf, wall hanging, etc. No tied fleece blankets or beginning/10-minute table runners.)
CLASS C257011 Accessory - Textile - 3D (pillows, pillow shams, fabric bowls, etc. No fleece tied exhibits.)
CLASS C257012 Accessory - 2D
CLASS C257013 Accessory - 3D (string art, wreaths, etc.)
CLASS C257014 Accessory - Original Floral Design
CLASS C257015 Accessory - Original made from Wood - burn, cut, shape, or otherwise manipulate.
CLASS C257016 Accessory - Original made from Glass - etch, mosaic, stain, molten, or otherwise manipulate.
CLASS C257017 Accessory - Original made from Metal - cut, shape, punch, sculpt, reassemble, or otherwise manipulate.
CLASS 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.
CLASS C257019 Accessory - Recycled/Up cycled 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.
CLASS 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.
CLASS C257021 Furniture - Wood Opaque Finish such as Paint or Enamel.
CLASS C257022 Furniture - Wood Clear Finish showing Wood Grain.
CLASS C257023 Furniture - Fabric Covered - May include stool, chair seat, slipcovers, headboard, etc.
CLASS C257024 Furniture - 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.
CLASS C257025 Accessory - Outdoor Living - 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.
HOME ANTIQUE RESTORATION ADVANCED LEVEL
(Previously known as Heirloom Treasures/Family Keepsakes)
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. Exhibit only items for the home. 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 with pictures included.
One entry per class.
Ribbons P. B. R. W.
$4.50 $4.00 $3.50 $3.00
CLASS C256001 TRUNKS - including doll-sized trunks or wardrobes.
CLASS 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.
CLASS C256003 FURNITURE - either a repurposed "treasure" from an old item or an old "treasure" refinished or renovated. May include doll-sized furniture.
CLASS C256004 CLEANED AND RESTORED HEIRLOOM ACCESSORY OR FURNITURE - 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 2-3.) 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.