Home Design & Restoration
Only one entry per class. SF Classes only are State Fair eligible. All static exhibits must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair All Home Design & Restoration exhibits will be judged on Static Entry Day at the Mitchell Event Center. Large static items eligible for state fair will be the responsibility of the family to get to the Nebraska State Fair.
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 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. 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.
- Exhibits from the beginning level project, Design My Place, are county only and not state fair eligible.
- 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 4-H STAFF.
- 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.
- IDENTIFICATION-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.
- SUPPORTING INFORMATION- Supporting information is required for all exhibits. Information must include the elements and 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 dropped a ribbon placing.
Special exhibits may be selected for the Design Gallery at Nebraska State Fair from this project area.
Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hhomedesignrestoration.
Design My Place
Division 255
Apply color and design principles using different materials to make and display objects for your home; Develop original designs; Plan a comfortable, clean, attractive home; Make connections between visual arts and other disciplines.
Scoresheet SF200
Class 1 Needlework Item – Made with yarn or floss
Class 2 Simple Fabric Accessory – Pillow, Laundry bag, Pillow case, table runner, etc.)
Class 3 Accessory – made with original batik or tie dye
Class 4 Simple Accessory – Made using wood
Class 5 Simple Accessory – Made using plastic
Class 6 Simple Accessory – Made using glass
Class 7 Simple Accessory – Made using clay
Class 8 Simple Accessory – Made using paper
Class 9 Simple Accessory – Made using metal tooling or metal punch
Class 10 Storage Item – Made or Recycled
Class 11 Bulletin or Message Board
Class 12 Problem Solved – Use a creative method to show you solved a problem (air quality, water, sound, temperature, lighting, fire escape plan, etc.)
Class 13 Video – Showing how to make a bed, organize a room, or steps you used to make your simple accessory
Class 14 Other Item – Using skills learned in project
Design Decisions
Division 257
Explore ways to make your house more green; Learn new painting techniques; Design or select furniture, fabric, and storage items for your room; Accessorize a room-design or select unique items such as wall art, wall arrangements, or lamps.
Attach information to explain steps taken. Information must also include element or principle of design used (p. 9-12).
Scoresheet SF201: Classes 1 - 3
Scoresheet SF200: Classes 4, 6-18, 23-25
Scoresheet SF207: Classes 19-20
Scoresheet SF203: Classes 21-2
SFClass 1 Design board for a room – 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.
SFClass 2 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, multimedia presentation (on CD) or other method, describe the problem and how it was solved OR your career exploration. (p. 74-93)
SFClass 3 Solar, wind, or other energy alternatives for the home – 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)
SFClass 4 Technology in Design – Incorporate technology into a project related to home environment 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.
SFClass 6 Window Covering – May include curtains, draperies, shades, shutters, etc.
SFClass 7 Floor covering – May be woven, braided, painted floor cloth, etc. May be exhibited as a poster or multiimedia presentation (on CD).
SFClass 8 Bedcover – May include quilt, comforter, bedspread, dust ruffle, canopy, etc. For quilts, state who did the quilting. (No fleece tied exhibits.) (p 50-53)
SFClass 9 Accessory – Original Needlework/Stitchery.
SFClass 10 Accessory – Textile – 2D (tablecloth or runner, dresser scarf, wall hanging, etc. No tied fleece blankets or beginning/10-minute table runners.).
SFClass 11 Accessory – Textile – 3D (pillows, pillow shams, fabric bowls, etc. No fleece tied exhibits)
SFClass 12 Accessory – 2D
SFClass 13 Accessory – 3D (string art, wreaths, etc.).
SFClass 14 Accessory – Original Floral Design.
SFClass 15 Accessory – Original made from Wood – burn, cut, shape or otherwise manipulate.
SFClass 16 Accessory – Original made from Glass – etch, mosaic, stain, molten or otherwise manipulate.
SFClass 17 Accessory – Original made from Metal – cut, shape, punch, sculpt, reassemble or otherwise manipulate.
SFClass 18 Accessory – Original made from Ceramic or Tile – Treatment to exhibit must go through process that permanently alters the medium. Painting alone is not sufficient.
SFClass 19 Accessory – 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.
SFClass 20 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.
SFClass 21 Furniture – Wood Opaque finish such as paint or enamel.
SFClass 22 Furniture – Wood Clear finish showing wood grain.
SFClass 23 Furniture – Fabric Covered - May include stool, chair seat, slipcovers, headboard, etc.
SFClass 24 Furniture – Outdoor Living - Furniture made/refurbished suitable for outdoor use. Include description of what was done to recycle or reuse item in your attached information
SFClass 25 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.
Heirloom Treasures/Family Keepsakes
Division 256
Scoresheet SF206: Class 1
Scoresheet SF205: Classes 2-4
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 State 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, pictures, audio or video tape of interview with family member, etc.
SFClass 1 Trunks - including doll-sized trunks or wardrobes.
SFClass 2 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.
SFClass 3 Furniture - Either a repurposed "treasure" from an old item or an old "treasure" refinished or renovated. May include doll-sized furniture.
SFClass 4 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.