Unit 3: Where I LiveUNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY l COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE l COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE

AGRICULTURE l HOME ECONOMICS l 4-H l DEVELOPMENT

Note To Parents & LeadersHome Environment 3–Where I Live – builds on the skills and concepts 4-H’ers learned in

Unit I, Exploring Your Home, and Unit 2, Living With Others. If some of your members have notcompleted these units, it would be extremely helpful to them to review the materials in order tolearn some of basic concepts of design.

As in the previous units, 4-H’ers will need some help as they go through this unit. Someactivities, such as the concepts of design, can best be learned in a group so that there will beopportunities to share ideas and exchange examples of the application of various elements andprinciples. They may also need help with other project activities, such as hanging pictures andrefinishing furniture, although these can be either individual or group learning experiences.

As in all projects, 4-H’ers are encouraged to expand their projects beyond the item they willmake and exhibit. Although exhibiting their work is an important part of the total experience, themajor goal of this project is to help members learn how to make their home environment one thatis pleasant for themselves and their families.

After each new experience or when a project is completed, help members evaluate what theyhave done. Ask them questions and discuss what they have done well and what they need toimprove. Encourage and help members to see how their efforts are improving their homeenvironment on whatever scale they have been working.

Enjoy Home Environment 3, Where I Live

Contents

What You Will Learn ......................... 3

Let’s Look At Design ......................... 3

Using Elements of Design .................. 4

Using Accessories.. .......................... 8

Creativity + Design = Convenience! .... 15

Creating By Restoring.. ................... 16

Recycling Old Furnishings ............... 20

Outdoor Design ............................. 21

Sharing What You Have Learned ....... 21

Exhibits ....................................... 21

Demonstrations ............................. 21

Citizenship ................................... 22

Keeping Records ........................... 22

Project Record Sheet ...................... 23

IntroductionIn the first home environment project you

learned how to care for your room, how toselect colors and textures you like and how tobe a responsible family member. In thesecond project you learned ways to shareyour home, ways to share tasks and how touse some of the tools of design to improveyour home. In both projects you completed aproject item.

In this third project you will learn someguidelines for using the design elements.You’ll learn how rhythm, balance, scale andproportion, emphasis and unity work togetherto make every project more attractive. You willhave the opportunity to apply what you havelearned while working on various projects andactivities in and around your home.

Some activities you can do by yourself.Other things you may want to do with othermembers of your family, your project leaderor other club members.

Talk to your project leader and parentsabout exhibit ideas. They will answerquestions, help you shop for any supplies youneed and help you with any problems as youwork on your exhibit.

Appreciation is expressed to Karen H. Hicks, 4-H ProgramSpecialist; Patricia P. Schrader. Extension Information Specialist,4-H; Dennis Duross, Graphic Artist; and Mary K. Herman,Typesetter.

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What You Will Learn

l How to use the principles of design inmaking and arranging items for yourhome

l How to use principles of design in tablesettings

l How to plan and create storage centersfor your home

l How to restore an old piece of furniturel How to improve the outside

environment of your housel How to plan and give a demonstration

on something you have learned thisyear

l How to evaluate what you have madeand learned

l . . . and many other things

Let’s Look At DesignYou’ve already learned a lot about good

design. In the first two units of homeenvironment, you learned about elements ofdesign that are found in every item, includingfurnishings, fabrics and rooms. However, youmay want to refresh your memory byreviewing the following:

Line. Lines are good if they are simple andrelated to the overall shape of the object.Look for lines that:

l have variations of one line or a few linesrepeated;

l add to the usefulness and attractiveness ofthe object;

l carry the eye easily from one point toanother and around the object.

Color. Color can be an eye-catching feature.For example, accessories are usually small, sothey are often suitable in brighter colors thanwould otherwise be used in a room.

Color should suit the mood of the item orobject. For example, clear vivid colors areoften suited to contemporary or primitiveobjects while pale, soft colors may be moresuited to historical or older designs and softershapes.

Texture. Texture is good if the properties ofthe basic material are used naturally. Forexample, plastic is not naturally textured tolook like wood. Objects should also havesurfaces that can be cared for or maintainedwith reasonable ease.

Shape. The shape is good if shapes within theobject are in good proportion to each other.Look for:

l shapes in different parts of the object thatare related by repetition or an interestingvariation;

l shapes that serve the purpose for which theobject is intended.

Space. Space is important in planning adesign. It is the amount of room we have. Toolittle space for a particular room makes itseem cramped. The amount of space in aroom helps you decide on the number andsize of items you will use.

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Using Elements of DesignMaking color, texture, line and shape

work for you in a defined space is what designis all about. There are some principles orguidelines for mixing these elements that willhelp you create a good design. Theseguidelines are called principles of design.They are:

l Balancel Rhythml Emphasisl Scale, proportionl Unity

In this unit you will learn how to use theprinciples and elements of design together tocreate an attractive area or room that reflectsyour interests and personality.

A Principle of Design: BalanceAll items have weight. Some materials

and colors visually create a feeling of moreweight while others seem to be weightless.For example, dark colors seem to “weigh”more than light colors. And rough texturesappear to be heavier than smooth, shiny ones.Both color and texture can be used to helpachieve visual balance. Balance is theplacement of visual weights. It creates afeeling of steadiness, of things looking as ifthey belong where they are.

There are two kinds of balance in design.Formal balance means that one side is like theother. Think of it as a seesaw. Draw animaginary line through the middle. Balanceone large object on one end by another ofequal size on the other end. Each side isexactly alike and are of equal visual weight.

Now balance one large object on one sideby a group of smaller ones on the other side.Each side is different but can be of equalinterest and visual weight. If it is not visuallybalanced, the seesaw will seem to tip to oneside. When both sides are different, but ofequal visual weight, the balance is calledinformal.

Experiment with different objects byarranging them on a mantel or bookshelf.You’ll find that size, color and texture all makea difference in visual weight. A group ofsmaller items can balance a larger one.Smaller items of dark values or bright accentcolors can balance a larger item in a lightvalue or color. A heavier object can be movedcloser to the center of the seesaw and thelighter object farther away. Think of someways that both formal and informal balance isused in a room.

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A Principle of Design: RhythmWhen the elements of design are

arranged to make the eye travel from one partto another, the design has movement. If theeye moves smoothly and easily from one partto another, the motion is rhythmic. Theprinciple of rhythm is important in producinga feeling of unity in a design or a roomful offurnishings. There are several kinds of rhythmthat can be used in a design.

A continuous line will control themovement of the eye. Moldings, borders andchair rails are examples of continuous lines ina room. Wallpapers, fabrics, and rugs oftenhave dominant line directions that carry theeye around the room.

Repetition creates a feeling of movementand rhythm. Repeating the same line, color,shape or texture can direct the eye from onepoint to another. A bright color or patternedfabric used in two or more places in a designor a room will help the viewer to look fromone spot to another.

Gradation is another technique forcreating a feeling of rhythm. This principlemay be used with lines, shapes or colors and

repeats the same feature from small to largeor large to small. An example would be anarrangement of candles arranged in agrouping from the largest to the smallest insize.

Progression refers to rhythm created in agradual change in shape, color, spacing ortexture from one idea to another. An examplewould be a mixture of striped designs usedtogether with some in wide stripes, somemedium and some in narrow stripes. Anotherexample would be changing a square to acircular shape through a series of four or fivesteps.

Alternation of shapes, lines, colors,textures or spaces is another way to createrhythm. Checkerboard and checked fabricsare good examples of alternation of colorfrom light to dark squares. Can you find otherexamples in your home?

Another form of rhythm is radiation. Thismeans that the eye moves from a central pointoutward and back again. Examples of radialdesign include a clock, spokes on a bicyclewheel, certain light fixtures and seeds on adandelion. Can you think of other examples?

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A Principle of Design: EmphasisEmphasis refers to the center of interest

in a design -the one main focal point. Acenter of interest will call attention to itselfbecause of its size, contrast of color ortexture, or addition of something different.Other parts of the design should complementthe center of interest. (Too many areas ofemphasis in a room can be confusing orirritating and may, in fact, result in noemphasis.) For example, you might use anarea rug with bright colors and interestingpatterns as the point of emphasis in abedroom. You would repeat the colors in therug using solid fabrics and plain walls (ratherthan adding more patterns) throughout theroom.

Each design and grouping should haveemphasis. Sometimes an architectural featuresuch as a fireplace, built-in bookcase or chinacupboard, or an open stairway is the majorpoint of emphasis in a room. In this case,emphasis doesn’t involve creating so much asit does not getting in the way of an element ofdesign that is already established. Thefurnishings you select should complementthat feature.

Which rooms shown below have strongarchitectural emphasis?

Which of these rooms have emphasisfrom the furnishings?

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Principles of Design:Scale & Proportion

Scale refers to the size relationship ofobjects to each other and the space they fill.

Proportion refers to the relationship ofparts within an item.

Look at the room diagram shown below.

As you read through the following points,circle those items that are out of scale orproportion in the diagram. When you havefinished, check your answers with thediagram key shown below.

l Look at the sofa. Do the legs seem sturdyenough to hold the sofa or does the sofaseem top heavy? (This is checking forpleasing proportion -the relationship of thevarious parts on one item.)

l Look at the lamp. Is the shade in pleasingproportion to the base? Look at the table onwhich the lamp is placed. Are the legs, tabletop, and height all in pleasing proportionswith one another?

l Look only at the picture above the sofa. Arethe frame and mat pleasing with the sizeand the items within the picture?

Now that you have checked theproportions on each item in the picture, studythe scale of the furnishings used. Inconsidering scale, you will need to comparethe sofa, lamp, table, picture and rug witheach other for pleasing size relationships. Forexample, how does the size of the lamp lookwith the size and style of the table? Does the

size of the sofa “fit” with the size of the lamp,table, picture and rug? Also check thefurniture grouping with the size of the wallspace and the amount of total space in theroom. Does the sofa grouping look too big ortoo small? If so, how might this be solved?Consider these ideas.

1. Move grouping to another area of theroom.2. Move grouping to another room that islarger or smaller.3. Cover a large sofa in fabric the same orclose to the color of the background wall. Thesofa will blend in with the wall and will notseem as large. Cover a smaller sofa with abright contrasting fabric to give it visualweight and emphasis.4. Use different furnishings with sofa, such asa different table and lamp.5. Do you have any other ideas?

Now, compare the first room shown abovewith the improved room diagram below.

This diagram shows better scale because:

1. The table provides a better base for thesize lamp used.2. The plant is a good height with sofa andpictures.3. Two larger pictures are better for the sizeof sofa.

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Study the following examples for the useof proportion and scale.

A Principle of Design: UnityUnity is the feeling that all parts belong

together. Unity occurs when color, texture,line, shape or form, rhythm, emphasis, scaleand proportion have been combined to createa unified space–a visually balancedenvironment.

It takes time and experience to developthe ability to use the elements and principlesof design successfully. This project providesmany opportunities to try differentcombinations and discover what works best inyour home. You can also learn from the othermembers in your group.

Using AccessoriesAccessories are a vital part of your home

environment. They are vital to the design of aroom–and they are often functional. Whetherthey are functional or for aesthetic purposes,they should be carefully chosen.

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Selecting Well DesignedAccessories

Many fine and beautiful objects are quiteplain, taking their beauty from thecharacteristics of the materials and thestructural tines or construction of the piece.

Some objects have good structural design,size, fine, form, color, texture, but may bespoiled because of poor applied decoration.

When applied decoration is used, itshould:

Other objects used in designing the interiorsof our homes have applied decoration.

Applied decoration is surface enrichment orornamentation of a structural design. Applieddecoration is not essential to the object, but itcan often be a handsome addition. However,it may also be a cover-up for poor design.

1. Follow the structural lines of the object.For example, plates, cups or other items usedevery day are easier to live with when thedecoration follows the lines of the objectrather than when it is unrelated and appears“splashy” and superimposed on the surface.2. Strengthen the shape of the article. If thesurface to be decorated is flat, the applied ordecorative design should preserve that two-dimensional quality by appearing to be flat.3. Be suited to the purpose of the article. Forexample, flowers on fly swatters are notrelated to the purpose of the fly swatter. Theymay appear to be “cute” at first, but oftenbecome uninteresting and unattractive.4. Cover the surface “quietly.” Large andgaudy patterns most often appear “spotty.”5. Be as simple as possible. Simple objectswith little or no applied decoration often canserve many purposes. When an accessory isarranged with other objects and is part of atotal effect, simplicity of decoration becomeseven more important.

Gather together some accessories for thehome and apply what you have learned aboutdesign. Which items are well designed? Ofthose items having applied decoration, whichones are better designed than others? Why?

Let’s look at some ways that design canbe applied when making and usingaccessories in the home.

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Accessories: Your Personal TouchAdding accessories to your home is a

good way to work with design. Well-designedaccessories do not need to be expensive.Good design comes in all price ranges. Youcan achieve good design by careful selectionin the choices you make in your everydaysurroundings.

Select and arrange accessories with care.They are the room accents that show yourpersonality and imagination. Be creative. Trysomething different or unusual. Use enoughaccessories to add interest, but don’t overdo.Many small articles add clutter and requirecleaning and dusting. A good rule issimplicity. When in doubt, leave it out! Emptyspaces can add dignity and restfulness to aroom.

Accessories can be used on tables, chesttops, beds and wall areas. These areas arenearest to the eye level. Accessories can alsobe placed on the floor or even hanging fromthe ceiling. Bright colors and dramatictextures can be used well in accessories sincethey are usually smaller than the otherfurnishings and are more easily changed.

Here are some guidelines that will helpyou in placing accessories in your home.

1. Place accessories close enough together tocreate only one area of interest. If they areintended to be seen in a grouping, the spacebetween two accessories needs to be smallerthan the width of either accessory.

2. Choose accessories that repeatarchitectural features or furnishing lines inyour room.

3. Use accessories to fill a vacant spot.

4. And, of course, use accessories within agrouping that complement each other incolor, texture, and line. (Refer back to thesection on design elements and principles.)

As you work with combining differentaccessories into groupings, ask yourself thefollowing questions:

1. Do the items seem to belong together?2. Does the grouping seem well-balanced?3. Is one article easily recognized as the mostimportant or the center of interest?4. Does the eye move easily from one item toanother?5. Is the color combination pleasing? Does itcoordinate with the room as a whole?6. Does the grouping add a finishing touch tothe room or might it be omitted?7. Does the grouping harmonize with otheraccessory groupings in the room?8. Is the grouping in good proportion to thespace it occupies?9. Does the grouping have one dominantelement, such as shape, color, or line?10. Is there some variety to add interest to thegrouping, such as size, color, or texture?

Accessories are not just for looking at.They can be very useful. Desk sets and pin-upboards, such as those you made in Units 1and 2, are useful in the study area of yourroom. You may need some other usefulaccessories in your room: grooming supplies,calendar, clock, lamp or other items.

Many other functional accessories can befound throughout your home. Baskets, bowls,and tableware are a few examples.

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Accessories From NatureNature’s materials provide some of the

most pleasant home accessories. There aremany different possibilities to explore.

Use shells from a family trip, or arrange adisplay of interesting rocks found in yourcommunity.

l Clean the shells or rocks with mild soapywater, rinse and dry in sun.

l Place on a table or shelf, arrange on a trayor in a basket, fill an apothecary jar, or useas paper weights.

Arrange gourds or pine cones in awooden bowl or basket.

Clean gourds with 1 tablespoon bleach in apail of warm water. Rinse.Bake pine cones in the sun over several hot,dry days or use 200° F. oven for 1 hour toget rid of insects.Brush with soft-bristled brush or clean, softcloth.

Avoid using too few or too many shells orpine cones in a container. Plan where youmight use these arrangements from nature.

Plants are like any other accessory. Theirform can be heavy, tall, narrow, short, or wide.They come in various colors and textures.Containers vary, too. Plan to fit the plant size,shape, texture and color to both the containerand the space where it will be used. Study thefollowing illustrations and then think ofexamples in your own home that show gooduse of plants.

Plants make very special accessoriesbecause of the life and softness they can addto your room. But, remember, they havespecial needs, too. Make sure your plant willhave the lighting and humidity it needs. Learnhow to care for it with proper watering, too.You can learn more about plants and how tocare for them by enrolling in a 4-Hhorticulture project.

Accessories for Setting a Table

You do not have to have expensivetableware to set a fine table! Just use theprinciples of design that you are learning inthis project. When selecting your tableware,take a close look at both structural anddecorative design. Review the section onDesign in Accessories. Then select thepreferred designs in the following illustration.

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Circle the better decorative design oneach set of the forms below.

When you set a table for meals, the tablecovering, dishes, glassware, flatware anddecorations should create a pleasingbackground for the food that is being served.The items should also fit the occasion or thetype of meal. The secret of a well-designedtable is to select things that blend with eachother. The table will always be attractive if setwith care.

Tableware includes:

l China (plates, cups, saucers, servingdishes)

l Flatware (knives, forks, spoons)l Glassware (glasses and tumblers)l Linen (tablecloths, napkins, place mats,

table runners)l Decoration and centerpieces

Experiment with the tableware you haveat home. Try various combinations togetherand evaluate the effect of each setting.

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Start with a table covering. You don’thave to have many different coverings to setattractive tables. Either table cloths or placemats can be used for both formal and informalmeals, depending upon the color, texture andpattern. Table cloths should hang down about8 to 10 inches all around the table. Plastic andpaper table coverings are practical andpopular for picnics and very informal meals.Whatever type of table covering you workwith, be sure it is clean and well-pressed. Alsostudy the texture, color and pattern and how itlooks with the china, flatware and glassware.

l White, cream and pastel table cloths make agood background for more formal settings.

l Brightly-colored place mats and cloths addspark to place settings of white or cream-colored china.

l Colorful china may look best with neutrallinens.

l Prints and bold textures show off informalsettings.

l Smooth textures, shiny surfaces and laceadd elegance to more formal settings.

Next, arrange settings using differentcombinations of china, flatware andglassware. Keep the design elements andprinciples in mind as you work. Here are somethings to consider.

Color. Choose colors that go together andcomplement the food being served. Coloredglassware is popular but must be chosen withcare to go with your china and linen.

Texture. Fine china dishes, silver and golddesigns on china and glassware and moreornate flatware create a more formal feelingor mood in a table setting. Pottery,earthenware and plastic dishes, and simplesilver or stainless steel flatware are best ininformal setting.

Line and Form. The structural lines of allpieces should be attractive to look at and easyto use. Lines used in any decorative designshould complement the structural lines and fitinto the overall table setting. Avoid mixingbold and heavy items with dainty ones. Useone or the other. Don’t mix such extremes asthin, stemmed glassware with boldearthenware plates.

Decorative Design. Plain tableware has nodecoration and provides the greatestopportunity to use a variety of colors andpatterns in table coverings and centerpieces.Shapes and colors of food are also moreappealing.

Simply decorated tableware can also offerseveral choices. China patterns may have agold or silver border, a floral border orperhaps a widely scattered all-over pattern.Glasses may have a metal rim or other simpledecoration. Flatware may have a simpledesign added on the handles.

Highly decorated tableware is harder tomix and match successfully. Avoid usingchina, glassware and flatware that all havehighly decorated patterns. A plain table clothis usually a better background for highlydecorated china. If the table covering ispatterned, plain china is best.

Proportion. Think about the size of the tableand the dinnerware. Tiny glasses that lookgood with breakfast bowls might look likemidgets with dinner plates.

Rhythm. Think about whether your eyes moveeasily around the table to or from the centerof interest. Place settings should be evenlyplaced and follow the lines of the table:Shapes, colors, textures, and patterns that arerepeated help to create a feeling of unity.

Balance. Good visual balance can beachieved by repetition of colors, tasteful useof patterns and textures and careful planningof available dining space.

Finish your table with a centerpiece orother decorations planned for the occasion.Add color with flowers, an arrangement offruits or vegetables, a plant, a basket ofgourds or candles. A birthday cake adds aspecial touch. Look around the house and seewhat kinds of things you have that could beused for centerpieces. Or create a specialcenterpiece for a party or holiday.

The centerpiece should not take up morethan a third of the table length. Allow severalinches between the decorations and the placesettings. Keep the decorations low enough forpeople to see over them. Remember that mostcenterpieces are seen from all sides. Somebuffet arrangements will be seen from oneside only, however, and may be higher inproportion.

Center of Interest or Emphasis. Think aboutthe total feel of the table and what you wantpeople to notice first. Striking colorcombinations in place mats and napkins,interesting texture contrasts, repetition of acertain design or the centerpiece may providethe center of interest.

Unity. Table linens, china, glassware, flatwareand centerpiece should all look like theybelong together. They should have a feelingof harmony or oneness and should also beappropriate for the type of occasion, whetheryou are preparing a table for a family meal, aholiday, an after-the-game party or otherspecial event.

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Accessories–On the Wall!

Have you been in a room without anypictures or accessories on the walls? How didit look to you? Wall accessories provide thefinishing touch and help to personalize aroom. They also provide the perfect place toapply what you have learned about theelements and principles of design. As youwork with wall accessories, remember toselect those that complement theirsurroundings and have meaning for thepeople who will be using the room.

Deciding What to Hang

Find a wall or a room that needs new orrearranged wall hangings. Think about whatkinds of accessories would be appropriate forthis space. You may decide to mat and framea painting or poster. Or a picture may simplyneed a new mat or new frame. A mirror canadd light and sparkle to small rooms. Anarrangement showing off a collection adds apersonal touch to any room. Baskets, keys,photographs, folding fans or even kites makeinteresting wall accessories. Show off yourtalent! Use scraps of wood to make a pictureor design to hang on your wall. Or, make afiber or yarn wall hanging using macrame,latch hook, stitchery, applique or othertechniques. You will find many design ideasand instructions on making your own wallhangings in craft and needlework books andmagazines, at craft and yarn shops and fromyour leader and Extension agent.

After you have decided on your wallaccessories, plan how you will use them.

Apply what you have learned about theelements and principles of design. Consider such questions as:

How large a space are you working with?What other furnishings need to beconsidered? For example, a large wall spaceabove a sofa needs a large painting or agrouping of accessories for good balance.What lines, colors and textures should yourarrangement have? Are some of the roomcolors repeated in the wall hanging? Are thelines repeating similar lines in furniture or inthe shape of the wall space used?What is the emphasis point in the room?Does the wall hanging or arrangementcomplement this center of interest?

Experiment with different ideas until youfind a plan that works. Wall hangings shouldbe hung close enough to the furnishingsbeneath them so that they look like a totalunit. Hang them at a height where mostpeople can see and enjoy them. This isusually at eye level when people are standingor sitting. Can you think of some exceptionswhere wall hangings may be hung higher orlower than normally seen? What kind of a wallhanging was it? What made it work in thespace where it was hung?

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Keep in mind that pictures used in agrouping don’t need to be all of one size orshape. Different sizes and shapes addinterest. Just be sure your grouping iscoordinated and fits well in the space youhave selected. Examples of different types ofarrangements are show below:

l Both halves of a wall arrangement shouldappear visually balanced. Larger paintingsor objects can be balanced by a pair ofsmaller prints or one long object whichtakes up about the same amount of space.

l Vertical arrangements work best in verticalwall spaces and will make the room seemhigher. Horizontal lines look best inhorizontal wall spaces and will make it seemwider.

l Arrangements will usually look best if youcan draw at least one imaginary straight line

through the arrangement. Can you find thestraight lines in these arrangements? Dothey appear visually balanced?

After you have decided on anarrangement, cut a piece of paper the size ofthe wall space you are working with. Arrangeyour wall hangings on this paper and drawaround each item to mark its location. Alsoindicate the location of each hanger. Thentape the paper to the wall with masking tapeand double check how each item is spaced.Think through the design elements andprinciples. Does the arrangement meet theguidelines? If so, you are ready to hang youraccessories by driving the appropriatehangers through the location indicated on thepaper.

For additional information on selectingand arranging wall hangings, matting andframing pictures and types of hangers to use,see Extension Publication H.E.4-802A, Put ItIn a Frame, and H.E.4-303, Put It On the Wall.

Other Ideas For AccessoriesThere are many other kinds of

accessories that can be used in your room. Ifyou are making or using a rug, pillow,wastebasket, desk accessories or otheraccessories, remember to evaluate each itemand each grouping using the design elementsand principles. By evaluating yourarrangements, you are training your eye toautomatically recognize good design.

Creativity + Design =Convenience!

Design refers to working with the designelements and principles in selecting andarranging furnishings in your home. You canuse design elements and principles toestablish order and create furnishings for thespaces in and around your home. Thefollowing section deals with the practicalthings you can do to help make your homemore attractive and convenient.

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A Place for EverythingYour room will be more attractive and

convenient if there is a place for everythingand everything is kept in its place. If you havetrouble finding the right places for things,solve your problem by first sorting throughthings and discarding those items you nolonger need or use. Then create a storagearea for each type of item and form the habitof putting everything back in its place afteryou use it. Your room will look neat, and you’llbe able to quickly find what you need.

Here are some ideas for storage centersthat are useful in many homes. You’ll findother ideas in magazines and design books.Or design your own storage center. Manyitems can be made at low to moderate costs.Some items can be recycled or used in newways to fit different needs. Be creative. Useyour imagination. Talk with your parents oryour leader for help with your plans.

l A large box with casters underneath canhold many things.

l A cardboard box covered with paper orpainted in an attractive color holds gamesand other recreational items.

l Some sports equipment can be stored on awall.

l Two closet rods hold twice as many thingsin the same space as one.

l Laundry bags and shoe bags can hang onthe wall.

l Wall racks are good for garden equipment,such as rakes and hose.

l Peg boards and divided drawers keepworkbench tools orderly.

l A restored old trunk can also be used as anend table and storage chest.

l Sturdy cardboard boxes can be painted orcovered with paper and stacked in variousways. Or use as storage bins and line up onshelves.

l Arrange cardboard ice cream containers(from a local ice cream shop) on a shelf anduse to store yarns, sewing supplies, glovesand other things.

l A one-drawer file cabinet can also serve asa stool or table. Just mount plate-typecasters on the bottom corners, and paint orcover it with fabric or adhesive-backedpaper.

Can you think of other creative storageideas?

Creating by RestoringCreating something new for your home

may be a matter of restoring something old–as an accessory or a focal point. Many oldpieces of furniture can be restored to a usefullife. This will not only save you money but willalso give your home a distinctive look.Furniture restoration is not difficult, but itrequires time, patience and care.

Many secondhand pieces of simpledesign and durable construction are availablefrom antique shops, auctions, estate and farmsales and used furniture stores. Don’t forgetto check the want ads in local papers. Look inyour own attic and basement, too. Unfinishedfurniture with beauty in grain and wood coloris another possibility.

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Deciding What to Restore

A piece of furniture does not have to be acollector’s item to give you pleasure and havevalue. If the wood has natural beauty, thedesign is pleasing, and the piece can beadapted to your purpose, restoration may bewell worth your while.

Keeping in mind how you want to use thepiece, look at it carefully and ask yourself:

Can it be adapted for my purposes? Wherewill I place it in my home? Will it fit thespace I have?Is it well designed with pleasing lines andproportions?Is it constructed from a wood with beautifulcolor and grain? Is it made from one orseveral woods? Scrape several small areason an underside with your fingernail. Rubwith moistened finger to see if refinishedwood will have a rich color. Naturallybeautiful woods can be given a naturalfinish-a clear finish that shows the naturalwood color and grain with no apparentsurface covering. Or color may befreshened or added with stain if necessary.Are any parts missing? Would they beexpensive to replace? Can I replace them athome with available tools and materials?Is the construction sturdy? Check for loosejoints.If the piece has poorly constructed ordesigned features, can it be remodeled tolook better?

Will the restored piece cost less than a newpiece of furniture of equal quality? If not, itmay be wiser to buy a new piece, unless it isvaluable as an antique or family heirloom.Does the piece just need cleaning?Remember, woods and styles do not have tomatch other items in the room.

Restore . . . By Cleaning!When restoring old furniture, do not

attempt to make the piece look new. Part ofthe charm of old furniture lies in the signs ofage and use that remind you of people andcustoms of earlier days. Overrestoration canruin a fine old piece.

Many old pieces of furniture need only tobe cleaned. If the original finish is smooth, donot remove it. Removing the original finish ofa valuable piece, if it is in good condition,would destroy much of its value andcharacter. However, if the finish is cracked(alligatored), it is best to remove it.

You can make a furniture cleanser-conditioner that will clean wood, restorenatural grain and color, disguise scratches,remove dullness and remove numerous layersof wax and polish.

Making Furniture Cleanser-Conditioner

Fill a glasscontainer 1/4 full of gumturpentine (not steam-distilled) and 3/4 full ofcommercially prepared boiled linseed oil. (Donot attempt to boil linseed oil at home.) Covertightly. You can store this mixture indefinitely.

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Getting Ready!

1. Spread thick layer of papers on floor andventilate the room well.2. Assemble the following equipment on atray:l Cleanser-conditionerl Cup or small canl Saucer or small pie tinl Metal container and lid in which to put

discarded mixturel Three old soft clothsl 3/0 and 4/0 steel-wool padsl Old toothbrush

3. Heat some water and pour into the cup orsmall can placed on a saucer or a small pietin.4. Shake cleanser-conditioner and pourenough into cup to cover surface of water. Donot stir, let the mixture float on top.

Applying Cleanser-Conditioner

1. Dip cloth into oily layer floating on surfaceof hot water.2. Apply dampened cloth to a small area at atime. Keep excess moisture away from jointsto prevent glue from softening. Use atoothbrush on carvings and grooves.3. Dip 3/0 steel-wool pad into oily layer andrub lightly with grain to remove dirt, ifnecessary.4. Dip a clean cloth in clean, warm water.Wring cloth and wipe the wood surface. Wipedry for shellac surfaces.Caution: Since water, alcohol and heatdamage shellac finishes, use cleanser-conditioner sparingly. To find out if a finish isshellac, sponge a spot on the underside of thepiece of furniture with denatured alcoholsolvent. The finish will soften and come off ifit is shellac.5. Wipe surface with dry cloth.6. Discard mixture when cold. Do not reheat.It is flammable and will become gummy if youtry to reheat it.7. After cleaning, apply a greaseless furniturecream containing beeswax to replenishmoisture and natural oils OR a paste waxapplied with 4/0 steel wool. On furniture thatis not dried out, apply a greaseless, emulsified

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furniture cream polish, such as Guardsman orWieman, OR a lemon-oil polish OR a thin-type mineral oil. On high-luster finishes, useone that dries to a high gloss, such asPledge.*

Restore By Refinishing!If your piece of furniture needs

refinishing instead of cleaning, you will needa place to work that has ample light. Providecross-ventilation of air to prevent breathingtoxic fumes and to reduce danger of fire. Try

to arrange a work area where furniture andequipment can remain undisturbed during therefinishing process. Spread a thick layer ofpapers on the floor and work surfaces beforestarting. Here are the usual steps inrefinishing wood furniture.

1. Remove hardware, table leaves, doors,caning and upholstery. Wood surfaces areeasier to work with and the removed parts areprotected from damage during the refinishingprocess.2. Remove old finish. Use a good grade ofcommercial finish remover that is suitable forthe type of finish you need to remove.Semipaste and paste are easier to use thanliquid since they will cling to the surfacewithout running off or dripping. Do not uselye to remove wood finishes. Lye burns thewood and is difficult to remove. The newfinish often remains sticky and does not drywhen lye is used.

*Brand names and products used for purposes of examples forillustration only. Endorsement of these brands or products isnot intended or implied. Nor is any discrimination againstthose not mentioned, shown or used intended or implied.

Commercial refinisher solutions, such asFormby, Cook and Hope, can be used withsuccess on old finishes that are in fairly goodcondition. Lacquer and shellac finishes canbe removed with lacquer and shellac thinners.The finish is lacquer if it is crystal hard andchips easily. Lacquer thinner will soften andremove it. The finish is shellac if denaturedalcohol solvent or shellac thinner softens andremoves it. The finish is varnish if gumturpentine does not soften it. A commercialvarnish remover must be used when removingvarnish finishes.3. Apply the remover as directed on thecontainer.

4. Counteract remover by scrubbing thesurface with 2/0 or 3/0 steel wool dipped indenatured alcohol solvent. Wipe with cleancloth dipped in fresh alcohol. All removermust be cleaned off or the new finish will besticky and will not dry.5. Examine the wood after removing finish.

l Is the surface sticky? If old finishremains, apply remover again to theentire section.

l Is the surface smoky? Wash sectionagain with alcohol.

l To remove old glue in crevices andjoints, apply hot vinegar.

l Do joints need regluing? If you are usinga penetrating seal or oil finish, apply twocoats of finish before gluing. If using apolyurethane finish, one coat of finishbefore gluing.

6. Prepare the bare wood for finish byremoving dents, bruises, grease spots andstains or freshening wood color. Refer to H.E.5-232B, Care and Repair of Wood Furniture,for more information.

7. Smooth surface with abrasives (sandpaperor steel wool). A satin-smooth surface isessential for a beautiful natural finish.Smoothing brings out the beauty of the grainand color and removes hair grain from softwoods. It also permits stain and finish topenetrate the surface evenly.

When humidity is high, it is important tosmooth the wood just before you apply thestain or finish. On humid days, if wood standsas long as 10 to 12 hours after smoothing, themoisture in the air will raise the wood fibersagain.

Finish the smoothing process with 3/0steel wool. Many professional refinishersprefer to use steel wool altogether rather thanstarting with sandpaper. (Silicon carbideabrasive finishing paper is recommended ifsandpaper is used.)8. Wipe surface with dry cloth and then with atack rag. (Directions for making a tack rag arein 4-H 1417, Home Environment, Unit I:Exploring Your Home.)

9. Stain wood if necessary. Woods withnatural beauty of grain and rich color usuallydo not need stain. Staining is needed whenwood has no natural beauty in color or grain,appears faded or grayed, or has been stainedpreviously. Although some variations of colorwithin a piece of wood add interest, somepieces made of several types of wood maylook better if uniform in color.

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Check the natural wood color byobserving the surface while it is wet. Check iteither as you are washing the piece withdenatured alcohol solvent, after removing the

old finish, or by moistening a spot with water.The following chart will help guide you inwhether to stain or not.

10. Apply finish. To bring out the quality ofbeautiful wood, use a natural finish that doesnot appear obviously finished but becomes apart of the wood, as in a sealer or oil finish.Refer to H.E. 4-602, How To RefinishFurniture, for more information in selectingand applying a wood finish.

After you have applied your finish, checkover the following information to evaluateyour job. You have done a quality job if yourfinished piece:

Has an even satin finish and overallluster.Has a smooth surface showing that ithas been well-sanded and prepared; isfree of dust specks, bubbles, dull spots,blisters and drippings of finish.Is hard and dry, not sticky, and hassufficient body for good service; is notcloudy.Is appropriate in color for the wood andstyle of furniture.Is free of old finish and glue in crevicesand joints.

Recycling Old FurnishingsSome furnishings can be useful again by

repairing or recycling (putting together orusing in a new way). Here are some ideas forreusing furnishings. Can you think of others?

Floor register made into table topOld silverware flattened and made into windchimesLeft-over wood pieces from workshop madeinto wall hangingParts from two damaged bentwood chairsmade into plant standOld lace doily placed on velvet, framedand hungOld wash tub, repainted and used asoutdoor planterRecovered or repaired lawn furniture

When recycling furnishings, consider thedesign elements and principles, potentialusefulness of the finished item, amount oftime and skills required, and the cost of thep r o j e c t .

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Outdoor DesignYou have been working with design inside

your home, but now consider the living areaaround your home. The outside of your homegreets your friends and guests, so you willwant to keep it looking good. Think of waysyou can help to maintain a look you can beproud of. Remember, your home will be moreattractive just by mowing the lawn or plantingsome colorful flowers. Keep bicycles andsports equipment put away when not in use,so the yard does not look cluttered. Anattractive outdoor living area makes familymembers feel good about where they live.

Plan an outdoor cook-out or party foryour family or friends. Look around yourhome grounds. Are outdoor accessories suchas planters and bird baths attractive, wellproportioned and appropriate for the area?(Sometimes nothing is better than the wrongthing.) Is an unsightly garbage can in view?Can it be hidden? Is the grass freshly mownand the grounds uncluttered? Is the frontentrance attractive and inviting? Could youadd a special decoration to give your partytheme a festive touch? Are the party itemsand lawn furniture in good condition? If youcan answer yes to these questions, you areready to greet your guests. Feel proud of yourhome and have fun at your party.

Sharing What You Hove learnedYou have learned many skills in this

project. Look for opportunities to share thisknowledge with other people. Talk about whatyou have learned and discuss your projectswith other family members and friends.

ExhibitsPart of the fun of 4-H is making an

exhibit. Start early to plan what you will do.

l Make an accessory for your home. Includeinformation on how it will fit in with theother furnishings and colors in your home.

l Plan a table setting around a party orspecial event. Include an imaginative,creative centerpiece. Coordinate colors,textures and other design factors whencombining dishes, linens and centerpiece.

l Restore a wood item. Include a “before”picture with your exhibit, if possible, to letother people know what the item looked likebefore you refinished it.

l Recycle or create a low cost item for yourhome. Include information that tells whatyou did, the time and costs involved incompleting your project and the finisheduse for the item you made.

DemonstrationsPlan to give a talk or demonstration. Here

are some ideas for topics. You will probablythink of others to add.

l Applying Good Design in FloralArranging

l How to Plan a Partyl How to Arrange and Hang Picturesl Selecting Well Designed Tablewarel Creating Centerpieces for Party Themesl How To Refinish Furniture

After you have prepared yourdemonstration, present it at a garden club,homemaker club meeting and local 4-H clubmeeting. After all this practice, you’ll beprepared and ready for the countydemonstration contest.

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Citizenship

Is there an unpleasant view from any sideof your house or another club membershome? If so, perhaps your 4-H club may wantto organize a 4-H Community Pride Projectand have a clean-up, paint-up or fix-upcampaign. Talk with your leader or Extensionagent for more information on how toorganize the group and plan the project.

Keeping RecordsRecords are important because they show

your progress throughout the year and fromone year to the next. Keep a complete recordof your activities and projects by jotting themdown throughout the year. This doesn’t takemuch time and keeps you from forgettingthings you should include. Photos of whatyou have done add to your achievements. Ifyou refinish or recycle furnishings, be sure toinclude a “before” and “after” picture.

As you accumulate yearly records, lookback over them and feel proud of what youhave learned in the 4-H home environmentproject. These complete, well-written yearlyrecords will provide the basis for and makeyour over-all 4-H story easy to write.

Congratulations on completing your thirdyear in the 4-H home environment project.

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Home Environment III

This is what I made:

This is how much IThis is how much it saved by making (or

cost (as well as I can refinishing) insteadfigure it): of buying the item:

These are some special things I learned:

I enjoyed this project because

Include pictures of your project activities or samples of fabrics or other materialsused on a separate sheet of paper.

Home Environment Project StoryWrite your home environment project story on a separate sheet of paper andattach it to your record.

I gave the following demonstrations:

Topic or Title Place Given (club, fair, etc.) Date Given

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I plan to and/or have exhibited home environment project(s) at:

Local 4-H Rally State Fair

County 4-H Rally Other events

County Fair

Area Events

This is how I have helped others with this project:

What I did Number Reached

These are the awards I have won:

Leader’s opinion of participant’s progress:

Excellent

Good

Would have been better if

Approved:Project Leader Parent

County Extension Agent

The College of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, educational information and otherservices only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age and handicap. Inquiries regarding compliance with Tit/e VI andTitle VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and other related matter should be directed to Equal OpportunityOffice, College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky, Room S-105, Agricultural Science Building-North, Lexington, Kentucky 40546.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30,1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, C. Oran Little, Director of CooperativeExtension Service, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort.

Issued 11-86,4M; 3M—1-90