STATE CONTACT
Linda Reece Adler
Home Furnishings Specialist, Home Economics Extension
300 Erikson Hall, UK
Lexington KY 40546-0050
phone: (859) 257-7775
email: lreece@uky.edu

"Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless or race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin."

HOME ENVIRONMENT PROJECT

PURPOSE
The major goal of the project is to encourage members to learn how to make their home environment one that is supportive and pleasant for themselves and other members of the family.

OBJECTIVES
The overall objectives of this project are:
1) To develop an awareness and appreciation for creating and maintaining an attractive, efficient, safe home environment for individuals and family members.
2) To help young people learn how to evaluate housing and furnishing options and make wise decisions based on their own needs and resources.
3) To teach members skills in making decisions, planning and completing housing and furnishing projects (purchased or do-it-yourself) that are appropriate for intended use and within their financial means.

4) To assist young people in learning how to evaluate resources, make decisions and develop skills needed for creating a well-designed and efficient home environment that will support their desired life style yet be within their household budget.

DESCRIPTION
The home environment curriculum consists of four project books and a leader's guide.

*"Home Environment Project: Exploring Your Home" Unit 1 (4JB-01PO)
Members learn how to care for their room, basic techniques of color and texture, how to use these tools of design in making a decorative item for the home, and how to be a responsible member of the family.

*"Home Environment Project: Living with Others" Unit 2 (4JB-02OP)
Members learn more about caring for the home, how to live and get along with others, make things for the home, and additional tools of design, including line, shape & form and space.

*"Home Environment Project: Where I Live" Unit 3 (4JB-03PO)
Members learn guidelines for using design elements of rhythm, balance, scale and proportion.

*"Home Environment Project: In My Home" Unit 4 (4JB-04PO)
Members explore how their family heritage affects their home environment and apply principles of design in rearranging and decorating a room.

*"First Home Away From Home" Unit 5. (Camera ready publication and leader's guide) Young people have many decisions to make when setting up their first home away from home. This home may be an apartment, a house or a dormitory room. This unit provides information for making decisions on where to live, what furnishings and living supplies are needed, how to find and keep a roommate, and who keeps the place "clean". Small discussion groups are ideal for using these materials, but the publication will also be beneficial if used by individual members.

SUGGESTED AUDIENCE
Any young person.

STATE EVENTS
Counties may select exhibits to represent the county in Cloverville exhibits at the Kentucky State Fair. Many counties do this at the local fair or at an event such as exhibit night, expo, or rally day. See the current State Fair Catalog for a description of classes.

FORMS AVAILABLE/REQUIRED
State Fair Entry form: Sent to you directly from the state fair.
State Fair Invoice Sheets: Sent to you in the spring from the State 4-H Office.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENT
1. Recruit and train leaders to teach youth skills in home environment in project meetings, workshops, etc.
2. Encourage youth to exhibit products and provide a description of rings/classes for local event.
3. Check exhibit items to make sure they match the state fair description. Refer to the project book as necessary. Follow entry procedure specified in state fair catalog. Firmly affix appropriate labels and judging cards to the items. Make sure that documentation is included when required.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE
The following resources are available on loan from Linda Reece Adler.
SC=Suitcase S=Slide Set SCP=Script OT=Overhead Transparencies M=Materials

Check the Ag Video Library instructional catalog for more information (descriptions, ordering) on the suggested videos listed below. Exceptions are noted by individual video listings. Catalog also listed additional videos on a variety of topics related to housing and home furnishings that are available for your use.

Wood Samples: (SC)
Includes blocks of ten different woods strung together. Each block is marked with a number which corresponds to the identification key. These are great visuals to teach kids to identify different wood characteristics and types of trees. The samples are packaged so that each person in a group of 30 can handle a sample.

Home Fix-It: (SC, OT, M, V)
Includes camera ready publications on The Basic Home Tool Kit plus individual fact sheets with basic information on selecting and using various tools in the tool kit. Tool box is available from Carroll Fackler (Quicksand Substation) and contains tools that can be used for teaching home fix-it lessons.

Painting Techniques: (SC, OT, M, V)
Includes tools and supplies needed to teach lesson on special painting techniques, such as marbling, ragging on and ragging on, sponging and stippling. Overhead transparencies show tools and techniques of each process.
Suggested video: VHD-0838 - Interior Paint & Wallpaper

Selecting and Hanging Wallcoverings: (SC, M, V)
Includes selection, tools, supplies and techniques needed for installing wallcoverings.
Suggested video: VHD-0838 - How To Hang Wallcoverings

Home Storage: (SC, SCP, M)
Analyzes storage needs, shows how to apply storage principles and how to create additional storage areas within a home.
Suggested videos:
VHD-0828 - Make Your Kitchen Store More
VHD-0816 - Storage & Closet
VHD-0835 - Storage

Doors and Entries: (SC, SCP, M, OT)
Includes examples of common Kentucky architectural styles, application of design principles to entryways and decorative items for doors. Leader's guide included. (See also Wreaths For All Occasions.)

Dishes For All Occasions: (M, OT, V)
Learn guidelines for making wise decisions in the selection, use and care of dinnerware. Leader's guide and quiz included.
Suggested videos:
Selecting Tableware (available from Ag Video Library
So You're Engaged...by Waterford Crystal (available from Linda Adler)

Sewing For the Home: (SC, M, V)
Covers many ideas for fabric home furnishings throughout the home. Includes quick-sew and no-sew construction techniques.
Suggested videos:
VHD-0919 - Creative Home Decorating Ideas: Sewing Projects For the Home
VHD-0795 - Decorating On the Double
VHD-0796 - Serge, Sew and Decorate with Fabric

Window Treatments: (SC, SCP, V)
Information on hardware & styling techniques for window treatments. Focuses on quick and easy-sew and no-sew ideas.
Suggested videos:
VHF-0808 - Dressing Windows With Tulip Swag Holders
VHF-0819 - Valances & Shades
VHF-0829 - Swags, Jabots & Scarfs

Furniture: Purchasing Pointers: (M, OT, V)
Guidelines for selecting and buying upholstered and wood furniture for the home.
Suggested video: Furniture: A Buyer's Guide (available from Linda Adler)

KICKS...Kids Into Courtesy, Kindness and Smiles: (M, V)
Good manners count! Covers basic living skills that will help members know how to make introductions, talk to others, and learn more about table manners.
Extensive teaching guide includes information for games, activities, skits in a series of 10 lessons. Learning experiences can be selected as appropriate for age and life experiences of participants.
Suggested video: VHD-0844 - Etiquette Hotline...Table Manners

Furniture Restoration: (M, V)
Series of fact sheets (7) that provide information on evaluating wood furniture design and techniques for finishing and refinishing.
Suggested video: Furniture Refinishing
Available from Linda Adler: Information on chair reseating and a set of eight wooden frames showing the step-by-step process for caning chair seats.

Finishing Fabric and Stitchery For Wall Art: (M, OT, S)
Provides ideas and options for finishing and displaying needlework and crafts as wall accessories.

Pillows, Pillows, Pillows: (SC, M, V)
Includes ideas for various fabrics and fillings for pillows as well as instructions for measuring and construction techniques for different styles of pillows.
Suggested video: VHF-0821 - Pillows

Centerpieces and Table Decorations: (M, OT, V)
Apply design elements and principles to the selection and arrangements of centerpieces and table decorations. Includes ideas for centerpieces for all occasions.
Suggested video: VHF-0823 - Quick Napkin Creations

Wreaths For All Occasions: (M, V)
Discusses tools and supplies needed for wreath making. Includes basic directions for making wreaths and ideas for variations to fit all occasions throughout the year.
Suggested video: VHD-0873 - Fabric Wreaths

4-H Home Environment Project Ideas: (S, SCP)
Shows examples of home environment projects that have been entered at the state fair. Shows scope of project along with ideas for things to do in the project.

Living With Color: (SC, OT, M, V)
Series of fact sheets (4) that provide information on understanding color terminology and the color wheel, using color in the home, creating a color scheme and psychological impact of color.
Suggested Video: Living With Color
Related Video: Eye For Design

Window Trends: (SC, OT, M, S, SCP)
Includes consumer information on trends and shopping considerations for different styles of window treatments. Pictures used in slide set are also available in color flip charts for use in small group discussions. Leader's guide included.

Family Photo: Preservation, Care, and Display. (M, OT)
Learn the latest information on photo preservation and care. Lesson includes recommended materials and procedures to use in preserving, storing, and displaying treasured family photos from the early 1900's through the 1950's to the present. Includes identification information to help solve the mystery of who, what, when and where for unlabeled photos. Series of four fact sheets, teaching outline, evaluation and resource packet are available.

Living With Color (II): (M, OT, SC, V)
Learn how to use color to make a statement, to create moods, to create visual illusions with space and shapes and to contrast/harmonize with other colors and patterns. Series of four fact sheets includes explanations of color terminology and color wheel, creating a color scheme, psychological impacts of color and more.
Suggested Video: Color In Everyday Living
Related Video: Eye For Design

Wonderful Ways With Windows. (M, SC, SCP, OT, S,V)
Update your home with easy-to-create and easy-to-live-with window treatments! Find out about the latest alternatives in window hardware and styling techniques. Includes shopping considerations as well as many ideas for e-z-sew and no-sew options. Teaching outline and photo presentation books are available in addition to a demonstration suitcase and slide set.

Pillow Power! (M, SC, Corel Presentation, V)
Decorative pillows are gaining new importance in decorating. This lesson shows trends, consumer considerations and alternatives in dressing up your home's basic pillow wardrobe. Lesson materials include four fact sheets, teaching outline, Corel presentation and demonstration suitcase.
Suggested Video: VHF-0821 - Pillows

Update Your Home. Plan and create updated interiors at moderate cost. Discusses guidelines for decisions on do-it-yourself home projects, getting the most impact for time and money spent and hints for timeless decorating.
PUB:
HF-LCR.154 Update Your Decorating!
HF-LCR.155 D-I-Y Projects
OTHER: Leader's Guide, quiz, evaluation, overhead transparencies/posters
CONTACT: Linda Reece Adler

Wallpaper 101. (M, OT, S, SCP, V)
Covers selection of quality wallcoverings to create the look you want as well as skills, tools and techniques for installing wallcoverings.
VIDEO: VHD-807 How To Hang Wallcoverings;
VHD-0838 Interior Paint & Wallpaper

Family Keepsakes. (M, OT)
Includes discussion on meaning of keepsakes; appraisal guidelines; care, display and storage of metal, paper, glass, wood and other home furnishings and accessory keepsake items. Excellent information for care and preservation of heritage items. Resource packet includes publication FCS 4-112, Family Keepsakes, an in-depth teaching outline, learning activities and set of overhead transparencies

Last Revised: 8/1/00
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