The first rendition of the event had 46 entries and ran on Earth Day, April 22. The challenge was to transform used furniture innovatively (including, but not limited to, painting, restoring, and reupholstering).
Among the entries, 20 contestants sourced their items from a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, five found furniture pieces on the side of the road and six repurposed items they already had at home. There were 17 entries that showcased the creative use of Fusion Mineral paint, a popular and environmentally conscious paint line known for its superior durability and one-step application, according to a press release.
The winners were selected through two categories: The People’s Choice and Designer’s Choice. The People's Choice category had over 1900 online votes. The Designer’s Choice winner was chosen by the interior designers at Birchview Design, who evaluated entries based on criteria such as creativity, originality, usability and overall transformation.
The Winners
People’s Choice Category:
The recipient of the People's Choice award is Philip Feder of Omemee. His winning entry, a Superman-themed side table crafted from repurposed comic book covers, captured the hearts of voters with its unique blend of creativity and sustainability.
“As a comic book and toy collector, I frequently encounter damaged comics. Rather than allowing them to be discarded in a landfill, I opted to repurpose them.” said Feder. “(I) used a combination of materials and paint, I added bar resin to seal the top. To emulate Superman's suit, I fashioned the legs of the table accordingly, drawing inspiration from the comics.”