Winners Announced for The Big Flip Furniture Flipping Contest 2024
The first-ever edition of The Big Flip, a contest focused on repurposing furniture sustainably, has come to an end with great success and it is time to announce the winners! Organized by Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region and sponsored by Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre, the event received 46 entries from enthusiastic participants passionate about reimagining and reviving furniture pieces, while keeping them out of landfills.
The contest, which coincided with Earth Day on April 22, 2024, challenged participants to transform used furniture in innovative ways (including but not limited to painting, restoring, and reupholstering). Among the entries, 20 contestants sourced their items from a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 5 found furniture pieces on the side of the road, while 6 repurposed items they already had at home. Notably, 17 entries showcased the creative use of Fusion Mineral paint, a popular and environmentally conscious paint line known for its superior durability and one-step application.
The winners were selected across two categories: The People’s Choice and the Designer’s Choice. The People’s Choice award was determined by online voting which garnered over 1900 votes, while The Designer’s Choice winner was chosen by interior designers from Birchview Design, evaluating entries based on criteria such as creativity, originality, usability, and overall transformation.
The Winners
Winner of the People’s Choice Category: Philip Feder
Philip Feder of Omemee claimed the People’s Choice award for his captivating entry—a Superman-themed side table ingeniously crafted from repurposed comic book covers. Feder’s fusion of creativity and sustainability struck a chord with voters, who were enamoured by his unique approach. Explaining his inspiration, Feder expressed, “As a collector, I often encounter damaged comics. Rather than consigning them to landfills, I chose to repurpose them.” Employing a mix of materials and paint, Feder meticulously fashioned the table legs to mirror Superman’s iconic suit, drawing inspiration from the comics. Encouraged by The Big Flip contest, he plans to continue breathing new life into discarded items from his collection.
Winner of the Designer’s Choice Category: Cass Stabler
Cass Stabler clinched the Designer’s Choice award for her meticulously crafted floral desk—a transformation of a child-sized wooden desk and chair into a vibrant and functional piece of furniture. Stabler’s attention to detail and dedication shone through in her portrayal of nature-inspired motifs, tailored specifically for her seven-year-old niece. Spending approximately 24 hours meticulously painting the floral design, Stabler reflects, “Being able to combine my passion for finding quality furniture from sources like the ReStore with painting was immensely rewarding, especially in creating the perfect gift for my niece.”
Both winners received a Fusion Mineral Paint™ prize pack, a one-year membership to the Peterborough Tool Library, and a whopping $500 gift card to Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre.
Alaura Jopling, Marketing Coordinator for Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre, expressed delight in being part of The Big Flip contest, affirming the importance of sustainability and repurposing in minimizing waste. She added, “At Chemong HHBC, we advocate for sustainable practices and are committed to guiding customers in their DIY endeavours, ensuring old furniture gets a new lease on life while preserving our planet.”
Reflecting on The Big Flip’s success, Habitat PKR underscored the significance of sustainable practices in waste reduction and fostering a circular economy. In 2023 alone, the three Habitat PKR ReStores diverted 331,730 items from landfills, contributing to the construction of safe, decent, and affordable housing in the community.
Congratulations to Philip Feder and Cass Stabler for winning The Big Flip contest, and special thanks to all participants, sponsors, and supporters for their contributions to promoting sustainability and creativity in the Peterborough and Kawartha region.
See All 2024 Entries to The Big Flip
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