• 2023 ReUse Contest

Coming soon!

12th Annual ReStore ReUse Contest. August 1st through September 30th. Guidelines and entry form at ashevillehabitat.org

The 2023 ReStore ReUse Contest – the 12th annual – will commence on August 1st and run through September 30th. Please check back on/after August 1st to access the guidelines and submission form.

In the meantime, if you need some inspiration, check out photos of last year’s entries here and read below to learn about last year’s winning projects.

Congratulations to the 2022 ReStore ReUse Contest winners!

Best in Show – Heidi Mixner designed and built her dream greenhouse around 34 vintage windows donated from a 1906 Asheville home. Heidi repaired and refinished each window herself before constructing the greenhouse with the help of her sister and father. Most of the materials used to build the almost 12′ tall greenhouse were repurposed, recycled, up-cycled or donated, including french doors purchased at the ReStore, redwood, glass block, gutters and hardware. Heidi finished the space with shelving made from repurposed wood, vintage linens from the Restore, a daybed with a donated mattress from a local rental, and rocks dug from her property.

Art – Elizabeth Dante found inspiration for her next sculpture in an accident. When a heavy piece fell on her foot and broke it, she decided to reuse her crutches to repair another broken sculpture. “Struts” was made by blending the sculpture and crutches together with scrap wood, epoxy, and paint.

Furniture – Antonia Butler up-cycled an old washstand purchased from the Asheville ReStore using chalk paint, a bone inlay style stencil, and a clear waxed finish. She finished the piece by swapping the drawer knob with a more intricate piece of hardware.

Home Decor – Sheila Thibodeaux brought new life to old wood with her “Bedknobs and Broomsticks Croquet.” She constructed the mallets and wickets from bed posts, tool handles, and balusters sourced from the Asheville ReStore. “What was once a toy is now elevated to a tool of gaming for serious customers. Kings and queens of no domain are embracing this eloquent pastime.”

Homesteading – David and Donna Drake built their 8′ x 10′ greenhouse with old windows and doors. Aside from the screws and roofing, all of the materials were repurposed or reused – including lumber and hardware from the ReStore.

Live/Work Space – Beverly Kirkland and her granddaughter turned a closet-less office into a stylish and organized bedroom with the help of a few garage sales and crafty ReStore visits. Ample storage was provided by a cubby unit from the ReStore and a double hung closet built with salvaged lumber and new plywood. After finishing the storage wall with a 1980s dresser and garage sale mirror, another ReStore visit provided a wheeled work table, two stools, and the perfect bookcase bed frame. The peaceful space was finished out in white and aqua.