Memphis College of Art students turn typical apartments into stylish living spaces for the “ReStore for More” design contest. A collaboration between the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis ReStore, The Venue Apartments, and Memphis College of Art, the contest features three teams tasked with creating the best redesign of a 1-bedroom apartment in Midtown’s The Venue Apartments. They were asked to use pieces from the Habitat ReStore and even build their own furniture and built-ins with reclaimed material. With a tight budget of $650, the students learned hands-on how to be creative in a real-world environment.
The last open house is tonight from 4-7pm where you can tour the 3 redesigned apartments and cast your vote to help the students win cash prizes and a chance to live in their winning space rent-free for 6 months. First, let’s introduce the teams.
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Carly Lyons and Bailey Bracato of team Double M designed around the theme of Memphis and music. A theme prominently demonstrated with the old cassette tapes that screened the kitchen cabinet doors. A custom tile mosaic acts as the backsplash. Overall, the low warm lighting and richly dark furniture took on a vintage style.
Laura Miller and Jess Vandenberg of team Modern West use their eye as graphic designers to pull together patterns and colors for a bright and modern space. The accent wall is a linear mosaic of reclaimed wood trim. The dining table reused a wooden pallet and traditional table legs in a modern color.
Sam Herwehe and Evan Lebaroff of team Handmade American combined wood, metal, leather and concrete materials for an industrial look. The minimal bar height dining table is built into the space, while the stools, unexpectedly covered in Astroturf, gave just the right amount of artistic whimsy.
Make sure to visit the open house tonight to experience the space for yourself and admire the details. Particularly, if you’re looking for a stylish place to live, these apartments are available for rent when the contest ends. Good luck to all the students.
Voting Details
In-Person at The Venue Apartments (1387 Central) Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. In-person votes count double and ends Feb. 1st, 5 p.m.
Online at www.facebook.com/thevenuememphis until 5 p.m. on Feb. 3. The public simply needs to look at the ReStore for More Voting gallery and “like” the photos of the project they like best. Each ‘like’ counts as one vote.
