Contest Rules

Eligibility:

Participants must be Michigan residents and at least 18 years of age.

Contest Entry:

Participants are limited to a maximum of three entries. Participants must pay an entry fee of $30 per furniture item.

Furniture Pick Up:

Participants may select and pick up their furniture piece(s) from the Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit (the “Furniture Bank”) between May 6, 2025, and July 31, 2025. Furniture selections will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Transportation:

Participants are responsible for transporting their selected furniture items or can pay the Furniture Bank $150 for one-way transportation.

Participant Identification Board:

An identification board (no larger than 11” by 17”) with information about the participant, their work, and how to contact them may be displayed along with the finished piece and should include a “before” picture of the piece of furniture.

Furniture Flip Requirements:

Participants must creatively reimagine and refurbish the furniture piece using their own materials and labor. Entries must maintain the original nature of the furniture while enhancing its design, functionality, and/or aesthetic appeal.

Submission Deadline:

Completed entries must be returned to the Furniture Bank by August 31, 2025, to be considered for the contest. Late submissions will not be eligible for judging or prizes but may still be displayed.

Judging:

A panel of judges appointed by the Furniture Bank will evaluate entries based on artistry, functionality, creativity, craftsmanship, transformation, and overall design. A People’s Choice award will be determined by popular vote of attendees on the day of the event.

Prizes:

Prizes will be awarded for the best reimagined pieces as follows:

• $5,000 for Best in Show (not eligible for other prizes)
• $1,000 for most Artistic
• $1,000 for most Functional
• $1,000 for most Transformed
• $1,000 for most Creative
• $1,000 for People’s Choice (popular vote)

Winners will be announced at the Furniture Flip Bash, September 4^th, 5:30–9:00pm, The Village Club, 190 E. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI. The winner is required to acknowledge receipt of funds in writing. Participants should consult with their financial advisor to comply with applicable income tax law regarding prize winnings and possible business expense deductions for costs incurred.

Ownership and Disposition of Entries:

• Furniture provided to participants remains the property of the Furniture Bank.
• Items will be sold at either live or silent auctions, and the Furniture Bank will be the sole beneficiary of all funds raised by the auction.

Advertising:

The Furniture Bank is expressly allowed and reserves the right to use images of all contest entries for promotional and marketing purposes.

Intellectual Property:

By submitting an entry, the Furniture Bank and sponsors have the right to use, display, and promote their submitted content for marketing and promotional purposes.

Publicity Rights:

By participating, contestants agree to allow their name, likeness, and project details to be used for promotional purposes, without any compensation.

General Conditions:

• By entering the contest, participants agree to abide by these official rules.
• The Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the contest criteria or deadlines.
• The Furniture Bank is not responsible for any damages or losses incurred during the transportation or flipping process.

For more information or questions, please contact Diane Charles, President/CEO of the Furniture Bank, at 248.332.1300 x200 or dcharles@furniture-bank.org