Author Archives: FultonHomes

Winter Crafts for Kids

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As the days start to get shorter, kids can start to feel bored and pent up indoors, particularly when the holidays end and schedules return to normal. When this happens, consider making some fun winter crafts that you can use to brighten up your house and make it a little more cheerful inside. Depending on when you start, you can even use a few of these as decorations over the holiday, or save them for next year to put them out and get some additional use out of them.

Painted Pinecones

Create some beautiful winter decorations with pinecones and some iridescent paint medium. Iridescent medium can be applied to the pinecone spines just like paint. When it dries, however, the medium becomes transparent, leaving behind only a sparkling shine that makes it look as though the pinecones have been left outside in the frost. You can also add the medium to any paint to make your blues, reds, and greens sparkle as well. Tie a ribbon onto the ends of your finished pinecones and use them as ornaments, or hang them in the windows to catch the light.

Salty Snow Scene

This is a fun craft for with children who enjoy the process of watching an almost magical change in their handiwork.  Have your kids draw a snowman or other winter picture on a piece of heavy construction paper. Make sure that they do not cover all the areas of the paper with crayon; some of the paper needs to stay bare for the effect to work.

Dissolve a cup of Epsom salts into two cups of warm water; this needs to be fairly thick and heavy when you are done mixing. Have your child paint the salt water over the finished drawing. When the water dries, it will leave behind salt crystals on the paper that will make it look as though it has been snowing in their scene. If you’d like, you can also add a drop or two of blue food coloring to the water to give the entire picture an icy blue sheen to it at the same time.

Thanksgiving with Style: Part 2

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Planning for Thanksgiving involves more than a trip to the grocery store. Many stressful holidays occur because only the food is planned. By taking the time the day before to handle the other aspects of the holiday, you can have more time for your last-minute food preparations.

Thanksgiving is often the one holiday when people bring out all their best china and silver. It’s also a day when you may have many dinner guests. The best way to plan for this is to set the table early. If you have silver that needs polishing or you can’t find Aunt Lavine’s cranberry compote dish, Thanksgiving morning is not the day to discover these problems. Spend today pulling out everything and setting the table. (You can eat in front of the TV tonight!)

Prepare for any potential problems or accidents. Your dining room floor and table linens are at risk with a Thanksgiving dinner. Pre-plan for spills with a good collection of white towels and your favorite spot remover if needed. Quick attention fo spilling protects your rugs and tablecloths without unduly embarrassing your guests.

You may want to serve food buffet-style, reducing the demands for passing everything and allowing more space at the table. Plan which serving pieces will be used, and layout your buffet ahead of time. Then just add the food on Thanksgiving day. This will leave room for decorative elements on the table itself.

Finally, plan ahead for the meal itself. Check your recipes when you make your shopping list and prepare anything you can today. Are there any bakeries or stores that make great pies? Consider buying them and saving yourself some time and trouble. Make a plan for Thanksgiving morning that factors in any oven or stove-top space limitations. Give yourself a spare half-hour to hour in your calculations to cover the unexpected.

With these plans you have a good chance of experiencing a fun and lower-stress holiday. Maybe you’ll even be able to watch a little football!

Thanksgiving with Style: Part 1

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If you want to decorate your home for Thanksgiving, your best resource is your local grocery store! Pumpkins – generally half price or less after Halloween – can join with pomegrantes gourds, squash and Indian corn to make your home inviting and seasonal.

Start by browsing through your collection of accessories. Do you have any antiques that would go well with autumn moods and colors? Baskets and pottery or metal bowls look inviting when filled with smaller fall products. If you purchase a nice selection of various squash, they will hold up throughout the season and are excellent roasted after their decorative use is over.

Once you’re finished rummaging through your home and local grocer, step outside and take full advantage of fall’s bounty. Do you have any trees with turning leaves? These can make for beautiful decorations on Thanksgiving day. Also look for dried grasses and berries on your property or along the roadside to add color and personality to your displays. With a little imagination and effort, you can create a fall environment in your home that will take your guest’s breath away.

Now, close your eyes and imagine how wonderful your house will look. Do you have any ideas or tips to make our vision of your home even better?

Crafts with Kids

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After Halloween is over and the spooky decorations come down, kids can often feel as though all the fun has gone out of fall and early winter. If this has happened in your household, don’t worry; there are plenty of Autumn and Thanksgiving-themed crafts your kids can make to decorate the house with and feel as though the seasonal fun is still continuing.

Fall Stamps

Stamping is a great way to liven up plain paper and crafts from scrapbooks to banners. Take it a step further by gathering up some typical fall items to use as your stamp, rather than using the expensive rubber stamps you can find at the craft store. Autumn items that make great stamps include:

  • Apple halves, which showcase a star on the inside
  • Leaves
  • Pinecones, which can be rolled across a page for a unique pattern
  • Acorn caps
  • Pine needles

Leaf Rubbings

Have your kids gather a variety of different fall leaves and arrange them on top of a sheet of paper. Encourage them to create leaf scenes, leaf animals, and leaf people out of them, and then lay a second sheet of paper on top. Tape down the edges of the second sheet so it doesn’t move, and have your kids rub the side of a crayon over the entire sheet to reveal the images of the leaves underneath. Once you’ve made one or two, experiment with using different colors on the same sheet to create various effects.

Pinecone Turkeys

Gather the largest pinecones you can find (these are also available at craft stores), along with a range of different found objects and craft items you already have on hand such as felt, buttons, wire, feathers, glue, and paint. Now decorate the pinecones to look like a fat Thanksgiving turkey. Paint the spines of the pinecone to look like feathers, glue bunches of feathers onto the back for a tail, and use the buttons, felt, and wire to create details like feet, eyes, comb, and wattle. Display your finished creations as the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving table, or pop them around the house in unexpected places so that guests can catch their eyes when they come to visit.

Decorating For Fall

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Put away the white linen, beach towels and cool toned accessories. It’s fall and it’s time to breakout the corn husks, pine cones and other harvest decorations. Here are a few simple ideas:

Decorate a bookshelf with pressed leaves and pumpkins.

Hang a corn husk wreath.

Display green apples and acorns in apothecary jars.

Spray paint pumpkins silver and white. Make sure you use a variety of sizes. Display them on your mantle with pine cones. This is a very elegant look.

Decorate your dining room table by placing a row of pumpkins and gourds. Add a tall vase filled with wheat.

Fill your votive candle holders with pumpkin or squash seeds.

Make leaves out of decorative scrapbook paper. Glue them to branches for a whimsical look. Display the branches in tall glass vases.

Fill an old tool box with candles, clementines and pine cones.

Hollow out gourds and use them as vases for fall flowers.

Put single leaves, either pressed or fresh, in small glass vases or use old lab beakers — look for them at antique stores. Replace leaves as they brown.

Put together a colorful outdoor fall display using a sturdy wheelbarrow as a base. Fill the wheelbarrow with ornamental cabbage and peppers, grasses, chrysanthemums, flowering zucchini and other seasonal plants. Fill the wheelbarrow with soil and insert the plants loosely, or tuck containers into the wheelbarrow, making sure to fill in the gaps with more plants.

Nuts are as easy to decorate with as they are good to eat. Anchor a candle inside a hurricane lamp. Experiment with different varieties of nuts and a selection of clear containers.

Nestle a candle in popcorn kernels or other seasonal materials such as candy corn or colored clear round stones.

Don’t forget to break out the rich, warm colored throw rugs, pillows and rugs. Light a fire, pour a glass of wine and enjoy autumn.

Happy Fall Decorating!

Creating a Pet Feeding Station

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Our pets are part of our families. Our dogs and cats are like children with all of their toys and accessories. Pets are big business in America. Billions of dollars are spent every year on pets, food, toys, beds and even clothing for our dogs.  This industry means you can find the perfect solution for almost every need your pet may have. The perfect water bowl and food dish are the start of a charming pet feeding station in your kitchen.

Creating a pet zone in your home can help control the clutter that comes with having a dog or cat. Designing a pet feeding station in the kitchen or mudroom will help organize all of your pets food needs into one place, saving you valuable floor and counter space. Floor space is at a premium in most kitchens. Finding a place for Fido’s or Fifi’s water bowl and food dish that isn’t in a major traffic pattern can be tricky.  Set up a food station that is out of the main foot traffic to avoid spilling water and kibble all over your kitchen floors.  A simple mat under the food and water can protect your floors from spills and messes.

If you have a walk-in pantry you might want to set up the feeding station in there. Keeping pet food in containers or bins can also make things neater and more organized on the shelf or in a cupboard. If you have the room next to the food dish, you might want to keep a pretty canister or bin there.

5 Inexpensive Ways to Make Your Bedroom Super Comfy

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Rockaway Model

Your bedroom should be so much more than just a place to sleep. In fact, it should be your oasis; a place you can retreat to in the midst of chaos. With these budget-friendly ideas, you can turn your bedroom into your own sanctuary without breaking the bank.

  1. Paint the room a darker color
    Light colors can make a room feel larger and more open. Darker hues envelope the space making it more intimate. Yes, using a dark hue on your walls will create the perfect space to relax in. Since color has the power to change the mood of an room you’ll want to select a color that you really love. You can contrast and add some color to the room through your bedding and accessories.
  2. Adjustable lighting
    Soft lighting is ultimate for cozy living. If overhead lighting is necessary than you’ll want to invest in an adjustable lighting solution. Consider installing a chandelier with a light dimmer so you can set the right mood by simply adjusting the level of illumination according to your needs.
  3. Layering Rugs
    There’s nothing that says comfort more than a soft rug. Rugs provide warmth especially during the winter months. Whether you have hardwood floors or wall to wall carpet be sure to incorporate a couple of area rugs in different shapes and textures to provide that super comfy look.
  4. Make your bed extra comfy
    Of course, your bedroom can’t be a retreat without a comfortable bed. When creating the ultimate bed you can never have too many blankets or throws. Use an assortment of blankets in various textures from soft cotton blankets to plush fleece throw. For an added comfort you can invest in a quality mattress topper. Don’t forget the pillows. What’s more inviting than a huge pile of pillows?
  5. Create a reading nook
    Put together your very own reading nook in your bedroom so you can cuddle up and read a book, browse a magazine or just enjoy the view. Forget about building a window seat since this can be costly. Instead, you can form a reading nook with a comfortable chair, a small bookshelf for your books or a small side table to hold your reading material and snack.

Labor Day Kid Party Ideas

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It’s time to start planning an awesome party for the kids! What better time to have some late summer fun than the ultimate holiday for being outdoors? We’re guessing you already have the menu and decorations planned for your event, but there’s a good chance you haven’t yet planned out the games. The best part about Labor Day is that it has an easy going vibe that makes life seem breezy and fun. As such, planning for a party shouldn’t feel like a big burden! To help you along we’re sharing seven quick ways to create a super day of play!

  1. Squirt gun tag. Provide the squirt guns and place a large bucket of water in the middle of the yard for use as an easy refill station.
  2. Prior to the party, let the kiddos paint empty tin cans red, white, and blue. Then on the big day stack them in a pyramid. Provide a lightweight ball, such as a wiffle ball, and let the bowling shenanigans begin.
  3. Buy neon light-up necklaces at a party supply store. Shortly before the party light them up and attach them end to end. Drive a stake into the ground and play a game of glow in the dark ring toss.
  4. Serve red, white, and blue cupcakes filled with Poprocks. Have your camera ready! (Be sure and warn the kids first!)
  5. On the morning of the party give your kids plenty of sidewalk chalk. Instead of asking  them to “keep busy” using it, tell them you need their help to decorate for the party. They’ll feel very important accomplishing the task of sidewalk decorator!
  6. Set up an American flag relay race. Fill extra large red and blue buckets with sand and handheld American flags on sticks. Each member of the relay team has to grab a flag and bring it back to a teammate.
  7. If you have a yard full of rocks make a game of it. Tell the kids they can each select 1-3 rocks (they like picking things out.) Then provide red, white, and blue paint and brushes.

Happy Labor Day from all of us at Fulton Homes!

Make the Most Out of Household Items

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The truth is there are ways to make household items last longer. Who doesn’t want to get more for their money and cut down on waste? These little tricks will help you save money and trips to the store!

Buy foam hand soap dispensers. Get the regular hand soap refill bottles. Fill the dispenser up ¼ of the way with hand soap. Fill the rest with water. Shake the dispenser and voila, now you have foam hand soap. This will definitely save you some money in the long run and the soap works just as good as liquid hand soap.

Keep fresh cut flowers fresher longer by adding a cap full of vodka to the water!

Keep left over salad or bags of spinach and lettuce fresh by adding a dry paper towel to the leafy greens. This will soak up the moisture that is released from the greens; which also makes the greens spoil.

Have you ever wondered why Starbucks has already separated the bananas for purchase? Separating the bananas from the bunch keeps them fresher for days longer.

Keep cheese fresh for longer by these two simple tricks. Do not touch the cheese when cutting it. Wrap the end in plastic wrap. Bacteria from your hands will speed up the process of your cheese molding. Keeping your hands off, when cutting will add at least a week to its life. Smear butter on the end of the cheese. This will provide adequate moisture to keep the cheese from drying out so soon.

Keep batteries in the freezer to help prevent them from losing charge before you actually use them. It saves you money when you buy batteries in bulk. This little trick will add plenty of shelf life to purchased batteries.

We hope these tips help save you a little time and money! Be well!

Decorating a Home Office/Spare Bedroom

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The term spare room is kind of a misnomer. For most homeowners, any extra space is a luxury that is quickly gobbled up and turned into something: a playroom for the kids; a guest room; a home office.  There are ways to combine a home office and a guest room into one stylish space.  Home office/bedroom doesn’t mean shoving a desk in the corner of the guest room or squeezing a queen size bed into the office.  Create a room that is a true multifunctional room that is the best of both.

Rather than having a big bed in a small room use a convertible day bed/sofa.  While this won’t accommodate two guests, it will work for a single guest.  During the day or when the room is not being used as a guest room, the sofa provides a comfortable place to lounge and relax.

Place a stylish desk in the room. Choose one that can be cleared of work papers and laptop for a guest’s visit. Having a few file cabinets or a bookshelf with doors to hide work and home finance paperwork would optimize the storage in this space. Consider a storage ottoman as a coffee table because they are portable and easily moved around the space.

Use neutral colors to make this space guest-friendly.  A patterned area rug could add interest and coziness.  A few pieces of art on the walls would help warm up the space and keep it from feeling too sterile. Even personal family photos would be nice hung as a gallery wall.