Author Archives: FultonHomes

Fulton Homes and Water Safety

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With the 100+ degree temperatures we face this and every summer, swimming is a great way to beat the heat. But with so many pools in back yards around Phoenix, every summer brings the tragedy of children drowning. It’s easy to blame parents when something this horrifying happens, but in reality turning your back for just a couple of seconds can lead to disaster.

This truth is why Fulton Homes strongly supports the “2 seconds is too long” campaign this summer in conjunction with KTAR-FM and Arizona Sports 98.7 to remind adults that emergencies around water can occur in a split second.

“For years Fulton Homes has proudly sponsored 2 Seconds Is Too Long in hopes of raising awareness for families to watch their children around water,” Doug Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes, said. “Being vigilant with children around water, teaching them to swim, having a pool fence and having an adult who knows how to preform CPR are all critical for protection against drowning and near drowning accidents. Drowning is a harsh reality in Arizona, and we want to continue doing everything we can to prevent another family tragedy.”

This campaign is supported by another Fulton Homes community program: the annual Fulton Homes Fence Patrol program which provides pool fences to families in need every summer.

To learn more about the Fulton Homes “2 Seconds is Too Long” campaign and the Fence Patrol program, visit our website at http://www.fultonhomes.com/news/fulton-foundation/water-safety.

Fulton Homes and The Fulton Family Foundation

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Ira Fulton was always a success at whatever he undertook, and he has also always recognized the importance and value of giving back. As he explains, “When you look at history, you realize we are here for just a second, a twinkle of time and you learn we can do things to make the world a better place.”

Ira Fulton and Fulton Homes are committed to responsible corporate citizenship and helping improve the quality of life for everyone. This public responsibility is seen as essential to the business and they actively seek out partnerships with those agencies that respond to community needs by developing and implementing innovative solutions.

Fulton Homes donates over 60% of its profits every year to many worthwhile causes around the country. Some of the benefiting recipients of these investment dollars include Arizona State University, Brigham Young University, University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, as well as numerous local organizations in and around the Phoenix area. Fulton Homes and the Fulton Family Foundation focus giving in the following areas: education, water safety solutions, health and human services organizations and family services.

Agencies that have an interest in partnering with us must meet our requirements. These are:

  • 501(c)(3) status.
  • Organizations must not discriminate by race, creed, gender, ethnicity, disability, age, or any other basis prohibited by law.
  • No political, fraternal, or veteran’s organizations.
  • No individuals.

If you meet these requirements and would like to be contacted by Fulton Homes and/or the Fulton Family Foundation, you can fill in our Non-profit submission form at: http://www.fultonhomes.com/news/fulton-foundation/non-profit-submission-form

All information is gathered for contact purposes only.

Quartz: A Popular Choice Among Homeowners

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Quartz-Everest-White-Bristol-Beige-Allegheny-Amber-Install3-464x464Quartz has become a favorite material among homeowners in kitchen and bathroom design, being used for countertops and backsplashes, as well as vanities and showers. It’s really no surprise that its popularity continues to grow, since it has the best qualities of laminate and stone, along with its own unique features.

Characteristics of Quartz

Quartz has several appealing characteristics that make it a truly wonderful material for many design projects. Here are five great features that make quartz a top choice.

Durable: Quartz is extremely durable, with more than 93% of counters being made of natural quartz crystals, one of the hardest minerals found in nature. The result is a stone with a scratch resistant surface that’s stronger than granite and marble.

Quartz isn’t as heat resistant as other materials, however, and can be damaged by excessive heat. Extra care should be taken by using trivets for hot pots and pans in the kitchen, and exercising caution when using equipment such as hair dryers in the bathroom.

Quartz-Alberta-Install-464x464Stain Resistant: Quartz resists staining much better than other materials such as granite, concrete and marble, standing up to even the toughest food stains including coffee, cooking oils, and wine. This is certainly a huge plus for most of us!

Sanitary: Due to its nonporous surface, quartz doesn’t harbor bacteria or viruses, enabling you to keep your surfaces completely clean, which is especially important for both kitchens and bathrooms.

Easy to Maintain: Whereas granite and marble countertops must be sealed regularly to prevent staining and the growth of bacteria, adding to the cost of these materials, quartz doesn’t require sealing or other routine maintenance to retain its lovely appearance or durability. And it’s very easy to clean, requiring only soap and water to keep it looking as good as new or a stone cleaner to give it that polished shine!

Environmentally Friendly: Quartz is a plentiful mineral that impacts nature less than granite, making it an eco-friendly choice.

Quartz-Cumberland-Flax-Install-464x464An Extremely Versatile Material: In addition to all these fantastic characteristics, the manufacturing process provides uniform color and appearance, with large slabs that allow for more coverage and fewer seams than with natural stone. And its rich, luxurious look, and wide array of gorgeous colors and patterns, makes it easy to match any kitchen or bathroom design scheme.

For a material with an upscale, beautiful look and minimal maintenance requirements that’s also virtually indestructible, quartz is tough to beat. For more information on quartz, or to see some of the many looks available, visit the Fulton Design Center on a browse night or stop by Arizona Tile. You’ll find the perfect quartz surfaces for your new Fulton Home.

A view from Outside: Bathroom

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Corsica-bath-webHave you ever thought about what a room looks like from the outside? That moment before you actually step into a room creates a person’s first impression of the space. Given this, you may want to spend a bit of time at your doorways looking at what people see as they first walk into every room in your home.

This bathroom takes advantage of every design and décor element to create just the right first impression. To begin with, the flooring transition is smooth, with an inviting and interesting tile pattern that fits well with the style and colors of the bedroom.

This bathroom is a study in contrast, and that is evident immediately when you look through the doorway. Notice how the mood created by the flooring is echoed in the sharp change in color between the dark vanity and light countertop.

The light fixture also supports that feeling, with a dark finish complementing the appealing light shades that shine without being overpowering.

Just a few accessories add charm to the vanity. Their dark tones also provide just the right amount of contrast to the white counter with size and shapes that are interesting without being overwhelming. Brown and grey tones from the artwork and towel suit the space while connecting the bath to the bedroom through color.

How much time have you spent looking into each room in your home from the hall or just outside? Take this opportunity to view your décor choices from a new perspective, and remember that the old adage “It’s never too late to make a first impression” works for rooms as well as people!

Create a Space to Learn

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Marquesas-Ironwood--reading-nook-webIf you want your children to grow up to be good readers and students, there are choices you can make in your home décor to help support that goal. This corner in the Marquesas model from Ironwood Crossing demonstrates some important elements to consider.

A place for books: Plan for bookshelves in your home. You can have some built-in or select a piece of furniture such as this white shelf that provides plenty of space for books and yet still has its own style.  Don’t worry if you can’t fill them up right away. Just add accessories so that your book collection has room to grow.

A comfy chair: The upholstered chair and ottoman set to the left in the photo provides the perfect place to curl up with a book. Remember to include opportunities in terms of both time and space for reading.

A workable desk: Look for a desk with at least one drawer for supplies and a place for papers and files. Notice the three-tier storage container on this desk. It has a charming look and provides easy access to paper clips and other items your children might need to complete their homework.

Good lighting: The drop-down light fixture over the desk provides crisp task lighting for any project. Consider adding a good floor lamp behind that comfy chair too so that reading is easy in the evening.

A fan: sometimes having the air move around can keep a tired student more alert while studying. Good ventilation with a fan makes the area feel livelier when someone is focused and working.

Thoughtful design: Above all, make the reading and homework area charming and coordinated rather than an afterthought of leftover pieces. This effort shows your child or children that their time spent reading or doing homework is important, just as they are.

Guest Room Doubles as Personal Retreat

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guest room Marquesas

From the Marquesas model at Ironwood Crossing

It’s nice to have a guest room in your home. If you have family and friends back east, it’s great to have a place to invite them so that they can escape the cold winter weather. Or if old friends or family have ended up scattered, it’s easier to encourage visits when you have a special place for them to stay in your home.

But even the busiest guest room has its down times, and that extra bedroom is always prime real estate in your home. So what can you do with the space between visitors? Well, this may be the perfect opportunity to create a special retreat just for you.

Even the most wonderful of families can get overwhelming at times, and this room could be your escape to relaxation. Whether you use it to read, watch your shows on television, take a nap or just sit and think, what a treat to have a room that’s just for you. Here are a couple of suggestions to make it special.

Have a comfy place to sit. This room turned a trundle bed into a day bed with the right kind of frame and pillows. Without eliminating a sleeping space, suddenly a bed is also a sofa, just waiting for you to settle in with a good book and a snack.

Decorate it to your personal taste. Add artwork, colors and accessories that mean something to you. Maybe you have a quilt your grandmother made, hang it on the wall where you can see and enjoy it. Or some mementos from school or special events could find a place in this room. These memories can be shared with guests, making your choices extra special.

Make room for a hobby. Do you like to sew, build models, or paint? Whatever you enjoy doing with your leisure time can be part of your personal space. These things can make your guest room an everyday treat for you rather than a room that stands empty between visitors.

Mosaic makes Strong Statement in Bathroom

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Ironwood-bathroom-web-readySmaller spaces can capture interest with just a couple of daring design decisions. This bath, from the Marquesas model at Ironwood Crossing, has all the elements of a good design, particularly given the available space. Let’s take a look at why this bathroom works so well.

Make a splash with mosaic tiles. By choosing to position a stripe of highly contrasting tiles in the shower surround, this bathroom moves from blah to drama. Notice that the mosaic is repeated on the vanity backsplash. This shows a consistency of design and connects the two pieces – vanity and tub – together from a design standpoint.

Match flooring and tub surround materials. When working with a smaller space, using similar colors and textures for large surfaces help the room feel bigger. This choice has personality but doesn’t overtake the room.

Pull from a consistent color palette. In this case, white, taupe and cool browns integrate well with each other making this bathroom feel like a well-crafted unit.

Stay contemporary with clean lines. When your space is smaller, the simple lines of modern styles are less distracting. Your eye moves easily from one element to the next, making the room flow.

Add a few sophisticated elements. The color-blocked shower curtain adds an element of style that complements the mosaic. Altogether this is an interesting and inviting design.

Choose one accent color that pops. Notice the small elements of bright yellow in this room. The oval soap dish toward the front of the photo gets an echo from a thin yellow stripe on the shower curtain. Adding just one or two items in a signature accent color add a spark to this well-designed space.

Are you Ready for a Swimsuit?

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Legacy Models 063 (1)Summer is around the corner and with that comes shorts and swimsuits. If your body is still in inter mode and you feel better covered up, here are a few suggestions to help get you back in fighting trim.

Make healthful snacks easy. Keep raw veggies washed and ready to munch, and make a tasty dip with Greek yogurt and your favorite dip mix. That gives you something fun and still good-for-you. Think fruit too. This time of year some of the best berries and summer fruits start to show up on store shelves at reasonable prices. Fresh raspberries and blueberries are loaded with antioxidants and still feel indulgent.

Build in Exercise. How about putting that stationary bike or treadmill in front of the big TV instead of tucked into a corner of your spare bedroom? With it sitting there asking to be used, you’re more likely to take advantage of it. Pick out a favorite old television series from Netflix or on DVD and watch one or two episodes a day while taking a walk or cycling. You’ll be surprised how quickly that regular exercise pattern becomes a good habit.

Go shopping. It may be time to explore the newer styles of bathing suits and shorts. Something new can help you feel good when you’re out and about. Be sure to check out some of the great deals for today’s styles online. Many online shops have good return policies if something doesn’t work.

Have fun. Remember that summer and swimming are about getting out and getting cool, not how you look. Enjoy yourself and go for a swim –after all, swimming is good exercise too!

Dark Blue Focal Wall Creates Drama

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Models 019Sometimes it takes just one daring design decision to turn a room into something special. This family room is lovely, but without the dark blue focal wall, it would feel rather boring. Instead, the dark blue makes this room. Here are some tips for using a strong color like this and making it work.

Balance light and dark. Because this room has so much natural light, the dark blue wall adds personality while still letting the room feel light and airy. Light flooring and furniture also contribute to the well-strutured contrast of light and dark.

Pull the color into the room. Don’t let the strong color on one wall stand alone. In this room the navy sofa across the room ties everything together. A few blue bottles on the coffee table also support the blue theme. However, there’s not enough to make it feel overwhelming.

Bring in a second accent color. In this room, touches of yellow provide a positive contrast to the dark blue. Once again, just a few elements make the difference. Two matching ottomans flank the seating area, connecting with the tall yellow vase against the dark wall. Touches of yellow in the rug finish the connection.

Pay attention to the neutrals. Choosing a cool consistent tone for the neutral pieces in the space let the pops of color stand out. This shade of grey makes the blue and yellow stand strong while not looking out of place.

Take a look at your home. Do you have a wall that would benefit from a strong focal color? Why not take a chance?

Make your Backyard Special

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corsica ironwood crossingWith a little planning, your backyard can become another entertainment, eating or relaxing space. The secret is setting up several independent “rooms” using furniture or other elements to define each functional space. Let’s take a look at one approach – this backyard from Ironwood Crossing’s Corsica model.

Use color and style. Just as you want to coordinate the colors and design choices in an open kitchen-family room-dining space in your home, you want to ensure that every separate area in your outdoor space works well together. Look for table and chair sets that use the same colors as your outdoor seating arrangements or bar chairs.

Notice in the photo above, the cushioned bar seating around the outdoor kitchen matches the cushions in the seating area. Also the chair backs coordinate with the outdoor dining chairs. This makes your yard feel coordinated and thoughtfully-designed rather than a haphazard collection of items.

Add accessories. While you don’t want to accessorize the outdoors at the same level as the inside of your home, a few additions make a difference. The plants in pots scattered through the yard contribute to the charming feel of the space, and adding throw pillows in the seating area gives it a finished look.

Consider the ground surface. If you add pavers, tile or finished concrete for a consistent appearance, they can make everything feel integrated. In this backyard grass, planters and columns create a sense of separation.

Think about what you want from your backyard and you can suddenly expand your home’s choices and add charm and fun to your home.