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Almost everyone can remember a favorite teacher – one who offered encouragement and inspiration and maybe even changed your life.
Fulton Homes values the hard work and commitment teachers give every year to make their classrooms special, and wants to honor these outstanding educators.
Students across the Valley are asked to nominate a teacher who made a difference in their lives. Every week, Fulton Homes will select an educator who will receive $300 in cash plus prizes from Fulton Homes and the Dairy Council of Arizona.
This award is offered in partnership with KNIX-FM Country, and radio personality Carolyn Coffey will surprise winning teachers with the award. The teachers will also be spotlighted on the Friday KNIX morning show with Ben and Matt. At the end of the school year the winning teachers will be honored at a special luncheon, where one outstanding teacher will be chosen as the Fulton Homes “Teacher of the Year.”
“Teacher of the Week is an outstanding way to honor educators, who mostly go unrecognized for all of the hard work and time they put into their job,” said Douglas Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “Our teachers and schools need our continuing support.”
Students can nominate a special teacher for Fulton Homes’ Teacher of the Week by submitting a brief form at any Fulton Homes location or online at www.knixcountry.com. Winners are chosen based on their commitment to education, career achievements and impact on students’ lives.
For more information about Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week, visit our website and click on the Fulton Foundation link, or visit www.knixcountry.com, keyword “Teacher.”
When you’re ready to buy a new Fulton Home, if you’re already a homeowner, part of the process is selling your current home. You may want to check into the Fulton Homes Trade In Program. Many buyers of new Fulton Homes will qualify for the program, which offers three options for handling your current house. Visit our Trade-In Program website for information on your choices.
Even with help from Fulton Homes, you still will benefit from preparing your home properly for sale. The first step is clearing out any clutter. You’ll hear this from realtors all the time, but they may not tell you why this is so important. Here are three key reasons why eliminating clutter will help sell your home for top dollar.
Clutter makes your Home look smaller: Subconsciously, potential buyers who see a cluttered home think that the home doesn’t have enough closet or storage space. Clutter also makes a room feel smaller than it is. Many people want to buy a home to give them more space, and your clutter says they won’t find the space they want in your house.
Clutter makes your home feel too personal: People want to imagine the home as theirs. Your clutter makes it clear that the home is yours, so that they can’t picture themselves in the space. This is also the reason to eliminate any family photos, drawings and notes on the refrigerator, and anything else that makes your home obviously yours. People need that extra space to picture their own furniture and accessories.
Clutter distracts: Too much clutter can keep potential buyers from noticing the special features of your home. A fireplace that’s blocked by toys or magazines isn’t a focal point for a room anymore. Beautiful bow windows can be hidden by a room with too much furniture. Most people can’t visualize your home without all your things in it.
If you just have too much stuff to clear your home easily, rent a storage unit for a few months. And don’t dump it all in the garage – you’ll just make the garage look too small. First clear out all the extras, then eliminate at least some of the furniture – just keep saying “less is more” to yourself, and ask your realtor for advice as to when you’ve cleared enough to make your home totally sellable.
Area rugs create an island of interest in an open-concept home, bring in color, warmth and softness, absorb sound, and give a finished look to a room’s décor.
How about a visit to Fulton Homes Design Online to take a look at the rich variety of area rugs available for your new Fulton home? Whether you’re looking for an abstract floral 
with an Asian flair such as this hand-knotted example from Feizy Rug’s Qing collection, or a more traditional classic Oriental style such as the choice shown to the right from the Sasha collection, you will find your favorites displayed through Fulton Homes Design – either online or at the Design Center.
Feizy Rug® was selected by Fulton Homes as the supplier of choice for area rugs thanks to their over 40 years in the rug business, and their focus on quality and value. Feizy is committed to uniting its heritage of distinction with worldwide resources, revealing inspired methods that mirror ancient visions. Feizy Rug owners can be sure they will receive consistently excellent quality and cutting–edge design.
If you plan on hardwood or tile floors, area rugs add personality and charm while connecting each living area’s furniture into one integrated whole. And the selection of options is varied in color and style. Want a more contemporary look? Consider the Contour collection – a variegated soft stripe that can connect furniture colors.
Or if you’re looking for a more neutral look, the Channels Collection – in aqua, beige or ivory – uses texture to stay interesting while maintaining color consistency.
If you dream of the lush look of hardwood or tile floors combined with just the right area rugs, take a few minutes to visit Fulton Homes Design Online and travel through your choice of styles, colors and sizes offered to you as a new Fulton Home owner.
A special thanks to Feizy’s website for these great photos.
Are you drawn to the natural look and feel of stone? Cool under your feet on the hottest of summer days, stone such as this travertine flooring enhances any style home.
Fulton Homes Design Online shows examples of stone for your home’s flooring. Check out a quick overview of your choices below.
Granite is one of the hardest and densest of all natural stone. Next to the diamond it is the hardest of the natural stones. Color and pattern vary, adding to the stone’s interest and beauty.
Marble is crystallized limestone that comes in many different color variations and usually displays a veining pattern that adds to its uniqueness. It is a timeless addition to any home, bearing the signs and marks of history from thousands of years. Marble is more porous than granite, making it more susceptible to staining which makes it more suitable for foyers, bathrooms, fireplaces, studies or libraries rather than kitchens or other rooms liable to food or drink spills.
Limestone has a subtle look and has what is often offered in a “honed” or matte finish. It will require preventative maintenance over time, as it is very porous.
Unique looking due to the “fill process”. In its original form, Travertine has thousands of holes running through it. These holes are filled and then the stone is polished or honed. When polished, the stone takes on a high sheen with the filled areas remaining dull creating a beautiful floor. When honed, the travertine will take on a more natural matte finish look. Like Limestone, this stone will require preventative maintenance over time, due to its porosity. The polished look will require more maintenance than the honed and spills such as juice will etch (dull the finish) the floor. This etching can be repaired with professional maintenance.
Slate: This rustic-looking stone has become increasing popular over the years. It comes in various colors and shades ranging from quite light to very dark and, depending on the type, can offer many hues including red and green. This stone has the most variation from one piece to another. It can also be used in outdoor installations.
Tumbled Stone: has an antique look. It comes in many sizes and is often used in borders or decorative strips.
If you want flooring that combines rustic and rich, how about featuring stone in one or more rooms? For more extensive information, visit Fulton Homes Design Online.
One of the advantages of buying a new Fulton Home comes from personalizing it to your taste and preferences through the Fulton Homes Design Center.
Once you move in, tackling a simple Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project can help you make your new home feel even more like it’s yours. To explore some DIY projects for all skill levels, you might want to search Pinterest under DIY home ideas.
You might want to assemble, paint or stain, or even decoupage pictures onto a chest like the one to the left. Or create an interesting series of hooks for coats and purses just inside the garage using branches, old doorknobs, or even plastic animals. These and more ideas are available with Pinterest.
Some pins give detailed information, such as the ones that help you choose the right type of tool for every situation, or provide a how-to for painting furniture without having to sand first.
Other pins may have no real information, just a picture with an idea. But with some planning and research you may find detailed instructions for just what you’re looking for to tackle a home project.
Most people think of painting walls when it comes to DIY. Pinterest can help there too. Maybe you want to paint horizontal stripes on one wall – just search “paint horizontal stripes,” and you will find pin after pin with directions, images and ideas for approaching the project.
Do you want wide stripes? Maybe you’d like a subtle option – then take a look at how lovely stripes in the same color, but contrasted by layering a matte and glossy finish.
Even a simple project can help you love your new home even more. After you’re unpacked and settled, take a few minutes to browse through Pinterest to look for projects that catch your fancy and fit within your skill set. And have fun in your lovely new home, built just for you.
How well do you know Pinterest? It’s an online application that allows you to sort and store information and images from all over the Internet.
Well, whether you’ve vaguely heard of it or you’re an active pinner with followers in the hundreds, you may want to start following the Fulton Homes Pinterest site.
First, it has multiple photos of various Fulton Home models and neighborhoods, which can help you remember various homes after you’ve visited.
Next, the number of overall suggestions to decorate your home, entertain, engage in crafts, cook, get organized and more keeps growing weekly. The focus is providing pins for current and future Fulton Homeowners.
Don’t stop there – take a look at the Pinterest people Fulton follows and discover an amazing selection of ideas, images, and thoughts focused on the needs of people and families.
If you haven’t yet, you might want to consider creating your own Pinterest boards. It’s an easy way to keep track of the kind of information that you used to tear out of magazines and file, never to look at again.
Instead of cluttering your home, you can store literally thousands of good ideas on Pinterest, taking advantage of other people’s discoveries and sharing yours.
If you haven’t explored the possibilities of Pinterest, simply type the word in your search engine and you’ll find yourself jumping into a fascinating world. And while you’re doing that, how about visiting http://pinterest.com/fultonhomes/, and seeing what the Fulton Homes Pinterest site has to offer
What could you use more of in your closets? How about drawer space? Are you looking for a special spot for accessories? For some great ideas, visit Fulton Homes Design Online and investigate the many options offered through the Rubbermaid selection of closet organizers.
This option above, from the Rubbermaid Heirloom Collection, comes in your choice of three luscious finishes – white as shown here, cherry or mahogany.
In addition to drawers and shelves, checkout these interesting options:
Hamper: Keep clothes ready for laundering in Rubbermaid’s 24 inch wide hamper. With a cover that coordinates with the other closet elements, it’s easy to hide your dirty laundry. You may want to consider two hampers if you bring clothes to the dry cleaners frequently.
Belt Rack: Keep easy track of your accessories in one place. The belt rack has five spaces, all capable of holding two-to-three belts.
Tie Rack: Ties stay tidy and organized with the Rubbermaid tie rack. This can also be used to hold scarves and other accessories.
Valet Rod: Do you like to plan your clothes for the next day the evening before? With this valet rack, you can easily organize your clothes for any event or reason.
Your style, your life, your space and everything in its place! Take advantage of the opportunity to make your closet truly work for you every day. Visit Fulton Homes Design Online for more information on the variety of closet options available in your new Fulton home.
At Fulton Homes, there’s a strong focus on family and community, and as part of this Fulton Homes has always been a proud proponent for Water Safety in the Phoenix area. Our Two seconds is too Long campaign has helped build awareness of the risks families face with pools or other open water.
The first protection against the tragedy of children drowning is a secure pool fence. In response to that, Fulton Homes started its Fence Patrol six years ago. This summer is Fulton Homes 7th Annual Fence Patrol. Fulton Homes has teamed up with KMLE Country 108 FM radio and Ironman Pool Fence to award selected Valley families in need with a free pool fence including installation. The fences are specifically designed to meet city codes for optimum safety.
Over the last seven years, Fulton Homes Fence Patrol has helped hundreds of people equip their homes with barriers to help prevent youngsters from falling into the pool. The company also supports the Valley of the Sun YMCA, providing swimming lessons to disadvantaged youths who learn valuable life skills, including personal safety and growth, stroke development, rescue and water sports.
Interested parties in the Fulton Homes Fence Patrol have until August 7th, 2012 to nominate themselves or someone else for a pool fence, by logging on to www.kmle108.com and clicking on the Fence Patrol icon. For more information call (602) 452-1000 or go to our website and click on the “Fulton Foundation” link. And remember, a pool fence can and does save lives.
When friends and family visit, their first impression of your home happens before they enter, with the front door. To start getting some ideas for the perfect front door for your home, check out Fulton Homes Design Online. Are you drawn to this dramatic option? It’s the Montague Iron Door, which brings light into your entryway without compromising security.
Or perhaps you would prefer a wooden door such as the one on the right: the ThermaTru 2 Panel Plank Door? While you may want to make some preliminary choices online, the Fulton Homes Design Center has full-size samples of exterior doors to enable you to make the right final selection.
Now walk into your home, because you have some choices to make with interior doors also. Do you have a den or office that would benefit from French doors? Fulton has them for you. French doors let in light while still providing some sound reduction. They also add character to a home.
How about an inviting door for your kitchen pantry? Add a touch of old-fashioned charm with this glass pantry door.
You’ll also get to choose from a variety of interior door styles for the other rooms. Take a few minutes to visit Fulton Homes Design Online to see what’s available.
Like your lighting choices, you also can select from a choice of metal finishes for your door hardware – including Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Wrought Iron and Oil Rubbed Bronze. Any front door gains dimension with a handset such as the one to the right, the Pedestal Handset in oil-rubbed bronze, by Design Elements from Yale.
Exterior and interior doors and hardware contribute significantly to the character and personality of your home. Enjoy making just the right choices to keep your home focused on the look and style you want.