Category Archives: About Fulton Homes

Triangular Kitchen Island has Multiple Uses

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While most kitchen islands are rectangular, sometimes another shape provides additional functionality. Take a look at this island in the La Quinta model at Oasis at Freeman Farms. The modified triangle shape has several functional advantages.

Kitchen triangle: The classic shape for the most functional kitchen space is a working triangle, with oven, stove, refrigerator and sink in easy reach of each other. The trimmed edge of this island on the kitchen side creates an actual open triangle for cooking. The extra space makes this tidy kitchen feel more spacious, especially if two or more cooks are working together.

Eating space: The cropped edge on the great room side of the island provides room to spread for three and can hold up to five people comfortably, as you can see in the photo above. This space works well for quick breakfasts with someone playing short-order-cook at the stove or for homework with a parent’s help while they fix dinner. Remove the chairs and the island creates a perfect stage for party appetizers.

Cleaning with a view: After dinner at the dining table, dishes can be brought to the island and placed in the dishwasher while the cleaning crew chats with the rest of the family or guests. With the sink/dishwasher area set up in the island, post-meal clean up clean-up doesn’t isolate the tidying team.

Well-lit: The pendant lights provide additional spot lighting for any tasks completed on the island, while adding a contemporary element of style to the space. Between the lights and the island itself, the kitchen area is clearly defined without being separated from the rest of the home’s living area.

Thoughtful design makes this great-room kitchen functional and fun, with an island shape made for functionality, whether as part of a simple family dinner or entertaining a group of friends.

Outdoor Living Space

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As we move through Arizona’s short and easy winter months – all two of them – it’s time to think about one of the best times of year here – spring. From about February until the heat finally comes upon us, we can spend serious time outside. Fulton Homes always factors appealing outdoor options into its home designs.

This patio, part of the La Quinta model at Oasis at Freeman Farms, provides a secluded space to enjoy our perfect weather. This inviting side patio shows the four F’s of working outdoor space –four smart decisions that make the space particularly appealing and effective. Take the time now to determine what you need to do to make your outdoor area ready for spring.

Function: What do you want to do with your outdoor space? Before you choose furniture and accessories, it’s smart to determine how the space will be used.

Flooring By continuing the inside tile choice outside, the space feels like a continuation of the indoor area. This makes both the indoor room and outdoor patio seem larger more integrated. Choosing tile also makes it easier to keep the patio clean and attractive.

Furnishings: Creating an outdoor space with a feel similar to indoor areas is easier than ever given the wide variety of sun and rain resistant fabrics and cushions. This patio is spacious enough to include a comfy conversation corner and a place for al-fresco dining. The consistency between the outdoor furnishings and the indoor pieces further the connection between the two areas.

Fountain: A wall-hugging fountain adds warmth to an outdoor space, both visually and aurally – with the sound of splashing water helping to reduce stress and creating an inviting ambience.

Well, alright, the fountain shouldn’t really count as the fourth F – it is optional. But if you spend some time in an outdoor space with a fountain, you may quickly determine that it is a necessity. To help you decide, we’d like to invite you to visit this outdoor area – currently on display in our La Quinta model home.

Cozy Guest Room

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With the coldest of winter weather across the country, this is a great time for family and friends to decide to visit Arizona. Our sweater weather is still warm enough for folks from the East Coast to wear shorts, and they are totally unused to sunshine.

Given this, it’s wise to plan a guest room in your home. This room in the Whitewater model in Fulton Home’s Oasis at Freeman Farms community is a good example. A few simple choices can make your spare bedroom a welcoming space that keeps your visitors comfortable. Here are a few suggestions.

Use color: Look for a coverlet and shams in bright colors and lively patterns. This choice warms up a room and provides a strong focal point. Look for bed linen sets that include a duvet, shams, a dust ruffle, sheets and pillowcases. These packages are often on sale, or available with coupons. They also come in a variety of colors and styles so you can find one that appeals to your taste. Choose art that complements the bedding so that the room feels coordinated. It’s also nice to have a mirror in the room.

Provide lighting: This room has two bedside lamps that can be turned off once your guest or guests are in bed. This is particularly important considering that your guests don’t know their way around and you don’t want them wandering in the dark. You may also want to put a nightlight in the room.

Include extras: A chest of drawers and some space in a closet make your guests feel welcome. You may also want to place basic sundries such as travel sizes of shampoo and conditioner, a toothbrush and toothpaste. With just a few touches such as this, your guests will find themselves enjoying more than our warm weather and sunshine.

Kitchen Lighting Four Ways

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This kitchen, from the Whitewater model at the Fulton Homes Oasis at Freeman Farms community, offers many advantages to a cook. There’s plenty of counter space, a generous kitchen island, a gas range and stainless appliances. But one feature that any cook – casual or serious – will really appreciate is the generous lighting from four sources.

First, the space is designed to provide plenty of natural light. The window over the sink gives both visibility in the kitchen and a view of the back yard. More light comes from the sliding glass door in the dining area. This saves energy as well as making the kitchen brighter. You may find that you don’t always need additional lighting during the day.

The double light over the island provides directed lighting. This makes the island useful for chopping or baking, as well as after-school homework and snacking. Notice how the light’s style matches the chandelier over the dining table, integrating the space and adding charm as well as functionality.

General lighting comes from an abundant number of ceiling spotlights. These spots wash the kitchen in even, clear lighting. This makes the kitchen nice and bright even in the evening, with no glare or dark spots.

The final lighting source is also the most specific – task lighting running under the cabinets. This is particularly useful for smaller tasks such as reading recipes or instructions. If you have never experienced this type of task lighting, you will soon realize what a difference it can make in a kitchen.

Enjoy the flexibility and functionality of a kitchen with four types of lighting, available because at Fulton Homes, we’re proud to build a home you will enjoy and appreciate.

Fulton Homes and Phoenix Suns Partner for Charity

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When a Phoenix Suns player hits a three-pointer, excitement is high and the crowd goes wild. But it means much more to the Phoenix Suns charities thanks to Fulton Homes. With the Fulton “Proud to own the Three-Point Zone” program, Fulton Homes will donate $100 for every three-point shot the Phoenix Suns make during any of their games this season.

Phoenix Suns charities provide grants focusing on children and young people. The areas of attention for the organization include education, health and human services, the arts and sports as well as recreation and rehabilitation.

There are 80 televised games this season and the Suns average 6.7 three-point shots per game, which means that Fulton Homes’ commitment is substantial.

“Fulton Homes is really excited to partner again with the Phoenix Suns to benefit Phoenix Suns Charities,” Doug Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes, said. “If the Suns keep their three-point game up, we could be giving quite a bit to worthy causes.”

The “Proud to own the Three-Point Zone” program is just one of many charitable efforts by Fulton Homes. With the company based here in the Valley, Fulton is committed to being a strong community partner with organizations that make a difference.

So when you watch a Suns game this season, you’ve got more than one reason to cheer when a player makes a three-point shot, because the money donated as a result will give children in our community a better shot too.

A Fulton Neighborhood

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Finding the right home can be exciting and fun. And it’s just as important to find the right neighborhood for you and your family.

Fulton Homes recognizes that, and focuses its efforts to creating each community to suit the needs of its homebuyers.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a neighborhood as well as a home.

Location: Are you close to good schools for your children and shopping to meet your family’s needs? You may also want to drive your commute to work, so that you know how long it will take and can plan accordingly.

Amenities: Does your community offer parks, pools or other features that your family will use and enjoy? With a community pool such as the one shown above from Fulton’s Ironwood Crossing that includes a splash pad for the younger ones separated from the main pool area with a fence, children of all ages can enjoy this center. Parents can appreciate the benefits of this neighborhood pool without the cost and effort of owning one.

Neighbors: With a new home community, everyone moves in at about the same time and many people will look forward to getting to know others on their block. Consider starting a block party with pot-luck food and games for the kids to help them get comfortable with each other. This is also a great chance to find babysitters and learn more about restaurants and shops close by.

Take the time to explore your options when it comes to neighborhoods as well as houses. Look for a place that will work well for you and your family and you will feel as at home outside your front door as you do inside.

Make the Most of your Closets

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When people use their closet space, it’s common to focus on the linear space, but to use a closet to its full potential, it’s smart to take advantage of the vertical space also. The simplest approach involves putting in double hanging rods so that you have extra room for shirts, skirts and pants draped on hangers.

Thanks to today’s closet organizing options, you don’t have to limit your thinking. Fulton Homes selected Rubbermaid® options for closet organizing. For some examples, visit the Fulton website or the Fulton Homes Design Center for ideas to make your closets more functional and organized.

One of the smartest places to create space and organization is on a closet floor. Often that ends up as wasted space, or just a place to throw shoes in a heap. Instead you can use that space to set shoes in order, provide a hamper for dirty laundry or add a set of drawers.

The space above your clothing racks can also become more functional through the use of dividers and other organization tools. Rubbermaid® closet options vary with your needs and help your closets look more appealing and hold more without becoming scary disasters. This can be especially helpful with adolescents, who are often not enthusiastic about keeping their closets in shape.

For smaller children, combine drawers and lower shelves and hanging areas set so they can easily reach to hang up and put away their own clothes. You can use the space above their heads for out-of-season clothing or other storage. Also consider adding some hooks to enable the smallest child to hang up sweaters and other clothing easily.

If you take the time to think about what you and your family need in closet storage, your storage spaces will be much more functional. For additional suggestions, talk to your designer at the Fulton Homes Design Center.

Choose the Right Area Rug

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With flooring such as wood or tile, area rugs help soften key areas and create a design focus in a room. Even carpeting can benefit from a rug to highlight a conversation area.

The Fulton Homes Design Center offers a generous selection of area rugs from Feizy, a company with 35 years in the business. Feizy Rugs is renowned for producing the highest quality hand knotted, hand tufted and power loomed rugs in the marketplace today.

This area rug section provides photos of full rugs plus samples that allow you to view the colors and experience the rich feel of these choices.

If you would like to add an area rug to your home, select your permanent flooring first, bringing a sample with you to determine the right rug choice. Rugs range from Oriental style, more traditional patterns and contemporary options.

For a dining room rug, be sure to select one that extends at least two feet past the edges of your dining room table on all sides. This allows your guests to push their chairs back without ending up off the carpet.

Living room rugs can sit inside the sofa and chairs or you can select one large enough to contain all of the living room furniture on it. This way it becomes an island in the space. Be careful to avoid a rug that leaves some furniture half-on and half-off, creating a makeshift look.

If your home is open-concept, area rugs can define specific areas in your space, and add a splash of color or pattern that finishes your home’s design. Take the time to consider an area rug or two to add interest and style to your living space.

Fulton Builds Energy Star Homes

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Fulton’s Energy Star approach to homebuilding for all of its homes ensures that your home will save you energy costs, be more comfortable, and reduce your family’s exposure to harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Our Energy Star Certified Homes surpass all of the current Energy Star Requirements. Some of the steps we take with your home include:

  • Low VOC carpeting and interior paints to minimize the off-gassing these products can release when new.
  • A Lousiana Pacific Tech Shield Radiant Barrier under your roof to deflect the sun’s heat away from your attic.
  • High-performance Vinyl Windows designed to reduce both heat and UV rays from entering your home.
  • A 14 SEER Carrier Air Conditioner which provides energy efficient cooling. It also comes with a 10-year warranty if you register it online.
  • Merv 6 Return Air Filters to help your A/C unit run more smoothly.
  • Outside Air Exchange Fan to provide the precise air exchange required to keep your indoor air fresh while still allowing you to benefit from the tight construction required to keep energy costs low.
  • Drywall Caulking at Top Plate which further seals and insulates your home.
  • Minimum 10% Bulbs to be CFL – longer lasting and saves electricity.
  • Foam Seal on All Exterior Doors – a common place to waste energy – to reduce your air leakage.
  • Gas Water Heater with a .58 to .62 Efficiency Rating which will save on your water heating costs.

As part of earning the Energy Star Certification, a third-party inspection firm performs exhaustive tests on all Fulton homes. We’re happy to share more information about the energy saving features in our homes. You’re welcome to visit our website or one of our exciting Valley Communities.

 

Pavers Make Outdoor Space Special

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When you visit the Fulton Homes Design Center, be sure to visit this courtyard, set off to the right when you face the front door. This space was designed to allow you to see the four varieties of pavers available to Fulton Home Owners for use in their outside spaces.

Positioning these pavers on the ground outside allows owners to see the pavers in daylight, set the way they would look in a home. Would you like to make your sidewalk or outdoor patio something special? Fulton Homes offers the option to use pavers to add extra style and personality to your outdoor space.

The pavers are made of concrete, designed to mimic stone. They fit together to create almost a cobblestone effect, adding drama to your home. As you can see from the photo, they work well against either standard concrete or gravel. We recommend selecting your pavers and your gravel in colors that complement each other.

Pavers provide an old-world look and add a feeling of elegance. At the same time their concrete construction makes them a low-maintenance choice. Just a quick rinse with the hose keeps them looking good.

Talk to your Fulton Homes designer about various ways to introduce pavers into your home’s exterior. We also have a number of photos to demonstrate how pavers can enhance your outdoor space. With a little imagination and some planning, you can create a finished look that will be perfect for family use or entertaining.