Category Archives: Design Inspiration

Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen

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Legacy Models 064If you plan to cook and entertain outside it’s important to make your outdoor space work for your specific needs. The outdoor kitchen shown photo above, from the Legacy community is just one example. Here are some issues to consider when planning an outdoor kitchen space.

Grill: Do you want a stand-alone grill or one built into a counter? Would you prefer the convenience of gas or do you like the flavor provided by charcoal? How much do you want to invest in your outdoor grill? How large a grill will you need to cook enough for all of your family and guests when you entertain?

Electricity: Are there other items you would appreciate in your outdoor kitchen that would require electricity? Maybe you’d like a blender to mix icy drinks for parties, or a coffeepot for an outdoor brunch? Think about the possibilities.\

Water: Would a sink come in handy so that you could rinse dishes and pots before taking them inside? What about being ready to rinse off countertops and tables before eating outside? If you think you’d need more than a hose, consider an outdoor sink.

Lighting: Are you likely to entertain and even cook after dark? Some well-planned task and ambient lighting can create a wonderful atmosphere for entertaining and enable you to keep on grilling long after the sun goes down.

Counters and Seating: Some outdoor kitchens feature counter seating, allowing you to cook and chat with family and friends at the same time. Those counters can also serve as a buffet when it’s time to serve.

If you think about how you will use your outdoor space, you can make sure that your outdoor kitchen is everything you want it to be.

The Practical Beauty of Glass Tile

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Watercolors-Ocean-Install-464x464Most of us would probably agree that glass tile is gorgeous to look at and adds a unique style to any space. But, aside from their aesthetic appeal, is glass tile a practical design choice?  After all, glass is delicate and breakable…isn’t it?

Characteristics of Glass Tile: Glass tile has many wonderful features that make it a great material for many projects, from both visual and practical standpoints.

  •  Shatter-Resistant: Unlike the type of glass used in vases and light bulbs, glass tiles are built to be shatter-resistant.
  • Durable: Strong and long lasting, glass tile is extremely practical.
  •  Water Resistant: As glass tiles don’t absorb water, they’re popular in areas with high humidity.
  • Easy-to-Clean: Since their surfaces aren’t highly porous, they’ll get back their shine with just a few wipes.
  • Heat Resistant: Heat resistant tile comes in a variety of styles, colors and materials, providing options that work with many different design schemes.

Glass Tile in the Home: Glass tiles can be incorporated in several areas of a home and are an affordable way to add a bit of glimmer to any area. Due to its heat and water resistance, glass tile is a perfect choice for fireplaces, kitchens and bathrooms.

Here are some different ways glass tile is commonly used:

  • When used in fireplace surrounds, the firelight makes the tile shimmer, creating an amazing ambience.
  • In kitchen backsplashes and countertops, glass creates a clean, contemporary look. Watercolors glass tiles provide a stunning look for a kitchen backsplash.Watercolors-Wheat-Field2-Install-464x464
  • In bathroom countertops, tub surrounds, and shower walls. Shimmer glass is a particularly beautiful choice for bathroom designs as it is hand-poured, resulting in a variation of color among the individual mosaic tiles.

Shimmer-Abalone-Dallas-Patrick-shot2-2014-464x464As you can see, glass tile is extremely versatile! With the many different options available, and each type of glass having its own unique qualities, you can select the tile that truly reflects your style.

Kitchen Pantry Pleasure

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pantry 2 fultonOver the years, homeowners have enjoyed the pleasure and convenience of walk-in closets, and now many homeowners are discovering the benefits of a walk-in kitchen pantry.

Once a common feature in farmhouse kitchens where food storage was as important as preparation, pantries are now a luxury well worth the investment. Here are some of the advantages.

Large container storage: If you’re a fan of those warehouse stores, often you may need to set up a spot in the garage to hold the space-robbing containers of canned goods or paper products. With a pantry, you control shelf height, enabling you to fit even the most massive purchases right next to the kitchen.

Easy visibility: Instead of having to search through cabinets and drawers to find the cranberry sauce or soup, everything is easily visible when you walk in.

Perfect for storing serving pieces: The long shelves provide the space you need for larger trays or stock pots.

Off the kitchen but not in the kitchen: That much storage space would create a bank of bulky floor-to-ceiling cabinets in your kitchen extending out into the family room. Instead with a pantry an incredible amount of kitchen storage is just a doorway away.

Hidden storage: When guests come, simply close the door to hide the pantry and everything inside it. It’s also a perfect place to put half-empty bags and boxes of crackers or chips where they are out of sight but easy to grab when restocking appetizers or snacks at a party.

How will you use your walk-in pantry? Chances are once you have one, you’ll constantly find new ways to incorporate it into your regular kitchen routine, and you’ll wonder how you ever cooked or entertained without it!

Bring Color Outside

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exterior color 1For years, the best way to introduce color to your patio or courtyard was through flowers or painted furniture. But today’s indoor-outdoor fabrics allow you to introduce cushion color to your outdoor living areas. Here are some suggestions for making your exterior areas as colorful as your home is inside.

Plan a color scheme: Just as every room in your home has a predominant color or set of colors, you want to do the same for outdoor areas. Consider issues such as the type of patio, plants and trees, and whether you have a pool or other water feature.

The photo above uses light terracotta for the hardscaping combined with dark brown beams on the cabana. The choice of dark furniture combined with rich rust cushions allows the seating area to stand out while still complementing the entire outdoor space. The splash of color makes that seating a focal point in the yard, drawing guests to the comfort of a space designed for conversation.

exterior color 2Bring in patterns: The photo to the right uses a neutral color scheme to fit well with the warm wall and fountain surround. Here the contrast comes from patterned throw pillows. They add interest to the seating area along with a touch of modern style. Indoor-outdoor fabrics are now available in a variety of patterns in every style and color combination.

exterior color 3Combine color and pattern to add interest: The furniture waiting to be distributed on this patio combines a tone-on-tone stripe with a pop of bright red. Don’t hesitate to use vivid colors in controlled ways to make your outdoor space interesting and inviting. See this patio furniture in person when you visit Fulton Home’s Legacy community.

 

Light or Dark: Designing your Dream Kitchen

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Kitchen 2 Design Center 052 (1)When you start designing your dream kitchen, the first choice you make is your cabinets. Do you want light wood or even painted cabinets, or darker stained wood? Each has advantages and disadvantages. \

If your kitchen has limited natural light, the painted cabinets bring a natural brightness into the space. They also work well with stained wood floors. One choice that adds interest to this particular kitchen is using dark cabinets on the island. This allows it to serve as a focal point in the kitchen and adds a nice contrast to the ivory.

Kitchen 1Dark cabinets, on the other hand, provide richness to the kitchen and really play up the lighting. The light countertops provide a strong counterpoint to the dark wood, making it seem to glow. Darker cabinets are also less likely to show fingerprints from little smudgy fingers if you have children helping themselves to cabinet items.

Both kitchens contain stainless steel appliances, which gives you a good idea of how stainless works with the two types of cabinets.

Painted cabinets have a more old-fashioned feel, because they were popular in the old-style farmhouse kitchens of the past. Some of today’s choices, however, such as glazes and more non-traditional colors and styles, can shift those cabinets to work well in a contemporary home also.

Which do you prefer? You can see both these kitchen vignettes close-up during the Fulton Design Center browse night coming up on Thursday March 5th, 2015. We hope to see you there.

 

Stylish Ceiling Fans

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ceiling fan 2It used to be that you had to choose between the functionality of a ceiling fan or sacrifice the coolness in the summer for a more stylish option. Well, designers have started to creating stylish ceiling fans, and we get to benefit.

If your look is modern or traditional some of today’s ceiling fans really capture a sense of style. Let’s take a look at some of the new fans from the models at Fulton Homes’ Legacy Community.

The fan above has only three blades, but the shape of each combined with the curve creates an exciting contemporary look and an effective breeze. With the circle of light in the center, this fixture is a far cry from the classic look of five blades and three or four hanging lights.

The metal used appears to be steel or even pewter – a unique tone that complements the modern lines of this fan. Even people who find ceiling fans to be old-fashioned and limited in style are likely to be drawn to this one.

Legacy Models 071 (1)The photo to the left shows a stylish ceiling fan with extra blades creating a more daring look. Once again the light itself is minimized and built into the design. This helps keep the lines clean while the number and shape of the blades make it an interesting addition to the ceiling. The larger size of this fan also makes it ideal for supporting this larger room, in terms of proportion and its capability of producing a breeze. And the simple lines would also work well in a traditional home.

ceiling fan 3The last fan, on the right, shows a flair for drama. Perfect for this teen room, it fits well with the industrial modern floor lamps situated near the sofa.

Have these three stylish ceiling fans changed your mind about what fans are capable of? To see these fans and more in person, we invite you to visit Legacy and wander through our three models – looking up!

Host a Movie Party

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media room 2Just because the holidays are over, that doesn’t mean that you can’t host a fun party. Consider one built around a movie theme, with the film showing as part of the event. Here are a few suggestions to make the evening special.

Choose an iconic film to set the tone. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is a great film for a girl’s night in. “Field of Dreams” might be fun to bring in the baseball season. Or for your sci-fi fans, consider a “Star Wars” marathon. Or you could feature an evening of award-winning short films. Think about the tastes and interests of your friends when choosing the film or films you will be showing.

270Match the theme with your snacks and décor. Popcorn is a must, but how about a selection of junior-size candy bars to reflect the movie snack scene? Or you could choose appetizers to match your film, such as serving 1950’s appetizers for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” with a tablecloth in Tiffany blue. Of course, movie nights would be extra fun in a room such as this media room from the Fulton model at Legacy.

Plan before-and-after moments. Hand out index cards so that people can jot down their favorite quotes or scenes to talk about after the film. Pre-screen any additional interviews or information provided on the film from the DVD or online, and share the ones that are the most interesting.

media room 3Remember to provide plenty of seating. You may want to bring comfortable chairs into your viewing area, and maybe some floor pillows for those people who like to lounge during a movie.

With just a little planning, you can create an unusual and fun evening for friends and add a spark to the after-holiday season. And who knows? You may want to make movie night a regular event!

 

A Relaxing Master Bath

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DSC_0153 (2)At the end of a long hard day, can you imagine sinking into a nice warm bath, maybe soothed by a generous helping of bubble bath in your favorite scent? The wide edging around the tub provides enough space to light a few candles and prop up a favorite paperback to read while soaking. This relaxing master bath is ready for you.

Or if you prefer showers, how about washing off the stress of the day in this oversized shower, complete with a bench to relax on?

No matter how you use your master bath, just walking into a room like this one can help reduce your stress. The vanity has plenty of storage space, making it easier to keep the counters tidy. The two tones of rectangular tile set the scene for a spa feeling.

Do you dream of a relaxing master bath like this one from Legacy? One with plenty of room, and designed to match your specific taste?

DSC_0098If instead you want one that has a more traditional style while kicking up the glamour, how about the master bath to the right? The gold pendant lights set the stage for luxury. Notice how the filigree creates an inviting pattern on the walls while the lower counter on the vanity provides a space to sit to fix your makeup.

This master bath also has a comfy tub in place, made for soaking. And if you peek in the mirror, you can see the reflection of a generous walk-in closet.

What would your ideal relaxing master bath look like? To get some great ideas, why not visit the models at our Legacy community? We think you will be enchanted by what you find there.

 

Kitchen Island Lighting Choices

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Legacy Models 030You can take several approaches to lighting your kitchen island. The simplest and least noticeable is a collection of ceiling lights, distributed to provide even light for working. But with that choice you lose an opportunity to create a special style moment when people walk toward your kitchen.

Design Center pendant lightsPendant lights are one option that has grown in appeal over the years, with the opportunity to add a touch of style and color to your kitchen’s lighting. The photo to the right shows a number of pendants for your kitchen available through the Fulton Design Center.

The light in the photo above at Legacy takes a different approach from the more standard pendants to offer a shaded piece that provides even lighting on the surface of the island. This intriguing transitional piece suits this kitchen with the shade complementing the tile on the wall and island.

Models 086More unusual, these large long hanging glass pendants in the photo to the right, shown at Legacy, are lit inside by Edison bulbs which provide a unique yet classic touch. This island is large enough to support three of these pendant lights.

The clear glass allows you to connect immediately with the entire kitchen, yet the dramatic style brings these pendants to the forefront of your vision. This is quite a daring choice for island lighting.

What kind of lighting do you want over your kitchen island? We invite you to visit the model homes at Legacy and the Fulton Design Center to see a rich variety of choices in person.

 

Your Entertainment Wall

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Legacy Models 071 (1)Designing an entertainment wall involves balancing design and function. You want a good place for the large HD TV while still keeping the screen itself low-key when it’s not turned on. These suggestions can help you think about what will work in your home.

Use color wisely: Dark grey-purple on the focal wall in this photo from Legacy draws the eye while reducing the footprint of the screen. The shelves and cabinet bring in lighter tones and the space is large and flexible enough to make changes in the future.

Models 065Incorporate an additional focal point: By adding the fireplace under the niche holding the television in the photo to the left, also from Legacy, the space feels nicely orchestrated. The screen becomes another dark rectangle, adding depth and balance to the light stone face. Once again dark purple draws the eye, with free-floating shelves providing opportunities to display accessories and carry the light tones out to the sides.

Consider seating: Positioning seating toward the entertainment area makes it more comfortable to watch programs, but you may want to place some seating facing toward the conversation area rather than aiming everything at your entertainment wall. This encourages discussion when you have guests, and the chair or chairs can easily be turned if they are needed for viewing a particular event or program.

Create flexible lighting options: A lighting arrangement that works well for a gathering may not serve your needs while watching your screen. Make sure you plan for both situations when setting up your lighting. A few ceiling spots may be all you need for television viewing, or consider a dimmer switch to provide enough ambient light while avoiding a glare on the screen.

Your family room can be flexible enough to meet all of your entertainment needs, whether you’re spending the evening chatting with friends or enjoying a DVD of a favorite film. Take the time to create a space that works for you and your family –in terms of both style and function.