Category Archives: Design Inspiration

Taking Successful Family Photos

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17538445_SWhether you have family photos professionally done or take your own pictures, a few tips can make the difference between a great set of photos or a bunch of typical shots.

Here are some suggestions for making your family photos something special now and for the future.

Avoid the traditional line-up or “grip & grin” approach. Look for ways to make the photo more intriguing by using non-standard poses and groupings. Take a look at the photo above. By placing the mom and daughter to one side, the photo draws you in.

14427973_SConsider depth of field. This is something professional photographers do all the time. In the photo above, the background is completely out of focus. This allows the viewer to pay attention to the two participants without the background serving as a distraction. In the photo to the right, once again the pose is different and charming, and the background is just slightly out of focus.

Coordinate colors without going matchy-matchy. In the photo to the right, all family members are in blue but the patterns, tones and styles differ, making them look coordinated but not too pre-planned.

26609668_SUse props. In the photo to the left, dad and daughter are interacting with favorite toys and a book. This can make a big difference with babies and toddlers. Their patience can quickly fade without some good distractions. Props can also help a child – and an adult for that matter – forget the camera and act naturally.

For more ideas to make your family photos special, visit our Fulton Homes Pinterest Family Photos board. You’ll be glad you did!

Mirrors as Room and Light Expanders

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17799270_SThis contemporary room is appealing thanks to its stone wall, daring staircase and intriguing chandelier,. But the mirrors on the first floor closet doors provide the element that keeps the space from feeling boxy and limited.

These mirrors are large and simply dressed, which encourages the viewer to register the reflection of the room and double the perceived space. These mirrors also reflect the window on the opposite wall, adding more natural light to the scene.

If you cover the mirrors with your hand, you can see that the room suffers without them.

Mirrors can be a powerful tool when compensating for a room with too little space or light. They feel a bit like a window but work in spaces where windows aren’t possible.

16825383_STake a look at the large mirror in the room to the right. Although the frame has a strong presence, its tone and style are consistent with the moldings and doors on the other walls.

By adding a mirror of this size in this position, the room seems to have added an additional window while also expanding the sense of space with its reflection. At first glance, this mirror could be a doorway to an additional dining space just past that wall.

If you have a room with awkward proportions or limited light, consider adding a mirror to help compensate for the space’s limits. Look for an opportunity to connect the frame to the style of the space like the photo above, or minimize its visible frame like the closet doors in the first photo. You may be surprised at how much of a difference the perfect mirror can make in your home.

Mirrors as Art

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8427071_SWith the rich variety of shapes, sizes and frames, mirrors make great art in a room.

Take a look at the mirror in this photo. With its round shape and interesting silver frame, it proves to be just the right addition to this bedroom. The silver tone meshes with the throw pillows on the bed and the circular shape adds needed curves to a sharp-edged headboard.

Mirrors can be found in the nicest furniture stores as well as any thrift shop. Look for beveled edges on the glass and thicker distortion-free views when evaluating a mirror for quality.

Don’t limit your thinking when browsing thrift-store finds. You can cover a mirror and paint the frame in any color or finish, creating just the look you want. For one interesting effect, buy a collection of small mirrors or frames in different shapes and styles and paint them all the same color, arranging them together on a wall.

10355556_SYou can add glass to any frame to custom-make your own mirror. The four frames in the photo to the right would create mirrors with very different styles and moods. With a mirror created with a custom frame, you also can determine the ideal size and have the mirror added to match your need.

When you bring a mirror in as a decorative object, be sure to hang it with thought. When a mirror is used as art, the reflection becomes part of the picture. Some mirrors end up reflecting the ceiling or something like the door to the guest bathroom.

As with any piece of art, hang a mirror at eye level. This may seem too low, but mirrors can also be useful to check your hair or face, and a mirror that is set too high for that can be frustrating. So have fun and include mirrors when you determine what you want on your home’s walls.

Mirrors as Functional Pieces

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HRM0253Mirrors have more versatility than almost any other type of furniture. They can be functional, decorative, light enhancers and space enhancers.

This mirror, from the Fulton Homes Tehama model in Victoria Estates, serves all these roles. As a functional mirror, it provides the reflection needed in the morning, yet the framing adds a decorative element. In addition the large size adds a feeling of space and enhanced light to the master bath.

People have been looking at their reflections since the first child spotted their twin in a still pool of water. Polished metal served as a limited mirror in later years. Glass combined with a reflective backing became more common in modern times, and it’s rare to find a home with fewer than two to three mirrors today.

Bathrooms are the most common locations for mirrors, but they have moved into every room in a home.

Entryway mirrors allow visitors to check their appearance when walking into and out of a home. Full-length bedroom mirror provides a look at the complete effect of an ensemble in the morning.

9985404_SIf you plan to hang a mirror for functional use, be sure to set the position carefully. Make sure that everyone in your home, from shortest to tallest, can see their reflection. Also, any furniture in front of a mirror shouldn’t be too deep, so that its position makes it hard for viewers to get close enough to see themselves easily.

The mirror on the right is low enough for this woman to see herself well, yet the vertical position makes it useful for taller individuals also. Take a few minutes to factor in your home’s population when choosing the right height for a functional mirror.

Master Bath Offers Flexibility

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Master Bath Vanity DSC_0319 his and hersMore than any room in your home, your bathroom is a place that has to feel totally yours. It’s the first place we enter upon getting up in the morning and the last place we visit before going to bed.

We use it to make ourselves presentable to the outside world, handle our personal hygiene, and breathe a sigh of relief when the day’s work is done and it’s time for sleep.

Because of this, personal preferences are profoundly important, and a well-designed master bath takes into account the varying needs of its owners.

Take a look at the master bath design for the Fulton Homes Cascade model. Flexibility, space and comfort are built into every aspect.

Vanity design: Two sinks allows each user his or her space for positioning personal tastes in soap, toothpaste and other items. The generous cupboard under each sink allows plenty of space to indulge in favorite creams and lotions. For make-up application, the center section is set lower to allow for sitting and includes a drawer to hold beauty supplies.

Master BathDSC_0318Shower and tub: Do you prefer to lounge in a tub at the end of the day while your spouse would rather take a quick shower? This shower/bath combo provides plenty of space for either preference.

Space: Above all, this master bath is generous in the space allotted – allowing two people to use it simultaneously without feeling crowded or limited.

Design: This is not a minimalist space. The lovely fixtures and cabinetry combine with the tile floor to create an inviting escape from the challenges of the day, so that for a few minutes at least you can feel indulged and even a bit spoiled in your own home.

Kitchen/Family Room with Color

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Kitchen DSC_0324Wood cabinetry, granite countertops and tile floors limit the color options unless you are willing to commit to a strong color choice that you will have to live with for a long time. But color can come into a space like this in so many ways.

This kitchen and family room, from the Fulton Homes Cascade model, demonstrates smart ways to introduce color. Let’s take a look.

Glass cabinet displays: Glass in several upper cabinets opens up a space and adds personality. This kitchen takes advantage of the visual by displaying blue plates. Notice that the tile on the side of the island has a blue cast, and this color is carried throughout the kitchen.

Island chairs: Selecting chairs to match the cabinets would be a safe choice, but lacking in creativity. This blue leather brings the plate colors to the other side of the kitchen while the wipe off finish makes them perfect for coping with after-school snack accidents.

Accessories: Placemats, dishes and flowers pull more colors into the space. Other counter accessories and even the items above the cabinets can carry a colorful theme throughout the room.

Family and Kitchen DSC_0306 outdoor connectionFamily room coordination: The family room provides more opportunities to introduce color, and the sofa, window treatments, accessories and throw pillows echo the kitchen colors. \

These choices keep color front-and-center in this family-friendly space. Blue and rust bring the space to life. What colors would you like to see in your kitchen and family room? Whatever you choose, color will warm your home and add interest while saying welcome to you and your guests.

Your Creative Space

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Tech Center DSC_0310 sewingFulton Homes calls this space in the Cascade model a tech center, because it is ready for any and all of your electronics to be used and charged. For you, however, it can be anything you want it to be.

Do you have the time and space to be as creative as you would like to be? Do you dream of writing, quilting, designing clothes or creating your own art? The absolutely best thing about this space is your ability to make it into whatever you want.

Tucked into an appealing space all its own with two bright windows providing natural light, you can use this space to combine fabrics, weave tales, or draw illustrations. This might be just the place to start up your own business. You can use the desk to plan your future, or just pay bills. But why not take a leap in your imagination and allow yourself to stretch?

Maybe start small with a wreath that looks like summer for your front door or a yarn doll for a little girl you know. You might want to compile a family tree to share with sisters and brothers and cousins. Perhaps you have a favorite holiday and would like to make some of your own decorations. How about giving yourself permission to play and let your creativity shine?

This is your space, versatile enough to change as you do. So decorate it and use it as you will. Create a corner of your home for tomorrow’s dreams and goals.

 

 

Cook Outdoors with Barbeque Options

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Outdoor barbeque from the Fulton Homes Cascade model.

Outdoor barbeque from the Fulton Homes Cascade model.

Your outdoor entertaining options can be greatly expanded by installing a backyard kitchen with built-in grill. There’s no juggling of platters and raw versus cooked food when you have this kind of counter space.

Add a few outdoor bar chairs and you can cook and feed quite a few people right from the grill. Having the counters made from the same stone as the patio helps keep everything connected from a design standpoint.

Courtyard DSC_0301 w barbeque and fountainsThis backyard – from the Fulton Homes Cascade model – also brings in a triple fountain, creating a three-sided integrated space that is ready for a table and chairs or outdoor sofa and loveseat combo. The earth tones of the tile and coordinating stone allow you to choose from a variety of cushion colors and patterns.

A finished space such as this one makes finishing touches easier. The raised beds are ready for bedding plants – or maybe a collection of herbs could combine with tomatoes and peppers to create your own kitchen garden.

From a simple family dinner to a more elaborate entertainment for a larger group of friends, this outdoor space provides the impetus for bringing your yard into the party. With a relatively low-maintenance choice such as this one, you’ll have plenty of time to plan the perfect outdoor brunch or dinner. Just have fun and make the space your own.

Area Rugs Pull Rooms Together

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Family Room DSC_0323 area rug 3Do you find that some of your rooms feel a bit unfinished? If you’re satisfied with your furniture placement, art on your walls and accessory choices, look a little lower and see if a rug will provide the final touch.

Most interior decorators will encourage you to start with the flooring, including area rugs, but if you are already through with much of your decorating, the vast selection of colors and styles means that it’s never too late to add an area rug.

Start by taking a good look at your space. Would a darker or lighter rug fit better? What about colors? Finally, what style would fit your home’s décor the best? Could a contemporary pattern add flash to your traditional furniture selections or would a more classic choice connect everything together?

Next, go online to start visualizing some of your options. The Fulton Design Center carries Feizy area rugs – a company that has a long tradition of quality and style. They have choices in a wide range of colors and materials to fit every budget.

Be sure to bring a few photos of your room when reviewing rugs in person. It will help you understand the proportions of the design and color choices. Notice in this room from the Fulton Homes Cascade model, the rug pulls out the accent colors rather than the primary ones. This brings a rich note to the room through expanding the dark tones with just a few hints connecting to the lighter sofas.

An area rug is a worthwhile investment – one that can add to the mood and charm of your home in any room.

Don’t be afraid of color

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Loft DSC_0312 don't be afraid of colorWhen it comes to larger furniture investments, many people are hesitant to choose color, preferring instead to stick with neutrals. But color creates its own magic, as you can see with these two rooms from the Fulton Homes Cascade model.

You can bring color into a room with less committed options such as paint and pillows, but take a look at how appealing this loft room is thanks to the inviting blue on the sofas and the fun stripe on the coordinating chairs.

Color makes a space interesting. Too many neutrals and you can have a home that looks more like commercial space. Why not show off your color preferences? In this room the soft light-brown carpeting and gold walls provide the neutral tones and then the blue becomes a strong focal point rather than the television.

A red-orange ottoman pulls the pillow and throw colors into the room while the slipper chairs with their stripe play a nice supporting role. Patterns and solid fabrics play well together, creating the feel of a family-only space appealing to kids and adults alike.

Master bedroom DSC_0317 - don't be afraid of colorNot quite ready for prime-time color? How about dipping your toe into the pool with a focus wall such as the one in the photo to the right? The contrast between the light blue and the brown and rust colors from the bedding and curtains works well to keep color front-and-center in this master bedroom.

Blue and brown work well together, creating a sophisticated color palette. If you want to get started with color, you might enjoy visiting a shop that carries upholstery-weight fabric. Choose a colorful print that appeals to you and build your room around it. You may find yourself saying yes to color in your home in ways you would never have imagined.