Category Archives: Design Inspiration

Decorate your Entryway for Fall

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19586378_SDo you find that less is more when decorating your front entryway for the fall holidays? If you’re satisfied with one pumpkin – uncarved –sitting on your front stoop then this blog is not for you.

If, on the other hand, you enjoy making the most of the autumn season both inside and outside your home, consider some of these fun options.

Wreaths: Start with a grapevine frame and weave in some silk leaf sprays from a hobby store. Or you could make life easy and grab a fall-leaf garland and wrap it around your grapevine. Voila, you have a gorgeous wreath, generally for less than$20. If you want, pick up a few yards of wide fall ribbon and add a bow. The wreath in the photo has the added fun of a few pumpkins and a pinecone or two.

5823969_SPumpkins: Yes of course you want one on your porch. You might as well go home if you don’t have at least one. But how about going for broke? The photo below shows three jack-o-lanterns hogging the stairway daring you to ignore their grinning faces.  A couple of gourds add an additional spark of fall gaudiness.

3750054_SMums: Your local warehouse store has huge mum plants ready to pop into bloom in every fall color. Notice how nice the orange and white mums look at this entrance. They send a message that the adults in this home like autumn too.

Finally, you can go all out and display all of these at the same time. Consider adding a scarecrow such as the one in this final photo, or find the autumn figure of your choice. Maybe you’d rather have a few bats or an owl or two. Florists, discount stores and hobby stores have a rich selection of choices to appeal to any taste.

Let your visitors know you’re up for autumn before they even walk in the door. Make your opinions of the joys of fall loud and clear for the neighbors to hear!

Bring Fall Colors into your Home

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14387115_SFor those of us who live in the Phoenix area, September is greeted with relief that the hot weather will soon be gone. But if you’re originally from the Midwest or anywhere further North, you may find yourself missing the magic of leaves that turn golden, red and every shade of fall.

If you fit into that category, you can drive up to Sedona or Flagstaff in a few weeks, or you can pull some of those colors into your home right now.

You might start by shopping your closets. All of those russet tones that seemed too hot to bear in June and July will look more appetizing now. Do you have a throw or two, a pillow or tablecloth in fall tones? Showcase them in your home for the next few months.

Discount and department stores are showing off fall colors. Picking up a few placemats or some serving containers shaped like pumpkins add a feeling of fall. Incorporate just a few fall shapes into your year-round accessories and create a sudden autumn impression in your home.

16396871_SDon’t forget grocery stores. Pumpkins of all sizes, gourds, apples and pears, and mixed nuts in their shells can be used to create a wonderful autumn centerpiece on your dining table or buffet. If you’re a sewist, fabric stores carry a rich selection of fall-toned fabrics which just beg to be made into a runner.

Finally, Pinterest has become a favorite place to grab images of fall. How about printing some spectacular photos of fall scenery and hanging them through the house, temporarily replacing some less seasonal art? Warehouse and office supply stores will make larger prints at a very reasonable cost.

We may not see fall leaves in metropolitan Phoenix, or at least not until December, but you can use these ideas to bring fall into your home even as temperatures still hover around 100 degrees.

Fulton Pinterest

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Screen Shot 2013-09-05 at 9.22.22 PMDo you know what Pinterest is?  It’s the one of the fastest growing social media tools.  Pinterest is a place where you can gather and organize things you love, tips, inspiration, etc.  It’s like cutting out pages in a magazine and filing them, but all electronically.

This is a great tool for planning new projects or events. You can get inspiration for just about anything.

  • Go on and search for dinners to make when you run out of ideas for family meals.
  • Learn how to make your own party decorations.
  • Get home decor and design inspiration.
  • Find meaningful quotes.
  • Get tips when you’re having a baby.

Honestly, the list of things you can find on Pinterest is endless.  Follow our boards to get home and life inspiration or maybe you just want to see what kind of houses we can offer if you’re building a new home.

Fulton Homes Design Online – Area Rugs

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Qing in roomArea 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 sasha alonewith 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.contour collection

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.

Channels in roomOr 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.

Fulton Homes Design Online – Wood Flooring

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walnutWood flooring has been a preferred choice for many people for generations, and the popularity of wood floors is again increasing.

It’s no wonder; with its elegance and reflective glow, hardwood floors make every home look classically beautiful.

Fulton Homes Design Online allows you to preview your hardwood choices. This photo shows walnut hardwood. The dark tone and tonal variation provides a rich complement to the lighter glazed. Mixing woods creates a space that is more informal and eclectic.

birchPerhaps you prefer a lighter wood. Take a look at this birch wood flooring. It has a gentle honey tone that provides a flexible base for any combination of colors. Some people like to put lighter woods in bedrooms and upper halls as even bright colorful children’s rooms work well with it.

Hardwoods vary in terms of hardness, variation, color and tone. Each type has its own unique grain. You also have to choose between engineered floors or solid wood floors. The best option for you depends upon your expectations and goals from the perspective of maintenance and durability as well as style factors.

bambooA surface that is growing in popularity is bamboo. Although it is one of the most sustainable natural surfaces, growth and processing steps ensure that bamboo is a sturdy option. Notice that it has a stranded look, which is typical for this choice.

 

You may want to start your exploring with Fulton Homes Design Online. Be sure to watch the two videos provided on Hardwood floors. The first explains the difference between engineered and solid floors and outlines other product characteristics. The second, the Hardwood Disclosure Video, helps explain how to maintain wood flooring.

It’s worth the time to review these before your Design Center appointment, because these videos can answer some of your questions. Then once you sit down for your appointment at the Fulton Homes Design Center, your designer can help you make your final decisions. And the end result? A beautiful floor designed to last.

 

Making your Home Yours – Creative Crafts

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9429144_SKnitter, quilter, painter – there are so many outlets for creativity – art and craft provide a deep pleasure and satisfaction for many people. Your home will shine when it reflects your creative interests.

Adding a quilt to a wall makes a home feel warm and inviting. A comfy knitted or crochet throw that you made yourself brings you and your home together for yourself and visitors.

Many of the traditional crafts have become new again as changing textures, colors and designs give new life to older crafting methods. One advantage to crafts you create yourself is that you can select just the right colors and pattern to fit with your home’s color and style.

3776506_SIs your home traditional? Then a quilt like the one on the right might be perfect over your fireplace or hanging on a wall. If you have vaulted ceilings, a large quilt can take full advantage of the space. Smaller wall quilts or a selection of paintings can be tucked in transition spaces in your home, providing a personalized burst of color and personality.

Don’t be shy about showing off your creative endeavors. While you may strengthen your skills over time, even beginning efforts add a sense of who you are to your space, and your guests will feel more welcome in a home that has something of you in it.

When your home shows your interests and talents, it becomes a reflection of all aspects of your personality and character. Let people into your world when you invite them into your home, by demonstrating your creative side.

Making your Home Yours – DIY

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18165356_SOne 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.

Pinterest Power

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14817814_SHow 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

Fulton Homes Design Online – Doors

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Montano Iron DoorWhen 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.

2 Panel Plank Door ThermaTruOr 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.

glass pantry doorHow 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.Pedestal Handset - oil rubbed bronze

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.

Fulton Homes Design Online – Tile Flooring

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Ceramic Tile in Design Center- Rachel's KitchenWhere would you like tile in your home? Most people would choose it for bathrooms, many for kitchens, and some people want it throughout much of their living space.

Tile is extremely low-maintenance and lasts for the life of your home – two good reasons to choose it. The exciting thing about tile comes from the incredible variety of looks, sizes and shapes available.

Take a look at the tile above – Interceramic Royal Windsor 10 inch by 20 inch brick pattern staggered. You can take an in-person look at this tile at the Fulton Homes Design Center. But you might want to start your search earlier with Fulton Homes Design Online.

In addition to ceramic, porcelain tile is available for your Fulton Home. Porcelain is harder than ceramic, and more complex to install. Many people are drawn to its stone-like appearance.

Ceramic Tile in Design Center - Bobby's KitchenYour tile flooring can also change dramatically with your choice of installation options. For example, the flooring to the right is set at the diagonal. This can make a room feel larger, and draw people through an open-concept space. Talk with your designer to learn more about installation choices.

Finally, don’t ignore the variety of grout choices. A neutral, light or dark grout can dramatically change the look of your floor. While you’re at it, be sure to have your grout sealed. Grout is the only part of a tile floor vulnerable to staining. Sealing your grout eliminates this situation.

Take the time to consider tile. In the right place with the right selection, it provides flooring to suit your taste and your maintenance goals, and it’s a dramatic option in your home.