Category Archives: Design Inspiration

Lighting Connects Great Room Spaces

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When you’re working with a great room, you want to balance the need to separate the functional areas with choices that integrate the spaces. Consistency in design helps make that integration possible.

In this great room, from the La Quinta model at the Oasis at Freeman Farms community, one unifying feature comes from the lighting. Let’s consider the light fixtures in this space.

First, take a look at the chandelier over the dining table. It has an appealing warm finish, with bell-shaped glass shades in an amber tone. Now notice the ceiling fan. The metal finish and the amber tone match the dining chandelier, although the type of fixture is completely different.

The pendants over the kitchen island have a more streamlined shape. This works well as they are in line-of-sight from the kitchen to the rest of the room. However, the glass mirrors the same amber tone that’s been part of the other light fixtures.

Finally, take a look at the sconces above the fireplace. The finish, the shape of the glass shades, and the color of the glass are the same as the chandelier.

Design consistencies such as these make a space feel connected throughout. Other elements such as the similar tiles on the kitchen island and the fireplace surround, the same flooring, and the paint choice integrates every aspect of this space.

A great-room design depends on choosing lighting, flooring, tile and colors that work for every functional area. In this room, everything flows together to create a warm and inviting space.

Wall Decals Spark Child’s Room

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This year your son may love dinosaurs, and next year it could be cars or insects or certain Disney characters. Wall decals are the perfect option for decorating a room that’s destined to change.

Unlike wallpaper, these contemporary choices stick on and peel off without damaging the underlying paint. The relatively low cost and ease of installation make it easy to see decals as temporary. You may want to require a certain length of time for your child to live with any decal choice – say a year – to ensure that your child thinks carefully about the decision.

This child’s room, part of the Rancho Mirage model in the Oasis at Freeman Farms community, really works with the jungle animal theme. The hippo, monkey and elephant are darling representations, and the decals are echoed in the quilt on the bed. Add the stuffed monkey and a throw pillow in coordinating colors, and this bedroom has a finished and inviting feel.

Sometimes having art hanging on the walls can lead to accidents with overly-energetic kids. Decals provide the feeling of art without hanging things on the walls that might tumble off. You can just see the corner of the window on the left. Putting up wood blinds and a simple valance at the top removes the temptation to swing from curtains but still provides a nice-looking window. Hunter Douglas window coverings have special child-safe pulls, which makes them even better for this room.

The padded headboard and table lamps encourage a child to sit up and read in bed before going to sleep. Plan space for those activities you want your children to engage in and you provide unspoken encouragement to help develop the right habits. And when your child outgrows the elephant and hippos, you can just put up new decals, pick up a new quilt, and the room is remade.

 

Glass Block Allows Light and Privacy

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It’s a challenge with a bathroom. You want natural light but without losing the privacy that this room requires.

Here’s a great solution. This bath, from Fulton Homes’ Rancho Mirage model at the Oasis at Freeman Farms community, uses glass block to provide both natural light and privacy in one.

In this location, right above the bathtub, privacy is critical, but standard window coverings could be awkward. With block, you don’t need any additional screening, and the glass itself provides an inviting clean look. Glass block works well in both traditional and modern environments, and gives an inviting backdrop for accessories such as the vase of flowers on the tub surround.

Another smart feature with this bathroom design is the clear shower surround. This allows the natural light, or the bathroom lighting, to shine into the space, providing plenty of comfortable light for showers.

This type of four-piece bathroom design is popular for master bedroom ensuites (or bed and baths combined into one suite) because you have the option of showers for quick mornings and a tub for long soaks in the evening. This helps turn the bathroom into a place to relax and unwind from a long stressful day.

The décor uses brown and gold tones on the wallpaper, accessories and towels. This design choice helps to warm up the space. If you prefer a cooler look, consider doing this bath in blue and white. The glass block will combine with those colors to create a seaside feeling.

As you plan your bathrooms, consider including glass block to solve the light/privacy challenge, and to dress up the room with this interesting design element.

Mix of Colors Pop in Kitchen

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Did you ever wonder why some spaces just seem more colorful than others? Well, one reason is the result of using complementary colors in a room. Complementary colors sit on opposite sides of the color wheel.

The primary complementary colors are orange and blue, yellow and purple, and red and green. If you put bright versions of these color pairs next to each other they will actually seem to vibrate. However, you may not want to use the strongest versions of those colors. Instead, choose a slightly different, lighter or darker shade to take advantage of the contrast without creating too much of a color conflict.

This kitchen, from the Fulton Homes Rancho Mirage model at Oasis at Freeman Farms, uses a coral shade of red and a few yellow-green hues combined to add color to the space. Although the fundamentals in this room – cabinets, flooring, countertops and appliances – are neutral, the careful addition of colorful accessories makes the room feel full of color.

This design concept continues onto the great room sofa visible in the foreground. Once again the larger piece – the sofa – is neutral but brightened by two throw pillows which echo the coral and green colors visible in the kitchen. The fun thing about this approach to color is that it’s easy to change out your choices without spending a lot of money. Paint, pillows and accessories could be adjusted with the seasons or even your mood.

Do you want more color in your home? Don’t let your current neutral decor keep you from adding pops of whatever colors take your fancy.

Entrance Invites

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Does your home’s entrance invite people to your front door? The Fulton Homes’ Whitewater model at Oasis at Freeman Farms is a perfect case study of what to do to welcome people to your home before they set foot inside. Here are some of the most inviting features.

A clearly-defined entrance: The front door is framed by the pavers and sidewalk. Some homes hide the front door at the side of the house or tuck it deep in a front porch. Everything from the half-columns that frame the front door to the small wall creating a front patio directs the eyes and the feet to the door.

Framing accessories: The two brick half-pillars, the matching ceramic planters, and even the two outdoor lights frame the walkway and the door. These features make the path to the door clear and direct you through the front yard.

Covered entrance: Although our weather is rarely inclement in southern Arizona, providing a covered entranceway creates the feeling that you want to protect your guests from the elements. It also shades people during our hot summers while they wait for you to answer the bell.

Special finishes: The pavers leading to the front entrance, the brick wainscoting, the shutters on the windows and the plants show that the homeowner cares about the impression given by the front of the home.

Final touches: Make sure your street numbers are large and clearly visible from the street. Leave your outdoor lights on for the convenience of evening guests. Provide a mat at the front door to allow people to wipe dust off their shoes before entering your home, and finally, remember to smile when you open your door. That’s the most welcoming element of all!

Tile Wainscoting Creates Charming Guest Bath

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Guest bathrooms are often the throw-away rooms in a home. Smaller and more utilitarian, many people see this space as a place to save money. But because of its small size, a half-bath invites a few more luxurious choices. The additional cost is minimized by the limited square footage.

Take a look at this half-bath in the La Quinta model of Fulton Homes’ Oasis at Freeman Farms community. The flooring runs from the living space, connecting the bath with the rest of the home. But the color and finish choices make this space unique.

Smaller rooms can be compared to jewel boxes, because luxurious touches create an inviting and refreshing feeling. Choosing Kohler’s “Memoir” pedestal sink with matching toilet makes good use of the small space while adding an old-fashioned element to the style. The wainscoting is also an old-fashioned touch, but by using modified subway tile instead of wood it provides a nod to the bathroom function while adding a bit of a modern mood.

The space is beautifully finished with sophisticated green and gold wallpaper that integrates wainscoting and walls into a style-unified whole. The addition of one of Fulton’s framed bathroom mirrors and complementary accessories and art, and the final result is an interesting and appealing moment of style in your home.

Your guest bath sets a tone and sends a message to visitors about your design standards and aesthetic. Take the time and a little of your budget and make it something special rather than a throw-away space.

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.