Category Archives: Uncategorized

Dream Closet

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From the Fulton Homes Starlight Plan

From the Fulton Homes Starlight Plan

What would your dream closet be like? First, it needs to be more than a walk in. Ideally it would be large enough to use as a dressing room. Next, you want to have the space to allow you to see everything so you can plan your outfit for the day.

The idea of a place for everything and everything in its place fits your dream closet. Look for racks to hold shoes, hooks for scarves and purses and plenty of drawer space for underthings and sweaters. Shelves, hooks and drawers in abundance leave you plenty of room to assign each type of clothing its own area.

Finally, hanging space – longer areas for dresses and slacks, shorter spaces for shirts, shorts and tops. Maybe one section for professional garb, ready for selection, and another area for casual and weekend wear.

Do you sort your clothes by color? By type? Or do you sort by purpose? In your dream closet, you could use any sorting method you like, you’d have the space. One other thing you might want to add to this closet – a nice full-length mirror to make sure you’re well put together before you step out the door.

One last thing – this closet is all yours – you don’t have to share. Everyone has their own dream closet in this dream house. Maybe add a comfy chair or ottoman to sit on for slipping on shoes and socks or hose.

What a Dad Does

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9609167_SWhen you’re barely old enough to remember, a father swings you high into the air – almost too high but while it’s scary it’s also amazing. You see the world from on high for just a minute before safely landing on the ground, and you reach your hands up and say, “More.”

Wrestling, running, jumping – dad plays harder than anyone else. As the evening goes into night games of tag and races across the yard are more exciting because the biggest boy of all joins in – dad.

At parties, your father is the first person who ever asks you to dance. Feet in your dress shoes stand on his as he slowly turns you around the floor to the music and you are the happiest child in the room.

20387713_SRiding a bike is hard, but it’s easier with your dad right there, holding the seat, talking you through how everything works, picking you and your bike up when you fall, and telling you to go faster and faster until you realize that he’s no longer behind you and you are riding your bike all by yourself.

For every milestone, dad is there. Cheering you on at little league, helping you learn how to throw and catch a ball or kick a goal in soccer. Clapping at every school play, recital and concert. Telling you that you were wonderful and nobody noticed when you forgot a line.

There are the tough days too, when he has to let you know that what you did was wrong and help you find a way to fix it.

Every kid needs a dad. But don’t limit your thinking. So many people in your life can be a dad for you, including uncles, family friends and even moms. It’s about knowing that whatever happens, your dad or dads will have your back. And that’s what Father’s Day is all about: thanking all the dads in your life. Be sure you do.

Father’s Day Gifts from the Heart

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7200927_STraditional dad’s day gifts such as ties and shirts get old, so how about making sure Father’s Day is celebrated in style with a gift the dad or dads in your life will treasure?

Here are a few ideas to make that special day memorable for a father.

Give a memory. Create a special experience for dad. How about a surprise family picnic with all of his favorite foods? Make sure all he has to do is hop in the car and you can head to a favorite park. A trip to the zoo or a favorite museum such as a science museum would also be fun. Be sure to take plenty of photos so you can remind him of the day long afterwards.

18615974_SGive flowers. Men generally aren’t used to receiving flowers, but a simple arrangement in a dad mug can be an unexpected treat. And by putting the flowers in a nice mug, he has a remembrance long after they’re gone.

Give photos. Does dad have a current photo of the family in his office? If not, start taking photos and choose the best to frame. Digital photo frames work if you want to share more than one shot.

Go handmade. Handmade cards, drawings or simple items for a desk have extra meaning if made by your children. Covering a can to make a pencil holder or a clay creature as a paperweight can be fun for the kids to make and fun for dad to receive. For more ideas to make Father’s Day special, visit The Fulton Homes Pinterest board. And have a wonderful day!

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.

What to do when School’s Out

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21383271_SIt’s almost time for summer break, and if you have school-age kids you’re probably already wondering how you’re going to get everyone through the next few months.

You don’t have to plan an exciting summer. The little things can make a child’s vacation memorable and special. Here are a few ideas.

Learning goals: Yes, it seems mean to talk about learning on summer break, but many children backslide on their understanding of concepts and skills over the summer. Consider options such as a summer reading list with rewards for completing books, math games and contests, and visits to local museums combined with studying up on some of the exhibits. The Fulton Summer Fun Pinterest board has samples of interesting and easy science experiments and other activities that combine learning with fun.

Set a schedule: Planning an outing every Wednesday or swimming every Tuesday and Thursday makes the weeks move faster. Children who know what they’re doing each day find it easier to manage days that aren’t as exciting. You can make changes in the schedule as time goes on if you find some days work better than others for various outings.

Plan special events: Birthday parties play dates or special short trips make summer more fun for everyone. If you will be taking a vacation get everyone involved in the process. If you stay home, make sure you include some visits up North so that you all can get away from the heat for a time. Movie nights, backyard or indoor camping, or other activities such as the pirate scavenger hunt mentioned on one of the Fulton Summer Fun Pinterest boards make summer move faster and minimize the cries of “I’m bored.”

Mother’s Day Celebration for Everyone

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19729670_SFor so many people who have lost their mothers, and for some of those women who never had children, Mother’s Day may not feel important to them. But this should be a day to celebrate not just mothers, but mothering.

Remember that aunt who bought you your first dressy dress? Or that cousin who took you under her wing when you moved to a new city to start your first job after college? How about the neighbor who always had cookies handy when you just stopped by as a kid? Or maybe someone else’s mom who was always available to talk when you needed another perspective.

And don’t forget women who may have no children of their own but always made time for your band concerts or dance recitals – and brought you flowers. Maybe there’s someone who baby-sat you so your parents could have some time alone when you were little, and always made everything fun.

11135532_SSunday is Mother’s Day, so why not let those unofficial moms know how much you appreciate their time, attention and love too?

Take a few minutes to say thank you for everything they offered – giving you that extra love that every child needs.

And it doesn’t stop once you’re grown either. What about the little lady across the street who always accepts packages for you and keeps an eye on your home when you’re on vacation? Or the one person in the office who always arrives early and makes coffee for everyone else?

Another point here – it may not just be women we’re talking about here. Men can be nurturing too. And while you’re at it, how about thanking mother earth who gives us all life, food, and beauty every day. Altogether, there’s much more to celebrate tomorrow than we originally considered. So stop and say thanks to all of the moms in your life.

Mother’s Day Special Gifts

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12706327_SHow about flowers for Mother’s Day? Pick up the phone or hop online and in a few minutes you can have a lovely arrangement sent with only a medium hit on your credit card. But maybe you’d like to do something a bit more personal. Which flowers do you think a mom would rather have: the professional arrangement or the posies in this photo? Yes, I think so too.

Young children often make special handmade presents for mom in school to give her on her day. But if your kids are older, or you’re the adult kid planning something for your mom, you may feel obligated to do more. Or you want to make something with your children as a family to let the mom or moms in your life know that they are important.

You happen to be in luck. Even if you are fairly clueless on what to do or make, you have an amazing resource for ideas: Pinterest. Just do a search for Mother’s Day handmade gifts, or – better yet – visit the Fulton Homes Mother’s Day Pinterest board. You’ll find ideas, printable cards and pictures to color, simple yet attractive crafts, recipes, and even some fun ideas for photos for mom.

26505933_SHere’s one idea to get you started. Cut some hearts out of colored paper or scrapbook prints and spell out something special for mom to discover when she comes downstairs on Sunday. You could hang it like this photo to the right or just tape them on the refrigerator.

Above all, think of something personal, something that takes a bit of effort, and something that acknowledges how amazing life is because she’s in it. You can do this.