This photo shows a rug, ottoman coffee table and a few accessories in a neutral sepia tone. It gives you the chance to see how texture affects the look of this arrangement.

Start with the warm wood floors. They provide just the right backdrop to the dramatic Oriental rug. The complex design and tonal shifts add much of this image’s interest. You can tell that this rug is authentic by looking at the fringe. In true Orientals, the fringe on one side is about twice as long as the fringe on the other. That’s because what you perceive as fringe is actually the trimmed ends of the rug weaving.

The smooth leather of the ottoman benefits from buttons that show off its texture and personality. On top a tray and folded throw add additional texture and tonal contrasts.

Now let’s look at the same arrangement in the context of the room and in color. Any surprises? Notice the unexpected color of the throw pillow? Also, did you expect the rug to be in reds rather than blue and brown?

One interesting feature of the ottoman/rug area in context is the change in approach. Most of the rest of the space is black and white with a few splashes of red. However, there is just enough brown to bring everything together.

Color always has a tendency to distract from texture and tone. To get a better sense of both, head to a quilting shop and pick up a red plastic square used to look for tonal matches in fabric. You can do the same thing these two photos did – look at the same vignette in color and with the color removed.

Kitchens have changed a lot in recent years. Before, kitchens are hidden out of sight and are separated from the other rooms with dividers or walls. But now, it has become the center of the house as there are a variety of activities that can be done in the kitchen like food preparation, entertaining or just relaxing with the family. That is why most kitchens nowadays are exposed in plain view just like the other rooms in the house like the living room, the den, etc. For this reason, special care needs to be taken also when designing your kitchen.

Many homeowners prefer to employ a modern design for their kitchen as modern styles have a sleek and clean look. Here are a few suggestions on how you can create a modern kitchen:

1. No modern kitchen design is complete without a central unit called an island. An island serves a lot of functions aside from adding a modern look to your kitchen. It can be a working area so you may want to have a built in sink or chopping board in it. It can also be used for entertaining as it is one great place where family members or guests can convene and gather.
2. Maintain a clean line. This means that all surfaces in the kitchen have straight edges for a clean look.
3. Avoid too much color. A kitchen with a white theme is a good bet to achieve a modern kitchen look.
4. Lastly, accessorize your kitchen with stainless steel appliances and minimalist furniture to complete the sleek look.

Using a black and white color scheme tends to make a space feel modern and almost cold. Instead, by adding silver and crystal, this room is warm and glamorous.

The feeling of rich abundance comes in part from the generous use of patterns. Only the loveseat is solid. Even the walls and buffet contain subtle patterns that support the room’s total look.

The tile floor is primarily off-white, with a touch of darker tones to add personality. Overlaying it, the area rug’s black and white large floral pattern is echoed in many variations throughout the room. The lampshade in the foreground, throw pillows, and even the design etched on the glass room divider use variations of large floral patterns in their look. This consistency helps keep the room from becoming overwhelming.

Silver is used well also. From the small silver-leaf tables in the far corner to the antique candlesticks on the buffet and picture frames on the wall, silver is the third color that brings the room together.

Finally, crystal light fixtures provide the sparkle that leads to interesting reflections and patterns of light. Just add a few old Hollywood stars, and this room is ready for its close-up.

When decorating, color plays a key component to create a wow factor for your house. It also compliments the flooring and furniture to complete the overall look and theme that you want to create.

To create harmonious color combinations, you have to understand the effect colors have on ourselves and our environment first and the best way to do that is by understanding the color wheel.

There are six basic colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple and then there are mixes of the basic colors. When these colors are used together in a right way, it creates a combination that is harmonious to the eye.

Here are some color schemes that will create a harmonious effect for your home:

Monochromatic Color Scheme. For this scheme, a single color of varying lightness and saturation is used. For example, a dark brown bed over light brown flooring.

Analogous Color Scheme. This scheme uses colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel like green and light green or orange and yellow.

Complementary Color Scheme. Using colors that are adjacent in the color wheel makes each color appear brighter. Examples of colors in this scheme include blue and orange, red and green, purple and yellow.

Triadic color scheme. This scheme uses color like yellow-green, blue-violet, and red-orange. If you look at the color wheel, these three colors are equally distant from each other forming a triangle.

Colors define the ambiance and mood for your home so choose the right color scheme to make a welcoming feel for your house.

If you have every furnished your home from scratch, then you must have faced the dilemma of choosing the floor color, and whether to match it with your cabinet color or not. Although the answer to that question is quite subjective and depends really on what your preferences are, but here we’ll try to explain what the general trends are in this respect.

Some people feel it’s atrocious to have same colored floor and cabinets. Primarily because they get bored looking at the same color everywhere. Life is boring without diversity and this aptly applies when it comes to the color scheme of your home.

Home décor experts say it’s always best to have floor two or three shades lighter or darker than your cabinets. For example, if your cabinets are dark and rich in color, the floor you should opt for should have a light color; for instance, maple. This makes for a far more aesthetic look and typically, similar colors create confusion and are not as visually appealing.

It’s up to you to decide which color will goes with which. A combination of various colors, shades and textures gives your house that extra flair. They reflect liveliness and the personality of the person who owns it. You can use all your creativity to choose various color schemes, or have your interior decorator give you suggestions. But mixing is definitely better than matching your floor and cabinetry colors.

Have you considered shutters for your windows? They work equally well with modern or traditional styles, and can provide just the right balance of light and privacy.

Take a look at how shutters work in this room with its simple lines and choices of colors. The adjustable louvers are set to let light in without glare and while maintaining privacy.

The pure white of this shutter choice is perfect with this room’s design choices. There is just enough light yellow-green to allow the whites to carry a soft shadow of color. Even in the heat of summer, this room provides a cool escape.

Everything about this space speaks to simple good taste. The slightly-different shades of green on the pillow, vase, clock and even the houseplant keep every piece interesting and individual. Choosing to add the silver labels on the shelves and one small turquoise element – the box – adds just enough difference to keep this corner from lapsing into the danger of too much matching.

The best part of this room is the quality of the light. With louvers keeping the sun under control, any window can provide a comfortable level of light at any time during the day. The soft feeling of this space comes from a sophisticated use of its shutters. Shutters come in many colors and wood tones. Here, the simple white painted effect suits the room’s design.

Are you ready to add shutters to your home? Come into our showroom and let us show you the rich variety of design choices available.

What do you think of when you look at this photo? Maybe it reminds you of a gate you once came across in the country, or perhaps you’re drawn to the effective photography. It probably doesn’t remind you of a contemporary bedroom, but one designer saw the potential and created a room based on the photo that shows off the best of home design.

The connection came from drawing on the colors and textures to create a space that works while echoing the special qualities of this image. Take a look at the result below.

Home and fashion designers always look for opportunities to bring new ideas to their work. In this case, the designer discovered flooring that fit the gate’s wood patina while providing a smooth contemporary finish. Using several shades of grey and cool brown, the flooring sets the stage for the bedroom.

Next, the leather and cherry wood furniture brings in the tones of the metal bolt and lock. The brown leather shows the darker shades while the cherry hue matches the rusty red patina developed over time. The bedcover carries that dull silver visible on the lock. Notice the gold shams also. They mirror the brightest of the highlights on wood and metal.

Texture comes in with the wooden panels along the back wall. Their consistency of tone and rough abstract design and finish create a memory of the rough gate texture. It’s a daring way to bring the room up to the ceiling.

Are you ready to create a unique space by drawing on inspiration beyond the traditional? We’re here to help you find just the right flooring to meet your vision.

Often when people choose window coverings, they forget half of the job. You need to consider not only how they look in the room but how they look from outside.

The choices are many, but the biggest problem comes from people who make different selections from room to room in the front, leading to a patchwork look from the street. Have you considered both sides of your windows in your window covering decisions?

With this home, the homeowners decided to install simple white shades on all the front windows. This is a quick and relatively inexpensive option, but it still leaves you with window covering requirements inside the home since plain blinds have an unfinished look.

Other choices can provide a finished appearance both inside and outside. Two-inch wide wood blinds come in a variety of colors and wood stains to meet your decorating needs while providing a finished appearance inside and out. They also work well for privacy and light control.

The upper window shows one challenge with shades or blinds. The arch in the middle is exposed and the blind draws a line under it. Customized shutters would address that problem. Just like the blinds, they can be painted to match moldings or stained to match wood flooring and trim. Their appearance both inside and out is attractive and appealing.

One final window challenge faces this house – the front door. The window surround is attractive but can limit privacy. The homeowners added reflective glass to minimize the ability to peer inside. Stained or other glass choices can provide privacy while still adding light to the entryway.

Have you thought about your windows from the outside looking in? If not, how about taking a step outside to see how your house looks from the street?

Fulton Homes, Arizona’s leading homebuilder, is partnering with KMLE Country 108 FM Radio for its annual school supply drive with the help of Facebook. This year’s drive runs from July 18-Aug. 14.

The average cost to send a child into the classroom with school-recommended supplies is approximately $474 for elementary school and $545 for middle school students, according to Huntington Banks Backpack Index for 2010. The report says this figure includes clothing, books and classroom materials.

Area residents will be asked to visit the KMLE Facebook page and adopt a child from the Tim & Willy Fun-dation. Each child adopted will receive a backpack of school supply items, preparing them for a successful school year.

“Fulton Homes is committed to guaranteeing that every student, regardless of background, is equipped with the tools they need to receive the best education possible,” said Fulton Homes CEO Douglas Fulton. “With the advent of the 2011 school year, families across the country spend more and more of their incomes as their children grow. It can be a very stressful process, and we are here to help.”

For more details about Fulton Homes KMLE Packs for Kids, visit the KMLE Country 108 Facebook. For more information call (602) 452-1000 or go to www.fultonhomes.com and click on the “Fulton Foundation” link.