The bright neon colors of the carnival rides add an inviting fun element to this photo. In the same way, a few fun touches can create a more inviting décor in our homes. Looking at this photo, think about what you can add to create a touch of fun for yourself and guests.

Look for accessories that ask people to pick them up and play with them. The old Rubik’s cube did that, and there are a number of puzzles and toys that work the same way. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. How about a matchbox car of your favorite luxury auto or a pretty bowl filled with plastic animals? These give people something to do with their hands while you’re talking.

You could set up a jigsaw puzzle on a side table in your living room to encourage guests to fill in a piece or two. Add two chairs so that people can chat while finding just the right spot for that bit of red.

If you find a photo or image that makes you smile, frame it and tuck it in a corner of your home or along your hallway. Chances are your guests will appreciate it too. Another option is to dig through some of your old memory boxes and display a favorite toy or children’s book. It may start a conversation if someone remembers playing or reading it in their early years.

This is not about turning your home into an amusement park. Instead, by adding only one or two fun elements, you can add interest and charm to your home. Have fun!

On our blog page here at Fulton Homes, you will see a list at the left indexing several of the most recent blogs that have been posted.  This is convenient for our customers who may have recently read a blog that they really enjoyed and wanted to read it again and find it fast!  Please check this this out and read our blogs!

Which is your home style? Why?

Valley Homebuilder recognizes the Caddys as the this week’s deserving winner of their Fence Patrol Program

The family of a disabled woman in dire need of a pool fence is this week’s Fulton Homes Fence Patrol winner. The free pool installation will happen Tuesday, May 31 at 7a.m. Connie Caddy, from Queen Creek, is a disabled woman with no income. Her husband, Greg, works for the prison system and frequently volunteers for out of state work to make ends meet. And, the couple is taking in their 18-month-old grandchild, while her son is deployed in Afghanistan.

Connie’s husband is often gone for months out of state for work, leaving her at home by herself watching young children. Connie also babysits her two nephews who are 4 years and 4-months-old. She’s very afraid they may fall victim to the curiosity of an unprotected pool.

The Caddy family has endured many financial struggles. Most recently Connie, who nominated her family, explained, they had to replace the transmission in their vehicle which ate up most of their pool fence savings money.

“We are glad to alleviate the anxieties of the Caddy family who are in desperate need of a pool fence,” said Douglas Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “Fulton Homes is particularly concerned with families with toddlers that are constantly around the pool. We couldn’t be happier to name the Caddy family as this week’s Fulton Homes Fence Patrol winners.”

Drowning related deaths is one of the leading causes in children across the country. According to childrensafetyzone.com, in the first four months of 2011, there have already been 17 water related deaths in Maricopa County including five children. There have also been a total of 34 water related incidents. In 2010, 48 deaths, including 20 children, resulted from 140 water-related incidents.

Fulton Homes has always been a proud proponent of Water Safety in the Phoenix area. The Fulton Homes Fence Patrol has helped hundreds of people equip their homes with barriers to help prevent youngsters from falling into the pool. The long-running Two Seconds is Too Long campaign has helped raise awareness of the tragedy of child drowning. The company also supports the Valley of the Sun YMCA, providing swimming lessons to disadvantaged youths who learn valuable life skills, including personal safety and growth, stroke development, rescue and water sports.

Arizona Pool Fence Laws state that all residential pools must be enclosed by a barrier. Families with children under six must also have a barrier blocking access to the pool from the house. Some cities allow door alarms in place of the pool barrier. Also, certain homes are exempt depending on when they were built. However, most homes must be brought up to code if remodeled or sold.

Interested parties in the Fulton Homes Fence Patrol have until July 4, 2011 to nominate themselves or someone else for a pool fence, by logging on to www.kmle108.com and clicking on the Fence Patrol icon. For more information call (602) 452-1000 or go to www.fultonhomes.com and click on the “Fulton Foundation” link.

On our “Find Your Home” page, you will find a grid on the left side of the page that allows you to choose certain things that you are looking for to narrow your search.  These are the city the home is in; the community the home is in; and home parameters, which are price, bedrooms, bathrooms, garage bays and square footage.

Just select which options are best suited for you and search!  We hope you find this helpful!

What colors do you think of for summer? Blue and white? Red, white and blue? Red and tan? Green and blue?  The trends for colors of summer décor vary year to year just like other décor and fashion.   What are we seeing this year?

We’re seeing a lot of the classic color pairings for summer. Like many other areas of design and decorating, there is something for every taste available.  Mixing and matching patterns and styles to achieve your own personal style is a design trend across the board, so summer décor is no exception.

We’re seeing earth tones of greens, tans and browns mixed and matched in solids, stripes and florals.  Vintage inspired fabrics in muted colors like soft yellows, terra cotta reds and gray blues work with white or wood furniture.

Bright colors like turquoise, grass green and sunshine yellow are popular in both outdoor cushions, outdoor rugs and table tops.

Blues range from navy to pale, silvery blues, to aqua. Blue and white, in stripes, florals, trendy ikat and even polka dots, is a classic summer time color combination.  As is red and white… just like the classic red and white checkered picnic blanket or tablecloth.

Natural, neutral shades paired with white feel fresh for Summer 2011. Inspired by jute, rope and dark, woven baskets, these neutrals also make great backdrop colors for splashes of bright color.

Many of these color trends can be mixed together for look that fits your style and your décor.  Remember, summer decorating is all about easy and relaxed.

What are your plans for summer decorating?

For many of us, our backdoor, kitchen door and side door seem to see more traffic than the front door. Activities that are traffic heavy such as going in and out, groceries being unloaded and recycling getting collected can all result in coats, bags, purses, keys and wallets all ending up piled by the backdoor.  This is why stylish and functional storage and “landing zones” are needed.  Whether you have a traditional mudroom or a small hall, you can create a functional, yet pretty, area at the backdoor.

Wall storage

A row of hooks or pegs can create a place for coats, bags, backpacks and leashes. Wood knobs can be painted to match the wall color or in a complementary color to stand out. Lots of options for hooks, even vintage hooks or old door knobs can be used. Be creative!

Furniture

A traditional hall tree with hooks, a mirror and a storage bench is a stylish and functional piece of furniture for a mudroom or hallway.  If you have the space, this single piece of furniture is a workhorse.

Consider a storage bench, for shoes, scarves, mittens and other clutter.  Or vintage lockers make for great storage by the back door.

Built in shelves and cubbies that can accommodate bags, shoes and even recycling bins are a smart option.

Think about how you use your back door or mudroom and find a storage solution that is both attractive and functional for you. Whether you chose hooks, furniture or shelves, the right storage will organize the space and declutter your space.

Be sure to ask your Fulton Homes’ design consultant about options for controlling clutter at your back door. We will be featuring mudrooms in our new Mendocino series coming soon to Queen Creek!

If you live in a Fulton Home, we make it extremely easy for you to request a service repair from us.  If you have something that requires our attention in your home, you can just simply go to our website, login with the username and password that is provided to you, and fill out a form describing your issue.  No phone calls, no paper work, just a simple and quick online request!

Rachel Torne Triumphs Academically Despite A Long Battle with Scoliosis and Bullying.

With Memorial Day right around the corner, now is the time to spruce up your outdoor spaces to get ready for summer entertaining. Whether you have a three season porch, outdoor living room, patio or balcony, you’ll probably need to do some prep now for outdoor living.

Start by taking inventory of your existing outdoor furniture.  Is it in good shape and just needs a cleaning?  If so, a quick spray of water and wipe down with mild detergent (like dish soap) will probably do the trick.

Has the paint chipped or rusted?  You can do some basic spiffing up with a quick sand and recoating of matching paint.  Some spray paints are formulated to stop rust and don’t require extensive sanding.

How do the cushions look?  Changing cushions on outdoor chairs and seating is a simple, inexpensive way to revive your patio furniture.  Indoor/outdoor fabrics have come a long way in recent years. Now is the time of year to find readymade cushions at the national chains and local stores. If you know your measurements, look online for replacement cushions as another option.

Adding an indoor/outdoor rug to your outdoor space will make it feel more like an outdoor room. Like indoor/outdoor fabrics, these rugs come in tons of colors and pattern to match most any style.

As a finishing touch, create interesting planters filled with flowering annuals and herbs to spruce up your space. Find a flower box, pot or container that works with your outdoor furniture and fill it with plants that compliment your color scheme.