Specialized  bathroom furniture, safety bars and non-slip floors are available for bathrooms that can be used comfortably by people with special needs. In the past, many of these specialized products sacrificed style to functionality, but that is changing.

As baby boomers age, their physical requirements may change, but they are not willing to lose a sense of style in their homes. In this photo, this wheelchair-friendly bathroom is also attractive and interesting.

The sink has open space underneath that allows a wheelchair to slide under it, and the towel bar is an easy reach from a seated position. One cabinet is on rollers, providing the opportunity to move it to a convenient position during a bath, but position it out of the way when not needed.

The side cabinet is low enough to reach bathroom supplies, and a mirror inside the door gives a clear view from a seated position. With the standard-position mirrors and other features, this bathroom is also completely functional for someone standing.

Many people are thinking of universal design issues when redesigning older baths. Even people who have no current ambulatory issues may want to consider universal design features as part of their goal of aging in place – staying in their home as long as possible as they get older.

You can make your bathroom accessible without sacrificing style. Let us know if we can help you see the rich selection of universal design products available for today’s bathrooms.

Neutral colors are not equivalent to dull, as is the common perception. Many homes and establishments have used neutral colors with excellent results. If you have plans to color your home in neutral tones, here are some tips which should ensure an “anything-but-dull” outcome:

Knowledge is power: If it’s neutral you wish to go with, knowing the colors that you can opt for is the logical first step. The grays, whites and earth tones apart, mellowed browns, yellows, reds and greens can also lend the neutral look. Take your pick.

Textures are the key: Neutral colors tend to be subdued. Though the colors themselves lend character to the room, accessorizing to bring in the dramatic effect should be kept as simple as possible. Turn to textures to give your room the character you want. Get creative with those draperies, curtains and pillows and use colors which will complement the room without standing out too boldly.

Bringing life to neutrality: Rooms in neutral shades do not gel well with vibrant shades or artificial tints. This by no means indicates dullness. You can bring in color in the form of greenery; a potted plant here and there will add that dash of liveliness.

The minimalistic approach: Neutral colored rooms have an elegant look to them. Cluttering these rooms with accessories and furniture is a no-no. Go for simple vases or artwork which coordinate with the final look, but keep it simple. Substitute many pieces of furniture for a large one with clean, straight lines to emphasize the right feel.

Light Right: Lighting is a very important feature of neutral rooms. Use ambient lighting can really bring life to a room with neutral colors.

This week, we are highlighting some of the components that help make our homes Energy Star v3 certified. By understanding these elements, we feel that you can be a more educated home buyer or home owner.

One of the products we use that helps make your Fulton Home an Energy Star v3 Certified Home are vinyl low-e windows.

Here are the highlights about what you should know about vinyl low-e windows:

• High-performance Vinyl Windows (minimum of .35 & .25) – reduces UV rays from entering home
• Vinyl frames are low maintenance and provide good thermal insulation. (Sections may be hollow or filled with foam insulation. Wide vinyl sills may be reinforced with metal or wood.)
• Windows and skylights protect you from the elements just like a winter coat. But like a winter coat, you want the windows and skylights that make the most sense for your climate.
• While some windows and skylights are better at keeping you warm, others excel at keeping you cool.
• Performance criteria for windows and skylights are based on these climate zones and ratings certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
• With low-e glass, special coatings reflect infrared light, keeping heat inside in the winter and outside in summer.
• The also reflect damaging unltra-violet light , which helps protect interior furnishings from fading.

We hope this helps you feel more comfortable and familiar with the Energy Star system and low-e windows!

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An Energy Star Certified Home uses the latest building practices and technologies to ensure that your new home is energy efficient and comfortable. Fulton Homes Energy Star v3 Certified Homes include products like the Carrier Comfort Series Central Air Conditioner.

What can this product do for you? It can cut your central air conditioning utility bills (with up to a 17 SEER efficiency rating). It runs as quietly as a dishwasher (as low as 72dB). And it resists the elements to run reliably for years with Carrier’s WeatherArmor™ louvered coil guard.

Sit back, relax and enjoy your Fulton Energy Star V3 qualified home with products like the Carrier Comfort Series Central Air Conditioner!

Stay tuned for more product reviews.

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Many of today’s new homes have extra-large bathrooms. They feel beautiful and luxurious, but even older homes with smaller baths can create a feeling of space if handled properly. Here are few suggestions to make that smaller bathroom feel larger.

Use glass. Imagine this bath with a shower curtain instead of the glass doors on the shower. A curtain would crop the room into two sections, making it feel much smaller. The horizontal etched lines along the shower glass add personality and definition without cramping the space.

Install a pedestal sink. The space under the sink is in view, creating a sense of more space. With a pedestal sink, you can see the floor running to all of the walls. A standard vanity would cut the floor off early in part of the room, making it feel smaller.

Maintain the same wall and floor tile across the room. By having no break in the wall or floor tile throughout the bath and shower, the room feels like one larger space rather than a room split into sections.

Take advantage of mirrors. The mirror in this bath is larger than needed, adding a reflection of the space and making it feel bigger.

Stay monochromatic. The extensive use of white in tile and bath fixtures keeps the space open and bright. The darker floor tile adds contrast without subtracting perceived space.

If you use one or more of these design tactics, you will be surprised at how much your bathroom space will seem to expand!

This week, we’d like to focus on some of the components that help make our homes Energy Star v3 certified. By understanding these elements, you can be a more educated home buyer or home owner.

One of the products we use that helps make your Fulton Home an Energy Star v3 Certified Home is Lousiana Pacific Tech Shield Radiant Barrier.

It might not sound fun and glamorous, but this innovative product helps block radiant heat in the roof from entering the attic. What does this do for you? It helps keep the attic cooler, lowering energy costs and making the home more comfortable. That sounds better, right? LP TechShield is the only radiant barrier sheathing that features patented VaporVents™ technology, which allows it to dry more quickly from construction moisture than other radiant barriers.

LP TechShield offers a variety of homeowner benefits: potentially reduces tonnage of the HVAC system, cuts monthly air conditioning bills up to 17%, and may qualify for utility rebates.

As a bonus: Several other factors make LP TechShield Radiant Barrier an environmentally friendly building material. Their manufacturing process uses wood certified underSustainable Forestry Initiative^® standards. That wood comes from small, fast growing trees, and the entire log is used. This means less waste and more efficient use of resources. Plus, LP TechShield Radiant Barrier contains no urea-formaldehyde, and they use only low-emitting, safe resins as a binder.

The bottom line is, it’s one of the many elements we use that makes your home more efficient and better for the environment!

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Below are some easy to follow instructions for removal of pumpkin stains from carpet.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse

the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cau

se a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

When in doubt , Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipme

nt to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question.