Maximizing Small Spaces with Furniture Choices

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Today, people are shifting to a more minimal, simplistic lifestyle. When you have less to maintain, you have more time to enjoy doing the things you love!  Tiny houses are the big rage for the younger generation, and many baby boomers are downsizing to maintain less and enjoy life. Also, urban living in larger cities requires a much smaller footprint than a home in suburbia.

Remember there are no set rules when designing and decorating your living space. There are techniques and choices that lead to creating functional small spaces.

Knowing your floor plan and using a tape measure is critical for purchasing and placing furniture.  Always keep the width, depth, height in the forefront, because this will establish your traffic patterns that contribute to the functionality of the room.  Once you have decided the pieces to use, moving the furniture and standing back is always a tried and true method for furniture placement!

When purchasing and relocating furniture think storage, storage, storage as follows:

 

* Does my bench in the entry way/foyer have storage for shoes, book bags, handbags? 

* Using a sleeper loveseat instead of a full-size sofa is a great way to save space and provide additional bedding.

* Does my living room ottoman double as additional seating that also offers storage space, and an alternative table top for snacks?

* Instead of free standing bookcases, trying hanging floating wall shelves.  Kitchen floating shelves are very popular and functional and do not require the space of kitchen cabinetry.

* For dining space, use a café/bistro table with armless bar stools, or parson chairs that are narrow and do not have arms.

* Platform beds have much-needed space under the bed in the form of drawers, attached nightstands, and headboards for additional storage. Don’t forget the amazing Murphy bed that descends from the wall!

 

Now is the time to downsize, clean out, reorganize and most of all have fun during the process! We welcome your comments and suggestions for maximizing your small spaces.

Your Kitchen and Artwork

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The kitchen isn’t traditionally a place where you would think to hang your artwork but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. Art is a great way to add visual interest to any space and can bring a new warmth to your kitchen. Perhaps you have a favorite piece that will make washing the dishes just a little bit easier because you have that in your kitchen to look at. Or maybe you want to make a change to your kitchen without breaking the bank or painting—artwork is perfect for changing up the space quickly and easily.

 

Depending on the size of your kitchen you may find yourself with enough wall space to hang a picture. Whether it be where there is a gap in your cabinets or along another wall void of them, adding a statement piece of art is a bold use of that blank area and can really put your kitchen over the edge. It might even become the focal point of the room and you can build out from there, pulling from the picture for design inspiration elsewhere.

 

Another use of wasted space is to throw up a few pieces of artwork up above the upper cabinets. Your space is already there and not being used. Why not put up some items that create a border of artwork floating above your kitchen? You could also make use of the space between your counters and your upper cabinets by standing artwork on your counters here or even hanging it up, creating your own backsplash. This can be particularly effective if you use your art as a backsplash for your kitchen sink.

 

What if you just don’t have the space to fit any artwork in your kitchen? Don’t give up! There are still ways to incorporate artwork into your space. Try hanging art next to your kitchen if your layout allows for it. You’ll still be able to see it from the kitchen and it is also a great way to transition the two spaces with a connecting design element if you can get the art to work with both rooms.

How to Think Like an Interior Designer

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There are certain to be times in your life when you visit a new place and find yourself admiring its design elements.  You may not be an interior designer, but you can still feel how much work and intention have gone into setting the scene for the spot you are standing in.  You catch yourself trying to discover every little detail and seek out every nook and cranny until you’ve uncovered its secrets. 

Sometimes you may wish you could take some of that appreciation home with you and implement even a little bit of the looks you admire right into your own living space.  For the average person without a degree in interior design it can all seem a bit overwhelming to understand.  Your mind is not yet trained to go to the same places as someone who makes their living from beautifying different types of rooms and buildings—but it can be! 

Through our in-depth series, we hope to enlighten you on the elements and principles of design so you can recognize what attracts you to arrangements and how they each play their part in making a space functional and beautiful.  You won’t be earning a degree by the end of it, but don’t let that stop you from putting all your new knowledge to good use!

 

With each installment, we will try to give you as much information as you need to understand why every element and principle is so important when you are making design decisions.     Understanding how these concepts work together is the first step to thinking like an interior designer and successfully implementing what you have learned into your home.  Through easy to understand descriptions and use of recognizable examples, we hope to better equip you on your journey to bringing your design dreams to life. 

 

If you want to immerse yourself in the world of interior design, then grab your pen and paper and get ready to learn! When you’re done, you will be the one your friends turn to for decorating tips. Don’t worry, we won’t tell them how you became such an expert! Ready? Let’s go!

A Quick Look at Interior Design

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Whether you have your mind set on redecorating a room or revamping your entire house knowing the basics of interior design is essential. Did you know that the basics of interior design is centered around the following elements:

 

Texture – the feel of an object

Color – sets the mood and creates the illusion

Form – the shape of objects

Mass – the bulk of furniture pieces

Line – symmetry or direction of objects

 

Here are some basic interior decorating tips.

 

Try arranging in odd numbers.

Arranging furniture and accessories in odd numbered groups can create a look that’s aesthetically appealing. However, this does not mean symmetry should be thrown out the window. When arranging furniture and accessories in odd groups consider what objects go together to create a cohesive look.

 

Select classic furniture pieces.

You’ll never go wrong when you purchase, furnishing that is classic. Yes, classic furniture is timeless and never goes out of style. When you’re ready to change your look, switch out the accessories.

 

Choosing colors to set the mood

As previously mentioned, color is what creates the illusion. It also sets the desired mood or tone for the entire space. The psychological effects of color are numerous making this an important step. In interior design, color can be used in paint for the walls as well as accessories.

 

Mix up lighting sources.

The lighting scheme is crucial to setting the ambience of s room. You can use natural lighting during the daytime to open a space. At night, you can dim the lights and make use of accent lamps.

 

Yes, when developing a interior design scheme for your home the sky’s the limit. Incorporating the basics of decorating will ensure that everything is correctly arranged.

 

 

Your Junk Drawer

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We all have one. That drawer that serves no purpose holds an infinite amount of random items, and always has things added to it but never taken away. You guessed it, it is a junk drawer. Junk drawers tend to get on everyone’s nerves because they house an array of miscellaneous items and no one enjoys looking through them. Organizing your junk drawer does not sound like a walk on the beach, but the after the effort, it will be well worth the frustration. The key to organizing your junk drawer is that you cannot place random items into a different drawer afterward. Let us set a rule for ourselves: we are going to organize your junk drawer and another drawer will not show up in its place. 

 

Let us get started:

 

  • Take it all out. Yup, you heard it correctly. We are starting from scratch here. Place all of the drawer’s items on your counter. 
  • Sort out your items. Now that all the items are on the counter, we are going to sort through them. We will create certain piles: trash, give away, relocate or stay. You need to decide how you want to repurpose this drawer. Determine what you want to be stored in this drawer. Just one classification for this drawer, we are getting strict with ourselves. After you decided on the contents of your drawer, you can move the piles as needed. Throw the trash away, place the giveaway in a box for charity, relocate the random miscellaneous items and keep what you think belongs in this new drawer.
  • Buy a drawer organizer. Depending on what contents you will place in this drawer, an organizer can be life-changing. You can place your smaller items in tiny containers throughout the drawer. Recycle your old jar lids and use them as a container for paper clips, push pins, rubber bands, etc. 
  • Be strict with keeping it organized. Keep this drawer constantly organized, because as soon as one random item is thrown in another will suddenly appear. Inform the other people in your household of the new drawer’s purpose. 

 

Junk drawers happen, we totally get it. Another one may appear over time and in that case, pull out this blog and restart the organizational process. 


Your Junk Drawer

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We all have one. That drawer that serves no purpose holds an infinite amount of random items, and always has things added to it but never taken away. You guessed it, it is a junk drawer. Junk drawers tend to get on everyone’s nerves because they house an array of miscellaneous items and no one enjoys looking through them. Organizing your junk drawer does not sound like a walk on the beach, but the after the effort, it will be well worth the frustration. The key to organizing your junk drawer is that you cannot place random items into a different drawer afterward. Let us set a rule for ourselves: we are going to organize your junk drawer and another drawer will not show up in its place. 

 

Let us get started:

 

  • Take it all out. Yup, you heard it correctly. We are starting from scratch here. Place all of the drawer’s items on your counter. 
  • Sort out your items. Now that all the items are on the counter, we are going to sort through them. We will create certain piles: trash, give away, relocate or stay. You need to decide how you want to repurpose this drawer. Determine what you want to be stored in this drawer. Just one classification for this drawer, we are getting strict with ourselves. After you decided on the contents of your drawer, you can move the piles as needed. Throw the trash away, place the giveaway in a box for charity, relocate the random miscellaneous items and keep what you think belongs in this new drawer.
  • Buy a drawer organizer. Depending on what contents you will place in this drawer, an organizer can be life-changing. You can place your smaller items in tiny containers throughout the drawer. Recycle your old jar lids and use them as a container for paper clips, push pins, rubber bands, etc. 
  • Be strict with keeping it organized. Keep this drawer constantly organized, because as soon as one random item is thrown in another will suddenly appear. Inform the other people in your household of the new drawer’s purpose. 

 

Junk drawers happen, we totally get it. Another one may appear over time and in that case, pull out this blog and restart the organizational process. 


Special Guest Bathroom Design

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guest-bath-vanity-webThe guest bathroom generally gets the least amount of attention in a home. It’s the smallest room in your house, and your focus when you’re planning your new home is on your kitchen first, and then on your master bathroom and other areas where your family will be spending a lot of time. It makes sense to place the guest bath at the end of your list of priorities.

But if you think about it, chances are almost every visitor to your home will see your guest bathroom at some point. So it has a direct affect on how they view your home. And this is actually the most cost-effective room to create design drama, because the space is so small. A minimum investment can provide the maximum design impact. Let’s take a look at some of the guest bathroom designs in recent Fulton Home models to get some ideas of approaches you might want to take to give your guest bath some extra style.

First Impressions:basha-legacy-powder-room-3-web

Think about what your guest bathroom will look like from the hallway. Even if your visitors don’t actually use the bathroom, they will probably walk past and glance in. That first impression will have an effect on the entire hallway.

In this photo to the right, the eye is automatically drawn to the copper artwork on the far wall. Other features such as the tile and the mini-chandelier come into focus later. Altogether this is a luxurious and well-integrated guest bathroom.

This first bathroom involves a serious investment in options to create a feeling of luxury. This was appropriate as it was part of the Legacy series of homes, which was a luxury line. But you don’t need to invest as much in options as was spent in this model to create drama.

view-from-hall-web

Take a look at the guest bathroom to the left. The vanity is nice-looking but fairly straightforward with a sink embedded in the countertop. The tub and surround are a solid surface which is less expensive than tile. But the tile chosen for the flooring and the coordinated tile inset added to the solid surface in the tub surround makes this bathroom pop.

In this case creativity and thoughtful style take the place of expensive options to make this bathroom stand out. Add an interesting coordinating shower curtain and some towels to emphasize the contrast and you have a guest bathroom that shows your personality without a big investment.

Lighting:basha-legacy-powder-room-2

Because of its small size, smaller light fixtures can have a big punch in a guest bathroom. And if you want to take a chance with a different look, a guest bath is a great space for experimenting. The simple wall sconce on the right adds a touch of charm in a guest bathroom. After all, this is not a space where you need bright lights, and a gentle glow is flattering when people look in the mirror.

guest-bath4-web

 

 

The photo on the left shows another fun way to use lighting in a guest bathroom. By adding a light under the vanity, the room doesn’t have a blinding glare when a guest hits the switch, and the look is unusual and interesting. In this case the sink is also translucent – notice the photo at the top of this blog – so the light also makes the sink glow. This choice gives you the opportunity to add some drama to your guest bathroom while not taking up any additional space.

Tile Trim:basha-legacy-powder-room-1

Whether you choose a simple row of tile to outline your vanity or expand your tile choices to cover an entire wall, tile has a special place in many bathrooms. In the photo to the right you can get a closer look at the Legacy bathroom we visited above. In this case a full wall of tile is complemented with a rich row of glass tile trimmed with a darker border just above the vanity, serving as a backsplash. It provides the feeling of wainscoting and pulls every element in this room together. The border also adds some welcome contrast.vanity-cropped-web

You don’t need to use this much tile to have a design impact in a guest bathroom. Take a look at the vanity on the left. The countertop uses a simple tile pattern to create a charming rustic feel. Then a six-inch backsplash of narrow rectangular tile picks up the tones of the vanity’s wood finish to create an integrated design element that makes this guest bath memorable. The oil-rubbed bronze hardware with its rustic flavor makes so much sense with this look.

Finishing Touches:bath-2-web

Don’t stop with the design elements. Once you move in, take the time to find the right art and accessories to complete the look in your guest bathroom. In the photo above, the design of the bathroom is enhanced by the choice of shower curtain, towels, art and accessories.

Notice that although the design itself is neutral, it left the homeowner open to introduce color into the room. By bringing in orange-red and the grey-blue, the neutral elements actually connect with the color palette. While you don’t need to be afraid to pull color into your design choices, if you would rather keep your permanent options neutral, think about what colors you will want to bring in with more temporary elements later. You may want to bring some of those colors with you to your design appointment.

Above all with a guest bathroom, have fun! It’s the smallest room in your home so it’s OK to take a few chances. And those extras aren’t going to break the bank with the minimum square footage involved. So as you wander through the Fulton Design Center, if you spot a special sink, faucet, tile design or light fixture you can’t resist, why not consider the guest bath for its home?

 

Happy Pet Household

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Pets become a part of the family. They provide love, laughs, and happiness to their owners. It is easy to see all the great things your pet brings to the family, but realistically they can be a lot of work. Whether you have a puppy or a full-grown dog, learning how to live with an animal sometimes becomes a series of trial and error. We have provided some tips for providing a happy pet household:

 

Make it washable. Animals have accidents, it may not be often but they do. From your bedding to rugs make sure it is washable (or easily treatable). Puppies especially do not give us a warning when they have to go the bathroom. Be prepared for any accidents with proper cleaning supplies and washable items. Take some time to think about your major household items and how you would treat them. If it can be ruined easily, try to keep it out your pet’s view.

 

Shedding. Unless you have a hypoallergenic pet, there will probably be a lot of shedding. 

Tips: 

  • Invest in a quality vacuum. Realistically you should vacuum every day, it is good for removing the pet hair and the lifespan of your carpet. Pet hair can be a source of dirt and odor, it is imperative to regularly clean and vacuum your home. 
  • Incorporate your pet’s fur color throughout the house. By using the same color as your pet’s hair, it will distract from all of the hair they leave behind. This may sound crazy but look at your pet as your design inspiration. 
  • Give your pet a bath frequently. Do not give them so many baths that it dries out their skin, but bathe them about once a month. 
  • Trimming their nails will help reduce any scratch marks that they may leave behind. This can be a scary responsibility because some pets have dark nails and you cannot see their blood vessel. If you are nervous about cutting their nails, talk to your vet about the actions you should take. It is always better to be safe than sorry in these circumstances. 

 

Provide them with space. If you have room, provide your pet will a space to call their own. You can convert a cabinet into a cat’s room or a window bench into a dog’s haven. There are endless ideas available online. 

 

Keep it natural. Your pet and family’s health is important. Keeping most of your household items natural will ensure safety. Store hazardous products out of reach from children and pets. 

 

Our pets want the best for us so would not we want the same for them? These tips will help keep your pets happy and healthy. Always remember to consult a veterinarian with any questions or concerns. 


Bringing Autumn Home

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48429825 - autumn decoration accessories stored in a wooden compartment.

It’s challenging facing Autumn in Arizona if you’re originally from another part of the country. For many of us who originated in states with four seasons, this time of year always promised chillier weather, crisp evenings and the start of fall leaves turning.

But if you’re new to Arizona and used to digging out your sweaters and crockpots to make chili and your mom’s chicken soup, it may seem strange to face the fact that here in the middle of September we’re all still wearing shorts every day. But for those of us who have been here a while, we have developed some habits to make it feel at least a little bit like fall. Here are a few suggestions:

Showcase fall colors: Use table runners, placemats, or add some pillows and throws on your sofa to pull some of the colors of autumn into your home. Yes, you’ll still see bright greens outside, but you can add gold, rust and brown to your interiors.

Bring your autumn accessories out: Pick up a few small pumpkins, gourds, pine cones or whatever takes your fancy. If you want you can even go to a hobby shop for some branches with silk autumn leaves. Then have at it on coffee and side tables. Make your home look like you’ve been wandering outside and brought some gleanings in from the woods.

Fix some cocoa: OK, it may still be too warm for that chili recipe, but a mug of hot cocoa with a few marshmallows might be a nice preview of the treats you’ll enjoy in the cooler days to come. After all, our evenings really are starting to cool down. And eventually we will get to see some leaves turn and drop… in December!

Throw a Mind-Blowing Boy’s Birthday Party

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photo-12

It’s pretty easy to put together a party for toddlers. Get some cake and ice cream, play a few games and have them run around the yard. Then have the parents come and get them while their sugar high is still going strong enough that they haven’t all crashed into each other yet and turned into a soggy mess of birthday goo.

But as children get older, particularly boys, it gets harder to keep them entertained. Taking them to a water-park or movie can get expensive, plus it’s easy to lose control if you have too many boys along. Here are a few ideas for a fun party that’s also easy on your budget.

Take a hike: Plan to explore one of the many safe hiking options available near Phoenix. Choose one with limited height exposure or distance. Plan a picnic lunch. If you’re in a National Park you may be able to take advantage of a park program with a ranger to explain some of the wildlife or other insights of interest to the age group. If it’s not snake or scorpion season, a night hike followed by ghost stories around a campfire might be a fun variation.

Have a Lego party: Create a series of Lego contests using Legos you provide. Include Lego giveaways as prizes. This only works if you son and his friends are Lego fans.

Create an all-night movie marathon: Choose a great series that they will all like like Star Wars or X-Men. Pick up a variety of popcorn and movie snacks. Plan on pizza at about 11 p.m. and sleeping bags out at midnight. Chances are they won’t make it all the way through but that’s OK. It’s the possibility and the permission that makes it exciting.

For some other great ideas and venues for birthday parties around Phoenix, Raising Arizona’s Kids has a list of opportunities. We’d love to hear about your ideas.