Tag Archives: add style to the outdoors

The Basha: The Power of Hardscaping your Home’s Exterior Spaces

Posted on by

Legacy Models 112Would you enjoy the luxury of an outside area in your home that is completely private and secure? The interior courtyard offered in Legacy’s Basha model creates a lovely outdoor setting that is accessible from several parts of the home and invites the outdoors in with charm and grace. When it comes to a courtyard, it’s the hardscaping that makes this area a natural continuation of the home’s interior.

Hardscaping refers to all of the permanent architectural features offered in an exterior space. In this case, it includes the stone flooring, which uses a pattern of large squares with dark borders to contrast it with the interior flooring while still making a connection. The outdoor fireplace, another effective hardscaping decision, provides warmth in design as well as extending the season for using this outdoor room.

While the lights strung along the ceiling area aren’t technically considered permanent, they provide the sense of a roof while creating a festival atmosphere within your home. Whether you are enjoying the evening outside under their canopy or looking out from inside as they light up the courtyard itself, those lights are just the right touch to make the space special for you and your family. Imagine a party on a clear night when all you need to do is throw open the doors to provide an indoor-outdoor event that takes advantage of the best of both worlds.

Would a courtyard like this add to your home’s appeal and flexibility? Why not visit the Basha model at Fulton Home’s Legacy community and experience its charm for yourself?

 

Create an Outdoor Room

Posted on by

Peninsula 149This is the time of year when it’s wonderful to live in Arizona. So before the heat shows up, how about creating an outdoor space that can substitute for your living and dining room only outside?

It doesn’t take that much effort, just add a few things to make your patio an inviting place to eat a meal or spend an afternoon. Take a look at this space from the Fulton Homes Woodside Model at the Oasis in Freeman Farms Community.

Peninsula 153This patio has plenty of room for a living-room style seating arrangement and a comfortable spot for al fresco meals. Thanks to the new outdoor fabrics, all-weather cushions add comfort as well as color. Here are a few other ideas to build a living space outside.

Hang outdoor art: Metal or ceramic wall art such as this cast iron piece adds an element of charm while still able to handle the elements. Check patio stores, garden shops and small boutiques for pieces that match your style.

Add accessories: The throw pillow and plant on this patio help build a fully-furnished feeling. These pieces warm up the space.

Remember lighting: Your outdoor lights help make your outdoor space work through the evening. Add candles or lanterns to brighten the patio for parties and family gatherings.

Peninsula 150Choose flooring that mimics indoor style: Choosing tile, pavers or stone instead of settling for standard outdoor concrete allows you to add color and texture to your outdoor rooms. Consider picking up an outdoor rug to add even more color and personality.

Take your time choosing the right furniture and accessories, and you can take advantage of this season’s weather and add living space to your home by spending time outside.

 

Dual Levels Adds Charm to Patio

Posted on by

Once upon a time, many years ago, when people built a home they would have a rectangular slab on concrete poured outside their back door to serve as a patio.

Sometimes the homeowners would ask for a larger slab, or put a cover or awning over it. They might buy a redwood picnic table for eating outside, and maybe even a charcoal grill.

Well, that was yesterday, and today people have a different perspective on their outdoor space. It is often seen as an extension of the home and used for entertaining and family events. Even something as simple as having morning coffee and reading the paper outside warrants additional attention.

Fulton Homes offers options that create the outdoor space you want for your home. Take a look at this model-home yard from the Oasis at Freeman Farms community. Several design choices make this arrangement particularly appealing. Let’s look at a couple of them.

Varying levels: The second level adds the sense that there are several rooms to this yard. The upper level could hold a conversation area or just a comfy lawn chair and a table for afternoon reading. This option adds interest without a lot of additional expense.

Different surface textures: Using pavers makes the space feel finished and special. By separating some paver areas with gravel, including a grassy section, and creating a place for plants along the block wall, the yard has a planned, interesting presence.

Additional yard elements: The brick column, stone bowl with plants, and the low wall bring the outdoor space together even before furniture is added. Design elements such as these turn a standard yard into something different. Think about what you would like to do to add personality to your yard.

Outdoor Living Space

Posted on by

As we move through Arizona’s short and easy winter months – all two of them – it’s time to think about one of the best times of year here – spring. From about February until the heat finally comes upon us, we can spend serious time outside. Fulton Homes always factors appealing outdoor options into its home designs.

This patio, part of the La Quinta model at Oasis at Freeman Farms, provides a secluded space to enjoy our perfect weather. This inviting side patio shows the four F’s of working outdoor space –four smart decisions that make the space particularly appealing and effective. Take the time now to determine what you need to do to make your outdoor area ready for spring.

Function: What do you want to do with your outdoor space? Before you choose furniture and accessories, it’s smart to determine how the space will be used.

Flooring By continuing the inside tile choice outside, the space feels like a continuation of the indoor area. This makes both the indoor room and outdoor patio seem larger more integrated. Choosing tile also makes it easier to keep the patio clean and attractive.

Furnishings: Creating an outdoor space with a feel similar to indoor areas is easier than ever given the wide variety of sun and rain resistant fabrics and cushions. This patio is spacious enough to include a comfy conversation corner and a place for al-fresco dining. The consistency between the outdoor furnishings and the indoor pieces further the connection between the two areas.

Fountain: A wall-hugging fountain adds warmth to an outdoor space, both visually and aurally – with the sound of splashing water helping to reduce stress and creating an inviting ambience.

Well, alright, the fountain shouldn’t really count as the fourth F – it is optional. But if you spend some time in an outdoor space with a fountain, you may quickly determine that it is a necessity. To help you decide, we’d like to invite you to visit this outdoor area – currently on display in our La Quinta model home.

Pavers Make Outdoor Space Special

Posted on by

When you visit the Fulton Homes Design Center, be sure to visit this courtyard, set off to the right when you face the front door. This space was designed to allow you to see the four varieties of pavers available to Fulton Home Owners for use in their outside spaces.

Positioning these pavers on the ground outside allows owners to see the pavers in daylight, set the way they would look in a home. Would you like to make your sidewalk or outdoor patio something special? Fulton Homes offers the option to use pavers to add extra style and personality to your outdoor space.

The pavers are made of concrete, designed to mimic stone. They fit together to create almost a cobblestone effect, adding drama to your home. As you can see from the photo, they work well against either standard concrete or gravel. We recommend selecting your pavers and your gravel in colors that complement each other.

Pavers provide an old-world look and add a feeling of elegance. At the same time their concrete construction makes them a low-maintenance choice. Just a quick rinse with the hose keeps them looking good.

Talk to your Fulton Homes designer about various ways to introduce pavers into your home’s exterior. We also have a number of photos to demonstrate how pavers can enhance your outdoor space. With a little imagination and some planning, you can create a finished look that will be perfect for family use or entertaining.