Tag Archives: home design and decor

Laundry Room Luxuries

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DSC_0050What does your dream laundry room contain? Let’s start with the newest front-loading washer and dryer. Would you prefer traditional white or do you have the design courage to choose this fire-engine red? Everyone knows that the police notice a red car so that the color sticks out if you’re speeding, but in your laundry room safe in your own home, you can enjoy this daring color with no fear of a ticket.

Next, how about a laundry room sink? Large and deep, this works well for hand laundry, washing small pets, and rinsing out stains.

Some people like to make these sinks home central for mopping floors, with plenty of space to fit a bucket and let a mop drain.

By the way, notice the nice location right above the sink with a rod to hang clothes that need to drip dry. This well-designed laundry room is ready to handle all of your clothes washing needs, and wants!

 DSC_0051Next, how about cabinet and counter space? In this room, open built-in bins can be assigned to each family member to handle homework, mail and other personal items that get misplaced throughout the house. This space makes a great family-central for books, backpacks, keys and mobile devices. There are plenty of outlets to charge anything, and keeping it all in one location makes it easier for you.

DSC_0049Want more? How about yet another area of cabinets and counters? Tucked in the back of the generously-sized room, this unit could be used to hold craft or sewing supplies, pet items or for storing any items of interest to the family. Maybe this could become board-game storage or a good location to handle wrapping paper, ribbon and decorations for birthday and other holiday events. Your choices are only limited by your imagination.

Is this the laundry room of your dreams? Not sure? Well, how about visiting the Fulton Homes Legacy community and taking a look? You’ll find this dream room in the Basha model home. It’s just one space designed with you in mind at Legacy.

 

Balancing Cabinetry and Appliances in your Kitchen

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Models 061This kitchen, from the Fulton model at Legacy, shows two ways of approaching appliances in your kitchen: showcasing them like this Bertazzoni range and hood, or reducing their impact by blending them in with the cabinetry. You can see this with the built-in refrigerator to the right.

In this example, both design choices work. The drama and color of the oven creates a focal point in the kitchen. The generous size of the space allows this dramatic piece to shine without overwhelming the room. On the other hand, if the refrigerator had a stainless skin, it would be a distracting influence. Its size would draw the eye away from the strengths of this kitchen – the range and the island.

Transitional design allows you to take advantage of many choices combined into one integrated whole. In this case the moderately-traditional cabinets take a back seat to a strongly-contemporary island and a retro-style range. Smartly, the dark red of the range is allowed to stand alone rather than having the color echo throughout the kitchen. If you wanted to carry the color further, a few accessories would provide all the impact you need.

Notice the stainless microwave to the right. That could have been installed in black, but there are enough stainless accents throughout the kitchen to make this work. The small size ensures that this appliance does not become a distraction. However, cabinet pulls are dark rather than stainless. Design is always about balancing strong features with others that fall into the background.

For a better look at this kitchen as well as two others with interesting style and design elements, visit Fulton Homes Legacy in Gilbert and wander through our three new model homes.

 

Lighting that shows Style as well as Function

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masterAs you plan your new Fulton home, don’t underestimate the design impact of the right lighting. A good lighting plan provides two benefits: the appeal of the lighting elements’ style in the home and the way the lights create the ambience you want.

Legacy Models 041More and more, chandeliers are moving out of dining rooms and appearing in master bedrooms, bathrooms and even walk-in closets. Any space that would benefit from the charm of an interesting hanging light works with the right choice of chandelier.

Take a look at the chandelier in this master bedroom from the Fulton model home at Legacy. The traditional candle style is modified into a transitional piece by the geometric cage surrounding it, creating a piece of interest and charm. Additional ceiling lighting combines with matching table lamps to make a space that is sophisticated and still inviting.

DSC_0091Adding to the mood, two smaller examples of the same style light up the seating area, helping to make it a special niche all its own.

Plenty of natural lighting also contributes to the mood of this room. Using shutters allows homeowners to adjust the light according to the time of day, bringing in the outdoors while shading away any glare.

Have you spent any time thinking about a lighting plan for your home? Combining style, mood and ambience, your home’s lighting can make the difference between a nice place and a well-designed space. For more ideas, visit the Fulton Design Center or the model homes at Legacy.

 

A showstopper in your kitchen: Bertazzoni

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Legacy Models 027 (1)You want to be the star in your own kitchen, and a star benefits from having other performers that will show you at your best.

Well, here’s a co-star that will enable you to shine. Bertazzoni’s 48-inch gas range and oven combination is a stand-out in any kitchen. Bertazzoni has been making quality cooking products in Italy for over 135 years.

The heritage style shown was inspired by the original wood-burning stoves Bertazzoni built in the late eighteen hundreds. Look for Antonio Bertazzoni’s signature carved into the stainless above the oven, showing the pride of a family known for quality since his father Francesco built the first Bertazzoni wood-burning stoves and made them popular throughout Italy.

The amazing range and hood come in this glorious red as well as a luscious cream and classic black. Whichever you choose, this will make your kitchen into the showstopper you dream about.

And the beauty is designed to last. Because of their durable double-layer coating that uses the latest processes developed for the automobile industry, you will find the finish to be acid and temperature resistant, giving you a luster that will hold up over time.

This product is also more than just a pretty face. Its performance will help you create the gourmet meals you want with plenty of space on its six-burner range complete with griddle and double oven. Bertazzoni’s exclusive dual valve burners in brass provide high-efficiency, from a delicate low simmer to full power (750 –18,000 BTU). The power burner delivers best-in-class heat-up times.

Pots are placed closer to the flame, reaching the boiling point more quickly and reducing gas consumption during the cooking process. The one-touch, child safety ignition system lets you light and adjust burners with one hand. The safety system automatically stops the gas flow if the flame goes out, even when electrical power is cut

Bertazzoni’s one-piece worktop molding is best-in-class. With sealed burners, no sharp angles or dirt traps, cleaning is fast and easy. Heavy-duty cast iron grates allow easy movement of any kind of pot.

To see this stellar example of a kitchen appliance in person, visit the Fulton Design Center or check out the Fulton model home at Legacy. You’ll be glad you did.

 

The O’Connor: Yellow Accents Family Room

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Models 079This open floor plan demonstrates a good way to make subtle tones pop. The grey upholstery gets a wiggle of color with yellow accents and a warming feeling with plants.

Grey is a sophisticated and versatile neutral, and this space takes full advantage of it. The soft taupe on the walls and floor complement the tile used as the backsplash in the kitchen. Countertops coordinate well with the glossy stone floor, but too much of the warm neutrals would quickly diminish this room. Enter grey to rescue the room with its strong contrast and modern aesthetic.

With the tone showing on all of the upholstered furniture, it’s the contrast of shades that makes it stay in the foreground. First the dark shade for the two sofas and the island chairs, then the lighter patterned chair echoes several of the throw pillows and the dining room chairs.

Yellow is used sparingly, which works well. The accents on the kitchen island and side tables add the interest you want without calling too much attention to them. Then the throw pillows pull all of the shades of grey together with yellow to make the space feel planned and smart.

Finish up with a bevy of sophisticated lighting – from the pendants over the island to the ultra-modern ceiling fan set in a coffered ceiling and the classic contemporary chandelier over the dining table. Each piece is unique, yet they flow together to make the space fit the transitional profile while still leaning in the direction of edgy.

For a closer look, visit Fulton Home’s Legacy community and see the full O’Connor model home for yourself.

The O’Connor: Beautiful Bedroom

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Legacy Models 097This master bedroom has the feel of a luxury hotel suite, one where the rooms are renovated regularly to keep the décor cutting-edge yet comfortable. What secrets does this bedroom contain that you can borrow to make your master as plush and inviting as this one? Let’s take a look.

Contrast combined with consistency: Light and dark tones together add a pop of personality to the space, while consistent colors and shades within the darks and lights keep the room integrated.

Plush features: From the fluffy duvet to the bench at the foot of the bed and upholstered chairs in the seating area, this room has a soft feel. The generous use of throw pillows also adds to the warmth.

A touch of bling: Nothing says special like things that shine, and the lamps on either side of the bed meet that goal. Add in the knobs holding up the curtains, the silver shimmer of the upholstered bench and the touch of gold edging the coffered ceiling and you have a shimmering feel that adds glamour.

A few daring design choices: Taking a chance with some of your design decisions can really make a room feel special. In this case the choice of the dark modernist piece running from the bed to the ceiling becomes part headboard, part art, allowing the bed to stand as a strong focal point in the room. The ceiling fan provides another intriguing feature with its contemporary lines and sharp blades.

To check out this and other interesting rooms from the Fulton Homes O’Connor model, visit our newest community, Legacy, in Gilbert.

 

The O’Connor: Entertaining from the Kitchen

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Models 081If you enjoy cooking for friends and family, this kitchen could make your dreams come true. With plenty of space for helpers and gawkers, you can prep, heat and dish up to your appreciative audience.

The Viking range and hood provide a close-to-professional cooking space with four gas burners and a center section that can serve as a grill or griddle, you have the capability and BTUs to fix a gourmet meal.

In the meantime, set up a buffet of appetizers to keep your guests happy until dinner. The generously-sized island has the perfect shape to share prep space with munchies. Two sinks provide flexibility to have helpers assigned to different responsibilities.

This kitchen is remarkably functional, but just as important, it shows style and flair. The rich dark color of the cabinets work well against stainless appliances, and the backsplash tiles become even more intriguing by also showing up above the cabinet lines. With two ovens, hot appetizers can bake while the meal does. And notice the pantry through the door in the back – ready to store all of your serving dishes until it’s time to plate.

The refrigerator/freezer is oversize, but with the doors matching the cabinetry, it is still a subtle look. Contemporary countertops and stainless handles work well with the stand-out industrial-style pendant lights over the island. Overall, this kitchen is designed to capture attention and serve as the center of your entertainment events.

Want a closer look? Visit Legacy and see what the O’Connor has to offer.

The Basha: Architectural Details Pop

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Legacy Models 125When planning any room in your new home, first consider architectural details that will add charm, convenience and interest to the space. Let’s take a look at this family room, from Fulton Home’s Basha model at Legacy, for some ideas.

To begin, the coffered ceiling draws the eye upward, and you are rewarded by the view of rich brown beams running across. To make the space even more intriguing, two non-traditional ceiling fans add a breeze and some retro-industrial style to the space at the same time.

A generous window wall brings the outside indoors visually every day and, when weather permits, the glass doors slide back to make the connection between outside and inside complete. Notice how the outdoor architecture contributes to the mood inside also.

Take a look at the focus wall, holding both a flat-screen television and a fireplace. The lines are clean and contemporary while the glass cabinets on either side add style and storage. This look is miles better than the days not so long ago when a large television would dominate a room like this one. Instead, this media wall contributes to the style of the space while subtly providing solid functionality.

Even the doorway to the next room shows personality with its soft arch. The contrast between the rich taupe of the walls and white ceiling and trim adds to the overall interest this family room offers. With the right choice of architectural features, a room shows its personality even before furniture is added. To see more, visit Legacy and wander through all three of our inviting model homes.

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

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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?

 

The Basha: Your own Home Spa

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xLegacy Models 148 (2)Imagine waking up every morning and walking into this generously-sized high-style bath. First, the variety of lighting options and two windows on the side allow you to determine just how much light you want to be exposed to first thing.

Maybe you are a morning person and want to throw open the shutters and let the sun shine in on your morning preparations. Or if you tend to prefer stumbling around in a darker space until after that first cup of coffee, choose the sconces – dimmed to a comfortable level – while you manage your initial morning requirements.

The separate vanities and sinks allow both of you the space to make this bathroom yours. A nice seating area as part of the woman’s vanity provides just the right spot to coordinate the look of your face and hair for the day. The vanity-to-ceiling mirrors allow you to get close enough to check your mascara or step back for a good perspective on how your outfit of the day is working.

And while this bath has a great morning presence, its best features shine at night when you can relax in the deep tub with your favorite scented bath oil and a good paperback. Has it been a rough day? Well, just step into this bath and feel your tensions drop off with the appreciation of this indulgence. After all, don’t you deserve it?