Tag Archives: kitchen accessories

Design Tips: Accessorizing Above your Kitchen Cabinets

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11103954_SWhile it may not be a high priority as you move into your new Fulton home and get settled, one day you’re going to look up and realize that you want something above your kitchen cabinets besides air.

The challenge comes from selecting items that have only one purpose, to stay pretty-much permanently on display but out of reach.

This means that you don’t really want to spend a lot of money but you want it to look nice – as if you spent a lot of money. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

3627780_SDecide on the look you want. Are you looking for bright and modern, traditional and homey or antique and unique? Stand back and really look at your kitchen. What look appeals to you?

Shop your closets. Do you have a bowl from Aunt Sally that you like but really never use? How about a couple of baskets that came with fruit which are just to pretty to throw away? Maybe you inherited a lovely pottery vase that you are uncomfortable using around your rambunctious family. Bring what you have into the kitchen and lay everything out on the counters underneath the cabinets to get started.

Include signs and pictures. Do you have an empty frame? Put a nice piece of fabric or scrapbook paper in it and prop it up against the wall. The “Bon Appetit” sign in this second photo was purchased, but could just as easily be written nicely on an old chalkboard.

6732510_SDisplay a collection. The kitchen to the left showcases an interesting group of antique baskets and pottery. If you like this look but don’t have the collection, visit thrift shops and “age” your purchases with watered down brown and black paint or even strong coffee.

Take your time: One final note: You don’t have to finish this part of your kitchen in an afternoon. Start with a few things and add others as you get inspired over time. Move things around. And above all have fun making the space above your kitchen cabinets totally yours.

Some Fulton Homes Design Online Kitchen Options

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timberlake bobbys kitchenWhat do you want in your kitchen? It’s an amazing experience to select just the right cabinets, appliances and countertops to make up the perfect kitchen for you.

You can start making choices in these areas with the Fulton Homes Design Online program, and it’s worthwhile to take the time to investigate the rich selection of special features you can add to make your kitchen work particularly well for you. Here are a few options you may not have considered.

77ef275d-fa35-4b83-9da1-e6712804c55dA warming drawer: Do you have trouble getting everything ready at the same time, or do you find yourself rushing through the cooking in the kitchen when you have guests and would rather spend time with them?

A warming drawer can help you coordinate your food by keeping it ready at just the right temperature until you’re ready to serve it. From a roast that needs to rest before you cut into it to keeping stacks of pancakes warm and ready to serve for a full family weekend breakfast, a warming drawer is a wonderful addition to your kitchen toolset. Check for warming drawers under appliances.

1336598b-3d87-44f7-9689-4fd16992f608Dark Kitchen Outlet Trim: This electrical option allows you to select dark outlet and switch plates to coordinate with any dark tile or other wall coverings.

f2c7fb11-b4ec-4ceb-a976-61af9152ef47The SinkTop Switch: This provides a convenient alternative to the standard garbage disposal switch. It is air- activated and easily mounts to the sink or countertop. It is perfect for island installations. You can choose from four different finishes – Chrome, Satin Nickel, Oil Rubbed Bronze or Matte Black – depending upon what works best for your kitchen.

There are so many more choices to explore for your kitchen. Take a peek at the Fulton Homes Online Design options to create the kitchen that will work perfectly for you.

 

Mix of Colors Pop in Kitchen

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Did you ever wonder why some spaces just seem more colorful than others? Well, one reason is the result of using complementary colors in a room. Complementary colors sit on opposite sides of the color wheel.

The primary complementary colors are orange and blue, yellow and purple, and red and green. If you put bright versions of these color pairs next to each other they will actually seem to vibrate. However, you may not want to use the strongest versions of those colors. Instead, choose a slightly different, lighter or darker shade to take advantage of the contrast without creating too much of a color conflict.

This kitchen, from the Fulton Homes Rancho Mirage model at Oasis at Freeman Farms, uses a coral shade of red and a few yellow-green hues combined to add color to the space. Although the fundamentals in this room – cabinets, flooring, countertops and appliances – are neutral, the careful addition of colorful accessories makes the room feel full of color.

This design concept continues onto the great room sofa visible in the foreground. Once again the larger piece – the sofa – is neutral but brightened by two throw pillows which echo the coral and green colors visible in the kitchen. The fun thing about this approach to color is that it’s easy to change out your choices without spending a lot of money. Paint, pillows and accessories could be adjusted with the seasons or even your mood.

Do you want more color in your home? Don’t let your current neutral decor keep you from adding pops of whatever colors take your fancy.

Kitchen Lighting Four Ways

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This kitchen, from the Whitewater model at the Fulton Homes Oasis at Freeman Farms community, offers many advantages to a cook. There’s plenty of counter space, a generous kitchen island, a gas range and stainless appliances. But one feature that any cook – casual or serious – will really appreciate is the generous lighting from four sources.

First, the space is designed to provide plenty of natural light. The window over the sink gives both visibility in the kitchen and a view of the back yard. More light comes from the sliding glass door in the dining area. This saves energy as well as making the kitchen brighter. You may find that you don’t always need additional lighting during the day.

The double light over the island provides directed lighting. This makes the island useful for chopping or baking, as well as after-school homework and snacking. Notice how the light’s style matches the chandelier over the dining table, integrating the space and adding charm as well as functionality.

General lighting comes from an abundant number of ceiling spotlights. These spots wash the kitchen in even, clear lighting. This makes the kitchen nice and bright even in the evening, with no glare or dark spots.

The final lighting source is also the most specific – task lighting running under the cabinets. This is particularly useful for smaller tasks such as reading recipes or instructions. If you have never experienced this type of task lighting, you will soon realize what a difference it can make in a kitchen.

Enjoy the flexibility and functionality of a kitchen with four types of lighting, available because at Fulton Homes, we’re proud to build a home you will enjoy and appreciate.

Multitasking easy with Extra-large Kitchen Island

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Kitchen islands provide much-appreciated extra storage and counter space for serious cooks. But cooking is only the first purpose for an island. You will soon find that your island can become a location for many projects and tasks.

You can encourage using the island for other purposes by planning to optimize the space for the whole family. Here are some uses to consider and tips to support these ideas.

Breakfast bar: Pre-set the island with bowls and position various cereals on the table. Add granola, some chopped nuts and fresh or dried fruit. In the morning, each family member can create a favorite mix and add milk. The best part of this approach? Everything can be set up the night before except for the fresh fruit, which could be ready cut-up in the refrigerator. Different schedules or preferences are supported with this system. Make regular changes in the selection to keep the idea fresh. This makes an easy breakfast one or more mornings a week.

Homework center: You may need to fix dinner while your children complete their homework for the night. Make it a family affair by setting up the island to meet homework needs. Have a supply of paper and writing instruments available and a laptop for computer needs. You can answer questions or help solve problems while working in the kitchen. Your regular attention makes it more likely that your children will take their homework assignments seriously. You might want to designate a drawer or shelf nearby for each child to keep track of assignments and ensure that school books or day packs are ready to go the next day.

Sous chef set-up: If you want your children to be comfy in the kitchen, you may want to start them as your assistants with some simple chopping or prep work. By providing a cutting board, the raw veggies and a good knife if they’re old enough, you can start developing their skills and take advantage of their help at the same time.

No matter how you chose to use your island, it will provide a wealth of possibilities. You may even find yourself using it for your own cooking efforts.

 

Silver Hues in the Kitchen

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Silver is the choice for metal surfaces in the kitchen. Cool silvery hues like stainless steel, chrome, and nickel continue to be popular finishes for ranges, hoods, sinks, faucets and hardware in the kitchen. The influence of commercial kitchens with their stainless steel surfaces can be the source for this popular metal in today’s residential kitchens.

 

Stainless steel appliances set the tone for all other metals in the kitchen. When your largest appliances like the fridge or stove are stainless steel, they demand that other metals in the kitchen coordinate with them.  Of course you could add other metallic finishes to the room like oiled bronze or brass, but using silvery finishes with stainless steel gives the room a more unified appearance.

 

Silvery chrome and nickel work well with stainless appliances and sinks.  Chrome and nickel come in a number of finishes including satin and polished.  The more shiny the finish, the more the metals will stand out and sparkle in the space.

 

Silvery metals also work with any number of cabinet and floor choices. Dark wood cabinets and floors get a pop of sparkle with silvery chrome or nickel pulls.  The silvery pulls are like sparkling jewelry against the wood, like a sparkling bangle or necklace is against a little black dress.

 

These metals also look great with glass front cabinets and marble counters veined with grey.  Using silver against grey and white is a sophisticated look for the kitchen. It is also a great look for a bathroom.

Bringing Color into the Kitchen

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For kitchen design the reigning option for cabinets has been white or wood for years. We are starting to see more colored cabinets showing up in contemporary kitchens and even traditional kitchens. For contemporary kitchens with just upper cabinets we’ve seen the lower cabinets painted or finished in soft to bold colors.  If you are redoing your kitchen cabinets, you may want to look into adding color to your cabinets. If you are not doing a major kitchen remodel this year or in the foreseeable future you there are other ways to bring color into the kitchen.

 

Maybe you are tired of your existing kitchen cabinet color. You could consider painting them a soft yellow or navy to update your kitchen without doing a major remodel. Upper cabinets could be done in white and the lower cabinets in a soft shade of color that works with your counter tops and flooring.

 

If you love your kitchen cabinets, add color to the kitchen with accessories and counter top appliances. Depending on the style of your kitchen you might want to have one or several colors as your accent colors. You can carry the wall color onto towels and runners, or choose a color that contrasts to your walls and floors.

 

Counter top appliances are another way to add pops of color to the room. Most counter top appliances come in a range of colors these days as well as the standards of stainless, black and white. Even a tea kettle is a place to bring color into the kitchen.

Fresh Accents in the Kitchen

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Kitchens like any other room in the home can be given extra pizzazz with colorful and bright accents. The hard surfaces of the kitchen can make it feel sterile or cold. The wood cabinets, stone counters, tile back splashes, stainless steel appliances and tile or wood floors are all beautiful but hard. Hard surfaces make clean up easier and are typically more hygienic—two important qualities to have in the kitchen.

 

Fresh accents can breathe life into the kitchen. Because a kitchen’s focus is food and eating, decorative accents can be food and food themed.  This modern kitchen features a tall tile backsplash with a contrasting border stone counter tops and sleek appliance. The bowl of fresh fruit and a row of small vases filled with herbs and flowers breathes life into the kitchen. Just a bowl of citrus or apples can provide color and texture to break up all the hard surfaces in the room.  A bud vase next to the sink or on the window sill will add a fresh accent that might even brighten up the tedious task of doing the dishes.

 

Colors and patterns from food and floral accents in the kitchen can be used to inspire other accessories in the room. The color of runner in front of the stove could be inspired by a bowl of fruit, a box of garden vegetables from a local farm or bouquet of fresh flowers. Tea towels and dish cloths can also be chosen to coordinate with these fresh accents.