Tag Archives: relaxation in the home

Dining Area Works

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Corsica Model at Ironwood Crossing 015If you’ve experienced dining at a circular table, you know how the space encourages conversation while providing an inviting central area for flowers, a centerpiece, or bowls of good food. The table in this dining room – from the Fulton Homes Corsica model in Ironwood Crossing – also works well in the space. When you have a square shaped dining area a circular table takes advantage of the entire space while still leaving breathing room for wanderers.

This table seats six comfortably and could handle up to eight with just a little squeezing. If you want to try this circle shape, look for a pedestal table that allows you the most flexibility in seating – there are no table legs to interfere with your guests.

The round presentation from the room’s chandelier provides the perfect lighting for the table. Choosing a light fixture with upward-facing shades provides a generous amount of light while avoiding glare. Add a dimmer to allow for darker, more intimate gatherings, possibly with added candlelight.

The built-ins offer another lovely feature in this space. Notice how the upper cabinets frame the window with glass doors that reflect all of the light in this room. The countertop provides the perfect spot to serve a buffet, and you could use the cabinets to store serving dishes as well as table linens. The electric outlet right at countertop level supports heated dishes or after-dinner coffee.

Positioning right next to the kitchen makes it easy to make and serve everything from a quick family lunch to a gorgeous dinner party. The two windows add light to daytime gatherings and ambience in the evening. How would this dining space work for you and your family? Visit our Corsica model to see it in person.

Sleek Entertainment Center

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Corsica Model at Ironwood Crossing 014Do you like the idea of an entertainment center, but haven’t seen the right look for your home yet? Well, check out this one from the Fulton Homes Corsica Model at Ironwood Crossings. The cabinet style and finish coordinate with the kitchen while the more substantial floating shelves create a look that’s perfect for any living space.

You can use the door-fronted cabinets to hold DVDs, cable boxes, game equipment or anything else that supports your entertainment viewing. Out of sight when not in use but available easily when wanted, this space works for the busiest families.

The shelves could hold books with the help of bookends, or favorite accessories. Shelf size can be set to fit even the largest HDTV and the floating shelves’ absence of hanging brackets keeps the look sleek and contemporary – a fitting complement to the television itself.

To encourage the sense that this space is different from the rest of the room, a dark maroon accent color pulls all of the elements together. The brushed nickel pulls – matching those in the kitchen – combine with sparkly silver accessories to bring a welcome touch of brightness to the arrangement.

If you had a wall like this in your living or family room, how would you decorate and accessorize it? For more ideas, visit Ironwood Crossing and check out this model. Or visit the Fulton Design Center on one of our browse evenings – the first and third Thursdays of the month from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Designed for Entertaining – Living Space

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Corsica Model at Ironwood Crossing 007If you enjoy entertaining friends and family in your home, why not consider including a space made for entertaining? This room, from the Fulton Homes Corsica model at Ironwood Crossing, is ready for any gathering.

Whether it’s just you and your daughter after dinner or a troop of teenagers visiting on a weekend afternoon, a pool table adds personality and entertainment to any group. The sleek lines of this table combine with a maroon cover to fit perfectly in this grey-toned room. People of all ages enjoy playing pool, and this table creates an inviting mood in this room.

The table in the corner is bar-height, making it easy to watch the game while enjoying a drink and snacks. This is also a great spot for some appetizers or snacks to make the party more fun. The sleek shelves on the wall bring more personality into the room while using no floor space.

Take a look at the flooring. With the look of hardwood, this rectangular mimics the classic approach while providing the convenience and ease of maintenance of tile. The whitewashed tone fits perfectly into the grey, black and maroon colors of this room.

Notice also the different style of ceiling fan. The retro stainless fans gain a modern look when built into a ceiling fan this way. All of the design elements in this room combine to make a space that shows a unique sense of style – and a confidence that allows the designer to take chances.

Design Center: Pot filler

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4 Pot Filler Design Center 016Would you appreciate never having to haul a heavy pot of water between your sink and range again? If you enjoy pastas, soups and stews, you may find that a pot filler reduces back strain, prep time and makes meal preparation that much easier.

Even your largest pasta pot will fit under this faucet. Its hinged design means that you can push it out of the way when you don’t need it and grab it easily when you do. Whether you use it to fill large pots or just add water to your saute pan to slow down the cooking, this pot filler will save steps.

By adding metallic tiles to the backsplash, this pot filler is well integrated into the kitchen’s design. The structure allows you to pour water as needed for any pot or pan on your stove.

Are you not sure how much you would use this? Try an experiment. Put a post-it note above your stove and jot a check for every time you fill a pot, pan or kettle with water from the sink before you bring it to your range. You may be surprised at how often you could save yourself the steps if you could access water right at your stove. Now, multiply that by 52 – and don’t forget to factor in holidays, parties and family gatherings which will only add to the sink-to-stove trips. And don’t forget that all those trips include hauling heavy pots filled with water around!

Well, is it worth it for you? A pot filler may be one of your smartest kitchen features!

A Space all your Own

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Kitchen DSC_0292Yes, this is a lovely kitchen. Pendant lights hang down on an oversized island. You have plenty of room to fix even the most complex of meals. But we’re not talking about the kitchen today. Instead, take a look to the left in this photo – to a small room off the kitchen with a built-in desk and cabinets. That space belongs to you.

What would you do with this piece of real estate all your own with no structured purpose? It could be a spot for organizing the household – keeping the family calendar updated along with lists of responsibilities and plans for upcoming weekends.

It could be used to track and pay bills, check email and visit Facebook or Pinterest. Or how about using the space for scrapbooking or writing holiday cards or thank-you notes? The cabinets above the desk could hold extra notepaper or those holiday cards you bought on sale last January – easy to find when November rolls around again.

What about gift wrapping? It might be the place where you keep extra office and school supplies or even some art supplies for emergency homework projects. You could tuck yourself in here every evening with a nice cup of tea and write up your to-do list for tomorrow – or just read a magazine.

Finally, this space could fuel your dreams. Always wanted to start your own business? You could start it here. It’s your space to do with what you want. Fulton Homes wants to help you make all of your dreams come true, and give you the space for it.

Dream Closet

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From the Fulton Homes Starlight Plan

From the Fulton Homes Starlight Plan

What would your dream closet be like? First, it needs to be more than a walk in. Ideally it would be large enough to use as a dressing room. Next, you want to have the space to allow you to see everything so you can plan your outfit for the day.

The idea of a place for everything and everything in its place fits your dream closet. Look for racks to hold shoes, hooks for scarves and purses and plenty of drawer space for underthings and sweaters. Shelves, hooks and drawers in abundance leave you plenty of room to assign each type of clothing its own area.

Finally, hanging space – longer areas for dresses and slacks, shorter spaces for shirts, shorts and tops. Maybe one section for professional garb, ready for selection, and another area for casual and weekend wear.

Do you sort your clothes by color? By type? Or do you sort by purpose? In your dream closet, you could use any sorting method you like, you’d have the space. One other thing you might want to add to this closet – a nice full-length mirror to make sure you’re well put together before you step out the door.

One last thing – this closet is all yours – you don’t have to share. Everyone has their own dream closet in this dream house. Maybe add a comfy chair or ottoman to sit on for slipping on shoes and socks or hose.

Mother’s Day Meal

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19395648_SIt’s such a nice idea. Fix mom a special breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day. Get the kids up early and make her favorite pancakes and surprise her. If you’re a mom, you may want to print this blog and leave it where your spouse or kids can see it. If you’re a dad, stop and think. Ask yourself these questions:

Have I ever made pancakes before? Sure, it doesn’t look that hard, but it’s trickier than you think. How hot do you set the pan? How thick should they be? How do you keep them warm? Where is the flour??? Next question:

Have I ever cooked with the kids before? Depending upon their ages, this could be a good idea (your 13-year-old may know where the flour is). Or it could be a very bad idea (don’t let your five-year-old measure anything – liquid or solid – unless you want some or all of it to land on the floor).

When I cook – if I ever cook – how does the kitchen look when I’m done? The sweetest mother/wife in the world will not be excited about breakfast in bed if afterwards the kitchen is a disaster.

15981311_SNow, the goal here is not to totally discourage you from a special breakfast for mom. Instead, how about adjusting your sights to match your – and your children’s – capabilities?

The simplest option is to stop at some bakery the day before and pick up some bagels, danishes, croissants, or whatever your wife likes. Buy and wash up a few berries and put some flowers on the tray. Voila, you’re finished and the kitchen looks great. Don’t forget the coffee – Starbucks if there’s one close by or homemade if you know what you’re doing.

And the kids? How about a nice hand-drawn Mother’s Day card? Check out the mom on the right. The breakfast is cereal with berries, orange juice and coffee – and the card. It’s a good breakfast and the kitchen is still looking alright. One last tip – possibly the best mom’s day gift you could give her – some extra sleep time. So hold off on that breakfast and keep the kids busy and quiet until she wakes up on her own.

Master Bath Offers Flexibility

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Master Bath Vanity DSC_0319 his and hersMore than any room in your home, your bathroom is a place that has to feel totally yours. It’s the first place we enter upon getting up in the morning and the last place we visit before going to bed.

We use it to make ourselves presentable to the outside world, handle our personal hygiene, and breathe a sigh of relief when the day’s work is done and it’s time for sleep.

Because of this, personal preferences are profoundly important, and a well-designed master bath takes into account the varying needs of its owners.

Take a look at the master bath design for the Fulton Homes Cascade model. Flexibility, space and comfort are built into every aspect.

Vanity design: Two sinks allows each user his or her space for positioning personal tastes in soap, toothpaste and other items. The generous cupboard under each sink allows plenty of space to indulge in favorite creams and lotions. For make-up application, the center section is set lower to allow for sitting and includes a drawer to hold beauty supplies.

Master BathDSC_0318Shower and tub: Do you prefer to lounge in a tub at the end of the day while your spouse would rather take a quick shower? This shower/bath combo provides plenty of space for either preference.

Space: Above all, this master bath is generous in the space allotted – allowing two people to use it simultaneously without feeling crowded or limited.

Design: This is not a minimalist space. The lovely fixtures and cabinetry combine with the tile floor to create an inviting escape from the challenges of the day, so that for a few minutes at least you can feel indulged and even a bit spoiled in your own home.

Kitchen/Family Room with Color

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Kitchen DSC_0324Wood cabinetry, granite countertops and tile floors limit the color options unless you are willing to commit to a strong color choice that you will have to live with for a long time. But color can come into a space like this in so many ways.

This kitchen and family room, from the Fulton Homes Cascade model, demonstrates smart ways to introduce color. Let’s take a look.

Glass cabinet displays: Glass in several upper cabinets opens up a space and adds personality. This kitchen takes advantage of the visual by displaying blue plates. Notice that the tile on the side of the island has a blue cast, and this color is carried throughout the kitchen.

Island chairs: Selecting chairs to match the cabinets would be a safe choice, but lacking in creativity. This blue leather brings the plate colors to the other side of the kitchen while the wipe off finish makes them perfect for coping with after-school snack accidents.

Accessories: Placemats, dishes and flowers pull more colors into the space. Other counter accessories and even the items above the cabinets can carry a colorful theme throughout the room.

Family and Kitchen DSC_0306 outdoor connectionFamily room coordination: The family room provides more opportunities to introduce color, and the sofa, window treatments, accessories and throw pillows echo the kitchen colors. \

These choices keep color front-and-center in this family-friendly space. Blue and rust bring the space to life. What colors would you like to see in your kitchen and family room? Whatever you choose, color will warm your home and add interest while saying welcome to you and your guests.

Your Creative Space

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Tech Center DSC_0310 sewingFulton Homes calls this space in the Cascade model a tech center, because it is ready for any and all of your electronics to be used and charged. For you, however, it can be anything you want it to be.

Do you have the time and space to be as creative as you would like to be? Do you dream of writing, quilting, designing clothes or creating your own art? The absolutely best thing about this space is your ability to make it into whatever you want.

Tucked into an appealing space all its own with two bright windows providing natural light, you can use this space to combine fabrics, weave tales, or draw illustrations. This might be just the place to start up your own business. You can use the desk to plan your future, or just pay bills. But why not take a leap in your imagination and allow yourself to stretch?

Maybe start small with a wreath that looks like summer for your front door or a yarn doll for a little girl you know. You might want to compile a family tree to share with sisters and brothers and cousins. Perhaps you have a favorite holiday and would like to make some of your own decorations. How about giving yourself permission to play and let your creativity shine?

This is your space, versatile enough to change as you do. So decorate it and use it as you will. Create a corner of your home for tomorrow’s dreams and goals.