Mosaic makes Strong Statement in Bathroom

Ironwood-bathroom-web-readySmaller spaces can capture interest with just a couple of daring design decisions. This bath, from the Marquesas model at Ironwood Crossing, has all the elements of a good design, particularly given the available space. Let’s take a look at why this bathroom works so well.

Make a splash with mosaic tiles. By choosing to position a stripe of highly contrasting tiles in the shower surround, this bathroom moves from blah to drama. Notice that the mosaic is repeated on the vanity backsplash. This shows a consistency of design and connects the two pieces – vanity and tub – together from a design standpoint.

Match flooring and tub surround materials. When working with a smaller space, using similar colors and textures for large surfaces help the room feel bigger. This choice has personality but doesn’t overtake the room.

Pull from a consistent color palette. In this case, white, taupe and cool browns integrate well with each other making this bathroom feel like a well-crafted unit.

Stay contemporary with clean lines. When your space is smaller, the simple lines of modern styles are less distracting. Your eye moves easily from one element to the next, making the room flow.

Add a few sophisticated elements. The color-blocked shower curtain adds an element of style that complements the mosaic. Altogether this is an interesting and inviting design.

Choose one accent color that pops. Notice the small elements of bright yellow in this room. The oval soap dish toward the front of the photo gets an echo from a thin yellow stripe on the shower curtain. Adding just one or two items in a signature accent color add a spark to this well-designed space.

Use Pinterest to Help Create the Home of your Dreams

pinterest_fultonAre you planning to move into a new Fulton Home soon? Or maybe you’re still getting settled and deciding how to decorate your new home. Well, even if you’re just looking for ideas to update your home and add some pizazz, we suggest checking out Pinterest.

If you’re not familiar with Pinterest, it is set up like a collection of bulletin boards, allowing you to capture a favorite room, product, color or idea and save it in categories of your choice. For example, you may want to look at kitchens, or possibly just different backsplashes. Just open a Pinterest account of your own, add a board named for whatever you want to explore, and then use the search option at the top to see what’s out there.

Of course, you’re welcome to visit our Pinterest site. We have 70 boards holding almost 1,400 pins, and we add new ones just about every week. Our pins range from various home categories such as dining rooms and closets to more family-oriented topics such as our newest addition: Arizona Summer Safety.

The Fulton Home’s Pinterest site has been designed with you in mind. Whether you’re looking for ideas for general entertaining, birthday parties or something special for Father’s Day, we invite you to check our boards out for suggestions and tips. And if you like it, follow it for a chance to stop by easily whenever you want.

And if you discover something of value, whether on one of our boards or any others, you can just repin to your own Pinterest site to hang on to the idea and information. Then when it’s time to plan that party or redo that bathroom, all of your ideas are saved in one place.

If you are looking for information or ideas that we don’t list on our site, just let us know and we can add a board or pins to answer your questions or provide tips. After all, it’s there for you. Check out our Pinterest site by clicking here. We look forward to your visit.

The Practical Beauty of Glass Tile

Watercolors-Ocean-Install-464x464Most of us would probably agree that glass tile is gorgeous to look at and adds a unique style to any space. But, aside from their aesthetic appeal, is glass tile a practical design choice?  After all, glass is delicate and breakable…isn’t it?

Characteristics of Glass Tile: Glass tile has many wonderful features that make it a great material for many projects, from both visual and practical standpoints.

  •  Shatter-Resistant: Unlike the type of glass used in vases and light bulbs, glass tiles are built to be shatter-resistant.
  • Durable: Strong and long lasting, glass tile is extremely practical.
  •  Water Resistant: As glass tiles don’t absorb water, they’re popular in areas with high humidity.
  • Easy-to-Clean: Since their surfaces aren’t highly porous, they’ll get back their shine with just a few wipes.
  • Heat Resistant: Heat resistant tile comes in a variety of styles, colors and materials, providing options that work with many different design schemes.

Glass Tile in the Home: Glass tiles can be incorporated in several areas of a home and are an affordable way to add a bit of glimmer to any area. Due to its heat and water resistance, glass tile is a perfect choice for fireplaces, kitchens and bathrooms.

Here are some different ways glass tile is commonly used:

  • When used in fireplace surrounds, the firelight makes the tile shimmer, creating an amazing ambience.
  • In kitchen backsplashes and countertops, glass creates a clean, contemporary look. Watercolors glass tiles provide a stunning look for a kitchen backsplash.Watercolors-Wheat-Field2-Install-464x464
  • In bathroom countertops, tub surrounds, and shower walls. Shimmer glass is a particularly beautiful choice for bathroom designs as it is hand-poured, resulting in a variation of color among the individual mosaic tiles.

Shimmer-Abalone-Dallas-Patrick-shot2-2014-464x464As you can see, glass tile is extremely versatile! With the many different options available, and each type of glass having its own unique qualities, you can select the tile that truly reflects your style.

A Relaxing Master Bath

DSC_0153 (2)At the end of a long hard day, can you imagine sinking into a nice warm bath, maybe soothed by a generous helping of bubble bath in your favorite scent? The wide edging around the tub provides enough space to light a few candles and prop up a favorite paperback to read while soaking. This relaxing master bath is ready for you.

Or if you prefer showers, how about washing off the stress of the day in this oversized shower, complete with a bench to relax on?

No matter how you use your master bath, just walking into a room like this one can help reduce your stress. The vanity has plenty of storage space, making it easier to keep the counters tidy. The two tones of rectangular tile set the scene for a spa feeling.

Do you dream of a relaxing master bath like this one from Legacy? One with plenty of room, and designed to match your specific taste?

DSC_0098If instead you want one that has a more traditional style while kicking up the glamour, how about the master bath to the right? The gold pendant lights set the stage for luxury. Notice how the filigree creates an inviting pattern on the walls while the lower counter on the vanity provides a space to sit to fix your makeup.

This master bath also has a comfy tub in place, made for soaking. And if you peek in the mirror, you can see the reflection of a generous walk-in closet.

What would your ideal relaxing master bath look like? To get some great ideas, why not visit the models at our Legacy community? We think you will be enchanted by what you find there.

 

Flooring that stands out

DSC_0086Flooring often serves a passive role in decorating, as the background for other, more exciting things. But take a look at what happens when you give flooring top billing. These two examples from Fulton Home’s models at Legacy demonstrate the power of bringing flooring to the foreground.

The picture above shows the floor extending out from an entryway. Immediately your eyes are drawn down the hall and into the home. This combination of stone and wood provides a path and a promise that this is no ordinary place. The diagonal setting makes that point stronger and adds a dynamic feel. It pays to consider placing flooring on the diagonal. It can create a feeling of added space and energy. In this instance, the strong contrast also provides interest.

DSC_0108Small spaces provide another place to experiment with unusual flooring choices. This basic bathroom becomes intriguing with the addition of flooring in an ascending block pattern. Three shades of tile make up the drama here, capturing the eye. One of our Facebook fans suggested adding Escher prints on the walls to make this bathroom a statement space.

There’s no denying that these floors are a design risk, but why not take a few chances in your home? If these are too far out of your comfort zone, how about adding a border or some sort of contrast in your flooring. Remember that your floor and ceiling are the fifth and sixth walls in your home, so why should the first four have all the fun?

 

Inviting Guest Bathrooms

DSC_0111Your guest bathroom may be the smallest room in your home, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t pack a design punch. Here are some approaches to create excitement in your guest bath.

Add splash to one wall. In this bathroom, small square tiles in a mosaic pattern help the space to pop. This look would be hard to pull off in a larger room without looking busy, but a guest bath has the perfect proportions to allow you to take a chance. In addition to tile, consider a strong paint color or a large wall mural to add interest.

Bring in a stunning sink. Long ignored from a design perspective, sinks today can add style to your baths. This vessel option is deep enough to avoid splashing while making it stand out with its sleek shape and above-counter design. Choosing white for the porcelain fixtures is smart given the strong colors of the other design elements.

278Frame the mirror. Framing a bathroom mirror adds warmth. The frame allows you to carry the wood tone of the vanity up toward the ceiling and makes the space feel more like a dressing room rather than a standard utilitarian bathroom.

Use contrast. In the bath shown here to the right, the dark wood tone fits with the dark flooring and the lighter grout ties in with the white sink. Dark and light merge to create a drama that neither would be able to carry off on their own. White towels and accessories help finish the look.

Have fun with your guest bathrooms; they can contribute a lot of style in a small space. Both of these bathrooms are from the Fulton model in the Fulton Homes Legacy community.

Bathrooms with Upscale Style

basha bath 3If you want to give your home’s bathrooms an air of upscale style, it all comes down to your design decisions. Just a few changes from the standard approach can turn any bathroom into something that will catch the eye. Here are a few suggestions to make your bath stand out.

basha bath 2Lighting: Possibly the most important factor in bathroom design, lighting adds a decorative element and also has a direct impact on how the mirror reflects your face and the room itself. Notice how the dappled pendants soften the light in this bathroom. A choice like this one creates amber light and shadows – making the bathroom stand out even without any other special design elements. The oversized curved light in the second bathroom makes the lighting evenly distributed and the translucent shading softens it.

 Tile: The backsplash mosaic in the first bathroom adds personality as well as providing a focal point. With just a small profile, this tile allows visitors to enjoy the look while using the sink and mirror. The curved edge tile in the second backroom mirrors the curves of the light while bringing a deep contrast that works well with the painted and glazed cabinets.

Faucets and towel bars: Both of these bathrooms have oil-rubbed bronze fixtures, providing a warm and effective transitional look. Because these bathrooms are from the same model, the Basha at Legacy, the cabinet and faucet choices are the same, creating a consistent look throughout the house. But by choosing different tile, light fixtures and sinks, the bathrooms are completely different in style and feel.

As one of the smallest rooms in your home, the bathroom provides the perfect palette for adding style without adding a lot to your budget. For more great ideas to make your bathrooms exceptional, visit Legacy and check out the bathrooms in all of our models.

 

The Basha: Your own Home Spa

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?

 

Smart Shower Design

Corsica Model at Ironwood Crossing 030What do you look for in a shower? Would you like space, a certain kind of shower head, lighting, style or ease of use? Take a look at this shower, from the Fulton Homes Corsica Model at Ironwood Crossing. This spacious shower seems designed to meet every desire.

Let’s start with the finish – marble rectangle tiles create a rich and inviting setting for morning or evening scrubs. The glittery mosaic of glass and metallic tiles running across at just under eye level add a welcome sparkle that works well with the brushed nickel finish on the faucets and shower heads.

The choice of clear glass for the wall and door keep the room feeling spacious, and the half-step into the shower ensures that water is under control in spite of the ease of entry. Notice the double option for your shower: a standard wall-mounted shower head combined with a convenient and flexible hand-held choice with a mounted handle that can be adjusted to a particular height. With only minimal adjustments, this shower could work well for someone with limited mobility.

By using glass block for the window, natural light comes into the room while still maintaining privacy. It’s also nice to have a towel rack handy just outside the shower while still within the framework of the shower space, keeping towels dry but providing easy access.

Notice just a couple more things – a perfect place for shampoo and soap positioned in the wall, and a small seat for convenience yet designed not to interfere with the shower itself. A lot of thought went into this shower’s design. How would it fit into your dream home?

Listelles add Personality

Listels Design Center 027Would you enjoy the impact of a strong tile design for your kitchen backsplash or shower? If your design dreams are limited by your budget, incorporating a stripe of listelles can provide the bang for fewer bucks.

You may not be familiar with listelles, but the pre-designed and cut stone or tile patterns give you the opportunity to create an interesting and unique wall or backsplash without greatly increasing your costs for materials or installation. That’s because these pieces come pre-cut and arranged on webbing to keep them much easier to install than a design created on site.

Take a look at a few of the listelles available at the Fulton Design Center. Whether you prefer a dramatic geometric such as the choice on the lower left or something more organic such as the vine design in the top row, fourth from the left, adding one or two rows of listelles can really add a wow factor to a simple tile or stone installation.

There are two approaches to incorporating a listelle into your tile or stone design. You can start by reviewing the listelle options and then select the background tile or stone that suits your choice. Or sometimes it’s easier to start with a tile that suits your other design decisions and then visit our selection of listelles to discover just the right one to suit your taste in the rest of the room.

Your grout choice will also fill in the gaps in the listelle of your choice, helping to integrate it into the final installation. Visit the Fulton Design Center to take a closer look at our rich selection of listelles and determine the right choice for your new Fulton Home.