Tag: lifestyle

Nov 22

8 Tips for Getting Your Home Ready for the Holidays

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Holiday plans in place, check. Guests arriving, check. But, oh no, what about the house?! Prepping for the holidays tacks on unwanted stress—there’s no doubt about that. With proper planning, you can enjoy a relaxing time with friends and family without any worries. From now until New Year’s, get a jumpstart on your resolutions with these holiday-home tips.

1. Use Seasonal Scents

Welcome your guests with the aroma of the season. Pine, spices, and sweets galore, your holiday candles’ scents add an extra dimension to your holiday extravaganzas. 

2. Clean the Floors

The more you do in advance to prepare your home for foot traffic and activity, the better. Once you catch any dirt from the top of furniture and shelves, move on to cleaning the floors of dust and debris. There’s nothing like welcoming your guests with the sparkle of immaculately clean floors!

3. Clean Out the Fridge

Leading up to the event, it’s key to clear out your kitchen and refrigerator to make room for holiday dishes. Begin by tossing out expired food and freeing up space by condensing items into smaller containers. Take this opportunity, while your fridge is being emptied, to wipe down the shelves and drawers.

4. Transition the Decor

As we pass from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year’s, there’s certainly no shortage of excitement between those few weeks. And, each holiday tends to have its own set of decorations. Prepare to take the turkey figurines down in lieu of reindeer figurines come December 1st. From then on, check back on this list before setting up your winter decorations.

5. Dress Up Your Entryway

The first place your guests will see of your home is the entryway. Spread holiday cheer to everyone who walks into your home with themed decor. For Christmas, consider setting the nearside table with a miniature Christmas tree, family photos, and jolly garland. These decorations help set the tone for what guests can expect the more they venture inside.

6. Prep the Guest Room

If you plan on inviting guests to stay in your home during the holidays, they’ll need all of the comforts of home for the duration of their trip. Make sure that the room is tidy, and outfitted with a cozy bed, a well-lit lamp, and a dresser for clothing.

7. Prep the Kitchen

A holiday-ready kitchen is key to a successful holiday get-together. This is where people are gathering, food is being made, and messes are likely to happen. Get a head start on shopping for groceries, cleaning necessary cookware for the day of, and clearing tabletops for the expected heap of food.

8. Stock Up On Essentials

From ensuring the heating is up to par to providing essential items for overnight guests, it’s always important to assess your home and prepare for as much as you can. Some items to always have on hand are paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and toothpaste. In addition, cleaning out the fireplace beforehand can make the cold winter nights much more enjoyable.

Building and customizing your home to fit your vision is exactly what we do. With Fairfield Homes, you’ll build a top-end, quality home on one of the most beautiful sites in Southern Arizona. Enjoy the best desertscape views now and for your next holiday celebration. Contact us today to get started!

 

Aug 11

Why You Need Single-Story Living

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Young or old, kids or no kids — single-story living is well-suited to a wide range of individuals’ needs and lifestyles. Popularized during the postwar economic boom, one-story homes defined the attainability of the American dream. This popularity carried into the 1970s and declined in the early 21st century, however, within recent years the acclaim of single-story living returned. With the right plan, living in a one-story home brings countless benefits.

Ideal for Any Age

Think of single-story living as an age-defying home. Toting the laundry or walking to your bedroom is much simpler in a single-story home than a two-story home. Stairs pose a problem for accessibility and oftentimes safety. Old and young individuals alike can move with greater ease and independence in a single-story home. And, you do not need to worry about potentially injuring yourself by falling down the stairs. Any age can thrive in a single-story home and you won’t need to worry about age-proofing — or retrofitting your home — to fit your lifestyle.

Simple Maintenance

Buying a home is simply the starting point of years of maintenance. Everything you need in a single-story home will exist on the same level, making upkeep or cleaning more attainable. You won’t need to go back and forth upstairs carrying bulky cleaning supplies or engage in arduous exterior scaffolding. In a one-story home, your paths are straightforward and simple.

Energy-saving and Cost-effective

A single-story home displays energy-efficient choices, saving you money on utility bills. Since heat rises and cool air drops, living in a two-story home means you will face adjusting your heating and AC accordingly. In fact, a two-story home with the same square footage as a single-story home costs double the amount to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. A single-story house will require much less energy use.

Ability to Add-On

A combined space like single-story homes offers more flexibility in interior design than multi-level homes. It can adapt to your needs and at a lower cost. If you want to add on to your home in the future, like a mother-in-law suite or sunroom, then you won’t need to worry about an upper level thwarting your plans.

Open Floor Plans

In a single-story home, you won’t need to sacrifice space. Without doors and walls acting as barriers to each location, homeowners and guests can roam freely and comfortably. Open floor plans truly enlarge the common areas and give a sense of interconnectedness. You can expect no stone to go unturned in a single-story home, meaning the square footage is used to its greatest potential.

Effortless Indoor-Outdoor Living

Single-story homes blend perfectly with your outdoor living space. Multiple access points to the outdoors from your kitchen, living room, or bedroom are feasible in a one-story home. There are also more options for high ceilings and large glass sliders that not only optimize spectacular landscape views but allow for quick access to the patio or deck. With this convenience of location, homeowners and guests receive the best of both worlds.

When it comes to single-story living, Fairfield Homes know precisely how to optimize the space and feel of a home. We have been designing luxurious semi-custom and custom single-story homes in Southern Arizona for over 40 years. Each home is carefully designed to provide the best from quality resources to exquisite views. Contact us today to get started on a home that fits your lifestyle!

 

Jul 2

6 Facts to Know About Monsoon Season in Arizona

Written by webmo

Monsoon season — it happens every June 15, but did you know it wasn’t always like that? Back in the olden days, people considered the monsoon to arrive after three consecutive days with dew points of at least 55 degrees. Forecasters decided to set dates, now June 15 through September 30, to allow us to focus on what a monsoon brings. Keep reading to discover interesting facts you should know about the monsoon season.

  1. There are nearly 500,000 lightning strikes during a monsoon

Take cover or stay indoors during monsoons. Watching the crackle and pop of lightning from afar may seem like a beautiful, natural spectacle, but it is also very dangerous. Most lightning strikes occur more than three miles away from the center of the thunderstorm, with the farthest strike recorded 15 miles away.

  1. Monsoons can cause dust storms

In Arizona, during monsoon season, it is common to see a wall of dust that reaches hundreds of feet in the air. The high winds caused by the thunderstorm lift large amounts of dust, creating an intense dust storm, also known as a “haboob.”

  1. Monsoons are difficult to predict

Because they have few patterns, monsoons are difficult to predict. However, researchers continue to study aspects of the monsoon to improve the forecasting accuracy of these occurrences.

  1. Arizona receives 31.5% of its total annual rainfall during the monsoon season

A large fraction of rainfall in Arizona happens during the summer monsoon months. This has its advantages, as seasonal rains make it possible for agriculture, forests, and inhabitants of the region to store water for the next dry period.

  1. Tucson received 1.62 inches of rain during 2020’s monsoon season

In 2020, Tucson experienced one of its hottest summers ever and the second driest monsoon ever. The only time the monsoon season has brought less rain than 2020 was in 1924 with 1.59 inches.

  1. The last above-average monsoon in Tucson was in 2017

Monsoon season in Tucson usually averages a total of 6.08 inches of rainfall, however in 2017, Tucson brought in a staggering 8.57 inches of rain — the highest in the state that year.

Find out how to prepare for the monsoon season by following these tips.

Shelter from the monsoon season in a home built to withstand such weather. Fairfield Homes builds quality homes with floor plans that work with the land and provide the most stunning desert views. Get started today!

 

May 2

10 Ways to Redecorate Your Home for Summer

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Summer is the season for fun and creativity. It’s a time for brightening up your home and bringing new elements for a personal touch. Whether you’re enjoying the sunshine outdoors or cooling off in the comfort of your home, there are so many ways to brighten up and personalize your space.  

Celebrate the beginning of a new season with these fresh indoor and outdoor home decor ideas!

Interior Home Decorations for Summer

Bright Colors

During the summer, the sun splashes remarkably vibrant rays from all angles of your windows. Bringing bright colors into your home, whether through pillows, throw blankets, or even wall design naturally catches the eye. White and pastel colors reflect more light, giving your home an open and airy feel.

You could even mix-and-match colored decor, like mint green with pastel pink or light blue with soft yellow. The colors of summer bring a fresh, lively, and fun essence to the scene of your home. Splashing a bit of color amongst your living room or bedroom decor will round in that summertime look.

A SUMMER-Themed Candle

Candle scents are often associated with a particular season. For example, the smell of a pumpkin spice candle may elicit memories of fall. But what scents remind you of summer? 

Perhaps summer smells like an ocean breeze or beach driftwood. And nothing quite suggests summer is upon us like fresh fruit. Watermelon, oranges, lemons, strawberries, and more scents bring the outdoors into your home. Set the tone for the season with a summer-themed aroma and decadently styled candle.

Light Bedding

The cold weather of winter and spring is no more, get prepared for the heat of summer! It’s time to pack up the flannel, fleece, and heavyweight blankets in favor of lighter bedclothes.

Linen and cotton fabrics are ideal for warmer seasons because they are made from a natural fiber that allows more air to pass through. Adorning your bed with a throw blanket could even replace those heavier, heat-trapping comforters. Keep cool while you sleep.

Accent Dishes

Bring summertime to your dishware. Upgrading your table setting with accent dishes that complement your everyday dishware adds a touch of seasonal enthusiasm to your home. 

Popular summer dish designs include tropical, nautical, and floral. You could also go for vibrantly colored plates, bowls, and trays to exude the brightness of summer. Your accent dishes will bring joy, creativity, and fun to your dining experience no matter your choice.

Updated Shower Curtains

The average person walks into a bathroom at least five times or more a day, and that means looking at the same shower curtain over and over again. Retire the old shower curtain for a brand new one that transports you to a tropical oasis.

An underwater aquarium scene or tropical garden scene can make for a fun game of I Spy. Or opt for a bright, colorful pattern to make your bathroom more vibrant. Changing up your shower curtains will bring a sense of entertainment and liven up your bathroom for the season.

Exterior Home Decorations for Summer

String Lights

Currently, string lights domineer outdoor setting designs. This trend of stringing up lights around your backyard and trees exists to transform your regular outdoor experience into a magical retreat.

String lights are easy, simple, and inexpensive items that capture the perfect ambiance. You can even save Christmas lights that you would normally pack away to incorporate into your outdoor summer experience. 

SUMMER-Themed Pillows

With summertime comes beautiful weather and a desire to sit outside more. When you cozy up on your patio furniture to gaze up at the sky, you will need a soft and decorative pillow to lean back on.

Adorn your patio or yard furniture with pillows that capture the summer look you’re going for. You can get bold by mixing different designs or maintaining a theme. However you choose to mix-and-match is up to you; after all, summer is about creativity and fun!

Shaded Canopy

Summer doesn’t always need to include soaking in the sun. If you would rather keep the summer heat and rays at bay, you would love to add a shaded canopy to your patio. 

Shaded canopies are not just used for practicality, you can choose from a variety of colors and designs. Keep in mind that dark colors absorb sunlight and light colors reflect sunlight when choosing a canopy for the best shade.

Fire Pit

When friends and family come to visit, they gravitate towards the fire pit. It’s simply the best area to sit around and talk with each other and it’s also the ultimate, versatile decoration.

Despite the hotter summer months, it often gets cooler at night. You can use the fire pit to make food and s’mores, stargaze, or lounge and talk. Summer is a time to kick back and sit around the fire pit with the ones you love. 

Wind Chimes

Bring the outdoor summer experience together with wind chimes. Wind chimes add a melodious sound and calming effect to your home. Thought to rid off negativity, wind chimes reduce stress and promote inner peace. When purchasing wind chimes, stay mindful of your neighbors. Too much metal may prove bothersome, but you can opt for more relaxing tones with bamboo chimes, beaded chimes, or sea glass chimes.

Moreover, decorative wind chimes add a flare of style to your landscape. Wind chimes do not sound exactly like any other, so your outdoor sound is uniquely yours.

At Fairfield, we’re experts in helping you design your dream home. Don’t miss out on optimized views and luxurious home design, contact us today!