Playful Kids Room Decor Ideas

Don't you love visiting the Parade of Homes to find decorating inspiration? This year, McArthur Homes' Utah Valley Parade of Homes entry gave me SO many great ideas for decorating my home. I have already copied the upholstered headboard from the master bedroom (post coming next week) and I plan to recreate the fun flower pillow and french script drapes soon! Here are a few kids space ideas from the Utah Valley Parade of Homes. Which is your favorite look?

One of the most popular spots on our McArthur Homes "Cordova" home was this fun study loft. It is the perfect space for kids to do their homework and stay organized. That awesome world map is from Ikea!

Below are a few highlights of the girl's and boy's room in the home. The boys room was a fun bug/explorer theme. This was a great idea because there are so many things you can use to accessorize: toy bugs, magnifying glasses, binoculars, maps, books etc. The girls room had this awesome vignette that combined a tough-looking black leather chair and a super sweet pink pillow with an adorable pink, green and yellow lamp. I love those unexpected combinations!  

The boys room also had this Periodic Table of Elements and EVERYONE wanted to know where it came from. It is actually a vinyl sticker from Scribble on Everything, and you can buy it online here. 

The Utah Valley Parade of Homes offered plenty of other inspiration. Here are some of my favorite looks from this year's homes.

Inexpensive plastic pennants are perfect wall decor for this colorful sports-themed room.

 

I love the idea of hanging pendant lights on each side of a bed!

 This simple Kid Zone was created in a basement stairway. It was decorated with only vinyl circles, a small rug and table but was still a huge hit with my kids. Definitely a project anyone could complete quickly and for hardly any cost.

 The white painted trees in this nursery are adorable and really highlight the tall ceilings, making this small room feel a lot bigger.

I LOVE these "By Order of the Management" signs to remind kids about the rules of the house! So cute and clever. Even better, I found out they are very reasonably priced. Check them out here on Etsy.

This bright turquoise and orange combo would be fun for a little kid or a preteen. It is so refreshing!

This may be a bit over the top for most of us, but I still love this playhouse built into an upstairs playroom. I love the funky style of the buildings and how it works in so well with the sloped ceiling.

The best part? The "Kidz 4 Sale" sign. Who doesn't feel like posting a sign on their door just like this every now and then? :)

I hope you enjoyed these kids space ideas. Did you see these homes at the Utah Valley Parade of Homes? Which one was your favorite? I'd love to hear what you think!

If you want more inspiration, come visit our Cordova home in Lehi near Thanksgiving Point, now open to the public!

Beautiful Homes, Beautiful Neighborhood! McArthur Homes Landscaping Competition

We've noticed some BEAUTIFUL landscaping in our McArthur Homes neighborhoods and we'd like to reward our homeowners for all your hard work! Enter our Beautiful Homes, Beautiful Neighborhood Competition today to show off your home and for a chance to win up to $550 in Home Depot Gift Cards. Check out the details below:

TO ENTER: Email us a photo or photos of the exterior of your home. Please include at least one shot showing the entire front of the home. Email photos to kristi@mcarthurhomes.com. Please include your contact information and address with your entry. All entries must be received by June 30, 2011.

FINALISTS: McArthur Homes will choose six or more finalists. Each finalist will receive a $50 Gift Card to Home Depot. McArthur Homes will professionally photograph each finalist's home exterior. These photos will be posted on Facebook for you to share with your friends and family. Facebook comments will be taken into consideration when choosing our Grand Prize Winner, but will not be the sole deciding factor.

WINNERS: One Grand Prize Winner will be chosen by McArthur Homes based on overall look of the landscaping and home, with some consideration given to comments received on Facebook and/or our blog. Grand Prize Winner will be announced July 15, 2011.

PRIZES: Grand Prize Winner will receive a $500 Gift Card to Home Depot.
All finalists will receive a $50 Gift Card to Home Depot.

Competition open to all current McArthur Homes homeowners.
McArthur Homes retains the rights to use all submitted video, images and written material for promotional purposes.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Why Forbes Magazine says NOW is the Time to Buy

Forbes Magazine recently published an article outlining 9 reasons that now may be the best time ever to buy a new home. We all see signs of the economy improving, but it's always great to hear good news from a reliable source like Forbes. Check out their reasons-to-buy which include:

• Interest Rates at a 50-Year Low
• Rates Expected to Increase
• Low Down Payment Mortgages Available
• Lowest Home Prices in Years

Read the full article by Forbes Magazine HERE.
Then check out a McArthur Homes new home community near you!

WINNER Best Exterior

McArthur Homes is pleased to announce that our new Cordova home was awarded Best Exterior by the 2011 Utah Valley Parade of Homes. This gorgeous new home is available in three exterior styles, Craftsman, French Rustic and New American. For more information, see this new home design on our website. 

Final Photos- Utah Valley Parade of Homes 2011

 The 2011 Utah Valley Parade of Homes is underway and we couldn't be more excited to show off our new Cordova home! Yesterday I spent opening day at the Parade home and the response was unbelievable. People LOVE the decor, the layout and all of the thoughtful details that went into this home. A big thanks to all of our trade partners who participated in building this home!

So here are some things that people couldn't stop commenting on yesterday... we'd love to hear what you think too!

The small "drop zone" cabinetry between the mudroom and the kitchen was very popular. The space is perfect for a laptop, cell phone charger and bill pay area. It's the simple details like this that can make your new home fit perfectly with your lifestyle. There's also a nearby powder room featuring a great spring green that people have really responded to.

The family room makes a huge impression with it's large size and open feeling. People have said that they could really see themselves entertaining or just relaxing with family in this comfortable space. (I personally L-O-V-E those blue and white upholstered chairs and the playful drapery fabric!)

The kitchen has also been very popular and people are surprised to hear that the cabinetry and flooring are both affordable options from our McArthur Homes Design Studio. The cabinetry is Beech with an Espresso stain (an included finish for McArthur Homes homeowners) and the flooring is a beautiful engineered Birch in a Driftwood finish. The countertops are also a huge hit in a White Ivory granite.

The area that has received the MOST comments in the home is this clever reading nook tucked into the stairwell. Designed by our very own, Roger Bess, this window seat and open shelving turns a previously "wasted space" into a highlight of the home.

 At the top of the stairs is another clever nook designed as a homework area for the kids. I love the idea of giving the kids an area to do their homework while still being open to the rest of the home.

The master suite is especially impressive with its large size, vaulted ceilings and adjacent nook (see next pic). People have loved the open feeling and details such as the fresh fabric choice for the drapes and accents.

As part of the master suite, this is the PERFECT place to get some peace and quiet, a little sanctuary all your own. To me, those chairs seem to be begging for someone to curl up on them and enjoy a good book!

The master bath also turned out beautifully! It has a clean, refreshing look with white tile and that same spring green in the accents and drapery. The white octagon tile from DAL tile has a lot of people talking. They either LOVE it or they don't, but I'm definitely a fan.

The front living room (which can also be converted to an office) has a slightly more formal look than the rest of the home. It stays fresh and playful with white paneling and fun details like the furry white pillow on the sofa. The paneling look shown here and in the mudroom has been a huge hit. For directions, see our "how to" post here.

To see the rest of the home, visit us at the Parade of Homes through June 18th. You can buy tickets online here, or purchase them at the Cordova home in Thanksgiving Meadows, Lehi. 

Here's one last photo that I think sums up the style of the home. The chair is tailored and elegant, the pillow adds a pop of color while the numbered boxes and gumball machine add a touch of whimsy. I think Emily from HGTV would call this Tailored Whimsical Elegance... or something like that. :)

Here are some links if you'd like more information on this home design or the home builder, McArthur Homes. Enjoy!