It was February 14, 1912, when President William Howard Taft strode into the Oval Office and signed a bill that amended Arizona Territory into the State of Arizona. Though it took a simple signature to enact statehood, the actual efforts to get here were long and arduous.

While February 14th is nationally known as Valentine’s Day, Arizonans know that on this day in history Arizona completed the 48 conterminous United States in the union.

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.

Every home needs a great outdoor living space, especially in the stunning presence of the desert and beautiful sunshine weather Arizona has to offer. Your outdoor area is the perfect place to enjoy nature, relish the best temperatures throughout the day, spend time with friends and family, and engage in entertainment.

The latest home tech features transform our day-to-day operations, making the effort of running a home so much smoother. Applying technology in the home space frees up the homeowner to automate certain home devices and, in turn, the systems curate the home owner’s preferred living experience from temperature to home security. It’s more than a feature, it’s an experience.

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.

Designing a custom or semi-custom home is a huge undertaking with a number of big decisions falling on your shoulders. When you build, it turns into a full-scale commitment that may look overwhelming — from customizing the floor plan to selecting paint options. As you begin the home-building process, consider implementing these tips to make your dream home a reality.

If you see it and like it — then buy it fast! 

The right lighting for your yard’s landscape can transform the outside of your home into a nighttime paradise. There are so many lighting options to choose from for your backyard, and the best fit for your home depends on architectural styles, landscaping, and personal preference. A few key considerations for your landscape lighting is determining what in your property you want to accent with light at night and types of landscape lighting. The best landscape lighting balances light and dark.

Organization is the key to maximizing your space while showing off your unique sense of style, and classy shelves are one of the best tools in your organizational arsenal. Shelves come in all types of styles and offer many different structure options to fit every type of home. Whether you prefer standalone, built-in, or floating shelves, there’s a set of shelves that will fit your home perfectly.

When it comes time to build or design your living space, it’s crucial to know how to define the vision for your dream home. You need to know what you want to help guide your choices and budget. Defining your dream home gives your plan a structure and a centering point.