a living room with a couch and a table

Life, Styled

Smart Home Design

what it is and how you can include it

Smart home technology. From voice-activated faucets to thermostats, technology has finally caught up to the home. Alexa’s name is spoken hundreds of times daily while performing multiple tasks, allowing homeowners to manage various tasks even when not at home. There are numerous benefits to a smart home, including:

  • energy efficiency
  • security
  • remote control

More and more companies are creating products that are compatible with smart home technology or already integrate it into the device itself. These features are becoming more popular with homeowners, but what exactly does it entail? Read on to learn more about smart homes and their benefits for you and your family.

What Is Smart Home Technology?

The term refers to the usage of networked devices in the home that allow the owner to control features such as temperature, locks, and lights with the touch of a button. Smart home technology can be managed through apps, phones, and even tablets. It allows you to control your home even when you are away and provides you with peace of mind at the touch of a button.

Where To Use Smart Home Technology.

Before the wood is ready to accept the finish, it must be prepped, which is done either by removing the existing finish if it was previously done or sanding unfinished wood. The main trick to cerusing is the opening of the wood grain, which enables it to accept the color and is usually done using a wire brush. Once the wood is ready, the finish is applied, such as a stain or dye. After the finish is done, it is time to massage the ceruse into the wood grain, ensuring that it is pushed evenly into the open pores of the wood. The final step is to apply a sealer. See a renovation project done with cerused oak.

What Are Smart Home Appliances?

Simply put, your appliances, such as the refrigerator, are connected to your device, where you can control them from anywhere and gather information. Though it may sound more like a science project than a home appliance, this smart home technology can take your appliances to the next functional level. Some of the options available, but not limited to:

  • Televisions
  • Door locks
  • Washers and dryers
  • Ovens
  • Steam Ovens
  • Microwaves
  • Coffee makers
  • Dishwashers
  • Showers
  • Floor warming
  • Window blinds
  • Thermostats

Be sure to ask your designer about available options and how they can be incorporated into your design.

Why Should You Use Smart Home Technology?

The benefits are numerous. Want your home to be a specific temperature when you get home? You can program it or tell it through your phone app. Need to preheat the oven for the family dinner? Just push the button on your device. Wanting to save money on utility bills? By programming your home to turn off the lights at a specific time, maintain it at a certain temperature, and conserve water, your energy efficiency will improve, saving you money. Safety is another benefit of using smart home technology. Afraid you might have left the stove on? Just pull up the app on your device and check. Are you sure you locked the back door? Make sure you did by looking at your app. Certain appliances are also programmed to let you know if a problem exists, such as a furnace overheating. Your family’s safety and peace of mind have no price tag. Read more about the benefits here.

Is Smart Home Technology For You?

Curious if this could be a good option for you? Be sure to talk with your designer about how you can integrate this into your design. With over 20 years of experience helping clients find what they need for their home and lifestyle, we are ready to assist you in your renovation journey. Serving more than 15 counties, our reputation continues spreading as a company that cares about its clients and delivers superb quality products and services. Come visit our showroom located only an hour from Charlotte, Hickory, and Asheville.

Organization is a key part of a successful life. You make a plan, you know what you need, and how you will accomplish your goals. This strategy requires you to lay everything out so you can be prepared, which is why people love apps that help them stay on track or write it down in an old-fashioned paper planner.  An organization can also infiltrate multiple areas of life, such as time management and home layout, meaning it has made its presence known in the design world. More and more designers are seeking ways to integrate organization into their designs, to the extent that a new term has been coined to describe this approach: organizeology. Let’s unpack what organizeology means!

If you are looking to hit the refresh button on your home, color is always a great way to start. From simple accent pieces, such as pillows and rugs, to repainting an entire room, choosing a new color can inspire you and help you regain your focus. The color of the year for 2022 are a wonderful place to start and can guide you down the right path for your home. Come visit our showroom in Uptown Shelby, NC, where you can walk through our 5,000-square-foot space and experience the possibilities for your home.

Lighting is a crucial aspect of interior design; it significantly influences the mood in the home and alleviates eye strain when there is minimal natural light or when it gets dark. More often than not, a home suffers from insufficient lighting instead of overillumination. For seniors, lighting is even more critical, as the muscles in the eye weaken over time and the pupil size decreases, making it harder for light to enter. Better lighting reduces the chance of bumping or falling over an obstacle and lessens the strain on the eyes as you look around. Good lighting also helps create a comfortable and relaxing environment, exactly what you want for your well-deserved retirement. Let’s talk about how you can have the best lighting, what the benefits are, and which lighting choices are best for certain areas in the home.

Color matters. It is a part of how we tell our story, especially within our homes. In the last few years, homeowners have ventured off the traditional path of neutrals, such as white, gray, and beige, to bring in pops of bold hues like red, green, and even blue. As the demand for brighter colors increases, both manufacturers and designers have risen to the occasion by creating and incorporating a more diverse color palette for their clients. Traditional products, such as tile, furniture, flooring, cabinets, and even glass, come in a wider selection of bold colors, which provide homeowners with the opportunity to blend a variety of bold colors and neutral colors together in a stunning final design. Although color is a fun element in the world of interiors, it can be challenging to determine the right amount and the various ways it can be incorporated into the home to create the perfect balance for everyone to enjoy.

Home is a reflection of you, and one of the best ways to do that is through color. Color is more than a collection of tints and shades; it has more impact on our mood than anything else and can influence the look of our home more than we realize. Color psychology has been studied for decades, with recent findings revealing just how powerful color truly is in the home. Size and style can change by simply selecting different colors for your furniture, accent pieces, or wall color. As color plays such a vital role in the atmosphere and presentation of the home, it can feel a little overwhelming or even intimidating to make color choices. We have compiled a list of 15 simple ways you can add color to your home.