Connected

Age In Place

CEDIA, the association for professionals in the home electronics integration industry is really on top of providing educational opportunities to our partners in the building and design industry.  I wanted to pass on this invitation to a free webinar offered by CEDIA and the Home Technology Alliance.  It looks like a really interesting topic, especially for those of us just a little over 45…
Opportunities in the Age-in-Place Market

With the aging of the baby boomers, there is a greater awareness of the need for residential spaces to adapt to changing needs. Evidence shows that people want to live in their homes for as long as possible, but can they? Learn why it is never too early to evaluate clients’ homes and learn about the pitfalls to avoid, view creative solutions to incorporate, and why it is a financially sound investment to make necessary changes that may save money in the long run. Finally, learn the value of teaming with professionals who are armed with the knowledge and resources necessary to meet this challenge and help create livable environments today that will endure the natural progression of a lifetime.

Click  HERE  for more information about the course and to register for this free webinar.

Balancing Technology and Tranquility

I wrote this article for a magazine last summer. Based on the feedback I received, readers found this article helpful in visualizing how the latest technology can be seamlessly and invisibly integrated into the most classic home decor.

I’m usually the partner that is in the office, creating a website, calling on architects or trying to unravel the mystery of social media in an effort to spread awareness of our ever expanding technological offerings.  Sadly, I don’t often see the end result of the hours of design, engineering, programming and installation performed by our talented crew. So, on a recent (and rare) sunny day I took the opportunity to visit a residential lake side project that we are bringing to completion.  And despite the fact that I now have lake envy, I am thrilled on many levels that I took the time to see this marvelous home and the brilliant work of our team.

Imagine 15,000 square feet of lake side living, unobtrusively nestled in the moss and ferns and barely noticeable to the passing kayak. Despite the size, the home is nostalgic and inviting, like a child hood summer camp, complete with a soaring stone fireplace, 10 foot dining hall table, even boys and girls bunk ‘houses’.  And, proudly, our team played a significant role creating this feeling of comfort while preserving the wistful charm. 

These gracious clients invested many dollars in the technology of comfort, convenience, functionality and entertainment and entrusted us to keep it all out of site. Every bedroom has a flat panel TV hidden behind the doors of a cabinet designed to support and hide all of the wiring and peripheral components.  Every room offers multiple sources of music and volume control easily accessed from a low profile touch panel control, not a wire in sight. The reclaimed chestnut rafters, soft wool upholstery and well loved board games are unaware of the 60” plasma TV, only visible when it rises on a motorized lift from the custom cabinet where it hides.  No guest will ever fumble for a light switch as each room has labeled lighting control key pads which are programmed with preset lighting scenes specific to the space.  And though this is a lake side retreat, the homeowners are afforded all of the conveniences of wired and wireless internet, cell phone coverage, iPod docking and video gaming.

We installed 3 1/2 miles of structured cable, hooked up hundreds of electronic components and spent countless hours programming to the client’s specific needs.  But apart from enjoying all the fun and convenience you would hardly know we were ever there.  Thank you, job well done!