Technology at Your Fingertips
As part of being an active member of the American Society of Interior Designers, I get to attend programs and events that introduce me to the latest developments in the world of interior design. Recently I attended a program at Crestron, the leading provider of control and automative systems for homes, offices, schools, hospitals, hotels and more, and came back with some exciting things to share.
Technological developments have taken us far beyond the days of hard-wired systems and complicated blankets of buttons and into innovations that let us control our environment from a variety of locations.
The HTT-B10X TableTop Controller is a stylish little wireless pushbutton controller with 10 multi-function buttons and custom backlit engraving which makes the buttons easy to read under any lighting condition. It's perfect for kitchens, bedside tables, desktops, or anywhere else a simple, unobtrusive controller is needed without running any wires. This fully programmable controller is designed to operate as part of a complete Crestron automation system, communicating via their infiNET wireless control network which provides reliable two-way communications throughout a home or office structure without the need for physical control wiring.
Upgraded Cameo Keypads combine contemporary styling with highly customizable system design option, which means greater flexibility for controlling lighting and audio distribution. Innovations include a clever split-button design that gives you the option to add two additional buttons per keypad, enabling custom control configurations of up to eight buttons. The two added "split buttons" are ideal for controlling up/down audio volume or up/down light dimming, which frees up an additional button space for another desired control preset and lets you create more lighting scenes or audio sources on a single keypad.
Updated Crestron apps for Apple mobile devices means you can do things like lower the shades in a bedroom with a finger swipe or set and check room temperatures via an animated graphical gauge on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. You can also view streaming video from security cameras or from any video source fed through a Crestron Network Video Streamer or any MJPEG device, right on your mobile device. And you can upgrade your mobile device, iPad to iPad 2 for example, switch carriers/phones and even add more devices, such as iPod touch - all without technical assistance.
Inspiration at your fingertips
Ever wonder where designers get their inspiration? For me, it could be almost anywhere - an art exhibit, a trade show, a movie, a favorite vendor, and, of course, the Internet.
All designers have favorite websites that we revisit again and again. It might be to find a specific item, but more often it's to keep our fingers on the pulse of the design world.
Now that the holiday decorations are put away, guests have departed, and children are back to school, changes that need to be made in your home can become glaringly evident. So, to give you some inspiration, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite websites:
Read more...Avoiding Holiday Entertaining Meltdown
Pre-season TLC for your appliances
Imagine:
- At post-party cleanup time, you load the dishwasher with the first set of dishes, push the button to start, and all you get is an error code.
- You open your dishwasher and wonder . . . what's that awful smell?
- Your chilled appetizers come out of the refrigerator lukewarm.
- You have to light your stove with a match because the burners are clogged.
- You set your oven to preheat and the house fills with smoke.
- Your guests are about to arrive, but you can still smell the fish you cooked two nights ago.
Whether your holiday food fare involves elaborate entertaining or meals on the run, the last thing you need is a grumpy appliance that's not doing its job properly. So we gathered some easy-to-implement ways to keep your appliances in a jolly, holiday mood.
Read more...Introducing the newest addition to our family of fine resources...
Woodland Artisan Cabinetry offers the finest materials, time-honored construction methods, unmatched finishing techniques and uncompromising attention to detail. The result is custom cabinetry with the aesthetic appeal and reliable quality of high-end furniture.
It's the perfect choice for the discerning client who desires an heirloom kitchen, a timeless library, or any room where custom cabinetry is a noteworthy focal point.
Exquisite architectural features, including turnings, carvings and layered moldings, decorative mullions, scenic medallions, intricate three-dimensional details, and even whimsical touches are hallmarks of our newest line of fine cabinetry.
Click to be inspired:
News from the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
In late spring, I had the pleasure of attending the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), an international trade event focused exclusively on all aspects of kitchens and baths. Attendees include kitchen and bath dealers, designers, architects, remodelers, wholesalers and custom builders.
There were lots of exciting new trends. Here are a few of the highlights:
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