Summer in West Michigan. We can’t wait to get out of the house to enjoy the outdoors, starting in our own backyard! Whether you’re entertaining friends under your covered patio, experiencing the splash from your teenager’s famous cannonball poolside or catching our Detroit Tigers’ or Lions’ game at your outdoor bar, a well-placed television is a great source of enjoyment. All the sun and splashing, however, can take a toll on the TV, so it’s important that the display be specifically designed to stand up to what mother nature, and rowdy teenagers, can dish out! We have just the thing!

With the myriad smart home technology devices on the market today, how do you know which is not only the best, but which is best for you? Smart locks and security devices are great to have, but they’re much more valuable if they’re integrated into your home’s control system. Lighting control, motorized window shades and automated garage control are not only convenient, but also a great way to mimic that someone is home while you’re away…particularly if you can access them remotely. So, of all the innovative must-have technologies out there, how do you determine the best solution for you – for now, for tomorrow and beyond? 

And so the 2017 holiday season begins! And it looks like another banner year for technology – everything from the latest tech gadgets to the luxurious. We’ve got some great ideas for all the tech-lovers on your list, from budget-friendly to the extravagant. We’ll help you think outside the giftwrapped “box!”

It’s quite the conundrum. Many of us are fixated on home renovation shows. We’re becoming obsessed with shiplap and subway tile, enthralled with the design trends of today.  We’re into open floor plans and oversized clocks. We want large dining rooms and dreamy outdoor spaces for entertaining, but when we’re ready to settle in on the comfy couch for our favorite weekly drama, or curl up with the family to stream a movie, we’d like to see a TV!  Have you noticed what’s missing in some of the “fixer upper” shows? Technology! Why IS that? Granted, some embrace technology-free zones with no disruptive television, gaming consoles or mobile devices in designated homework or family dinner spaces. That’s great, but many technologies actually keep us safe, comfortable, informed and entertained. Window coverings, LEDs, control devices and lighting design are elegant and convenient. So, why is technology so often overlooked in design?