Smart Home, TV in the mirror
By Ayesha Jones
I’d like Sinatra’s theme from New York, New York to start automatically playing around 7pm from the moment I walk in the door from work. Creating a home that is relaxing, trendy, and all around safe starts with the perfect smart technology. Devices that control features like the thermostat, opening the drapes, starting up the fireplace, softening the lights, turning on the music and even locking the front door can all be done at the click of a button from your tablet, or even your cell phone. With companies like Kwikset and the Intelligent Technology Group transforming a humble abode into chic pad can be done with a few smart alterations.
Smart Home, On Wall Touch Control Buttons
Smart control systems gives you complete access and control of your house, from the comfort of your crush or bed if you’d like. A great feature on these control systems is the ability to set schedules for when you want all the lights in your home to shut off, or when it is bed time, you’ll be able to set the perfect sleep temperature, shade control, climate control, and security surveillance. Most hotels have caught on and are implementing these touch-on-wall buttons and tablets in guest’s rooms. Implementing TVs in the mirror at the home gym or bathrooms is a unique modern and space-saver feature. Buttons are customizable as well. I’ve seen buttons for heating up floors, towel racks, and even contacting house help in the guest house to fix up a sandwich.
Smart Home Temperature Control From an Ipad
How about a healthier home?
Whenever we talk about aging, one of the primary factors is sun exposure. UV Rays have a profound impact on the skin, causing premature aging and wrinkles. This is an area that is gaining more appreciation, and many people are coming around to the idea that they should wear sun block whenever they go outside, not just when it’s a bright summer beach day. However what many do not realize is that the sun can do damage to the skin even whilst indoors.
Typical windows block as little as 25% of UV rays, and when you consider that Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, a place where most assume they are safe, the fact that so much UV radiation can penetrate into a building can have hugely negative impacts on the skin. Fortunately there’s a better alternative – professionally installed window film may block up to 99% of UV Rays, providing a powerful defense for people both at home and in the work place. And window film may even be installed on cars, protecting people during the commute to and from as well.
”Many homeowners make significant investments when it comes to their home decor only to see their furniture and floors begin to fade and change a short while later. People have come to accept the aging and degradation of furnishings as an unavoidable fact, but it can actually be reduced greatly. In many instances, fading and degradation are the result of ultraviolet (UV ray) exposure, which can be almost totally eliminated by the simple application of professionally installed window film. Window film may block up to 99% of UV rays, preventing cumulative damage to your furnishings by stopping the UV rays from even entering your home.” -Darrell Smith, Executive Director, IWFA
Safety
Safety is the number one must on a homeowners’ list. With the Smartcode lock homeowners will feel more at ease every time they leave the house. A Smartcode lock allows you to punch in a passcode in order to unlock the door and even has a built in alarm system that alerts you of someone breaking in. If you want take it a step further into the futuristic realm of smart technology then Bluetooth Keyless entry is for you. Keyless entry is definitely going to catch the eye of someone a little more tech savvy, because your cell phone is the secret to entry. Once you have downloaded the app, and connected the two devices; entering your house becomes easy, and as long as your phone is on you all you have to do is just touch the lock. You no longer have to worry about fumbling for your keys late at night. Kwikset is a company that manufactures a line of different style door locks. You can find Kwikset products in mainstream hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Soon, I would love to be notified of future great hair days. Is there a button for that yet?
-AJ
Photography by GG
