With all the technology already integrated into our daily lives and routines, it's no wonder that smart home systems are rapidly becoming a wish list item for many homeowners. The ability to control the way our homes operate through intuitive and innovative apps or interfaces can have a positive impact on many areas of our lives and the ways in which we use our houses. Keep reading for some of the ways smart home automation can be added to your home.
Read MoreTopics: Design Trends and Ideas, Lighting
Updated 8/14/17 | Original Post 9/18/2012
Laundry is one of the essential chores we all do, and a well-designed laundry room is an asset in any home. In the past, the basements seemed to be the perfect spot to hook up a washer and dryer. The mechanical considerations were easily handled, but the inconvenience of dragging everything downstairs (and back up again) never quite made those considerations feel worth it. Today, homeowners are creating laundry spaces that better meet their needs on any floor of their home. Careful planning, prioritizing efficiency, and regular maintenance now allow for many more possibilities. Here are 6 tips for designing a functional laundry room.
Read MoreTopics: Laundry Rooms, Lighting, Storage
Pendant lighting is often used as the jewelry of a room. Since these types of lights come in a huge variety of styles, sizes, colors, and more, it's easy to use them as doses of personality in a room. This is especially useful in a kitchen, where cabinetry and counters tend to create a neutral foundation. Despite the wide variety of options available, pendant lights, like most items in design, do go through mild trends. Keep reading to find out the trends we've noticed in recent years.
Read MoreTopics: Design Trends and Ideas, Kitchens, Lighting
Chances are good that when you dream about your home's ideal exterior, you aren't automatically thinking about lighting. It's not the most glamorous aspect, especially next to new landscaping and beautiful outdoor living spaces. When the sun goes down, however, without lighting on the outside of your home, all those wonderful exterior spaces (and all that effort to improve them) are lost to the darkness.
Read MoreTopics: Outdoor Living, Lighting
