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September 27th, 2011

What is a Smart Home? Part 2

The term Smart Home is tossed around a lot, but what, really, does that mean? We’ve decided to showcase one of our favorite projects to take away some of the mystery.

If you haven’t read Part One, where we tour the residence, you can do so HERE.

There are many different products you can use as the “brain” in your Intelligent Home. Its important to hire a company you trust to make sure you have the right system for you and your budget.

The system we used here, on the Continuum project, was Crestron. Creston is definitely on the high end of home control, and may not fit into everyone’s budget. However, in recent years, Crestron has made a few advances in creating more affordable products.

Luckily, budget wasn’t a concern for this particular client. They wanted to be able to tie all of their home together:

They also had some interesting designer touches they wanted to be able to control, such as an automated in-ceiling projector, and screen:

And a custom LED lighted wall, with a motorized privacy curtain:

All of these systems and separate technologies are programmed and connected to the Crestron “brain”. Now the homeowners can control everything from several locations in the home, and even remotely from anywhere in the world.

Within the home, the system is controlled via Touch Panels, like this one:

The touch panel above can either be used in-wall, where it charges, or be removed for portability. There are also several keypads throughout the house, like the one shown below the touch panel. The system can also be controlled via iPad & iPhone, for the ultimate in portable convenience.

This particular property is owned by a very generous individual, who allows it to be used by extended family, friends, and clients. This means the system has to be easy to use, and pretty self explanatory.

Now that we’re familiar with the equipment, and how to control it, lets move on to what it can do, next time in Part 3.

Give us a call for a complimentary consultation:

305-652-1138, or click to Contact Us.

September 19th, 2011

Now, having your own Home Theater is easier than ever. IntelligentDesign will create an environment that will immerse you in sight and sound, bringing the movie theater experience home.

Do you want to build a fully dedicated Theater Room? Or maybe you’d like to transform your Family Room, or Master Suite into a theater experience? Our experts will work with you to choose the right equipment and design, and then work within your budget to make your vision come to life.

We have the resources and know-how to get you from where you are now to where you want to be.

You can count on IntelligentDesign for the finest in design, comfort, technology, and convenience. We cover all facets of your project, from build to decor. Seating, lighting, woodwork, wall treatments, flooring, ceiling, and curtains are just a few areas where we can provide a special touch to give you the theater of your dreams.

Call us now to learn how to get started: 305-652-1138

September 16th, 2011

Smart Homes & Automation

Comfort, convenience, and a greener way to live, right at your fingertips. IntelligentDesign will give you an Intelligent Home, whatever your needs or budget.

We make it possible for virtually any device or appliance in your home to communicate with each other, Intelligently. Lights, Thermostat, Drapes, Door Locks, even Outlets, all programmable, and controllable, no matter where you are.

Once we have your system in place, we will customize it to your lifestyle, working with you to focus on your priorities.

We’ll start with the basics, for example, your outside lights coming on at sunset, and turning off at sunrise. Then you let us know what other lighting scenarios you want, such as a “goodnight” button that turns off all lights; Or an alarm scenario that turns on all the lights in the house if your alarm gets tripped.

Tell us how your life could be easier, and we’ll teach your system how to help you out.

Would you like to receive an email when your housekeeper arrives and enters her code in your SmartLock? Or when your kids get home from school? No more worrying about lights left on, or the garage door left open. Not only will your system alert you, you’ll be able to shut off a light or close your garage door from wherever you are.

There’s really no end to the possibilities. Below are just a few of the things that can be a part of your Intelligent Home, and customized to your lifestyle.

Give us a call, lets talk about your Intelligent Home: 305-652-1138

Or, click here to Contact Us.

August 27th, 2011

Music and Movies

Imagine having an almost infinite Music & Movie Library, access at the touch of a button to almost anything you want to see, or hear. IntelligentDesign makes it easy for you to do just that.

How would you like to listen to your digital music collection in every room of your home, yacht or office? We can also add additional music sources, such as iTunes, Pandora, SiriusXM, Internet Radio, Spotify, Rhapsody, even your CD collection.

Did you know you could watch your movie collection from any TV, in any room? We’ll set up all of your equipment in one spot, but make it so you can access it from anywhere, at anytime. Blu-Ray DVD, Netflix, Hulu, VUDU, and Amazon on Demand are just a few additional sources we can make available to you throughout your system.

You won’t believe how simple it is to use a system that does so much.

Call us today, let us change the way you think about entertainment: 305-652-1138

August 26th, 2011

Lighting Control

There are so many ways that adding Lighting Control to your home or office can add convenience, security & savings to your life. Here are just a few of the possibilities:

Make shutting down the house at bedtime effortless; we can program your lights to know how you like to say goodnight.
Have your outdoor lights come on at sundown, and automatically turn off at sunrise- they’ll never be on when you don’t need them.
Program a “Vacation” scene, which will tell certain lights in your home to turn off and on at different times while you’re away, making you appear to be home, keeping your home safe.
Make it simple to have beautiful lighting to suit your mood, no matter how many switches or different kinds of lighting you have. We can set up scenes such as: Movie Night, Entertain, Dinnertime, Welcome Home, or anything you have in mind.
Save energy, and lower your utility bills. We can add sensors that automatically turn off lights when you’re not in the room. Controllable switches and dimmers are another great way to save energy.

Dimming your lights by just 25% (hardly noticeable to the human eye), reduces energy consumption by 20% and quadruples the life of your bulbs.

Dimming the light this much	Saves this much electricity	Extends bulb life this much
10%	10%	2 times longer
25%	20%	4 times longer
50%	40%	20 times longer

Give us a call today, let us simplify your life: 305-652-1138

August 26th, 2011

Outdoor & Poolside Entertainment

Are you taking advantage of your home’s outside spaces? There are so many ways to bring entertainment outside:

All Weather TVs
Music Everywhere
Lighting to Suit Your Mood & Enhance the Security of Your Home
Access to all the Entertainment Options you Have Inside

You can enjoy all the beauty of your backyard, without missing a thing. We offer a vast selection of outdoor High Definition TVs, manufactured to be safe from weather, insects, and dirt. They can withstand temperatures up to 122 degrees! They’re available in a variety of sizes, at a price to fit any budget. Wouldn’t it be nice to lounge in the pool while watching your favorite show or sporting event?

You can bring your music outdoors with a variety of speaker choices. Specially designed speakers that seem to be only flower planters or rocks can bring high quality sound outside. Or, we can hide them completely, so you see nothing at all. You can play music from all the same sources you use inside: iPod, MP3, CD, Pandora, Satellite Radio, & more. Whether you want soothing, relaxing sounds, or want to amp up a party, control is at your fingertips.

There are so many ways to expand your lifestyle to the outside of your home, we’d love to help you figure out what works best for you, & your budget.

Give us a call, we’ll come out to see how we can enhance your Outdoor Lifestyle:

305-652-1138

April 2nd, 2011

Bulletin: Japan’s Aftermath for Electronics

Though it compares in no way to the horrible devastation the people of Japan have had to endure recently, there are going to be consequences of the Japanese disaster in the world of electronics. I’m sure many of you are aware that quite a few of the electronics that Americans love and use daily are made or designed in Japan.

Inside the industry, we have been waiting to learn of the impact that will be felt here in the USA. This week, we’ve been informed that several of our vendors & distributors have had emergency meetings to discuss the reality.

Of course, the scale of the disaster, the horrific loss of life, & the damage to structures meant so much more to worry about than whether or not the Electronics Industry was going to be affected. Now that some time has passed, however, it is becoming very clear:

It appears the US is about to experience a pretty significant shortage in the electronic sector.

Obviously things could be much worse than this; we’re not talking about water, food, fuel, or oxygen. However, we take our responsibility to our clients & readers very seriously. If we hear news, so should you.

So, what does this mean? Well, expect to see the price of LED & LCD televisions going up. One of the largest plants in world that contributed to this technology was located in Northern Japan, and is now gone. Also be prepared to wait longer for these products. There will probably be a small resurgence of love for Plasma TVs, as they will be more readily available.

Semiconductors are another area that will be seeing serious repercussions. Without boring you, semiconductors are in just about all of your favorite electronics. Cell Phones, Automobiles, Remote Controls, even LED lighting will be effected.

Toshiba, Panasonic, Texas Instruments, and Sony are just a few of the manufacturers feeling a major impact. Not only are they coping with incredible business setbacks, they’re also dealing with the loss of life, & injuries of their employees.

Sony alone has suspended operations at 7 plants.

Also, many Japanese ports are completely shut down. Even if the products were available, they aren’t leaving Japan for a while.

Now is the time to purchase electronics. If you’ve been on the fence, go for it.

Please let us know your questions or concerns, we will do our best to get you answers.

Learn more here, here, and here.

www.id-fl.com

March 16th, 2011

Get Out!

The weather has finally taken a turn back to gorgeous! We’re all going to want to spend more time outside from here on, no more being cooped up in the house. Did you know you can enjoy all of the entertainment you have inside your home, outside in this lovely weather? Barbecues, pool parties, and intimate evenings at home will take on a completely different mood.

You can enjoy all the beauty of your backyard, without missing a thing. We offer a vast selection of outdoor HighDefinition TVs, manufactured to be safe from weather, insects, and dirt. They can withstand temperatures up to 122 degrees! They’re available in a variety of sizes, at a price to fit any budget. Wouldn’t it be nice to lounge in the pool while watching your favorite show or sports match?

Give us a call, we’ll come out to see how we can enhance your South Florida Lifestyle:

305-652-1138

www.id-fl.com

February 17th, 2011

Why is a Smart Home a Smart Idea?

How much of the energy that you pay for every month is wasted? A lot more than you know. Here’s a few ways your money is going out the window, and some real solutions to take it back.

LIGHTING:

Despite our best intentions, we all waste electricity by leaving the lights on. In fact, lighting accounts for 20% of all electricity used in the U.S., and 50% of that is wasted with inefficient light sources & unoccupied rooms. The thought of throwing away 50% of something you’re paying for is outrageous!

The Good News:

We can automate your lights so they come on when you need them, and go off when you don’t.
Outdoor lights can be programmed to come on at sunrise, and turn off at sunset, adding security & savings.
Sensors can be installed to automatically turn lights off when no one is in the room

Controllable dimmers are another great way to save energy. Dimming your lights by just 25% (hardly noticeable to the human eye), reduces energy consumption by 20% and quadruples the life of your bulbs.

Dimming the light this much	Saves this much electricity	Extends bulb life this much
10%	10%	2 times longer
25%	20%	4 times longer
50%	40%	20 times longer

CLIMATE CONTROL:

Your thermostat can be programmed to save energy as well. We can set it up so that it’s automatically off when you’re not home, and so that it knows to cool down or warm up before you get back. If your schedule changes, you can access your thermostat from any computer or smart device, including iPhones & iPads.

Much of the information in this entry was provided by our trusted partners at Control4.

Give us a call so we can show you how to make the most of your home: 305-652-1138

www.id-fl.com

February 10th, 2011

Where am I supposed to put all this equipment?

A common question we get is “Where am I going to put all of this equipment?” It can add up pretty fast: Cable Boxes, Satellite Receivers, Blu-Ray Players, XBOX, Playstation, WII, Audio Receivers, and plenty more if you like!

Well, no reason to worry, you have many options. Lots of people choose to stash their equipment in a piece of furniture. There are so many on the market to choose from, and a lot of our clients actually have custom ones built for them. As part of our services, we can connect you with an Interior Designer who will design & supervise the building of just about anything you can imagine.

After you have decided on your furniture, we very neatly rack your equipment. Now it can be accessed whenever necessary, but is totally out of your way.

Another great option is to hide your equipment away in a closet. You get the same great neatly racked equipment, but we’ll tuck it away in a closet for you.

In both cases, we can make the one rack the main “brain” for your house. Everything in your house, controlled from one place!

Questions? Give us a call: 305-652-1138

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