Inspiration for a transitional home office remodel in DC Metro

Example of a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam open concept kitchen design in Austin with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Perched on a forested hillside above Missoula, the Pattee Canyon Residence provides a series of bright, light filled spaces for a young family of six. Set into the hillside, the home appears humble from the street while opening up to panoramic views towards the valley. The family frequently puts on large gatherings for friends of all ages; thus, multiple “eddy out” spaces were created throughout the home for more intimate chats. Exposed steel structural ribs and generous glazing in the great room create a rhythm and draw one’s gaze to the folding horizon. Smaller windows on the lower level frame intimate portraits of nature. Cedar siding and dark shingle roofing help the home blend in with its piney surroundings. Inside, rough sawn cabinetry and nature inspired tile provide a textural balance with the bright white spaces and contemporary fixtures.

French country patio photo in Orange County

Living room - coastal living room idea in San Diego

Longview Studios
Inspiration for a rustic living room remodel in Other

Beach style blue tile mosaic tile floor and white floor bathroom photo in Miami with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

images by: Travis Rhoads Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard stone formal garden in San Francisco for spring.

Nantucket Architectural Photography
Bathroom - large coastal master white tile and ceramic tile light wood floor bathroom idea in Boston with white walls

Country kitchen photo in Minneapolis

Lush planting compliment this modern landscape nestled over a lake. A new patio with turf around a fire feature is amazing for watching the sunset across the new, well thought out planting.

Inspiration for a transitional freestanding desk carpeted, exposed beam and vaulted ceiling study room remodel in Minneapolis with beige walls

Inspiration for a french country living room remodel in Minneapolis

Kitchen - rustic kitchen idea in Atlanta

Elegant freestanding desk light wood floor and brown floor study room photo in Orange County with beige walls

Trendy deck photo in San Francisco

Elegant home design photo in Chicago

This article is posted here with the consent of the author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, view, or opinion of Crestron Electronics, Inc., or of any of its employees. Crestron Electronics is not responsible for, and does not verify the accuracy of, any of the information contained in this article. By Jeff Singer The “smart” revolution began several years ago with smartphones (a.k.a phones) and has extended in recent years to thermostats, doorbells, alarm systems, and kitchen appliances. Smart devices are so ubiquitous that the term “smart” is overused to the point that it is almost meaningless. Companies are eager to jump on the bandwagon and claim their products are “smart,” and consumers proudly claim they have a smart home because they have lighting control. Misconceptions about smart homes are prevalent and create confusion in the marketplace. This can have deleterious effects on businesses and underserve consumers. Here are seven of the most popular misconceptions about smart homes: 1. Apps are smart Apps are convenient and easy to use. Yes, it seems there’s an app for everything. People expect to be able to download an app and do just about anything. App developers and many companies do not disavow consumers of this myth. On the contrary, they promote this idea with carefully worded descriptions. The promise of having the world at your fingertips for $1.99 is very enticing. Although it sounds too good to be true, it is also too good to pass up for many people. This leads to undervaluing home control and disappointment when the apps don’t work, which undermines confidence in our industry. The fact is that apps are not smart. They do not control anything. They must connect to and communicate with a control system or cloud service that processes, prioritizes, and executes commands. That’s the real magic and what most people do not understand. 2. Smart devices work together With so many smart appliances and devices on the market today, it’s understandable that the average consumer might think that they actually communicate and work together. This is simply not the case. Smart devices are not that smart. They are designed and manufactured by different, often competing, companies. There are no national or industry standards governing these products. Even if they all operate using Wi-Fi® communications, that doesn’t mean they work together. Some companies promote a home control platform, which unites different devices from different companies – in theory. The platform is yet another third-party software totally dependent on other companies developing APIs and writing control modules for their hardware to run on that piece of software. The devices are not independently compatible. Also, when updates are made to either the hardware or the software, functionality may be affected for some period. That’s a nice way of saying the device or system won’t work and there’s no way of knowing for how long. 3. It’s a DIY project Which brings us to the next myth, which is that the average person can do it themselves. Unless you are a skilled professional, I would not advise taking on a smart home project. You want to make a light turn on and off with your Alexa® or Google Assistant™ virtual assistant software, go for it. A smart home takes much more planning and expertise. I have no problem changing a light bulb or hanging a light fixture in my dining room; however, I am not going to rewire my house. I may change the flush valve in my toilet, but I’m not going to replace the pipes in my house. You get it. Integrating devices and systems, establishing different zones, creating scenes, designing the UI with a balance between control, feedback, and simplicity – all takes experience and skill. 4. Need a programmer to make changes Early adopters may have experienced the pain of trying to make a simple change or update to their home control system. Years ago, if the cable provider changed the channel line-up, the homeowner would have to call the dealer or programmer to make an appointment for them to come out to the house to reprogram the system. The system wouldn’t work as expected until it was updated, which often took several days and beaucoup bucks. Not anymore. Technology has evolved so now it’s easy for system owners to change favorite channels, create scenes, rename buttons, update images, and more. While a professional is needed for the initial installation and setup, the system is easy to manage once it’s up and running. This makes life so much easier for both dealer and customer. 5. Tech becomes obsolete quickly Similar to updating the UI, updating firmware or hardware used to be a stressful process. A smart home should be intelligent enough to update itself. Apps don’t become obsolete. Updates are constantly pushed out from the cloud, making them better all the time. The same is true for a good smart home system. New features, functions, and device support gets added in the background consistently, so the system you installed (or purchased) yesterday gets better over time. Swapping out decorative elements, such as keypads, dimmers, and touch screens is also seamless. When a new device is added, all the settings are pulled down from the cloud and it just works. No system interruptions. No sunk costs. No imposing house calls. No surprise bills. 6. Lighting control saves energy and money Lighting control is one of the most popular smart systems, but it takes more than just one system to make a home smart. On the surface, it makes sense that if you dim the lights ten percent, then you save ten percent of energy costs. If the shades are raised during the day to take advantage of sunlight so the lights don’t need to be on (or at least not 100%), but that causes the room temperature to rise a few degrees, which triggers the air conditioner to run longer and more often, was energy usage (or cost) reduced? A smart home integrates all the various systems and technology to optimize comfort, convenience, safety, and sometimes energy. 7. Home technology is easy to hack Security is at the forefront of people’s minds these days. Personal identities are stolen; email accounts hacked; private photos publicized; and more. A smart home must outsmart those who don’t respect privacy. Crestron control systems adhere to the strictest security standards. The same Crestron control system that goes into a home is also installed in secure government and military facilities, global banking institutions, hospitals, and other mission critical applications. When installed correctly by a trained professional, a Crestron smart home is the gold standard for security, comfort, and convenience.

Computer numerical control or CNC machining is an automated manufacturing process used to make components of devices or appliances. It employs computer-aided software and codes to control complex machinery, including mills, grinders, lathes, and cutters. It is used to manufacture multiple parts from diverse raw materials such as aluminium, brass, acrylic, plastics, and wood. It is a subtractive process in which a solid piece of material is carved into a 2D or 3D object of any shape or size. This enables the creation of prototypes for parts and finished products. It also enables automated mass production of parts such as fittings, housings, brackets, gears, fasteners, shafts, electrical contacts, and moulds using specific materials. This process is a quick, safe, versatile, precise, and cost-effective production method. These advantages allow it to be used for various applications in industries ranging from healthcare and electronics to aerospace and the military. Moreover, it is used to create parts for several objects you use at home every day. Here are 10 things in your house that you may not know are manufactured using CNC machining:   1. Kitchen Appliances   Several manufacturers employ CNC machines to create heavy-duty parts for durable kitchen appliances. Through pre-programmed software, the machine produces parts of different shapes, sizes, colours, and textures using a variety of materials like metals and plastic. CNC-machined components of kitchen appliances include metal plates, covers, textured handles, pins, rings, and wires. These small but essential parts improve the utility of your everyday kitchen appliances such as the electric can opener, dishwasher, hand blender, grinder, and coffee brewing machine.   2. Electronic Devices   Components of electronic devices are usually small in size and have fine details and shapes that require precision machining. CNC machines offer the flexibility and efficiency to manufacture large and small parts of various shapes, sizes, and materials required to complete electronic appliances. CNC machining enables accurate, computerized prototyping and the production of detailed, intricate, and sensitive parts from a wide range of metals. It can be used to produce parts such as connectors, housing, wires, heat sinks, semiconductors, and fixtures. It can also be used to create the chassis or the framework of various electronic appliances. You can find CNC-machined parts in the following electronic home appliances:

• Laptops and Computers
• Mobile phones
• Cameras
• Television
• Speakers
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Router
• Refrigerator
• Air conditioner
• Washing machine
• Fans, air purifiers, and humidifiers
• Robotic vacuum cleaners
• Remote control

3. Household Items   Many household items contain parts that are manufactured using CNC. Some examples include components such as plates, springs, wires, handles, and housing that fit into many utility-based products. Utility product manufacturers use CNC machines to produce large quantities of inexpensive household objects in various textures, shapes, and colors. These include items like brooms, trays, lids, flashlights, zippers, textured pens, shoe soles, measuring cups, salt and pepper shakers, holders, coasters, and more.   4. Watches   The intricacies of your wristwatch demand perfection. Some watches you have maybe handmade, but there can be scope for human error regardless of the craftsmanship. Watch manufacturers prefer using CNC machines to cut out the minute parts of a watch with great precision and uniformity. For instance, watch gears must be accurately carved out of metal so that the teeth of the gears fit perfectly into each other. CNC machining offers the ideal solution to create multiple, standardized pieces, including the gears, the framework, and the strap. Typically, a 5-axis CNC machine is used for making a watch. It can exactly cut pieces of metal for each component as required. This not only saves time but offers consistency, accuracy, high quality, and cost-effective production of watches.   5. Jewelry   CNC machines are increasingly used in the jewellery industry as they offer creative versatility. All sorts of jewelry such as rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, cufflinks, tie pins, and parts of a belt can be made using this process. Several manufacturers use a 5-axis CNC milling machine to craft bespoke jewelry from precious metals like gold and silver. They also use the machine to create unique, personalized jewellery designs by engraving inscriptions and intricate details into it. Some jewelers also use it to precisely cut precious stones like diamonds.   6. Musical Instruments   If you have a musical instrument at home, it may have been made with CNC-based production. Manufacturers can mass produce musical instruments using CNC router machines. These machines offer the advantages of rapid prototyping and accurate reproduction of high-quality musical instruments, offering the option of customization. The necks, bodies, and heads of musical instruments such as ukuleles, violins, and electric guitars can be easily made with wood. The tone and sound controls are usually made using plastics.   7. Furniture   Furniture and other architectural elements in your house such as chairs, staircases, windows, cabinets, tables, doors, screens, fences, and gates are often CNC-machined. Furniture manufacturers employ wood carving and cutting machines to carve beautiful patterns and ornamental features into the material to create tasteful furniture. This helps them mass-produce affordable furniture using diverse raw materials such as wood, metal, and plastics. It also helps them accurately customize designs based on the requirements.   8. Pipes and Railing   The pipes and railings in your house are also made using CNC machines. Construction material manufacturing companies use lathes and punching machines to make multiple tubes, fittings, and shafts out of plastics and alloys like stainless steel. They also use CNC bending machines to add bends and angles to tubes, pipes, railing, and arches, which are required for plumbing and construction.   9. Interior Decor   With CNC machining, decor manufacturers can create innovative and artistic designs for your house. Interior decoration including lighting fixtures, lampshades, and art pieces of different shapes, colors, and sizes can be created by cutting patterns into materials like metal, plastics, or wood. This allows manufacturers to create original interior décor for a unique, aesthetic ambience.   10. Toys   Various toys such as building blocks, toy cars, dollhouses, fidget spinners, spinning tops, flutes, rocking horses, and miniatures are made using CNC machining. Even pieces of board games such as chess and monopoly are made using this type of manufacturing. Toy manufacturers generally use a 3-axis or 5-axis CNC machine to create their products out of materials such as plastics, metals, or wood. This offers easy reproducibility, allowing manufacturers to create identical, intricate pieces required to build a toy or game.   CNC Machining Services   Most household items you see and use on a daily basis can be made using CNC machines. The process helps manufacturers create anything from tiny parts of a device to complete customized products. CNC machines are used to create a wide variety of products ranging from architectural elements and utility-based items to essential parts of a home appliance. To build prototypes, components, or finished products, manufacturers even outsource CNC machining services from custom manufacturing professionals. The ease of production, precision, and efficiency offered by CNC machining explains its ubiquity in all industries. No wonder more and more manufacturers prefer using it to create so many parts and products you use regularly.