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.

One of our favorites projects! We loved using different tones of blue and greens.! This home expresses comfort, luxury and fun. As we design our bedrooms we select textures and colors that appeal to our clients desire and needs. We designed individual accents for each room to create "wow" factors. Custom window treatment panels complement the theme and style of breezy beach theme. Complete home furnished and accessories purchased at Creative Design Team April, Deb , Ron and Marya

Photo: Ashley K. Shower Door: Shower Doors of Houston Fixtures: Grohe and American Standard
Transitional gray tile and ceramic tile bathroom photo in Houston with an undermount sink, furniture-like cabinets, black cabinets, marble countertops and a one-piece toilet

HEXAGON TILE and CUBE TILE look so gosh darn good together, that we just had to pair them up! These two geometric patterns are such a playful way to express yourself. Cover your surface minimally or layer like crazy to find something truly unique, or simply have the pattern trail away and disappear as it moves up the wall! These cubes are approximately 8 inches, and are completely interchangeable with our HEXAGON TILE stencil and CUBE TILE stencil. For larger areas you may want to consider a stencil of two of each for ease of installation. Stencil Dimensions: 24'' x 36'' 39.95

HEXAGON TILE and CUBE TILE look so gosh darn good together, that we just had to pair them up! And make then MINI! These two geometric patterns are such a playful way to express yourself. Cover your surface minimally or layer like crazy to find something truly unique, or simply have the pattern trail away and disappear as it moves up the wall! These cubes are approximately 4 inches, and are completely interchangeable with our HEXAGON TILE stencil and CUBE TILE stencil. For larger areas you may want to consider a stencil of two of each for ease of installation. Stencil Dimensions: 24'' x 36'' 39.95

The Elemental- DIY Cast Stone Fireplace Mantel Elemental’s modern and elegant style blends clean lines with minimal ornamentation. The surround’s waterfall edge detail creates a distinctive architectural flair that’s sure to draw the eye. This mantel provides a perfect timeless expression.

Craft rooms are creative sanctuaries designed to inspire and facilitate artistic endeavors. These spaces are dedicated to nurturing hobbies like crafting, sewing, painting, and other DIY projects. Craft rooms typically feature ample storage with organized bins, shelves, and drawers for materials, ensuring a clutter-free and efficient workspace. A well-lit environment is crucial, often achieved with task lighting or natural light to enhance visibility during detailed work. Customized workstations, such as spacious tables and comfortable seating, provide the ideal setting for creative exploration. Craft rooms are not just about functionality; they're a haven for self-expression, where individuals can let their imagination run wild and turn ideas into tangible works of art.

This custom wet edge pool that has an infinity edge look is a true masterpiece and expresses the most modern of looks and appeal. With it's dark tone and wet edge spill over into a bank of water that is hard to see, this pool is one of a kind!

Jennifer Thornhill
Example of a mid-sized cottage guest carpeted bedroom design in Louisville with multicolored walls and no fireplace

This custom wet edge pool that has an infinity edge look is a true masterpiece and expresses the most modern of looks and appeal. With it's dark tone and wet edge spill over into a bank of water that is hard to see, this pool is one of a kind!

Craft rooms are creative sanctuaries designed to inspire and facilitate artistic endeavors. These spaces are dedicated to nurturing hobbies like crafting, sewing, painting, and other DIY projects. Craft rooms typically feature ample storage with organized bins, shelves, and drawers for materials, ensuring a clutter-free and efficient workspace. A well-lit environment is crucial, often achieved with task lighting or natural light to enhance visibility during detailed work. Customized workstations, such as spacious tables and comfortable seating, provide the ideal setting for creative exploration. Craft rooms are not just about functionality; they're a haven for self-expression, where individuals can let their imagination run wild and turn ideas into tangible works of art.

Color: Expressions-Multi-Width-Antique-Spice-Strand-Woven-Bamboo
Home design - mid-sized traditional home design idea in Chicago

Craft rooms are creative sanctuaries designed to inspire and facilitate artistic endeavors. These spaces are dedicated to nurturing hobbies like crafting, sewing, painting, and other DIY projects. Craft rooms typically feature ample storage with organized bins, shelves, and drawers for materials, ensuring a clutter-free and efficient workspace. A well-lit environment is crucial, often achieved with task lighting or natural light to enhance visibility during detailed work. Customized workstations, such as spacious tables and comfortable seating, provide the ideal setting for creative exploration. Craft rooms are not just about functionality; they're a haven for self-expression, where individuals can let their imagination run wild and turn ideas into tangible works of art.

Pared back without being basic, this 3-in-1 exposed bulb light is the epitome of minimalistic design. A modest round base highlights the bulb of your choice to bring forth a unique light that can truly show off your own personal style. Add a vintage-look light bulb or a designer bulb to upscale this piece. The subtle color blends easily with all interior design looks but doesn’t sit idly by. This is a fantastic way to add a simple pop of muted color to any room.

Pared back without being basic, this 3-in-1 exposed bulb light is the epitome of minimalistic design. A modest round base highlights the bulb of your choice to bring forth a unique light that can truly show off your own personal style. Add a vintage-look light bulb or a designer bulb to upscale this piece. The subtle color blends easily with all interior design looks but doesn’t sit idly by. This is a fantastic way to add a simple pop of muted color to any room.

This custom wet edge pool that has an infinity edge look is a true masterpiece and expresses the most modern of looks and appeal. With it's dark tone and wet edge spill over into a bank of water that is hard to see, this pool is one of a kind!

Pared back without being basic, this 3-in-1 exposed bulb light is the epitome of minimalistic design. A modest round base highlights the bulb of your choice to bring forth a unique light that can truly show off your own personal style. Add a vintage-look light bulb or a designer bulb to upscale this piece. The subtle color blends easily with all interior design looks but doesn’t sit idly by. This is a fantastic way to add a simple pop of muted color to any room.

Color: Expressions-Lava-Strand-Woven-Bamboo
Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining room combo idea in Chicago with gray walls and a ribbon fireplace

Express cable railing is the ultimate DIY system of your dreams.
Danish backyard second story cable railing dock photo in Other with no cover