This full featured, sleek and compact pool, has it all! This stunning view is set off with soothing reflections on the water's surface. We do this utilizing a black, pebble plaster finish and smooth water flow. A cool marble patio with clean, green turf complete this living space. We fully automate a spacious spa, swim jets from Badu, color changing LEDs, dual heat and cool and of course, silky salt water with OmniLogic from Hayward. Hayward leads the pack with user friendly apps for your cell phone and other web connected devices so control is at your fingertips.

This bathroom was designed as a surprise for my client's parent! An amazing and thoughtful gift anyone would be so happy to come home to. Function was our main focus in this design. We removed the large garden tub to accommodate a larger shower with a standing shower with body sprays and on the other end a seated area with a handheld shower wand for flexible shower options. Since function was so key in this master bath, we put an ample amount of shower niches in both showering areas for all the body products you could need at your fingertips. The previous window was too large and clear glass that gave no privacy so we replaced the window to give some privacy and added a frosted window for even more privacy. This allowed us to install decorative grab bars for safety without sacrificing style. A barrier free shower entrance creates an easy way to get in and out without the need for a shower door. A timeless design with some french style accents in a neutral color palette round out this bathroom. The shower floor tile give is some pattern to complement the white wall tile. Accent wall behind the vanity for some texture and pattern as well as keeping water from being splashed onto the drywall. For the main bathroom floor we went with a large 24" square rectified porcelain tile to give the look of a natural stone with a little variation for a natural look but much lower maintenance than natural stone. To top off the vanity, bench seat, sills and pony walls we did a warm grey and white quartz for a nice overall pattern, again something to keep with a more timeless look. This was a great project and such a great improvement not only to the house but to the daily life of the user!

Create the ultimate lifestyle of comfort and convenience throughout your entire home with automation and smart home technology. Eliminate the need to walk from room to room to adjust shades, lights, temperature, and enjoy music and video in any room you want it to be. When you leave for work in the morning, press the “Away” button to turn off all the lights, lock doors, arm the security system, set the temperature, lower shades, and power down non-essential devices. Entertain with ease not having to run around the home to set lights, shades and music to create the perfect ambiance. Whether from an easy-to-use touch screen, remote, customized keypad or mobile device, total smart control of your entire house is always at your fingertips.

Elfa Decor with walnut trim was used in this large master closet. All for the woman and all her clothing storage needs. A nice counter to set things on and jewelry drawers to keep everything in view and at your fingertips

Don't forget to check out the beautiful dark stained beams on the ceiling. These were lighter before the remodel. Holiday Kitchens Cabinets make an appearance in this kitchen with their Canterbury door style. The perimeter cabinets are painted Antique White while the island cabinets are cerused in Cyprus with a Mink wash. Atop the cabinets, you'll find Camria quartz around the perimeter & island bar in Canongate with Dekton in Entzo on the lower part of the island. The sink is Blanco's Precis granite sink in White. Kohler makes a showing with their Sensate faucet in oil rubbed bronze to match the finish on the rest of the hardware. Some of the other features of this kitchen include a backsplash done with Insulation & Supply's Urbane line in Soho and hardwood flooring from Mannington's Hickory 3/8" Random line in Fawn. The rest of the kitchen is set up to make cooking convenient with appliance garages, pull out utensil drawers, pull up mixer storage, verticle storage for cooking sheets, and a pantry with layers of shelves easy access to all those important ingredients This homeowner can truly have everything their fingertips.

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.

Don't forget to check out the beautiful dark stained beams on the ceiling. These were lighter before the remodel. Holiday Kitchens Cabinets make an appearance in this kitchen with their Canterbury door style. The perimeter cabinets are painted Antique White while the island cabinets are cerused in Cyprus with a Mink wash. Atop the cabinets, you'll find Camria quartz around the perimeter & island bar in Canongate with Dekton in Entzo on the lower part of the island. The sink is Blanco's Precis granite sink in White. Kohler makes a showing with their Sensate faucet in oil rubbed bronze to match the finish on the rest of the hardware. Some of the other features of this kitchen include a backsplash done with Insulation & Supply's Urbane line in Soho and hardwood flooring from Mannington's Hickory 3/8" Random line in Fawn. The rest of the kitchen is set up to make cooking convenient with appliance garages, pull out utensil drawers, pull up mixer storage, verticle storage for cooking sheets, and a pantry with layers of shelves easy access to all those important ingredients This homeowner can truly have everything their fingertips.

This is a customized Avila model from Timber Block's Classic Series. The original Avila: The perfect vacation destination can be found in the Avila. The main floor features everything needed to create a cozy cottage. An open living room with dining area off the kitchen is perfect for both weekend family and family getaways, or entertaining friends. A bedroom and bathroom is on the main floor, and the loft features plenty of living space for a second bedroom. The main floor bedroom and bathroom means everything you need is right at your fingertips. Use the spacious loft for a second bedroom, an additional living room, or even an office. www.timberblock.com

Midcentury Modern with a twist! Walnut built in desk area allows for a hideaway work space with beautifully organized office materials stored inches from your fingertips.

The perfect vacation destination can be found in the Avila. The main floor features everything needed to create a cozy cottage. An open living room with dining area off the kitchen is perfect for both weekend family and family getaways, or entertaining friends. A bedroom and bathroom is on the main floor, and the loft features plenty of living space for a second bedroom. The main floor bedroom and bathroom means everything you need is right at your fingertips. Use the spacious loft for a second bedroom, an additional living room, or even an office. www.timberblock.com

A classic Portland foursquare, lovingly owned by an active and lively family of four, had undergone some unfortunate previous renovations that were in desperate need of updating. A cramped kitchen layout, lacking countertop work space, non-functional appliance locations (the range was floating on it’s own!), cramped kitchen nook not large enough for eat-in space and therefor left underutilized, and a general lack of storage all needed to be addressed. To increase functional space, we enclosed a small back porch and re-built the adjacent nook, folding in the square footage to create an expansive kitchen footprint. We relocated the back door and added a back deck while creating space for a mud bench for littles to tuck away their gear! The enlarged kitchen now boasts a extensive natural light thanks to the addition of several windows. An easy work flow was created within the new kitchen layout featuring an in-island sink with range and hood flanked by matching windows. Custom cabinet accessories make storage a breeze and provide a space for all the necessities to be right at the homeowner’s fingertips. The eat-in kitchen space allows not only for lingering family chats, but homework and craft projects to be done while dinner simmers on the stove. This kitchen truly is the heart of this home! All of the updates were completed with the home’s original foursquare architecture in mind. with a focus on classic architectural molding styles, traditional window details, and clean-lined classic fixtures. Youthfulness and modernity are infused into the space with the contemporary handmade tile backsplash, rich and timeless green cabinets, and artistic wallpaper with a whimsical floral print and subtle European nod. The custom range in cream and brass is a stunning showstopper and a testament that even the most functional of elements in a kitchen can still be beautiful! Which one is the star of the show? How do we pick just one?!

After living in this home for a decade, Crystal Lake residents Ken & Bonnie needed an update to their tired original kitchen to meet the needs of their busy family. Together with the expertise of designer Scott Christensen at Advance Design Studio they planned to completely reconfigure the entire space. They began by removing the restrictive peninsula and replaced it with a generous island designed to house an expansive farmhouse sink, convenient pull out trash receptacles, and a hidden dishwasher. Now there was ample room to add island seating to accommodate family gatherings, or for just “hanging out” with teenagers. A dramatic new focal point was created with the design of an elegant range area featuring a beautiful custom wood mantle hood detailed with crushed glass handmade tile. Hidden storage houses every spice imaginable right at the cook’s fingertips. Double-stacked glass cabinetry emphasizes the impressive height of the room that was a wonderful architectural element that previously went unnoticed in the original kitchen. The entire kitchen and breakfast nook was opened up to the 2 story family room by integrating enlarged arched openings. An outdated desk area was transformed into a beautiful breakfront bar with beverage refrigeration, glass display cabinets and plenty of new storage for entertainment pieces. An espresso nook was tucked neatly between tall cabinetry, and an old fashioned closet with shelves was converted into an efficient chef’s dream of organized custom pull out pantries. “I am the leader of the Scott Christensen fan club,” says Bonnie. “With my busy family and a full time career, Scott made the process of designing this space so easy for me. He didn’t overwhelm me, but carefully determined what I liked and offered me two thoughtful solutions for just about everything - complete with his expert opinion that I really respected.” Bright white Jay Rambo custom made maple cabinets are accented by Cambria quartz counter tops and simple subway tiles. Original hardwood floors were refinished and stained a darker shade, and stair risers and balusters were painted white to coordinate with the smart wainscot details throughout the first floor. The end effect is a cohesive first floor that flows together with grace and a level of elegance perfectly suitable for this stately Crystal Lake home. Designer: Scott Christensen Photographer: Joe Nowak

After living in this home for a decade, Crystal Lake residents Ken & Bonnie needed an update to their tired original kitchen to meet the needs of their busy family. Together with the expertise of designer Scott Christensen at Advance Design Studio they planned to completely reconfigure the entire space. They began by removing the restrictive peninsula and replaced it with a generous island designed to house an expansive farmhouse sink, convenient pull out trash receptacles, and a hidden dishwasher. Now there was ample room to add island seating to accommodate family gatherings, or for just “hanging out” with teenagers. A dramatic new focal point was created with the design of an elegant range area featuring a beautiful custom wood mantle hood detailed with crushed glass handmade tile. Hidden storage houses every spice imaginable right at the cook’s fingertips. Double-stacked glass cabinetry emphasizes the impressive height of the room that was a wonderful architectural element that previously went unnoticed in the original kitchen. The entire kitchen and breakfast nook was opened up to the 2 story family room by integrating enlarged arched openings. An outdated desk area was transformed into a beautiful breakfront bar with beverage refrigeration, glass display cabinets and plenty of new storage for entertainment pieces. An espresso nook was tucked neatly between tall cabinetry, and an old fashioned closet with shelves was converted into an efficient chef’s dream of organized custom pull out pantries. “I am the leader of the Scott Christensen fan club,” says Bonnie. “With my busy family and a full time career, Scott made the process of designing this space so easy for me. He didn’t overwhelm me, but carefully determined what I liked and offered me two thoughtful solutions for just about everything - complete with his expert opinion that I really respected.” Bright white Jay Rambo custom made maple cabinets are accented by Cambria quartz counter tops and simple subway tiles. Original hardwood floors were refinished and stained a darker shade, and stair risers and balusters were painted white to coordinate with the smart wainscot details throughout the first floor. The end effect is a cohesive first floor that flows together with grace and a level of elegance perfectly suitable for this stately Crystal Lake home. Designer: Scott Christensen Photographer: Joe Nowak

Create the ultimate lifestyle of comfort and convenience throughout your entire home with automation and smart home technology. Eliminate the need to walk from room to room to adjust shades, lights, temperature, and enjoy music and video in any room you want it to be. When you leave for work in the morning, press the “Away” button to turn off all the lights, lock doors, arm the security system, set the temperature, lower shades, and power down non-essential devices. Entertain with ease not having to run around the home to set lights, shades and music to create the perfect ambiance. Whether from an easy-to-use touch screen, remote, customized keypad or mobile device, total smart control of your entire house is always at your fingertips.

Create the ultimate lifestyle of comfort and convenience throughout your entire home with automation and smart home technology. Eliminate the need to walk from room to room to adjust shades, lights, temperature, and enjoy music and video in any room you want it to be. When you leave for work in the morning, press the “Away” button to turn off all the lights, lock doors, arm the security system, set the temperature, lower shades, and power down non-essential devices. Entertain with ease not having to run around the home to set lights, shades and music to create the perfect ambiance. Whether from an easy-to-use touch screen, remote, customized keypad or mobile device, total smart control of your entire house is always at your fingertips.

Nestled in the prestigious Empire Pass area of Deer Valley, this extraordinary ski-in, ski-out residence embodies the pinnacle of mountain luxury. Spanning an impressive 4,442 square feet of internal accommodation, this meticulously crafted home offers five lavish bedrooms and seven opulent bathrooms, designed for those who demand the very best in life. Upon entering, you're greeted by soaring high ceilings that create an immediate sense of grandeur, while floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the interior in an abundance of natural light. The warmth of oak paneling paired with natural stone countertops exudes sophistication, seamlessly blending contemporary elegance with timeless materials. The heart of the home is its expansive living area, where bespoke finishes and custom craftsmanship are evident in every detail. The natural wood and stone elements flow effortlessly from the interior to the exterior living spaces, creating a harmonious connection with the surrounding landscape. This organic design not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also fosters a deep sense of tranquility and grounding. The residence is thoughtfully equipped with luxurious amenities, including a steam shower, ideal for après-ski relaxation, and a state-of-the-art ski locker, ensuring every convenience is at your fingertips. Each bedroom serves as a private retreat, offering unparalleled comfort and privacy, while the bathrooms are outfitted with exquisite fixtures that elevate daily rituals into moments of indulgence. This Empire Pass residence is not just a home; it is a masterpiece, where nature and luxury converge to create a sanctuary of unparalleled refinement.

Don't forget to check out the beautiful dark stained beams on the ceiling. These were lighter before the remodel. Holiday Kitchens Cabinets make an appearance in this kitchen with their Canterbury door style. The perimeter cabinets are painted Antique White while the island cabinets are cerused in Cyprus with a Mink wash. Atop the cabinets, you'll find Camria quartz around the perimeter & island bar in Canongate with Dekton in Entzo on the lower part of the island. The sink is Blanco's Precis granite sink in White. Kohler makes a showing with their Sensate faucet in oil rubbed bronze to match the finish on the rest of the hardware. Some of the other features of this kitchen include a backsplash done with Insulation & Supply's Urbane line in Soho and hardwood flooring from Mannington's Hickory 3/8" Random line in Fawn. The rest of the kitchen is set up to make cooking convenient with appliance garages, pull out utensil drawers, pull up mixer storage, verticle storage for cooking sheets, and a pantry with layers of shelves easy access to all those important ingredients This homeowner can truly have everything their fingertips.

A master closet with room for everything at your fingertips! Areas for dressing as well as hair and makeup all in this thoughtfully designed closet.
Example of a large farmhouse gender-neutral light wood floor, brown floor and tray ceiling walk-in closet design in Chicago with open cabinets and white cabinets

The perfect vacation destination can be found in the Avila. The main floor features everything needed to create a cozy cottage. An open living room with dining area off the kitchen is perfect for both weekend family and family getaways, or entertaining friends. A bedroom and bathroom is on the main floor, and the loft features plenty of living space for a second bedroom. The main floor bedroom and bathroom means everything you need is right at your fingertips. Use the spacious loft for a second bedroom, an additional living room, or even an office. www.timberblock.com