Search results for "Smart" in Home Design Ideas

We started the Hartsell kitchen in 2021 and finished in 2 months. The design included: espresso painted cabinets with recessed panels, white quartz countertop, subway tiled backsplash, pendant lights, kohler composite sinks, Kohler faucet, GE Cafe smart appliances, butlers pantry display area, beverage/wine cooler, Pantry closet with heavy duty shelving, smart lights in closet, smart undercabinet lights, smart ceiling mounted lights, smart light, soft close dovetail drawers, soft close doors

This homeowner in Conroe Texas chose to replace the siding on the home with LP SmartSide, LP SmartSoffit on the ceiling and SmartTrim. We added a new custom built patio cover for a lovely addition to this home. The home and patio were painted with Sherwin Williams Resilience Lifetime Paint in Interactive Cream SW 6113 and Sporty Blue SW 6522 for the trim.

We started the Joffre kitchen in 2013 and finished in 2 months. The design included: espresso painted cabinets w/recessed panels, white quartz countertop, subway tiled backsplash, pendant lights, Kohler composite sinks, Kohler faucet, GE Cafe smart appliances, butler’s pantry display area, beverage/wine cooler, Pantry closet with heavy duty shelving, smart lights in closet, smart undercabinet lights, smart ceiling mounted lights, smart outside light, soft close dovetail drawers, soft close doors
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Room has a 4K OLED SmarTV. All content streams form the TV's Apps (No Cable Box or DirecTV receiver needed for TV programming). Seamless in-ceiling stereo speakers in the front of the room and seamless on-wall speakers playing towards the bed which can output the distributed house music or TV sound. Automated lighting, shades and HVAC. Room can be controlled through Control4's handheld remote, touchscreens or mobile App.

We started the Hartsell kitchen in 2021 and finished in 2 months. The design included: espresso painted cabinets with recessed panels, white quartz countertop, subway tiled backsplash, pendant lights, kohler composite sinks, Kohler faucet, GE Cafe smart appliances, butlers pantry display area, beverage/wine cooler, Pantry closet with heavy duty shelving, smart lights in closet, smart undercabinet lights, smart ceiling mounted lights, smart light, soft close dovetail drawers, soft close doors

Small aperture speakers should be the same size as the lighting for an even, continuous, and clean design. These sound great, too!
Example of a french country home design design in Philadelphia
Example of a french country home design design in Philadelphia

This is a beautiful room that sounds great, too.
Performance style speakers live above the mirror. They were selected to fill the space with appropriate sound for the room size and application.

IP 6MP camera with color viewing in the daytime and nighttime. Cameras are visible from the Control4 touchscreen or Camera App.
Example of a trendy exterior home design in Los Angeles
Example of a trendy exterior home design in Los Angeles

Beautiful lighting control and small aperture speakers that match, so the ceiling doesn't draw attention from the rest of this lovely home.
Dining room - french country dining room idea in Philadelphia
Dining room - french country dining room idea in Philadelphia

We started the Hartsell kitchen in 2021 and finished in 2 months. The design included: espresso painted cabinets with recessed panels, white quartz countertop, subway tiled backsplash, pendant lights, kohler composite sinks, Kohler faucet, GE Cafe smart appliances, butlers pantry display area, beverage/wine cooler, Pantry closet with heavy duty shelving, smart lights in closet, smart undercabinet lights, smart ceiling mounted lights, smart light, soft close dovetail drawers, soft close doors

Discover how premium light-filtering materials and smart-home automation can secure street-level entryway glass without losing natural daylight.
Choosing the right window treatments for a home's front entrance is one of the most challenging design decisions a homeowner can face. The front door is the focal point of a home's curb appeal, often featuring expansive glass panels or side-by-side double doors designed to make a grand architectural statement.
During the day, these large glass features are an asset, flooding entryways and foyers with beautiful natural daylight. However, for homes situated on busy local roads or highly trafficked street-level lots, the dynamic completely changes once the sun goes down.
The moment interior lights are switched on in the evening, a stark contrast is created with the dark outdoors. This creates a severe privacy issue, leaving the entire foyer completely exposed to passing traffic and pedestrians. Finding a solution that delivers absolute evening privacy without permanently plunging the front entrance into darkness during the day requires understanding how modern window treatment materials and operating systems interact.
Light-Filtering vs. Blackout Fabrics
The first step in solving street-level privacy is selecting the correct fabric type. Many homeowners mistakenly assume they need heavy, opaque blackout shades to secure their home from outside eyes at night. While blackout fabrics certainly block 100% of the view, they also block 100% of the natural daylight during the day, forcing you to constantly raise and lower the shades just to see inside your own foyer.
A more effective approach for entryways utilizes premium light-filtering materials. These specialized fabrics are engineered with a precise, tight weave that operates on the principles of directional light and optical density.
Daytime Functionality: When the sun is shining outside, the exterior light levels are significantly higher than the interior light levels. The light-filtering fabric diffuses the intense, direct sunlight into a soft, ambient glow throughout the entryway. This keeps the home bright, eliminates harsh glares, and protects interior hardwood flooring, paint, and trim from damaging UV rays.
Night-Time Functionality: At night, the lighting dynamic reverses. The interior foyer lights make the inside bright, while the outside is dark. Because of the specialized tight weave, the fabric blocks the transmission of clear shapes and details. To a person standing out on the street or driving by on a busy road, the view inside is completely obstructed, delivering total privacy when the family is home for the evening.
Challenges of Front Door Installations
Securing privacy for a double wide front entrance introduces unique structural hurdles that standard windows do not face. Traditional blinds with hanging cords or manual pull chains are poorly suited for front doors. They disrupt the clean architectural lines of a grand foyer, create a safety hazard, and can easily get tangled or damaged when the doors are opened and closed.
The window treatments must be mounted high and wide enough above the door trim to ensure that the front doors can swing open and close freely without ever catching on the fabric or the lower hem bar.
How We Applied These Principles in Sherrills Ford, NC
Applying these exact educational principles to real-world homes is what Cole and I do every day at Bloomin' Blinds of North Charlotte. We recently worked with a homeowner in Sherrills Ford whose beautiful new construction property sat on a highly trafficked road. They loved their double wide front door entrance but felt entirely too exposed to the street at night.
We brought our mobile showroom directly to their driveway. This allowed us to hold up premium light-filtering fabric samples directly against their entryway glass, matching the materials perfectly to their home's natural lighting, interior paint, and trim before making a single cut.
To solve their street-level privacy issue, we custom-built and installed two matching light-filtering roller shades, mounting them flawlessly side-by-side above the front door frame. To keep the home’s interior design completely cohesive, we carried the exact same style to the back of the house, installing a matching single roller shade on the rear door.
Smart Home Window Automation at Your Fingertips
Because entryway windows can be tall and awkward to reach manually, our family team integrated advanced smart-home motorization into this Sherrills Ford project.
Beyond the convenience of a handheld remote control, these automated roller shades feature seamless Wi-Fi integration. The homeowners can control their privacy through a dedicated smartphone app or link the system directly to their existing voice-activated smart home networks, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
This allows for complete hands-free window automation. The clients can program custom daily routines—such as setting the front entry shades to automatically lower exactly at sunset—or simply use a voice command to secure the foyer instantly from the comfort of the couch.

We started the Hartsell kitchen in 2021 and finished in 2 months. The design included: espresso painted cabinets with recessed panels, white quartz countertop, subway tiled backsplash, pendant lights, kohler composite sinks, Kohler faucet, GE Cafe smart appliances, butlers pantry display area, beverage/wine cooler, Pantry closet with heavy duty shelving, smart lights in closet, smart undercabinet lights, smart ceiling mounted lights, smart light, soft close dovetail drawers, soft close doors

Here we installed a beautiful Sony TV with a soundbar beneath. Combined with automated lighting controls these make for a cozy, family movie time!
Home theater - french country home theater idea in Philadelphia with a wall-mounted tv
Home theater - french country home theater idea in Philadelphia with a wall-mounted tv

We started the Hartsell kitchen in 2021 and finished in 2 months. The design included: espresso painted cabinets with recessed panels, white quartz countertop, subway tiled backsplash, pendant lights, kohler composite sinks, Kohler faucet, GE Cafe smart appliances, butlers pantry display area, beverage/wine cooler, Pantry closet with heavy duty shelving, smart lights in closet, smart undercabinet lights, smart ceiling mounted lights, smart light, soft close dovetail drawers, soft close doors

Discover how premium light-filtering materials and smart-home automation can secure street-level entryway glass without losing natural daylight.
Choosing the right window treatments for a home's front entrance is one of the most challenging design decisions a homeowner can face. The front door is the focal point of a home's curb appeal, often featuring expansive glass panels or side-by-side double doors designed to make a grand architectural statement.
During the day, these large glass features are an asset, flooding entryways and foyers with beautiful natural daylight. However, for homes situated on busy local roads or highly trafficked street-level lots, the dynamic completely changes once the sun goes down.
The moment interior lights are switched on in the evening, a stark contrast is created with the dark outdoors. This creates a severe privacy issue, leaving the entire foyer completely exposed to passing traffic and pedestrians. Finding a solution that delivers absolute evening privacy without permanently plunging the front entrance into darkness during the day requires understanding how modern window treatment materials and operating systems interact.
Light-Filtering vs. Blackout Fabrics
The first step in solving street-level privacy is selecting the correct fabric type. Many homeowners mistakenly assume they need heavy, opaque blackout shades to secure their home from outside eyes at night. While blackout fabrics certainly block 100% of the view, they also block 100% of the natural daylight during the day, forcing you to constantly raise and lower the shades just to see inside your own foyer.
A more effective approach for entryways utilizes premium light-filtering materials. These specialized fabrics are engineered with a precise, tight weave that operates on the principles of directional light and optical density.
Daytime Functionality: When the sun is shining outside, the exterior light levels are significantly higher than the interior light levels. The light-filtering fabric diffuses the intense, direct sunlight into a soft, ambient glow throughout the entryway. This keeps the home bright, eliminates harsh glares, and protects interior hardwood flooring, paint, and trim from damaging UV rays.
Night-Time Functionality: At night, the lighting dynamic reverses. The interior foyer lights make the inside bright, while the outside is dark. Because of the specialized tight weave, the fabric blocks the transmission of clear shapes and details. To a person standing out on the street or driving by on a busy road, the view inside is completely obstructed, delivering total privacy when the family is home for the evening.
Challenges of Front Door Installations
Securing privacy for a double wide front entrance introduces unique structural hurdles that standard windows do not face. Traditional blinds with hanging cords or manual pull chains are poorly suited for front doors. They disrupt the clean architectural lines of a grand foyer, create a safety hazard, and can easily get tangled or damaged when the doors are opened and closed.
The window treatments must be mounted high and wide enough above the door trim to ensure that the front doors can swing open and close freely without ever catching on the fabric or the lower hem bar.
How We Applied These Principles in Sherrills Ford, NC
Applying these exact educational principles to real-world homes is what Cole and I do every day at Bloomin' Blinds of North Charlotte. We recently worked with a homeowner in Sherrills Ford whose beautiful new construction property sat on a highly trafficked road. They loved their double wide front door entrance but felt entirely too exposed to the street at night.
We brought our mobile showroom directly to their driveway. This allowed us to hold up premium light-filtering fabric samples directly against their entryway glass, matching the materials perfectly to their home's natural lighting, interior paint, and trim before making a single cut.
To solve their street-level privacy issue, we custom-built and installed two matching light-filtering roller shades, mounting them flawlessly side-by-side above the front door frame. To keep the home’s interior design completely cohesive, we carried the exact same style to the back of the house, installing a matching single roller shade on the rear door.
Smart Home Window Automation at Your Fingertips
Because entryway windows can be tall and awkward to reach manually, our family team integrated advanced smart-home motorization into this Sherrills Ford project.
Beyond the convenience of a handheld remote control, these automated roller shades feature seamless Wi-Fi integration. The homeowners can control their privacy through a dedicated smartphone app or link the system directly to their existing voice-activated smart home networks, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
This allows for complete hands-free window automation. The clients can program custom daily routines—such as setting the front entry shades to automatically lower exactly at sunset—or simply use a voice command to secure the foyer instantly from the comfort of the couch.

Sophisticated Modern Kitchen with Waterfall Island and Smart Appliances
Welcome to a kitchen that flawlessly blends modern elegance, smart functionality, and natural light. This beautifully designed space exemplifies contemporary living with clean lines, high-end materials, and a layout that invites both cooking and conversation.
✨ Design Overview
This kitchen is a masterclass in modern minimalism, featuring a monochromatic color palette, functional elements, and an open-plan layout that connects effortlessly to the outdoor deck through large sliding glass doors. It’s the perfect fusion of form and function—ideal for everyday life or upscale entertaining.
1. Waterfall Kitchen Island
Material: Sleek, dark veined quartz or porcelain slab with striking white veining.
Design: The waterfall-edge island creates a strong focal point with its bold finish and integrated black fixtures.
Functionality: Seats up to four with stylish bar stools—ideal for casual dining or entertaining.
✅ Bonus: Integrated power outlet on the island side adds functionality without compromising aesthetics.
2. ? Matte Flat-Panel Cabinetry
Upper Cabinets: Crisp, white flat-panel cabinets that enhance the clean and spacious feel.
Lower Cabinet Section: A mix of soft gray and taupe shades for added depth and a subtle contrast.
Hardware-Free: Push-to-open mechanisms preserve the minimalist design.
3. ? Full-Slab Backsplash
Material: Matching veined stone or porcelain backsplash that continues the look of the island.
Visual Impact: The full-slab design creates seamless luxury and a visually cohesive backdrop.
4. ? High-Tech Built-In Appliances
Refrigerator: Smart Samsung French-door fridge with touchscreen interface for connectivity and convenience.
Ovens: Built-in black glass ovens for a sleek, uniform appliance wall.
Cooktop: Integrated into the counter with a pot filler above—combining luxury with serious culinary function.
5. ? Contemporary Lighting & Fixtures
Pendant Lighting: Trio of clear glass globe pendants above the island offers soft illumination and style.
Faucet: Matte black pull-down faucet adds a high-end, contemporary edge.
6. ? Wide-Plank Light Wood Flooring
Material: Likely engineered hardwood or premium laminate in a pale oak tone.
Effect: Adds warmth and contrast to the darker island and appliances, creating balance in the space.
? Why This Kitchen Works
This kitchen nails the formula for contemporary luxury—a palette of muted neutrals, bold textures, and high-performance appliances. The seamless cabinetry, veined surfaces, and smart layout ensure that beauty and function go hand in hand. Whether you're hosting guests or enjoying a quiet morning coffee, this space adapts with ease.

We started the Negron kitchen in 2015 and finished in 6 weeks. The design included: white painted cabinets with raised panels, granite countertop, subway tiled backsplash, pendant lights, Kraus sink, Moen faucet, GE Café smart appliances, butlers pantry display area, beverage/wine cooler, Pantry closet with heavy duty shelving, smart lights in closet, smart undercabinet lights, smart ceiling mounted lights, smart outside light, soft close dovetail drawers, soft close doors,

We started the Joffre kitchen in 2013 and finished in 2 months. The design included: espresso painted cabinets w/recessed panels, white quartz countertop, subway tiled backsplash, pendant lights, Kohler composite sinks, Kohler faucet, GE Cafe smart appliances, butler’s pantry display area, beverage/wine cooler, Pantry closet with heavy duty shelving, smart lights in closet, smart undercabinet lights, smart ceiling mounted lights, smart outside light, soft close dovetail drawers, soft close doors

We started the Negron kitchen in 2015 and finished in 6 weeks. The design included: white painted cabinets with raised panels, granite countertop, subway tiled backsplash, pendant lights, Kraus sink, Moen faucet, GE Café smart appliances, butlers pantry display area, beverage/wine cooler, Pantry closet with heavy duty shelving, smart lights in closet, smart undercabinet lights, smart ceiling mounted lights, smart outside light, soft close dovetail drawers, soft close doors,

Discover how premium light-filtering materials and smart-home automation can secure street-level entryway glass without losing natural daylight.
Choosing the right window treatments for a home's front entrance is one of the most challenging design decisions a homeowner can face. The front door is the focal point of a home's curb appeal, often featuring expansive glass panels or side-by-side double doors designed to make a grand architectural statement.
During the day, these large glass features are an asset, flooding entryways and foyers with beautiful natural daylight. However, for homes situated on busy local roads or highly trafficked street-level lots, the dynamic completely changes once the sun goes down.
The moment interior lights are switched on in the evening, a stark contrast is created with the dark outdoors. This creates a severe privacy issue, leaving the entire foyer completely exposed to passing traffic and pedestrians. Finding a solution that delivers absolute evening privacy without permanently plunging the front entrance into darkness during the day requires understanding how modern window treatment materials and operating systems interact.
Light-Filtering vs. Blackout Fabrics
The first step in solving street-level privacy is selecting the correct fabric type. Many homeowners mistakenly assume they need heavy, opaque blackout shades to secure their home from outside eyes at night. While blackout fabrics certainly block 100% of the view, they also block 100% of the natural daylight during the day, forcing you to constantly raise and lower the shades just to see inside your own foyer.
A more effective approach for entryways utilizes premium light-filtering materials. These specialized fabrics are engineered with a precise, tight weave that operates on the principles of directional light and optical density.
Daytime Functionality: When the sun is shining outside, the exterior light levels are significantly higher than the interior light levels. The light-filtering fabric diffuses the intense, direct sunlight into a soft, ambient glow throughout the entryway. This keeps the home bright, eliminates harsh glares, and protects interior hardwood flooring, paint, and trim from damaging UV rays.
Night-Time Functionality: At night, the lighting dynamic reverses. The interior foyer lights make the inside bright, while the outside is dark. Because of the specialized tight weave, the fabric blocks the transmission of clear shapes and details. To a person standing out on the street or driving by on a busy road, the view inside is completely obstructed, delivering total privacy when the family is home for the evening.
Challenges of Front Door Installations
Securing privacy for a double wide front entrance introduces unique structural hurdles that standard windows do not face. Traditional blinds with hanging cords or manual pull chains are poorly suited for front doors. They disrupt the clean architectural lines of a grand foyer, create a safety hazard, and can easily get tangled or damaged when the doors are opened and closed.
The window treatments must be mounted high and wide enough above the door trim to ensure that the front doors can swing open and close freely without ever catching on the fabric or the lower hem bar.
How We Applied These Principles in Sherrills Ford, NC
Applying these exact educational principles to real-world homes is what Cole and I do every day at Bloomin' Blinds of North Charlotte. We recently worked with a homeowner in Sherrills Ford whose beautiful new construction property sat on a highly trafficked road. They loved their double wide front door entrance but felt entirely too exposed to the street at night.
We brought our mobile showroom directly to their driveway. This allowed us to hold up premium light-filtering fabric samples directly against their entryway glass, matching the materials perfectly to their home's natural lighting, interior paint, and trim before making a single cut.
To solve their street-level privacy issue, we custom-built and installed two matching light-filtering roller shades, mounting them flawlessly side-by-side above the front door frame. To keep the home’s interior design completely cohesive, we carried the exact same style to the back of the house, installing a matching single roller shade on the rear door.
Smart Home Window Automation at Your Fingertips
Because entryway windows can be tall and awkward to reach manually, our family team integrated advanced smart-home motorization into this Sherrills Ford project.
Beyond the convenience of a handheld remote control, these automated roller shades feature seamless Wi-Fi integration. The homeowners can control their privacy through a dedicated smartphone app or link the system directly to their existing voice-activated smart home networks, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
This allows for complete hands-free window automation. The clients can program custom daily routines—such as setting the front entry shades to automatically lower exactly at sunset—or simply use a voice command to secure the foyer instantly from the comfort of the couch.
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