Open-concept Kitchen & Dining featuring custom cabinetry, hardwood floors, quartzite countertops, and high-end appliances.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped brown floor and dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

My clients had talked to many kitchen companies, but none seemed to provide a solution that made the best use of their space while keeping their costs low. As they decided to move on to decorating other areas in their home, they called me and my team at Design Connection, Inc. to assist with new furnishings for their great room. After much discussion about their needs, it was decided that the kitchen was the most important space to address. The new design also included: New cabinets with soft closed drawers, appliances, lite glass storage cabinets, countertops, sinks, plumbing fixtures, installation of hardwood floors, plate racks, TV viewing area, painting and project management.

Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Los Angeles

Bethany Nauert
Eclectic home office photo in Los Angeles

This helps our customer to visualize their property to sell or lease or rent a house or office to their customers, which everyone can understand Interior desing.

Bethany Nauert
Inspiration for an industrial light wood floor family room remodel in Los Angeles with no fireplace and no tv

Interior 3D renderings you see feature a delightfully soothing bedroom. Our client, a successful Designer, created a space where one can rest in comfort and serenity. So he asked our 3D Artists to make sure that images reflect this mood and show each feature that the bedroom offers. Which they did – using the best software there is: 3D Max and Vray plugin for the utter realism and some spectacular lighting. Clean lines and shapes make for an enchanting atmosphere of elegant simplicity. They give the room a certain flow and softness, while the layering theme in colors and shapes makes for a cozy cocoon feel – like when you are wrapped up in a warm blanket. Yet, the wall windows offer an amazing exposure – a gorgeous view of the outside. So looking at the photoreal presentation of the interior 3D rendering, the client will imagine himself sitting in the soft chair, with a cup of hot coffee, looking at the greenery around and discussing the night at the opera. One of the unique features of 3D rendering is that it allows to see the interior in the exact lighting it will be used. And in our case, 3D visualization helps designer showcase how well the evening light plays with a reserved color palette and woodsy accents. This is something words and sketches cannot compete with! And the client will instantly see how the accent details, such as sculptures, touches of gold on with the marble add the interior more refinement.

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.

Inspiration for a coastal deck remodel in Miami

2D Site Plan gives the ability to show the interior of the house or complexes with furniture and floor covering.
Inspiration for an asian home theater remodel in New York

Inspiration for a transitional exterior home remodel in Boston

This helps our customer to visualize their property to sell or lease or rent a house or office to their customers, which everyone can understand Interior desing.

3D interior visualization project you see is all about harmony and balance. And the task of our 3D Artists was to match Designer’s strive for absolute perfection and bring his beautiful vision to life. So to achieve that level of photorealism, we’ve used the top software – 3D Max and Vray for that vibrant light you see throughout 3D interior visualization project.

Interior 3D renderings you see feature a delightfully soothing bedroom. Our client, a successful Designer, created a space where one can rest in comfort and serenity. So he asked our 3D Artists to make sure that images reflect this mood and show each feature that the bedroom offers. Which they did – using the best software there is: 3D Max and Vray plugin for the utter realism and some spectacular lighting. Clean lines and shapes make for an enchanting atmosphere of elegant simplicity. They give the room a certain flow and softness, while the layering theme in colors and shapes makes for a cozy cocoon feel – like when you are wrapped up in a warm blanket. Yet, the wall windows offer an amazing exposure – a gorgeous view of the outside. So looking at the photoreal presentation of the interior 3D rendering, the client will imagine himself sitting in the soft chair, with a cup of hot coffee, looking at the greenery around and discussing the night at the opera. One of the unique features of 3D rendering is that it allows to see the interior in the exact lighting it will be used. And in our case, 3D visualization helps designer showcase how well the evening light plays with a reserved color palette and woodsy accents. This is something words and sketches cannot compete with! And the client will instantly see how the accent details, such as sculptures, touches of gold on with the marble add the interior more refinement.

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.

Ron Rosenzweig
Kitchen - large coastal u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Bethany Nauert
Living room - eclectic living room idea in Los Angeles

3D interior visualization project you see is all about harmony and balance. And the task of our 3D Artists was to match Designer’s strive for absolute perfection and bring his beautiful vision to life. So to achieve that level of photorealism, we’ve used the top software – 3D Max and Vray for that vibrant light you see throughout 3D interior visualization project.

Scalloped siding in gables and new windows, shutters, and roof. This home got a curb appeal upgrade!
Mid-sized elegant beige two-story vinyl exterior home photo in Chicago