It’s becoming more and more common to see new homes being built with integrated lighting control and to see homeowners requesting a smart lighting upgrade for retrofit and remodel projects. And why not? Whole-home lighting that’s controllable and customizable using a smartphone, tablet, or even voice control is a convenient and time-saving way for homeowners to manage one of their home’s most-used functions.

Architects, builders, and interior designers can benefit by working with a home lighting expert to integrate lighting control into custom home projects. But trade professionals can go above and beyond by offering Paradise Valley, AZ, clients Ketra lighting solutions.

Ketra lighting is a human-centric system that seeks to harness the transformative and restorative powers of sunlight to make homes more inviting, invigorating, beautiful, and comfortable. Keep reading to learn what you need to know.

Crestron is the leading manufacturer of high-end, luxury, automated homes. While most automation companies build residential automation systems using a mix of third-party devices, Crestron designs, owns, and manufactures the products within their automation systems — including lighting, shading, and audio/video distribution. The result is a higher degree of customization, cross-compatibility, and reliability in their smart home systems.

Right now, Crestron has two primary residential automation solutions in circulation: Crestron Home and Crestron Custom. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between them to decide which solution is the right fit for your Scottsdale, AZ home.

Integrated motorized shade solutions are a significant value add that architects and interior designers can impress clients with while bidding for new builds, retrofits, and renovations in Paradise Valley, AZ. All home windows need some form of cover, and they’re a pain for homeowners to source and install on their own — especially for large, hard-to-reach, and oddly shaped windows.

Motorized shades come with the added benefits of being more precise, more energy-efficient, and easier to operate than manual shades. And now Desert Sound and Security can offer you an exclusive service you can promote to homeowners: custom fabric options from leading brand Hartmann & Forbes. When you partner with Desert Sound and Security, we can install whole-home shading solutions that pair Hartmann & Forbes fabrics with Lutron lighting control for a luxurious aesthetic and intuitive control. Keep reading to learn more.

*Photo courtesy of Salcito Custom Homes*

The weather is warming up as we sail into the summer months, and it’s time to start thinking about how you can make the most of the favorable climate. Why don’t you start with something that adds a boost to any pool party, barbecue or sunbathing session: Outdoor music. At Desert Sound and Security, we recommend Coastal Source’s plug-and-play audio systems for an easy setup and great sound performance.

Keep reading to learn three reasons we love Coastal Source for all our outdoor audio installations in Scottsdale, AZ.