Back in 1977 when Debby Boone sang “You Light Up My Life” few realized that automated lighting would revolutionize the home technology industry. The benefits of automated lighting include convenience, security and aesthetics that enhance the way we live in our homes today. And don’t forget the bonus of energy savings!

The Convenience of Automated Lighting

Press a button and house lights dim or set a welcome home scene where the lights come on as you open the door. Today’s lights offer control from anywhere, and the ability to program them to turn on or off at specific times, depending on the time of day, time of year or occupancy. You can program fixtures in one room or the entire house with platforms from Lutron or Vantage. AVD works with both companies to complement your decor and lifestyle. Control your lighting at home with an app on your smart phone or tablet, or from a keypad on the wall.

We know that lighting has a profound impact on the feel of a space and our overall health and well-being. The right illumination can be custom tailored to your needs – lighting for tasks, relaxation or to spotlight artwork and collections. Owners of multiple residences love the convenience of lighting control systems.

With modern lighting innovations it can be challenging to know how to get what you want. The Audio Video Design team members are experts in lighting design. For homeowners, we can collaborate with your architect, builder and interior designer. For design professionals, we will collaborate with you and your client to ensure you have the products you need to attain the goals of the project.

The bottom line is that today’s automated lighting is easy to use once professionals design and install the system that works best for your home or your client’s home.

Damn, why don’t Americans drink more German wine?!

I just attended the Martignetti German Wine Tasting at Box109 at the Hotel Indigo in Newton and was BLOWN AWAY by the offerings. Almost everything I tasted was above average and the prices were stupidly low. That’s because German wine isn’t popular in the US these days.

The big names in German wine, the VDP-classified wines, are pricey but there’s So Much inexpensive quality wine it boggles the mind.

The main wine of Germany is Riesling, of course. And actually, you could stop there. Not because the others aren’t good but because Riesling is So Good, wines that are beautifully balanced and pair so well with food and wine that are downright sublime. But Germany also makes excellent Pinot Noirs. In fact, I attended a blind tasting of Pinot Noir with Adam Japko, publisher of New England Home magazine, where the favorite Pinot turned out to be a German Spatburgunder (with the dots over the a) brought by #winelover founder Luiz Alberto!  In addition to Pinot Noir, there are some other very interesting whites and reds, including the fairly well known Gewurztraminer and the lesser known

Muller-Thurgau, Silvaner and Scheurebe (whites) and Lemberger (red).

Join Audio Video Design at Roomscapes Cabinetry and Design Center on March 8th for a Homeowners’ Workshop and Panel Discussion: Build with Confidence.

From permitting to landscaping, Roomscapes hosts a comprehensive one-night free workshop and panel with the pros to help homeowners navigate the building or renovation process with success from beginning to end. Attendees will learn how to avoid costly mistakes and gain tips and inspiration from an expert panel, moderated by Melanie Perillo, publisher of Boston Design Guide. Questions from homeowners are encouraged.

Topics include:

• zoning and permitting
• the importance of the right architect, construction and interior design team
• creating outdoor living spaces that maximize your property,
• how to get a magazine-style look in your own home
• smart home and AV technologies that bring your home to life
• dream kitchens and master baths

Featured panelists:

• Caleb Anderson, RW Anderson & Sons
• Roger Hoit, Roger Hoit Architect
• Michael Kim, Michael Kim Associates
• Blair Harmaty, Setting the Space
• Brian Frazier, Brian Frazier Design
• Kyle Trip,, Audio Video Design
• July Whalen, Roomscapes

Event Details:

When: Thursday, March 8, 2018, 5:30-7:30 PM

Let’s face it – New England winters were made for TV binge-watching, from Netflix to the televised events we gather around: The Golden Globes, The Oscars, the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics and March Madness. 

Our viewers guide is below, but first let’s talk TV. What do you view your favorite programs on? Then we’ll talk about where you watch and finally, all of the extras that enhance the television experience.

TVs

We are big fans of Samsung’s The Frame TV in either 43” or 55” because when you’re not watching it as a television, it appears as a framed piece of art on your wall. It looks phenomenal. But don’t take our word for it – come see it for yourself in our newly renovated interactive Home Technology Design Center.

We also love the Sony OLED line and recommend the 65” or 75” or 85” 4K models. They are utterly reliable and offer a beautiful picture resolution.

Finally we highly recommend the Seura mirror TV in several sizes and styles – in your bathroom mirror perhaps? Watch the morning news while shaving? Watch Big Little Lies while bathing? And for outdoor locations, we can’t say enough good words about the Seura Storm line. Simply made for viewing by the pool or hottub!