| The explosion of home automation and the increasing | | | | budgets and home values. Kevin Winneroski, Director |
| use of home theatres is a great opportunity for | | | | of Merchandising for Home Entertainment, Best Buy |
| designers and contractors. In fact, K&B specialists | | | | describes the low end as under $1000 while the high |
| already have a real talent for the essentials in many | | | | end can run well over $40K. |
| spaces well beyond their specialty. The demand for | | | | A whole house system can add tens of thousands in |
| custom cabinetry solutions extends beyond the | | | | investment but allow convenience and comfort. With |
| confines of cooking and bathing, and is often a must | | | | schedules becoming ever busier, by the time many |
| have in great rooms, master bedrooms, home | | | | get home these days, they dont want to leave again. |
| offices, and of course home theatres. | | | | Homes are their source of entertainment and refuge. |
| While we have done a great many kitchen and bath | | | | Having completed one clients basement renovation |
| remodels, we always included it in the entire house | | | | including a guest room, full bath, home theatre, family |
| plan and used the same cabinetmakers for work | | | | room, bar, and wine tasting room with cellar, we |
| through out. We also bundled technology needs with | | | | were delighted to learn that in the ensuing weeks |
| a partner company realizing economies for our clients | | | | their home has been singularly the most popular in |
| by using one vendor for all spaces. | | | | the neighborhood as the best place to hang out for |
| Partnering effectively with fellow design talents, | | | | the night. Incorporating technology throughout the |
| contractors and specialists has been paramount in our | | | | space, working closely with the client, and their |
| success. We are able to provide a one stop shop by | | | | chosen vendor, Best Buy, we delivered a customized |
| presenting a suite of services encompassing all job | | | | fit complete with built-in cabinetry in the theatre, |
| aspects. | | | | family room, and bar to suit the needs given. All was |
| Forming strategic alliances benefits all parties. | | | | completed by our cabinetmakers typically responsible |
| According to Mark Spears, Director of Multi-Family | | | | for our kitchen and bath work. |
| Design and Sales, Living Spaces based in Atlanta, | | | | Great design incorporating innovative product and |
| Georgia, their rapport with the technology gurus at | | | | leading edge technology can be truly life |
| Home IQ is an essential element for comprehensive | | | | transformative. For clients Phil and Gwenn Weiss and |
| solutions throughout the home with technology. They | | | | their children, they like to joke that rather than |
| represent Woodmode and Brookhaven cabinetry and | | | | buying a vacation home, we remodeled our |
| both companies have been in home theatre design | | | | basement. It is a lot closer, more convenient, and we |
| for a long time. | | | | are the hub of neighborhood activities now. It is |
| The public is clamoring for the latest, greatest, | | | | almost like having our own private club. |
| newest, and slickest. Spears declared that it isnt | | | | Gwenn has a Desperate Housewives night, Phil |
| practicality that people want, it is WOW! It is a great | | | | regularly has the guys in for sports and wine tastings, |
| time to boost the bottom line with add on sales in | | | | and the kids have their friends over for the latest |
| technology in the kitchen and bath. Jill Koepplin, Senior | | | | video or computer game, (well within the watchful |
| Manager, Outbound Operations, Best Buy says that | | | | eye of their folks, but no so close as to feel confined |
| homebuyers are looking to see . . . solutions such as | | | | or regulated.) |
| LCD panels and in-ceiling music. | | | | Moving into home theatre with cabinet capabilities and |
| Upgrades like these are often best done at the | | | | on the converse moving into the kitchen and bath |
| onset of construction as retrofitting can cost as | | | | with home automation are natural ways to grow |
| much as 3 times more, according to Koeplin. While | | | | business without needing to retool or even get new |
| your laptop may be wireless, homes are not yet | | | | clients. Providing more extensive services to your |
| there. It takes planning in the design stages to really | | | | already satisfied buyers is always the best way to |
| make a difference and create the home a client is | | | | go. After all as designers our job is to create a |
| dreaming of. As designers we need to stay one step | | | | custom, unique personal experience for our clients. |
| ahead of what they want so that by the time it | | | | And in this day and age that means bringing |
| happens we arent behind. | | | | everything they might need, want and desire within |
| Average investments for home theatre packages | | | | arms reach at home. |
| vary widely and can be designed to fit a range of | | | | |