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The advent of electronics technology has added value and excitement to the home. Two of the best places for integration are the kitchen and the master bathroom. The kitchen, as the heart of the home, is a gathering place for preparing meals, spending time with family and entertaining friends. Including electronics technology in this space enhances any event: A local wireless access point allows for the convenience of using a wireless laptop; speakers add the dynamic of music that can set the mood — romantic for a couple's dinner, or rocking for a big party. A television keeps you informed with the news, or can occupy the kids.
In the kitchen
Elegant control keypads will eliminate banks of switches for lighting control, and simplify creating the right atmosphere for any occasion. An in-wall video touchpanel can support home management with control of subsystems such as HVAC, lights, shades, gates, garage doors, pool and spa, cameras and more. And make sure that a local area network is wired behind the refrigerator to prepare for future refrigerators that can communicate with the local grocery store via the Internet. As a room that is in constant use every day, electronics add value to the experience of using a kitchen.
In the bathroom
The master bathroom should have speakers to provide information in the morning for the commute to work, and music to get you jazzed up as you prepare for a night out. As many bath ceilings can quickly become crowded with light fixtures, fans, heat lamps, etc., design products such as single-point stereo speakers (both right and left stereo channels are routed to one device) offer solutions for interior design challenges. New mirror/TV combination products allow for clever disguising of a television in the bathroom. Hidden behind a mirror, they are seen only when turned on. Design does not have to be compromised to accommodate technology.
If you want to add a bullet point to your list of features in a home that adds great value as well as a fun factor, add electronics integration. To aid in determining the right solution for budget and design, contact a CEDIA-certified installation company through cedia.org using the installer locator service.
Scott Jordan is a systems consultant with Electronics Design Group in Piscataway, N.J., and has more than 20 years in the electronics integration industry. Jordan designs complex high-end residential systems and has contributed articles to the New York Times, Electronic House, CE Pro and other publications.
author: By Scott Jordan