When many people hear ‘home automation,’ they think of glossy screens and futuristic gadgets. But Lutron offers a refreshing alternative for whole-home lighting control: the Aviena keypad.
Designed with antique charm and performance, Aviena proves that smart technology can also be beautiful.
If you’re in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and planning a luxury home build or renovation, here’s why this new lighting control solution deserves your attention.
It takes a village to build a new house or complete a renovation. There’s your general contractor, of course, but under them, you may have a carpenter, roofer, plumber, mason, electrician, etc. And if you’re planning to build a luxury home, there’s another contractor you’ll want: a technology integrator.
The role of the integrator is to install technology systems that work together. Whether that’s whole-home audio, security systems, or smart lighting, it all connects back to one centralized system. At Texadia Systems in Dallas-Fort Worth, we discreetly run wires and install devices so that they fit seamlessly within your space.
It’s best to loop in an integrator as early as possible during your home’s construction. Here’s why you’ll be grateful you did so.
As an integrator, we aim to simplify how you interact with home technology, from lighting to thermostats. Your integrator will consolidate every technology feature into one control system, including:
Smart home systems like Control4 provide all-in-one control of all these solutions—both from home and remotely. So even when you’re away from home, you’re connected.
Does this sound like your home?
You have a single, consumer-grade Wi-Fi router that’s used on every floor and in every room, serving sometimes dozens of devices at once. Your entertainment, home office, and smart devices all rely on this router alone—and sometimes your technology stalls or becomes unresponsive.
On top of that, every IoT device has its own app, cloud account, and even sometimes its own physical remote. You’re left juggling three or four apps for the smart bulbs, another for the security cameras, and a pile of remotes to control your TV and soundbar setup. It’s madness!
This was the old way. Thankfully, there is now a smarter, simpler approach to living with home technology, with help from your local integrator.
Is your company building new conference rooms or renovating your existing ones?
What an exciting opportunity! You have the chance to create a dynamic, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing space that makes it easy to collaborate—even with remote team members.
To prepare your business for a future of successful meetings, make sure the following features are on your conference room checklist.
When most homeowners hear the phrase “lighting upgrade,” they assume it's as simple as swapping out an old bulb for a new one. However, switching from incandescent and CFL bulbs to LEDs can be a little more complicated for recessed/downlight fixtures.
Downlights come in one of two forms: can or canless. Can lights feature a cylindrical housing behind the bulb, while canless lights are flush to the ceiling without any space around the light. No matter what you have, if your recessed lights still use older light bulbs, it’s time to upgrade to LEDs.
Our partner DMF Lighting offers a Retrofit Kit that makes it easy to upgrade recessed lighting systems to high-quality LEDs. Let’s walk through how it works—and why it’s always worth upgrading to LED lighting.
“Is Ketra really worth it?”
It’s a common question searched online and asked by our showroom visitors. Because while Ketra is regarded as the gold standard of tunable lighting control, it does have a notably higher price tag than products like Philips Hue. So, is it really the best?
To understand Ketra’s value, it’s best experienced in person. But until then, let’s explore what makes Ketra more than just another lighting product, and why it’s trusted by design professionals, homeowners, and architects alike.
While most smart lighting brands focus on retrofittable LED bulbs, Ketra offers an expansive architectural-grade line: recessed downlights, linear tape lights, and track lights, all fully color-tunable across 16 million colors. We can use Ketra alone to create complete lighting designs, from ambient and accent lighting to task-focused areas.
The technology is equally advanced: each Ketra fixture contains a 16-diode chip, giving it the precision to render the exact hues and dynamic white tuning you desire.
Not too long ago, we were writing about the exciting new internet protocol, Wi-Fi 6. But as our homes become ever more connected—and Audio Video streaming quality improves—that puts even more demand on our Wi-Fi.
Enter Wi-Fi 7, the newest iteration of Wi-Fi standards, now available on home networking devices from brands like WhyReboot and Ruckus. Wi-Fi 7 offers accelerated connectivity, solid reliability, and performance that only compares to wired networks. Streaming 8K, gaming online, and smart home devices are all improved with a Wi-Fi 7 network.
Here’s what you can expect from a Wi-Fi 7 upgrade and why you’ll be thankful you switched.
The new Wi-Fi 7 promises enhanced speeds and reliability. Intel describes Wi-Fi 7 as having “wired-like responsiveness.” It packs more data into each transmission with 320 MHz channels—double the size of Wi-Fi 6.
Wi-Fi 7 arrives at a perfect time, as 4K and 8K streaming becomes even more prevalent. Wi-Fi 7 can easily handle high-quality 8K video streaming, so you can enjoy movie night without buffering and pixelation.
Did you know 52 percent of interior designers and architects believe proper lighting design can enhance even the most modest homes? Meanwhile, 47 percent believe the wrong lighting design hinders even the most luxurious spaces.
We certainly agree. We’ve met homeowners who spent millions on their properties, only to leave rooms with “four cans and a fan” lighting that cast a dull light and harsh shadows. On the windows, people leave lopsided blinds with tangled cords, unintentionally hindering their home’s appearance.
That’s why lighting design is gaining momentum in new builds and renovations. And thankfully, more high-end lighting and shading brands are offering design-centric options, making it easier to create a beautiful ambiance while reducing tech clutter.
We’re all familiar with “popcorn” or “cottage cheese” ceilings, the lumpy design trend that’s now ubiquitous with the 1980s and ‘90s. Another trend that’s reached its expiration date? “Swiss cheese ceilings.”
You’ve seen them: ceilings that look hole-punched with large recessed lights, some as large as 6 inches wide. These grids of circles cast an unflattering glare, often making rooms feel more like a dentist’s office than a luxury home.
If you’ve been tasked with managing your company’s conference rooms, you may be wondering if there are any industry standards you should follow before installing an audio-video system.
The truth is, there are so many variables that can affect a meeting space and its specific AV needs. For instance, do you have glass walls or hardwood floors? That can influence the acoustics of a space. Prefer a projector or video display? Have long tables, round tables, or hollow-squared tables?
And then there are your users to think about. Is your staff tech-savvy and able to handle “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD)? Or will this be an executive suite where people are too busy to figure out what kind of connector they have?
Some meeting rooms are just used for small collaborations, while others have professional-grade broadcast gear. So how do you know what solutions to get?
You care about how your home looks, right? You aren’t a college kid with thumb-tacked posters and a hodgepodge of random furniture. No, you’re an adult with taste and a home you take pride in.
So, if you’re reading this, you probably understand the clash between interior design and setting up an attractive entertainment system. You could have the most beautifully cultivated furniture, artwork, and lighting—and then a clunky TV setup disturbs the entire aesthetic.
Thankfully, many technology manufacturers are catching on and offering solutions to make TVs appear more aesthetically pleasing. Samsung’s The Frame television resembles a real piece of art when powered off, and fits ultra-slim to your wall.
And now, audio manufacturer Leon has released a soundbar to perfectly fit the width and dimensions of any Frame AV. Meet the Leon FrameBar, the soundbar built for audio and design enthusiasts alike.
Leon’s FrameBar is custom-built to match the precise dimensions and frame color of any Samsung Frame TV, creating a unified, polished look. With its ultra-thin cabinet (as slim as 2.375 inches), the FrameBar installs flush to the wall using Leon’s exclusive mounting brackets.
Do you crave the ultra-wide screen, surround sound, and cinematic experience that a home theater provides—but aren’t sure if you have room for a home theater? Or maybe you do have the space yet wonder how often you’ll use a room with only a screen and seating.
There’s a happy medium between dedicated home theaters and a living room setup, and that’s the media room. Perhaps a media room is a better fit for your Highland Park, TX home. You can still enjoy the high-quality audio and video setup you’d find in a home theater installation, but with more flexibility for other activities.
Below we’ll share how you can create a multipurpose media room and what equipment to include. And to learn more about the world of home theaters, subscribe to our monthly newsletter here!
Are you someone who prefers to purchase high-quality, long-lasting items rather than quick and convenient products that quickly fall apart?
If that sounds like you, we’re willing to bet you’re a little nervous about investing in new outdoor audio or lighting equipment. Speakers that stay outside permanently—how long can they really last?
While it may sound hard to believe, Coastal Source’s outdoor hardware is the real deal. We’ve had a very long partnership with Coastal Source and trust that their outdoor audio and lighting can endure even the harshest Texas weather, year after year.
We love hybrid work. It’s incredibly convenient, widens talent pools, and helps people live their best lives without the stress of long commutes and finding local housing.
But have we lost something without seeing each other in person? Face-to-face interactions lead to fewer misunderstandings, more effective communication, and stronger bonds. So, when your teams aren’t in person together, it’s critical to replicate the face-to-face experience the best way possible.
A well-designed video conferencing system not only ensures effective communication but also creates an inclusive environment where every team member feels equally valued. Let’s explore how advanced conferencing technology can improve hybrid communication and create a more welcoming company culture.
In today’s IT-driven world, everything from security to communications is built on scalable, software-driven solutions—except, for many businesses, AV.
Traditional AV systems are still clunky, hardware-heavy, and difficult to integrate, leaving IT teams scrambling to manage disparate devices that don’t play well together.
If your AV setup feels like a constant headache—requiring custom programming, endless troubleshooting, and costly upgrades—you’re not alone. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The Q-SYS OS by QSC is changing the game, bringing the same IT-friendly approach to AV that businesses have relied on for decades in their networking and software infrastructures. Here’s how it works—and why your business needs it.
If you’re planning a new home build or a renovation, your technology systems should feel effortless. And the best systems aren’t bolted on after the drywall is finished; they should be thoughtfully designed into your home’s structure itself. That’s where Crestron stands apart.
Unlike many plug-and-play smart home solutions, Crestron becomes part of the fabric of the home. From lighting and shades to audio, video, and security, the system is designed alongside the architecture so every element works together seamlessly.
Here are five reasons discerning homeowners, builders, and design professionals across Dallas/Ft. Worth choose Crestron when building a new residence.
Do you dream of lighting that automatically adjusts throughout the evening, creating the perfect atmosphere on its own? Or do you wish you could turn off the entire house with just one tap of a button?
Today, ‘smart’ Bluetooth and Wi-Fi bulbs are widely available in stores. But there’s a difference between owning a few smart LEDs and having a truly smart, centralized lighting control system.
When you partner with a professional lighting designer, you’ll gain access to premium fixtures and smart lighting solutions that are only available through certified dealers. You’ll receive a clean, polished installation with all your lights and motorized shades connected to one central hub.
But if you’re still itching to buy some equipment, watch YouTube tutorials, and install it yourself? Let’s walk through the differences between professional and DIY lighting systems.
To any homeowner who’s interested in smart home living, we tell them the best decision they can make is having a professional install a home automation system.
But this recommendation is often received with skepticism. “I don’t need a whole smart home system!” they say. “I just want some smart lights and a smart thermostat and a few other things.”
Fine, fine, fair enough. But as you begin to collect more smart home devices over the years, you may find yourself in over your head with apps and remotes. Here’s where it can go wrong.
Glass-walled conference rooms are a hallmark of today’s modern, open-concept office. In urban Dallas offices—especially coworking spaces, design firms, and corporate headquarters—they offer sleek aesthetics, natural light, and a sense of transparency.
However, they come with two major acoustic challenges: echo and lack of privacy.
If your glass wall conference room in Dallas, TX, sounds more like a gymnasium than a meeting space, you’re not alone. Fortunately, solutions like acoustic treatments, sound masking, and AV integration can transform your space into a functional, private environment. Let’s explore how.
What happens when your facility’s entry points aren’t as secure as you think?
In just the last year, several Texas-based businesses and organizations have suffered devastating breaches, each incident underscoring the need for proactive, intelligent access control.
While motives vary, these incidents share one common thread: a lack of sufficient physical access control. A damaged keypad, an unmonitored entry point, or a power outage shouldn’t be a free pass for criminals.
If you’re interested in audiophile-quality speakers, sound performance should obviously be your top priority.
For the best sound, look for reputable brands with high-quality materials, large drivers, and the ability to accurately replicate high, low, and mid-range sound frequencies. (Unsure where to start? Use our hi-fi guide here.)
And while sound quality is undeniably important, your new speakers’ appearance matters, too. After all, you’re going to live with this hardware in your home for years and even decades. You should like how the hardware looks!
The following speaker brands not only offer incredible ‘inner beauty,’ but their outer beauty makes a great choice for the design-conscious homeowner.
Italy is known for its incredible fashion design (Armani, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana)—and speaker design, too! Sonus Faber has been handcrafting hi-fi speakers in Vicenza, Italy, for almost half a century.
