Author: onefirefly

Luxury bathroom area with standalone tub in the middle of the room and subdued lighting

Integrating Home Automation in New Construction & Remodels

Posted on | by onefirefly

Build Future-Proof Homes in Lake Geneva with Better Solutions

Luxury and comfort go hand-in-hand in the Lake Geneva area, so updating your home to support your needs makes sense for modern homeowners. Whether building a new home from the ground up or undertaking an extensive remodeling project, turning to home automation technology caters to the high-end living experiences homeowners desire.

Adding or upgrading solutions such as lighting and shading control, motorized shades, and outdoor entertainment, to name a few, can enhance the functionality and allure of both new and existing homes. 

Keep reading to explore why the latest connected technologies have become a staple in new home designs and how they can be leveraged to meet your clientele’s demands. Continue reading →

outdoor view of a patio with Progressive Screens motorized patio shades

Maximize Comfort with Motorized Patio Screens

Posted on | by onefirefly

Discover a New Patio Lifestyle with This Stylish Outdoor Addition

Imagine hosting a summer barbecue on your patio without the hassle of pesky insects or harsh sun rays. At night, you can enjoy the breeze on the back porch, viewing the stars without insects nipping at your ankles. With motorized patio screens, this dream becomes a reality. 

Picture family and guests relaxing in a perfectly shaded area in the heat of the day, then seamlessly transitioning shades up or down without needing to fumble for cords or zippers to open or close them.

By adding motorized screens, you can extend the functional living area of your home while also enhancing the ambiance and comfort of your seating areas. The result? The patio or lanai becomes the premier entertainment hub of your property!

Keep reading to explore our guide on this outdoor solution that can change how you experience your property. We highlight its benefits and customization options with a professional installation from IDS Automations.

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A woman stands in a modern kitchen with a wall-mounted Josh Nano using a sleek coffee machine while surrounded by stylishly arranged shelves.

Why Is Josh.ai the Perfect Smart Home Voice Control Platform?

Posted on | by onefirefly

Embrace Intuitive Voice Control That Respects Your Privacy 

Voice control was always the dream for smart homes, but we didn’t recommend it to our clients when we first started due to its unreliability. Amazon Alexa was the first to change that around 2014, with fairly accurate voice recognition, an affordable price point, and integration with a wide range of devices. Shortly after, Siri and Google Home added other voice-enabled options.

Though these devices have since expanded into multi-device ecosystems, they’re still more geared to DIY installations than fully automated homes. That’s where Josh.ai comes in. Founded in 2015, the company focuses entirely on smart home applications for luxury environments. So, what does that mean for your Chicago, IL, home? Below, we answer some common questions about Josh.ai to help outline how it differs from off-the-shelf solutions. 

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