James Bond Wishes He Had One

Okay, so maybe that’s a bit of an overstatement, but can’t you just see this in a James Bond movie?

When we designed this Parade Home, we knew something special needed to be done with the space that was created behind the wall of the  study. The shape of the space meant that it could not be used for a traditional room, but it was just the right size for a safe room.

The term “safe room” may have been popularized by Jody Foster but it is actually just a room where a homeowner can place safe(s) that is/are hidden from someone attempting to burglarize the home. In this particular house, the space is big enough for someone to hide in, but the door does not actually lock shut.

Of course, does it matter that it’s not locked if the burglar can’t find the door or even any evidence of a room?!!

The “door” to this room is, in fact, a motorized cabinet that turns 360 degrees when a secret button hidden behind a book on the shelf, is pressed. What’s really neat about this cabinet is that it serves many purposes – wet bar, multimedia cabinet, door – pretty much as much as you can expect from a cabinet!

Is this practical for every home? Of course not. But what’s really great about this specialty cabinet is that it makes the most of the space while enhancing the lifestyle of the homeowner. And isn’t that what everyone is after? To find out more about the Custom Builder who built this, read about it here.

Video of Blown-in-Batt Insulation

Blown-in-batts (or BIBs, as they are often called) are one of the many options in insulation these days which provide superior energy savings over traditional batt insulation.  Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words.  So, we have filmed the installation taking place at one of our custom home jobsites in Spanish Oaks in the Lakeway / Austin area.

Schlage LiNK Brings Smart Phone Technology To Your Home

Lately, it seems like all the talk is about Smart Phones, but did you know it is possible to lock and unlock your home’s front door using your Smart Phone? And you can do it from anywhere you can access the internet! This is certainly nothing new, as we have been installing these systems in our custom homes for a number of years. However, several well-known companies have brought a subset of this great technology to the broader market, making it accessible to everyone. Among these is the Schlage LiNK line of products. More than just a door handle, the Schlage products combine internet access with a wireless entry to create a door that can be unlocked from anywhere you access the internet.

From the company’s website comes this description:

Schlage LiNK Starter Kit includes everything you need to create your own remote access solution. Installation and set up are simple, you’ll be up and running quickly. Creates a Z-Wave® wireless network within your home that connects the Schlage Wireless Keypad Lock to the internet through the secure Schlage Bridge. Web-based access means greater peace of mind, no matter where you travel. Confirm the status of your Wireless Keypad Lock from anywhere with any Internet-enabled computer and most Internet-enabled cell phones. Requires monthly fee for remote access capabilities. Available in three finishes: Bright Brass, Satin Nickel, and Aged Bronze.

The applications of such a product are endless. Have a rental property across town or out of town that needs to be open for showing at a certain time? Unlock it from your iPhone. Have someone coming to clean your house at the same time each week? Program your door to be unlocked at that time each week. The keyless entry will allow you to assign different codes so that you can also see exactly what time your child got home from school or what time the door lock was accessed – and by whom. You can even set it up to send you a text message anytime the lock is accessed.

But the lock is not the only thing you can access with the LiNK bridge. This wireless system can be extended to include your thermostat, your lights and even a camera wireless camera. With all that power at your fingertips, you will be able to:

* Remotely control and monitor your home’s heating and cooling
* Let your kids in when they forget their key
* Check on your pet while you’re away with live video
* Check to see if you locked your door while you’re away from home
* Turn your lights on before you arrive home
* Schedule your Z-Wave enabled lights to turn on and off while you’re on vacation

In today’s mobile society, this one system meets many practical needs. The only drawback that we could find is its lack of expandability. For instance, if you wanted to add motion sensors or whole house audio, this functionality is not offered by the system. So, you would need to go with a more comprehensive system such as the Crestron system we install in many of our homes. However, if you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive solution for a rental property or older second home, this might just fit the bill. In the interest of full disclosure, there is a monthly subscriber fee. However, $8.99 a month or $99 a year seems like a small price to pay for this technology.

Hot Links From The Home Blog, Second Edition

I subscribe to various feeds from other blogs and websites. Here are a few of my favorite links from the past few weeks.

• If you are in the market for a new cooktop, take a look at this new gas/ induction combination that KitchenAid is now selling in Europe!
• Looking for something fun and different hanging in your home? Love Gummy Bears? Why not combine the two??? I stumbled across this recently and thought it was nothing if not unique. (Of course, you know what they say – if you have to ask how much it costs, you probably can’t afford it!)
• If you love the modern look and are searching for the perfect vanity for your home, you might consider this Brillante vanity. I don’t think I have ever seen anything quite like it before – it’s completely made of glass!
• I really got a kick out of this blog post. Be sure to read the comments, as well.
• Finally, with summer on the horizon, Jandy has just released this:

“Introducing Jandy’s new AquaLink® Touch™, designed with the style and features today’s consumers demand in a technologically advanced controller. AquaLink Touch’s smart, intuitive user interface, customizable features and attractive styling present the best touch panel experience for the pool industry today.” (source: Jandy)

The Skinny On Energy Efficiency

Google's PowerMeter

When faced with building a new home, you may be surprised at the number of options available for lowering your energy consumption, and thus, your utility bills. However, some ideas are better than others, and a good rule of thumb, according to Bethany Jenkins, Vice-President of Jenkins Custom Homes, is to evaluate the product and choose those with a 2-4 year payback. One of the benefits of building a new home – as opposed to purchasing an existing – is the flexibility you have in design. Here are some of our favorite ways to control energy costs:

1. Start with a great design. Your home’s orientation on the lot, as well as the location of windows and doors, can take into consideration cross-ventilation and the direction of the sun in both winter and summer months.
   
2. Have a carefully planned “thermal envelope”. The thermal envelope is a technical term for the insulation in your home. Think of it like a thermos – the quality of the insulation is what determines how hot or cold your liquid inside remains. The same is true of your home. Putting your money into a high-density foam insulation and highly efficient windows will keep your home warmer or cooler, therefore reducing the number of times the A/C or heater has to cycle on and off.
   
3. Require high-performance mechanical systems (heating and cooling systems, hot water heaters), as well as appliances.
   
4. Employee technology when cost-effective (occupancy sensors for lights, A/C & heater, for instance).
5. Carefully placed trees can shade your house from cold winds or the summer heat, and drought resistant landscaping will lower your water usage. A good landscape architect can design your green space with eye toward lowering your energy costs.
   

Construction Proceeds on Applehead Island

Construction is moving along well on the home currently being built by Custom Home Builder, Jenkins Custom Homes, on Applehead Island in Horseshoe Bay.  The home is framed and in the beginning stages of interior plumbing and electrical work.  This home is being built for out-of-town clients who enjoy the beautiful lake setting as well as the many activities Lake LBJ has to offer. Working with the Jenkins team from out of town has been drama-free, as the clients have taken advantage of the Jenkins web-based “Guide to Picture Perfect Projects” Personal Home page to view progress, project documents, and process change orders.  With these conveniences, the clients have only had to travel into town for a few critical-stage meetings.

Construction on this custom home began in the Fall of 2009 with the bulk head and boat house.  Those are continuing, as construction on the home continues as well.