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.

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 the designers of the Parade Home looked at the plans, they knew something special needed to be done with the space that was created behind the wall of the small 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 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.

Cool Features

Every now and then, we come across a feature that would truly enhance our lifestyle – but is costly. Such is the case with these soft-close, aka blumotion, drawers.

These unique cabinet features make closing drawers and cabinet doors a dream. No matter how hard you push them, they “catch” at the end to prevent the drawer or door from slamming shut. No more accidentally slamming a drawer. No more shaking the house when you’re in a rush in the kitchen. These cabinets truly enhance your lifestyle – and prolong the life of your cabinets.

See them in action below. If you’re building a new home or are in a position to remodel, consider the value of blumotion.