Blog

The Perfect Solution for Comfort and Style

For many homeowners, placing a TV above the fireplace seems like a natural fit, but the height can sometimes lead to discomfort during extended viewing sessions. This challenge was the key focus in a recent TV hanger project where we installed a 75-inch TV above a beautifully crafted wood-finished fireplace. From the beginning, the client had expressed concerns about the height since it was their primary TV and they wanted to be able to watch comfortably.

To overcome these concerns, we implemented a low-profile motorized TV mount, which enhanced the aesthetic and provided smooth, effortless motion to bring the TV down to a more comfortable viewing level. Keep reading below for more! 

Enjoying the Big Game on the Patio and Movie Nights Under the Stars

Do you remember when a home's outdoor entertainment consisted of an under-eave speaker directed at the patio area? One-directional and anything but detailed, there were areas with great audio at the ideal volume, surrounded by seating areas where you could barely hear each other talk and others where the music was a whisper.

When it came time to watch the big game or a movie under the stars, you pulled out an old projector or brought a TV out from the basement.

Times have definitely changed.

As a leading Chicagoland technology integrator, our team at AVIDIA has watched the outdoor entertainment landscape transform over the past decade. Today, you can experience concert-quality music, stunning images in full sun, and surround sound that immerses you in the moment. Who needs four walls when you can have a home theater in your own backyard?

Recently, we had the pleasure of installing an outdoor TV for a client. The challenge? How do we install it so that it's visible from the pool and the seating area—two outdoor spaces in polar opposite locations?

Let's find out.

Industry News and Product Highlights: The Lutron Triathlon Select Launch

Lutron has long been known as the leader in lighting and shade solutions for smart homes. Their motorized shades come in nearly limitless styles and materials, ensuring the perfect alignment with a home's aesthetics. These shades are known for their whisper-quiet motors and ease of use, with voice, remote, or mobile app control.

As always, this cutting-edge company has continued evolving, adding to its lines as needs change and technology and manufacturers adapt. In 2021, they released the Triathlon line, motorized shades at a more affordable price point than their other lines. Recently, they've added a new and in-demand product to that line.

Here, we'll explore what the Lutron Triathlon Select launch means to homeowners looking for the incredible convenience, beauty, and comfort of smart shades by Lutron. 

What to Do When Your Smart Home Isn't Smart Enough

You've invested in a state-of-the-art Control4 smart home system, expecting it to simplify your life and impress your guests. But instead of the seamless automation you envisioned, you're left with a jumble of malfunctioning devices and half-baked features. Sound familiar?

Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common in the world of home automation. The culprit? Often, it's well-meaning but under-equipped integrators who lack the expertise to properly configure and optimize complex smart home systems like Control4.

The result is a smart home that's not quite smart enough—a frustrating, even maddening experience for homeowners who have poured significant resources into their technology. So, what can you do when your integrator falls short and leaves you with a misconfigured Control4 system?

We explore the topic below, so keep reading. 

Turn Your Existing System into a Modern Smart Home Powerhouse

Your new home came with a Control4 system—that's great news! While older automation systems may not offer all of today's capabilities, you've actually inherited valuable infrastructure that can be transformed into a modern smart home. The existing wiring, equipment locations, and basic framework provide an excellent foundation for upgrading to the latest Control4 technologies. But before you start using the system or making changes, it's worth having a professional evaluation to understand what you have and explore your upgrade options. 

The New Control4 X4 OS

The smart home automation industry is ever-evolving, and Control4 is once again leading the charge with the release of its revolutionary X4 Operating System (OS). As one of the most anticipated product launches in the home automation industry, X4 OS promises to redefine how homeowners interact with their smart environments!

With a focus on user empowerment, seamless integration, and cutting-edge features, Control4 X4 OS is set to change the game. Ready to learn more about this update? Keep reading. 

When Great Technology Proves Itself, Expansion Becomes Inevitable

Sometimes the best endorsement for a technology solution comes not from reviews or specifications, but from daily living. When we installed motorized shades in one room of this beautiful home, the clients experienced firsthand how automated window treatments could improve their comfort and privacy. What started as a targeted solution for morning glare in their great room gradually became a whole-home system as they discovered new ways the technology could enhance their lifestyle.

How Creative Problem-Solving and Designer Collaboration Transform a Pool House

When our Chicago-area clients first reached out, they had a clear vision: a large screen where they could watch TV from their pool and built-in jacuzzi. The space was large and perfect for relaxation and entertaining. Initially, the thought was that a projector and a large screen would fit the bill, but as we dug deeper into the project details, we discovered that that setup would face some challenges in this humid, chlorine-rich environment. Sometimes, the best solutions come from stepping back and completely rethinking the approach.  

These Massive Displays Are Changing How You Experience Home Entertainment

Your friend invites you into his new media room, and as soon as you step inside, you're fixated. There, dominating the far wall, is a screen so large it feels like a window into another world. Welcome to the era of 100-inch TVs—displays that were once the exclusive domain of projectors but now come in sleek, flat-panel form.

For years, getting a 100-inch viewing experience meant dealing with projector installations, dedicated screens, and rooms designed around light control. Not anymore. Today's 100-inch TVs deliver that same massive scale with the convenience of a regular television, better brightness for ambient light, and none of the maintenance headaches. It's a more convenient way to experience entertainment on a cinematic scale. 

Coastal Source Bollard Speakers Deliver Sleek Sound for Your Outdoor Spaces

Entertaining in your garden, patio, or by the pool is one of life's greatest pleasures. Music can set the perfect tone for any occasion, but too often, sound systems fall short. Achieving even, immersive sound without detracting from the beauty of your alfresco spaces is no easy feat. That's where Coastal Source Bollard Speakers shine because they deliver high-fidelity audio wrapped in a sleek, architectural design that's built to endure the elements and seamlessly integrate into your existing AV system.

At Avidia, we specialize in providing sophisticated audio solutions that elevate your leisure time. Coastal Source's Bollards offer the perfect blend of form and function, taking every gathering, from intimate dinners to lively parties, to new levels of rich, balanced sound. Keep reading to learn more!

Avidia is Now a Proud Josh.ai Dealer

Voice control should feel as natural as flipping a light switch, but more intuitive and elegant, and far more powerful. Purpose-built for luxury homes and discerning lifestyles, Josh.ai redefines what it means to live with connected technology. It's a powerful system that listens carefully, acts intelligently, and respects your privacy every step of the way.

At Avidia, we're proud to bring Josh.ai into the fold as an official dealer. It's a system that aligns with our commitment to personalized, high-performance automation, and it's designed for homeowners who expect more from their technology.

These Planter Speakers Blend Effortlessly Across Your Backyard

For homeowners looking to integrate high-performance audio into outdoor spaces without disrupting aesthetics, James Loudspeaker's planter speakers offer the perfect solution. These innovative speakers combine superior sound quality with a discreet, elegant design, seamlessly blending into patios, gardens, and poolside areas.

Whether placed along walkways, in outdoor lounges, or around landscaped areas, they deliver immersive, high-fidelity sound while maintaining a clean, natural look. Ready to learn more about bringing these invisible speakers to your Glencoe or Northfield home's backyard? Keep reading.