In the past 5 years,  there’s been a rediculous amount of new tech for the backyard, from color changing LED lighting to WiFi and outdoor music. For the past decade or two, all anyone had was speakers hidden inside fake rocks.  Now, you can surf the web, change your pool and landscape colors, heat the jacuzzi, and pick your favorite song from your chair.

As a result, nearly every speaker manufacturer in the country is scrambling to dominate the category.  Making these amazing speaker systems that resemble outdoor lighting fixtures and other contemporary shapes and styles, designers, architects, and homeowners can all rejoice at the sound that compliments the surroundings.  Because all of these look and sound amazing, each speaker company is coming up with ways to differentiate themselves and/or be the price leader.  Below are just a few of the discounts going on right now:

Technology has a peculiar relationship with design. In many cases, it’s essential for crafting the look you want. But interior designers still tend to stay away from adding devices to rooms, fearing clunky components will detract from client’s unique aesthetic.

Of course, sophisticated fans of technology understand that in today’s world, there’s very little difference between convenience and style. Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. Find out how you can enjoy the best of both worlds with the latest AV technology.

The best time of the year is right around the corner – nothing beats spending some downtime enjoying your property with friends and family. Whether you want to whip up something savory and seasonal in your outdoor kitchen, kick back and watch a ballgame, or just bask in the warm weather, this is the time to do it.

But there are plenty of ways design and technology can help make your big backyard plans come true. Keep reading to find out what you need to know for an incredible season.

The sun is shining, the weather is warm, and the year’s first flowers are in bloom -- it’s almost spring, and we can’t wait. It’s time to get outside and fire up the grill in the outdoor kitchen and spend some time with friends and family in the backyard.

This year, we’re especially excited about the fresh seasonal produce and discovering the best food and wine pairings. We've put together this guide to help you find an intriguing wine to emphasize the exciting and indulgent flavors of the season.

If you've updated your technology in the past few years, you're likely familiar with the concept of voice control. Your cable service provider, smartphone, and more probably have some variation of technology you control through spoken commands. But one of the most productive uses for voice platforms is to control your smart home system.

Of course, with so many companies competing to dominate the market, you could quickly lose track of what the differences are between each device. Should you integrate an Amazon Alexa or Google Home system? Can you enjoy voice control without inviting a major tech company into your home? Find out here.

Every year the world’s greatest sports cars prepare for months to compete against each other. But it’s not their top speed that’s on display. It’s their style and elegance.

The year is 1950, and Phil Hill, who would go on to automotive glory as the only American-born driver to win the Formula One World Driver's Championship, sits behind the wheel of a Jaguar XK. Little does he know he'll become the first ever to win the Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance.

As one of the first significant streaming hits of 2019, Marie Kondo's Netflix phenomenon Tidying Up highlights the distinct relationship between decluttering your home and living a better, more fulfilling life. And while she may be talking about cleaning out closets, architects and designers should pay close attention to her methods.

The lifestyle guru behind the KonMari Method recently told Elle Magazine: “... in the past, most of my clients were interested in organizing. Now, my clients are mainly interested in a life that is more centered around mindfulness and wellness.”

The popularity of her new show indicates an interest in reducing clutter on the path to wellness. And few things can clutter a room more quickly than technology components.

When you're designing your next project, consider factoring in the reality of the role technology plays in the day-to-day lives of your clients. Create a space where the devices remain useful, but they don't dominate the look or feel of the room.

Here, you’ll find some interesting modern solutions that will help you design a less cluttered, more mindful space for your clients. To get more out of the sophistication and style of hidden technology keep reading.

Nautical exploration is what shaped the world as we know it today. When humanity took to the sea, it led to some of the most significant advancements in civilization, science, and technology.

Because of its significance, it’s been romanticized over and over in literature, movies, and music. As President John F. Kennedy put it: “All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea – whether it is to sail or to watch it – we are going back from whence we came.”

Ships have become yachts; travel for necessity has become travel for pleasure. And that's allowed technology to act in aid of stunning comfort and incredible luxury.

Here, we’ll take a glimpse at some of the best smart features of the world’s luxury yachts. Get ready to set sail.

It all started with a little rebellion. In the 1540s, Protestant reformer John Calvin rose to power as the head of the church in Geneva. During that time, he banned wearing jewelry throughout Switzerland. It would be one of his most significant acts, though he may not have known it at the time.

That’s because Swiss jewelers weren’t going out quietly. Instead, they learned how to make watches.

The first watches were a kind of spherical pendant -- a stylish and practical addition to your wardrobe. Roughly a century and a half (and a few major technological developments) later, England’s Charles II popularized the waistcoat. To keep up, pendants were flattened and rounded out. Thus, the pocket watch was born.

A few more centuries and one World War later, and the watch migrated to the wrist. What began a bit of a joke (a bracelet that tells time?) was transformed by military pragmatism into an indispensable part of men’s fashion.

Today, wristwatches can do a lot more than just keep track of time. They can make phone calls and control your smart home. They can connect you to a world that’s always online.

But there’s something to be said for a classic timepiece. Here, we’ll show you some of our favorite watch designs to help start your New Year with a timeless look.

The New Year is here and there’s plenty of great new technology trends coming your way. While rollable TVs and artificial intelligence may be some of the most talked-about technology upgrades at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, there’s one technology that will transform the way you get through your day: tunable LED lighting.

Want to find out how a ground-up tunable upgrade will transform your lifestyle? Curious why it’s one of the best home automation trends to look for in 2019? Find out here.