Seasons Greetings
from your friends at
CHW Cabinetry!
Greetings!

This will be a holiday like no other, and during this time we could all use a little holiday cheer! CHW would like to wish you and your family a very happy holiday and remind you to gather with your family safely.

We wanted to talk this month about smart devices. If you don't already have one, it should be on the top of your Christmas list! Scroll down to learn how Smart Lighting or other devices may be right for your new or existing kitchen. Not every kind of smart device requires a remodel so learn how you can upgrade your home yourself without breaking the bank.

Also don't forget to Like Us on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date information on what the current trends are, as well as information on cool new products and more yummy recipes you can share with loved ones during the holiday season!
PLEASE NOTE our office will be closed
December 23rd through the 27th, and then again on January 1st.
Don't hesitate to schedule an appointment for the
New Year in advance and help us welcome 2021!
Is Smart Lighting Right For Your Home Remodeling Project?
Technology has changed the way we gather information, how we communicate with family and friends, and today, the latest technology is bringing our homes into the future! While we're not entirely living like the Jetson's (remember them?), today we are able to control more elements of the infrastructure of our homes using our tablets, smartphones, or even an electronic assistant like Amazon's Alexa or Google Home.

One element of your home that is one of the easiest and desirable smart home assets is smart lighting. Smart plugs, switches, and bulbs can help you to manage your home's lighting through any connected device. Before you run out and start buying smart plugs, think about what you'd like to accomplish with smart lighting in your home. Are you trying to solve problems like preventing lights from being left on, programming lights for when you're away from home or mimicking outdoor light to keep the winter blues away?
Smart lighting can enhance your home's security by making it look like your home when you're not. By automating your lighting, you can either set your lights on an auto-timer or control them from your smartphone when you're away.

Along with security, smart lighting can help you to control your electrical use. Lights can be programmed to turn on when you enter a room, and off when you leave. Many smart bulbs offer enhanced features like color changing and dimming. Voice-control allows those with disabilities to operate lighting without having to go to a switch or dimmer. Imagine if you're hands are full taking the laundry to the laundry room. With a simple voice command, you can turn on the basement lights and the lights in the laundry room. As smart home technology continues to evolve, voice control is becoming more available at a lower price point.

Smart lighting can also be an entry to more advanced smart home systems like shades, thermostats, security video systems, and motion detectors. Most systems can be retrofitted into your home and can be added to as your needs change, or the technology becomes available.

Finally, researchers have shown that smart lighting can boost your mood, improve your sleep and even help you to heal faster!
Here are four basic types of smart devices available. They are:

• Smart Switches
Smart switches and dimmers with built-in wireless connections can replace your existing switches to create a smart lighting system without a significant remodel. If you're remodeling, your contractor can swap the switches easily. They typically work with almost any light fixture. The addition of a master keypad or smartphone app can make operating your smart lighting easy. Some more advanced switches can talk to each other and continue to work even if your Internet goes down. Smart switches are an excellent way to transition to a smart home.

• Smart Bulbs
Smart bulbs by manufacturers like Philips Hue and LIFX can simply replace the existing standard bulbs in most fixtures. Each bulb has a tiny transmitter, receiver, and processor that connects to the internet via your wi-fi router. Smart bulbs offer options like color changing and dimming. Smart bulbs are the cheapest option to purchase, but they can be confusing to set-up and maintain if you don't have the right technology.

• Assisted Systems
Voice controlled systems like Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit and others serve as the brain of a smart home system. These hubs can speak to a number of different technologies allowing you to manage devices from multiple manufacturers. You will be able to control your smart lighting, thermostat, security cameras, video feeds and more using simple voice commands, or smartphone apps. While assisted systems are gaining in popularity, most hubs will speak to several devices, but not all that are available. You may find that some of your devices are not operable. A tip: The fewer manufacturers you use, the easier it will be to set up, expand and maintain your system.

• Integrated Systems
If you're renovating, consider upgrading to a centralized whole home system. These allow control of any light from anywhere in the home and use wired connections. Smart lighting isn't a new technology, controls have been available from manufacturers like Lutron, Control4, and others. Integrated systems are typically “centralized” with a brain and electrical panels. They're often more reliable than some wireless systems. Today, integrated systems talk to Alexa, Siri and other digital assistants, connect to not only lighting, but thermostats, shades, motion detectors, and security systems. Installing a smart home system is not a “do-it-yourself” project. When considering an integrated system, work with your home remodeling team. They will provide a licensed subcontractor that will install a system that matches your home's new lighting design.
Smart lighting is making huge inroads into homes today as homeowners are beginning to see the many benefits a smart home offers. From enhanced security to lower energy use, installing a new smart lighting / smart home system into your next remodeling project can improve your lifestyle, reduce your costs and help you to live more sustainably.

Upgrading home in one of these ways while sometimes challenging, can be an exciting experience that is well worth the investment! If you're planning a project and you live in the greater Columbia area, give the award-winning design experts at CHW Cabinetry a call at (803)520-6837. Our design team will get to know you, understand your lifestyle, and help you to design and create the perfect space to meet your family's specific needs!
Product Spotlight!
Not all of our clients have a caviar budget yet they want something stylish and full of smart technology so they too can have the "smart" home they hear so much about. Samsung is one of our client's go-to brands to achieve both these goals but not break the bank. Who doesn't want to see what is in your refrigerator without opening it, start your oven while in the car on your way home, or keep a shopping list that you can see while at the store??? Everyone wants that! To see kitchens we have done using Samsung appliances, browse through our Facebook albums and Like our Facebook page while you browse! And visit your local Samsung dealer to get a demonstration of just what these appliances can do for you! If you are in the Columbia area, check out The Nest who is our local Samsung dealer.
This Month's Feature Recipe
Eggnog Rum Cheesecake
This is a delicious cheesecake for eggnog lovers. The secret to a smooth cheesecake is to cream the cream cheese in a food processor for several minutes... and don't forget the secret ingredient: RUM!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar 
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter 
  • 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar 
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
  • ¾ cup eggnog
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons rum
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  2. In a medium bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and butter. Press into the bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan.
  3. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Place on a wire rack to cool.
  4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  5. In a food processor combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, flour and eggnog; process until smooth. Blend in eggs, rum and nutmeg. Pour mixture into cooled crust.
  6. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
  7. Reduce heat to 250 and bake for 45 minutes, or until center of cake is barely firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and immediately loosen cake from rim. Let cake cool completely before removing the rim.
  8. Decorate slices with whip cream, candy canes and/or christmas Kisses

Miss a past newsletter?
We have them archived on our website so you can go back and see what you missed.
Or maybe you wished you had saved a recipe we shared...
No worries! They are all right HERE!
Carolina Handcrafted Woodworks, LLC.
1819 Two Notch Rd
Lexington, SC 29073
Ph: 803-520-6837