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Posted by Sara Bagwell | Jun 26, 2022 | Design & Remodel

Everything from lighting, heating and cooling and appliances are becoming “smart.”

You keep hearing the term everywhere: smart home. But what exactly is a smart home? Creating a smart home, also known as home automation, is a term that describes using internet-connected devices to monitor and manage your home. This includes things like security, lighting, heating and cooling, and appliances. The trend has been gaining in popularity for some time now, especially since home hubs or voice assistants, like Google Home or the Amazon Echo (Alexa), came onto the market. To some, it may feel like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but we’re seeing this trend taking over as most people are always looking for ways to live more comfortably and efficiently. There are many ways these products can be incorporated into your home and lifestyle.

Making your home “smart” offers a more convenient, and potentially safer, way to live. Home security systems are getting smarter. Brands like Ring and Nest make video doorbells so that you can see who is at your door, whether you’re home or not. When the cameras are connected to wi-fi, you’re able to check the feed from your smart phone wherever you are. You can also set up to get alerts on your phone when someone comes to your door when you’re not home, helping give you peace of mind while you’re away. These companies also offer indoor and outdoor cameras for added security. This is another way to monitor your home and make sure it stays safe while you’re away.

Nest, along with ecobee, also offers smart thermostats to help control the temperature and comfort of your home. Smart thermostats can learn your habits over time and automatically adjust your home’s temperature based on your schedule. They also connect to wi-fi in your home and integrate with your voice assistant so that you don’t even have to lift a finger to adjust your home’s temperature. These devices can help your home run more efficiently by going to an energy-saving mode when you’re out of town or allowing you to adjust your home’s temperature from an app on your phone no matter where you are.

Smart lighting is a feature that’s really been gaining in popularity recently. Companies like GE and Philips offer light bulbs and dimmer switches that can be controlled from your phone or voice assistant. Now, you can adjust the ambiance of your room or whole home with minimal effort. The smart bulbs come in different hues and the dimmers allow you to adjust the brightness with just your voice or the tap of a finger. Again, these devices just have to be connected to your home’s wi-fi to communicate. Another benefit of having smart lighting is that you never have to worry if you remembered to turn the lights off after you leave the house. Just open the app and double-check. Speaking of worrying about your home after you leave, you can also get smart garage doors, so you’ll never have to wonder if you closed the door again.

Smart appliances have been around for a little while, but they continue to evolve and improve. LG and Samsung lead the way when it comes to smart appliances, but other brands, such as Bosch, Frigidaire, GE, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool also now offer smart products. Now, you can start your laundry from your smart phone or pre-heat your oven from work so it’s ready when you get home. You can even set your smart refrigerator to keep inventory of what you have and what you’re getting low on. Or set up your Amazon Dash button with your smart dishwasher to automatically order dishwashing detergent when you’re getting low.

There are so many smart home innovations that make living easier, this is just the tip of the iceberg. These innovations are becoming more streamlined and the designs are sleek so that they can easily be integrated into any home design. If you’re nervous or skeptical about going all “smart,” start by incorporating one feature that is most important to you: lighting, security, energy efficiency, smart appliances, etc. If you have an Amazon Echo or Google Home, you’re already one step ahead. Smart home technology is still relatively new, so just be sure to do your research on products before you buy. Look for products that are simple to set up and use, because the whole point of adding these smart products to your life is to make living easier.

Photo: courtesy Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodel

Sara Bagwell has been involved in home design and remodeling since 2004 and is a designer for Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodeling in Gainesville.

15jul10:00 am 10:00 pm Pirates of Lanier - Charity Poker Run 2022

Pirates of Lanier Charity Poker Run – 2022, Lake Lanier, GA 13th annual fundraiser for children’s charity features pirate motif in parade of showboats, speedboats and more with poker card draws

13th annual fundraiser for children’s charity features pirate motif in parade of showboats, speedboats and more with poker card draws at various marinas plus festivities at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands,

Dates/Times: Friday, July 15 from 10 am to 10 pm and Saturday, July 16 from 9 am to 10 pm

See website for schedule of events: LanierPartners.org/poker-run

Lanier Partners of North Georgia Lanier Partners of North Georgia is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, national non-profit charitable organization. We raise money to help children in the North Georgia area. 678-590-0099 4977 Lanier Island PKWY Suite 113-1030 Buford, GA 30518

15jul5:00 pm 10:00 pm Beach Bash - Food Truck Friday - July 2022 Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506

Beach Bash and Food Truck Friday, Gainesville Fun in the sand with inflatable water slide, games, food trucks, beverage tents, hula hoop and limbo contests.

Fun in the sand with inflatable water slide, games, food trucks, beverage tents, hula hoop and limbo contests.

Date: Friday, July 15, 2022 (34d Friday – combined with the Annual Beach Bash event)

Time: 5 pm – 10 pm, gates open at 5 pm with live music 6 pm – 8:30 pm, Table reservations available for a fee.

Location: Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506

For more information visit the LLOP website or call 1-855-536-1996, or www.exploregainesville.org.

3105 Clarks Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506

15jul8:30 pm 11:00 pm Moonlight Paddle - LCKC - July 2022 Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506

Moonlight Paddle, Gainesville Guided paddle trip on a peaceful section of Lake Lanier Date: July 15, 2022 Time: 8:30-11 p.m. Location: Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. Cost: $20 per person kayak

Guided paddle trip on a peaceful section of Lake Lanier

Location: Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd.

Cost: $20 per person kayak rental.

For more info: www.exploregainesville.org

3105 Clarks Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506

Lanier Canoe/Kayak Club info@lckc.org 3105 Clarks Bridge Road Gainesville, GA 30506

23jul12:00 pm 2:00 pm Learn to Kayak - July 2022 Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506

Learn to Kayak, Gainesville Two-hour session for kayak beginners led by American Canoe Association instructor/Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club member Date: Saturday, July 23, 2022 Time: noon to 2 pm Location: Lake Lanier Olympic

Two-hour session for kayak beginners led by American Canoe Association instructor/Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club member

Location: Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd.

For more info: www.exploregainesville.org

3105 Clarks Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506

Lanier Canoe/Kayak Club info@lckc.org 3105 Clarks Bridge Road Gainesville, GA 30506

24jul12:00 pm 2:00 pm Learn to SUP - July 2022 Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506

Learn to SUP, Gainesville Two-hour session for stand-up paddle board beginners led by American Canoe Association instructor/Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club member Date: Sunday, July 24, 2022 Time: noon to 2 pm Location: Lake

Two-hour session for stand-up paddle board beginners led by American Canoe Association instructor/Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club member

Location: Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd.

For more info: www.exploregainesville.org

3105 Clarks Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506

Lanier Canoe/Kayak Club info@lckc.org 3105 Clarks Bridge Road Gainesville, GA 30506

02jul8:00 am 12:00 pm Original Hall County Farmers Market - Summer (Sat) 2022 Hall County Farmers Market, 734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA

Original Hall County Farmers Market – Summer 2022, Gainesville Beginning Tuesday, May 10, 2022, fresh fruits, vegetables and more. Date(s): Tuesday, May 10 through September Time(s): Tuesdays 2:30 – 6:30, Saturdays, 8 am

Beginning Tuesday, May 10, 2022, fresh fruits, vegetables and more.

Date(s): Tuesday, May 10 through September

Time(s): Tuesdays 2:30 – 6:30, Saturdays, 8 am to noon

Location: 734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA. 30501

For more info: HallCountyFarmersMarket.org

734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA

03jul8:00 pm The Arts Council's Summer MusicFest Concert Series - 2022 The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St SW, Gainesville, GA 30501

The Arts Council Inc. – Summer MusicFest Series, Gainesville Join The Arts Council for five “Concerts Under the Stars” at the Gladys Wyant Performing Arts Pavilion – Smithgall Arts Center. Bring

Join The Arts Council for five “Concerts Under the Stars” at the Gladys Wyant Performing Arts Pavilion – Smithgall Arts Center. Bring a picnic, your favorite beverages, chairs and blankets and enjoy the music!

Saturday, June 18 – Mike Farris and the Fortunate Few

Sunday, July 3 – Northwinds Symphonic Band Patriotic Pops Concert

Saturday, August 27 – Back in Time band

Time: 8:00 – 10:30 p.m. (gates open at 7 pm)

Location: The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring Street, SW, Gainesville

Cost: Call 770-534-2787 or visit website for tickets.

For more information: The Arts Council

The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center

331 Spring St SW, Gainesville, GA 30501

05jul2:30 pm 6:30 pm Original Hall County Farmers Market - Summer (Tues) 2022 Hall County Farmers Market, 734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA

Beginning Tuesday, May 10, 2022, fresh fruits, vegetables and more.

Date(s): Tuesday, May 10 through September

Time(s): Tuesdays 2:30 – 6:30, Saturdays, 8 am to noon

Location: 734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA. 30501

For more info: HallCountyFarmersMarket.org

734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA

07jul3:30 am 6:30 am Flowery Branch Farmers Market - Summer/Fall 2022 Flowery Branch City Hall, 5410 W. Pine Street, Flowery Branch, GA 30542

Flowery Branch Farmers Market – Summer/Fall 2022 Beginning Thursday, May 12, 2022, summer hours begin. Date(s): weekly, every Thursday, through October Time: 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm Location: Downtown Flowery Branch, 5410 W Pine Street, Flowery

Beginning Thursday, May 12, 2022, summer hours begin.

Date(s): weekly, every Thursday, through October

Location: Downtown Flowery Branch, 5410 W Pine Street, Flowery Branch, GA 30542

For more info: FloweryBranchFarmersMarket.com

5410 W. Pine Street, Flowery Branch, GA 30542

08jul4:00 pm 7:00 pm Braselton Farmers Market - Summer 2022 Braselton Bros. Store, 9924 Davis St., Braselton, GA 30517

Braselton Farmers Market – Summer 2022, Braselton Summer Farmers Market hours begin Friday, May 20, 2022 Date: Every Friday, beginning May 20 through August 19, 2022 Time: 4-6 pm May

Summer Farmers Market hours begin Friday, May 20, 2022

Date: Every Friday, beginning May 20 through August 19, 2022

Time: 4-6 pm May 20, then 4-7 pm every Friday through August 19

Location: patio of Braselton Brothers Store, next to Town Green on Davis St., Braselton, GA (9924 Davis St, Braselton, GA 30517)

For more information visit www.braselton.net, or Braselton Farmers Market on Facebook (@BraseltonFarmersMarket)

09jul8:00 am 12:00 pm Original Hall County Farmers Market - Summer (Sat) 2022 Hall County Farmers Market, 734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA

Beginning Tuesday, May 10, 2022, fresh fruits, vegetables and more.

Date(s): Tuesday, May 10 through September

Time(s): Tuesdays 2:30 – 6:30, Saturdays, 8 am to noon

Location: 734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA. 30501

For more info: HallCountyFarmersMarket.org

734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA

09jul11:00 am Discovery Saturdays - Live Animal Showcase - July 2022 Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville, GA 30504

Discovery Saturdays – Live Animal Showcase, Gainesville. Meet live animal ambassadors and tour live animal exhibit Date: Saturday, July 9, 2022 Time(s): 2 – 45-minute presentations – 11:00 am and 1:00 pm Location: Elachee Nature

Discovery Saturdays – Live Animal Showcase, Gainesville.

Meet live animal ambassadors and tour live animal exhibit

Time(s): 2 – 45-minute presentations – 11:00 am and 1:00 pm

Location: Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr.

Cost: $5 Per Adult, $3 Per Child (ages 1 to 12), Free for Elachee Members, Limited to 20 Participants

12jul2:30 pm 6:30 pm Original Hall County Farmers Market - Summer (Tues) 2022 Hall County Farmers Market, 734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA

Beginning Tuesday, May 10, 2022, fresh fruits, vegetables and more.

Date(s): Tuesday, May 10 through September

Time(s): Tuesdays 2:30 – 6:30, Saturdays, 8 am to noon

Location: 734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA. 30501

For more info: HallCountyFarmersMarket.org

734 E. Crescent Dr., Gainesville, GA

12jul8:30 pm 10:00 pm Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike, Tallulah Falls - 2022 Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive Tallulah Falls, GA 30573 Rabun County

Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike, Tallulah Falls A mile and a half night hike down 310 stairs to a suspension bridge over the falls. Hike to the suspension bridge and

A mile and a half night hike down 310 stairs to a suspension bridge over the falls. Hike to the suspension bridge and watch the moon rise above the gorge.

No pets allowed. Call to register. This hike may be canceled if weather conditions are not favorable.

Friday, Feb 18, 2022 (6:45 PM to 8:15 PM)

Friday, Mar 18, 2022 (8:30 PM to 10 PM)

Saturday, Apr 16, 2022 (8:30 PM to 10 PM)

Sunday, May 15, 2022 (8:30 PM to 10 PM)

Sunday, Jun 12, 2022 (7:15 PM to 8:45 PM)

Tuesday, Jul 12, 2022 (8:30 PM to 10 PM)

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2022 (8:15 PM to 9:45 PM)

Location: Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr., Tallulah Falls, GA 30573

For more info: www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.

338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive Tallulah Falls, GA 30573 Rabun County

14jul3:30 am 6:30 am Flowery Branch Farmers Market - Summer/Fall 2022 Flowery Branch City Hall, 5410 W. Pine Street, Flowery Branch, GA 30542

Beginning Thursday, May 12, 2022, summer hours begin.

Date(s): weekly, every Thursday, through October

Location: Downtown Flowery Branch, 5410 W Pine Street, Flowery Branch, GA 30542

For more info: FloweryBranchFarmersMarket.com

5410 W. Pine Street, Flowery Branch, GA 30542

15jul4:00 pm 7:00 pm Braselton Farmers Market - Summer 2022 Braselton Bros. Store, 9924 Davis St., Braselton, GA 30517