Reliable Home Comfort that Works Even When the Teenagers Are in Charge

Ah, the long-awaited summer finally arrives in Chicago. Kids can ride their bikes to the Lincoln Park Zoo, teenagers meet friends at North Avenue Beach, and parents juggle work schedules that might include Monday morning Zoom calls from the home office or Friday afternoon flexibility. But when your family's lakefront lifestyle has everyone scattered across the city's 18-mile trail system, who's managing the house? Those elegant windows in your brownstone flood spaces with afternoon heat while you're downtown and the kids perfect their volleyball serves at the beach. Automated shading works like having a responsible adult at home—handling comfort and energy efficiency so you can focus on what matters most during Chicago's brief but glorious summer season.

Enjoy Spectacular Views Without The Glare, Heat, and Constant Adjustments

Living 40 floors above Chicago's streets comes with extraordinary rewards—Lake Michigan views stretching endlessly to the east, and the city's architectural marvels everywhere you look. But those floor-to-ceiling windows that sealed the deal on your high-rise home can become your biggest challenge when August’s relentless sun turns your living space into a greenhouse. By 2 PM, you're squinting at your laptop screen, ratcheting the temperature down on your thermostat, and contemplating keeping those blinds closed all summer. Automated shading offers an elegant solution, working in concert with your daily rhythm to maintain comfort while preserving those spectacular views that define high-rise living.

How Barrett's Partners with Coastal Source for the Perfect Outdoor Audio Experience

Standing in your backyard while crystal-clear music fills the air around your patio, pool, and garden paths creates an entirely different experience than listening to speakers in a showroom. The sound isn't coming from a sterile demo room—it's happening right in your own outdoor space, giving you the chance to hear exactly how premium audio will transform your property. This is the unique approach Barrett's Technology Solutions takes with their trusted partner Coastal Source, bringing their innovative demo van directly to your home. In a recent interview with Robert Bacci, Coastal Source's Technical Sales Specialist, you can learn how this hands-on experience makes all the difference when designing your outdoor entertainment space.

Lake Life, Simplified

The journey to your lake house should mark the beginning of relaxation, not the start of a weekend-long to-do list. As you navigate the final turns toward your waterfront retreat at the end of a long week, your lights automatically illuminate the driveway, a relaxing soundtrack plays through outdoor speakers, and the spa is already heated to your preferred temperature, just like at a resort. You didn’t have to employ a concierge service—it's the quiet efficiency of home automation working behind the scenes at your lake property. Today's technology transforms weekend getaways from maintenance-heavy obligations into true escapes where the focus remains exactly where it should be: on family, relaxation, and making memories on the water.

Ready for Your Arrival

Home automation brings the luxury of convenience, eliminating the traditional arrival routine of adjusting thermostats, turning on water features, and preparing outdoor spaces. Your property is ready for your arrival. Using your smartphone, you can activate "Weekend Mode" while still on the road, triggering a cascade of preparations: climate control adjusts to your preferred temperature, landscape lighting creates an inviting atmosphere, and outdoor entertainment systems are ready for use.

The pool and spa begin heating to perfect temperatures hours before you arrive. Motorized shades adjust based on the sun's position, protecting interiors while maximizing views. Water features like fountains activate, creating a welcoming ambiance. When you step from your car, you're greeted not by a list of tasks but by a home already in entertainment mode—music playing softly through landscape speakers, pathway lights guiding you to the dock, and comfort settings already dialed in to match the weather conditions.

Carefree Family Weekends

Lake homes should center around creating moments rather than managing systems. As your children race down to the water, motion sensors automatically illuminate their path. Instead of worrying about whether someone left lights on, automated scheduling ensures exterior lighting adjusts with sunset, brightening gradually as evening approaches. During the afternoon heat, motorized patio shades lower without prompting, creating comfortable shade over the outdoor kitchen.

For families, the advantages multiply. While the kids enjoy swimming, networked audio zones let you adjust volume levels specifically around the pool area without affecting conversations on the deck. As evening approaches, a single voice command or button press transforms the environment again: landscape lighting shifts to a warmer hue, the fire feature ignites, and the outdoor TV powers on for a movie night under the stars—all without interrupting the flow of your day. And if you do need to answer some work messages, your outdoor Wi-Fi is up to the task wherever you sit.