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. 

Preserve the View While Having Your Technology Too

There's something magical about Midwest evenings at the lake—watching the sunset paint colors across the water while a gentle breeze rustles through the trees. You bought your lake house for these moments. Nature is the focal point of this vista, and we want to keep it that way while still adding conveniences like outdoor televisions. This gives you the opportunity to host the big game viewing party in your backyard, where people naturally gather at your lakehouse.

Modern hidden technology solutions can give you the best of both worlds—magically appearing on cue when you need them, and vanishing the rest of the time. With the right outdoor technology and design, you'll never have to compromise on the views or the experience.

TV Solutions that Preserve the Views

Outdoor TVs can be quite large—often 75 inches or more. Many outdoor TV cabinets now have weatherproof designs that protect your equipment while blending with your deck or patio aesthetic. With the press of a button, your TV emerges for the big game or movie night, then disappears back into its housing when not needed.

For even greater flexibility, explore the innovative mounting options that are available. TV lifts can descend from pergola ceilings or rise from custom cabinetry built to match your landscape elements. Swivel mechanisms allow screens to rotate 360 degrees, ensuring you can enjoy the perfect viewing angle while you're in the hot tub or dining on your deck. These systems can be custom-built using materials that complement your existing outdoor features, whether that's natural stone, stucco, or weather-resistant wood. Some homeowners have even incorporated TVs into dock seating areas or fire pit surrounds, allowing entertainment to appear precisely where and when you want it.

Invisible Audio That Blankets Your Outdoor Space

Quality sound doesn't need to come with visual clutter. Modern audio solutions can deliver immersive experiences while remaining virtually invisible to the eye. Weather-resistant speakers can be tucked under the eaves of covered patios or mounted on walls with paintable covers that blend with your home's exterior.