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The inspiration

The Schlage Custom Whitney lever brings an unmistakable old-world, New Orleans/Spanish Colonial style to Amy’s farmhouse look. The goal: bring quintessential elements such as wrought iron together with the rustic colors and textures one would find in an old but stylish farmhouse and then add modern touches.

The mood board: a unique pairing of traditional and contemporary

Amy’s ideas took the character, look and feel of rough-hewn wood and combined them with more modern fixtures, lighting, furnishings and accessories. She contrasted the look of a modern door with a more traditional take on wood flooring. The Whitney lever in matte black served as the inspiration for the entire room design, its look of vintage wrought iron the foundation of a decor that could be both versatile and stylish.

The look : timeless and distinctive

The mood board meticulously reflected Amy’s thinking, from the flooring to furnishings to the smallest accessory, and was used by Schlage designers as a cornerstone for finishing out the above room design. Unique for her, she built the entire vision upon a door lever, the Whitney lever, which she described as both challenging and fun. Amy ultimately deciding to pair the Schlage Custom lever with a white door (a change from the mood board), allowing the dark richness and character of the lever to “pop.” She then layered in other features and touches with similar finishes to bring everything together in one cohesive look.

The name says it all

One system. Endless possibilities. Whether replacing outdated or broken locks, remodeling a single room or simply adding new, decorative details, Schlage Custom Door Hardware makes personalizing a single room–or an entire home–as simple as can be. Perfect for tailoring door hardware designs to the specific needs of every room.

One screwdriver is all it takes to customize the style, finish and even functionality of Schlage Custom door hardware. A wide range of designer knobs, levers, complementary trims and long-lasting and lustrous finishes afford a whole new level of versatility in both style and function.

For more information visit schlage.com. And to see Amy and Allegion Style & Design Chief Ted Roberts in action bringing this room to life, check out this video. Explore the safety, simplicity and style of Schlage.
 

Personalization and flexibility. These two concepts are turning up time and again in design blogs and articles as people look to elevate the style of their homes. The bold look of our latest ¾ handlesets allow homeowners to create the perfect first impression for their home with exterior locks that set the standard for safety, simplicity and style.

Some color trends (the rose gold thing) are on the way out while others (brown is back) are on the way in. Bright, expressive colors are also popular, with Ultra Violet, of all things, taking center stage as Pantone’s Color of The Year. Styles, colors and character are changing from room to room as people express their own personal style and strive to “embrace natural character and authentic textures in their home” according to Leigh Spicher, design director for a leading home builder.

Schlage Custom™ Door Hardware and the newly introduced ¾ handleset provide a unique opportunity, offering a breadth of products that perfectly suit today’s focus on flexibility, style and functionality.

The name says it all

One system. Endless possibilities. Whether replacing outdated or broken locks, remodeling a single room or simply adding new, decorative details, Schlage Custom Door Hardware makes personalizing a single room–or an entire home–as simple as can be.

A screwdriver and an allen wrench are all it takes to customize the style, finish and even functionality of any door lock. It’s that easy. A wide range of designer-inspired knobs, levers, complementary trims and long-lasting and lustrous finishes help make for the ultimate first impression when Schlage Custom handlesets greet visitors at the front door. And brand new ¾ handleset designs, launching this month, add even more possibilities. The distinctive ¾ trim from the grip to the deadbolt creates a stylish, architectural look that is unmistakable and will literally give your entrance door a makeover.

Flexibility in function

Design flexibility is just the beginning. Inside the home, Schlage Custom Door Hardware works for a hall or closet door as easily as it does on a locking bedroom or bathroom door. If a homeowner wants to add the ability to lock the door, they simply insert the included locking pin. Without any additional tools, and in just a moment, they can add or remove the locking pin to suit the needs of any room at any moment.

Well suited for style, performance and value

“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” This has never been more true than with Schlage Custom Door Hardware.

Regardless of function, regardless of style preferences, the sky is the limit whether a homeowner is looking for a coordinated look throughout their home or wants to mix and match styles on different doors. They can even mix and match styles and finishes on both sides of the same door depending upon what they’ve chosen for a specific room’s décor – from traditional to transitional to contemporary and beyond.

The innovative core of Schlage Custom allows for a range of options, allowing for a quick, convenient style update without having to remove the whole lock. And Schlage’s premium design won’t break the bank, delivering a custom designer look that installs in minutes. And at an affordable price.

According to Ted Roberts, the Style and Design Chief at Schlage’s parent-company Allegion, “Today’s home styles call for flexibility, simplicity, premium style and value. It’s no surprise that these have been principles upon which Schlage was founded almost 100 years ago and that we continue to deliver upon, today.”

Schlage Custom Door Hardware was designed with both form and function in mind. Explore the possibilities at Schlage.com and purchase online at amazon.com and build.com and coming soon to homedepot.com and lowes.com. Enjoy the safety, simplicity and style of Schlage.

Ted Roberts, the Style and Design Chief at Allegion, is fond of saying that [your front porch] is the “ultimate first impression.” So we’ve scoured Pinterest for DIY ideas that can help make that first impression a great one. We are delighted to present this magical list of 10 simple, DIY tips for transforming your front porch that, all together, would only cost between $500 - $1,000, total. Abracadabra!

From creative touch-up painting and stylish yet affordable furniture ideas to easy, colorful porch decorations and new door hardware, here are ten ways to turn your front porch into something pretty special. For a lot less than you think.

1. Think color

From a quick touchup of trim and little details to repainting your front door or bringing some patterned color to those wooden floors, there’s a lot you can do with a quart or two of indoor/outdoor paint. Around $20 a quart.

2. Knock Knock

Replacing your front door hardware with Schlage door hardware opens a world of possibilities, both practically and aesthetically. Enjoy a range of products, styles and finishes that reflect your unique taste. All for $100 - $300!

3. A Breath of Fresh Air

An outdoor ceiling fan is a classic fixture that will also help you beat the heat. It can add comfort, style and enhance curb appeal – all for less than $200.

4. Welcome

Provide a personal greeting with the quintessential welcome mat. Explore, express your unique sense of style, personalize your space and help make your guests feel at home. Between $10 and $50.

5. Have A Seat

Wicker chairs and accent tables. The classic rocking chair. The timeless porch swing. Invite folks to come sit a spell and enjoy some hospitality. Spend a little on seating. Spend a little more time together.

6. One To Grow On

Colorful, easy-to-maintain potted plants are a quick and convenient way to transform your front porch in an instant. For around $50, you’re covered for the season in beautiful, fragrant flora.

7. A Flash of Inspiration

Brighten your porch with hanging fixtures, string lights, lanterns and more. There’s nothing quite like the warm, welcoming glow of a porch light on a summer night. And it can be yours for less than $100.

8. Simple touches

Look around, from your pantry and your basement to your closet or your garage, and uncover little touches that can liven up your front porch. A wooden bowl of lemons or a rose floating in a water goblet are free yet priceless.

9. Details, Details, Details

When was the last time you replaced your mailbox? Your house numbers? Your door knocker? It’s amazing how many simple style additions you can make. And for less than $50. Presto, change-o!

10. Something Up Your Sleeve

Don’t forget those little landscaping touches. Increase your curb appeal with path lighting, easy-to-care-for perennials, simple lawn ornamentation, a bird feeder or bird bath. Small investments can bring a big return.

The Tiny House movement can be credibly traced back to Henry David Thoreau, his 1843 Walden Pond experiment (and the book that came of it) as well as the $28 dollars he spent to build what amounted to one of the first true “tiny houses.” It was 150 square feet and featured a fireplace, a table, a desk and three chairs. Its purpose? To see if a person can eschew the trappings of luxury and live happily and comfortably with less. For less.

Today’s tiny house is a little bigger – around 400 square feet on average – and often includes a kitchen and bathroom. But the general concept, re-introduced in 1997 and exploding today, remains the same. How can one downsize to what is essential and important, live happily and comfortably on a budget all while serving as a steward of the environment?

To get a unique perspective on the phenomenon, we asked Ted Roberts, the Style and Design Chief at Allegion, to share some thoughts on tiny living and how a tiny home and its owner can benefit from the Schlage door hardware products that Ted helps design.

Q&A with Ted Roberts

Q. Why invest in the latest Schlage door hardware when part of the motivation for building a tiny home is saving money?

A. “Just because it’s tiny doesn’t make it any less of a house. In fact, these homeowners have downsized to the point that they’re only really keeping their most prized, most valuable possessions.”

“It may be counter-intuitive, but they actually need the better locks. From a security standpoint, there’s less between themselves and the outside world than you’d find in your typical 2,600-square-foot home. In the final analysis, how can someone afford not to have the best locks possible for their tiny house? You’ve got maybe an entrance or two and maybe an interior door, so why not get the best lock you possibly can to secure what’s important to you?”

Q. Would you say that cost, then, is the main driver behind the tiny living phenomenon?

A.“It’s one of them, for certain. The average cost of a tiny home is only around $20,000. But when you look at the costs and then factor in everything else, it’s really more than just saving money. Tiny living helps to reduce one’s carbon footprint. What’s more, the lifestyle really requires you to take stock of what’s important and make some significant decisions about where and how you want to live. It’s a little house, but it involves some pretty big thinking.”

Q. Who is buying and building these tiny homes?

A. “Believe it or not, 2 out of 5 tiny homes is owned by someone over 50 years old. Owners of tiny homes are individualists looking for something different; some fun in their lives. They’re principled, emotionally engaged, they know what they want and they go and get it. There’s a measure of pride and ownership building a home and a lifestyle like this. It’s like joining a club, of sorts, where tiny homeowners find a measure of identity and self-actualization through the investments and the decisions they make to embrace tiny living.”

Q. As a style influencer, what are some challenges you’d anticipate an owner of a tiny home might face selecting the right door hardware?

A. “It’s not the hardware that’s the challenge. All of our products are refined for user experience, aesthetics, quality – all without sacrificing security. And that’s regardless of application. For the owner of a tiny home, it really is a matter of finding products that fit the style and character of their house. That’s as true of the appliances they choose as it is of their door locks. These aren’t just boxes. This isn’t camping. These aren’t trailers. I liken them to those quaint motor court cottages that were popular in the 20’s and 30’s and they range in style from rustic to Victorian to ultra-modern. So, it’s important that we provide flexible styles and finishes that complement these homes, just as we would any home. And we do, along with the security and convenience people expect from Schlage.”

Q. Anything else a tiny living homeowner needs to prepare for, security-wise?

A. “There are a lot of important possessions that you would normally keep in a garage or shed at home that you wouldn’t have room for in a typical tiny house. Bicycles. Motorcycles. Utility and recreational vehicles. Your lawnmower. Your grill. Our sister company, Kryptonite, is known for its specialty locks and offers a wide selection of smart, serious security solutions. We have your tiny home secured, inside and out.”

“If you’re thinking about opening your home to guests, carefully weigh the pros and cons. Think it through from every angle. And prepare yourself and your home for the tremendous responsibility you’re taking on, as well as for the tremendous opportunity. Take advantage of the latest smart home technologies to ensure a great experience for you and your guests. And look to Schlage to provide the style, simplicity and security you’ll need, plus the peace of mind that can only come from a brand that’s this experienced and trusted.”

Q. With tiny homes often available as vacation rentals on Airbnb and similar platforms, are there any special security considerations?

A. “Home hosting is huge right now and it only makes sense that the tiny house and home hosting phenomenon would intersect at some point. Again, a tiny house is still a house, so security, convenience, affordability and style play just as important a role in determining one’s selection of door hardware. For instance, a Schlage programmable electronic lock or a smart lock would be ideal for the exterior doors. You get the convenience of an easily changeable and assignable code versus having to provide a key for your rental properties. And with smart locks, you’re providing the added benefits of managing home access using your smartphone. That goes for whatever size home you’re renting.”

Q. Do you see yourself living in a tiny house at some point?

A. “The simplicity, the style, the reduction of complications in one’s life – these have a real appeal to me. It’s just that by the time I made room for my more than 1,000 books on architecture and architectural design and all my art supplies, it would no longer be a tiny house!”

It was little more than two years ago that Amazon’s Echo took the holiday shopping season by storm and Google Home’s voice-activated speaker brought Google Assistant from the phone to the living room. They were taking the baton passed by assistants like Siri and Cortana who, as far back as 2011, began replacing phone apps in the search for everything from good pizza to directions to Mozart’s birthday.

Google Assistant is now available on more than 400 million devices, close to 95% of all Android devices, worldwide. Looking ahead, comScore predicts that half of all searches will be done via voice by 2020 with a sizeable percentage of those on a device like a voice-activated speaker – in other words, on devices without screens. From turning down the volume on your stereo to dimming your lights to locking your front door, these technologies and their application in the smart home are fast becoming the rule rather than the exception.

Rob Martens, President of Allegion Ventures and futurist for Allegion and their lock-manufacturing division, Schlage, looks ahead to where it’s all going. No stranger to innovation and the implementation of emerging tech, Martens has both insight and strong opinions on the rapidly evolving industry. He is responsible for identifying those mega-trends in technology that will best serve Schlage’s customers and then bringing them to life with products such as the Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt and the Schlage Connect™ Touchscreen Deadbolt.

Q&A with Rob Martens

Q. What was your first indication that home integration was somewhere that Schlage had to be?

A. “My focus, my responsibility, is on anything that could have a meaningful impact on our customers and our business. Anything that can significantly improve our customers’ experience with our products is something we’re going to be interested in. We first started exploring connected door hardware in 2008 and we’ve escalated our own efforts as the technologies have improved and been increasingly accepted. Schlage’s first patent was for a door lock that also turned on your lights. That was in 1909. So, I guess you could say it’s in our DNA.”

Q. So, the smart home is here to stay?

A. “I think that the adoption of the technology, and the technology itself, is so significant, I foresee a time in the very near future we’re not even calling it a “smart home” any more – just a “home.” It’s going to go from something new to something we all accept as the way things are. Our job is to make these new technologies accessible and relevant so that we remove any intimidation factor that may exist. Once we do that, you’re looking at an idea whose time has come and, indeed, is here to stay.”

Q. How has Schlage’s technology addressed this “intimidation factor” and what have you done to make your connected technologies more user friendly, particularly for voice?”

A. “Believe it or not, the way you make the technology better is by not worrying about the technology but rather what the user wants to accomplish with it. We know things are constantly changing and technology should continue to evolve with the ever-changing needs of our customers. Our focus is on applying these technologies in such a way that our customers, regardless of what system they choose for their home automation, only need one lock that works, is easy to use, is secure, and can evolve with their needs. Ideally, we’d provide one lock you didn’t need to change because of obsolescence. It’s all about our ability to continue to meet their needs whether they’re locking their door with a keypad, their smartphone or with a voice prompt. It shouldn’t matter. We need to give them a good experience, whatever their preferences. It’s not technology for technology’s sake, it has to meet a defined need.”

Q. You’re in the security business. How do you provide connectivity and convenience as well as security?

A. “That is the single most important factor we look at – for today and tomorrow – when it comes to all Schlage products. Privacy. Security. Peace of mind. That’s our job. That’s what a lock does. We start with the fact that we are in the life safety business, and we ask ourselves – especially with the integration of new technologies like voice activation – if what’s happening when you ask Alexa to lock your door is exactly what you want to happen. That’s why, for instance, you can’t ask Alexa to unlock your door without providing a security code. So, again, you take the actual technology out of it, you look at who you’re serving and what they need, and you work from there to build the technologies and products that meet those needs. Not the other way around.”

Q. That’s an interesting point of view, coming from a futurist at a company that prides itself on technological innovation.

A. “When you get right down to it, our customers don’t really care about the details – about the features and functions and bells and whistles. Does it work? Is it secure? Is it easy to use? Does it add value? We have to start there. If not, then we’re not doing our jobs. We solve for that, and then we can focus on convenience features and – also extremely important to our customers – style. So much of what happens with your home starts at the front door. It’s the ultimate first impression. We work really hard to make it a good one, and to bring our customers the security they demand, the style that reflects who they are and a great user experience.”

Q. What’s next?

A. “My job is to look at products, services and technologies that are proving disruptive in other industries – the Internet of Things and voice-activated home automation technologies are a good example of that – and then see how we can apply those disruptive elements and what they represent to our products. For us, it’s going to be the evolution of home automation tech, biometrics, face recognition and machine learning that continue to make our products relevant and current without losing sight of what our core mission is. We need to continue to listen to our customers and then safely apply appropriate technologies to our products based on what they’re asking for. We don’t try to do everything on our own. We are working with Apple, Amazon, Google and other emerging tech companies to help identify what’s next and then bring value to their technologies, all in service to our shared customers.”

According to Martens, that combination of thinking ahead and applying technology responsibly leads to important insights. For example, connecting a garage door opener to a fire alarm in a home automation system.

“The last thing you’d want to happen in a home fire,” says Martens, “ is for your alarm system to automatically open your garage door. While, at first blush, it would seem logical to provide such an escape route, this actually creates a rush of oxygen that can fuel the fire and make it worse. These are the kinds of problems, these unintended consequences, to which Schlage’s expertise in fire and life safety can offer solutions. We need to have the capacity to think through such issues in developing connected technologies.”

Connected technologies provide an opportunity for companies like Schlage to create tailored experiences for their customers. Two-thirds of smart home speaker users conduct local searches for products, services or local business at least once a week. More than half search daily and nearly one-third of them will visit the website of a local business after conducting their search. What’s more, 60 percent of them just started doing so in the last year!

When you factor in the rapid adoption of home automation, it’s clear that these technologies are going to continue to play an increasing role in our daily lives. Companies like Amazon, Apple, Google and Schlage – and influencers like Allegion’s Rob Martens – are going to continue to define what’s next and develop technologies, products and services that definitively answer that question.

Look for more from Schlage, Rob Martens and other key influencers at Schlage.com.

Convenience, security, and a design that makes sense

The Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt is among the strongest, most intelligent Bluetooth® enabled locks, with the highest industry rating for security and durability. The Schlage Sense lock is compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa, Homekit, and now, plays seamlessly with Yonomi. The new integration allows users to control their locks as part of Routines with other smart home products within their connected homes.

With the Schlage Sense deadbolt, you can:
 

• Create up to 30 unique access codes so trusted friends and family can enter using their code at the lock’s touchscreen
• Schedule access codes so guests can only enter when you want them to
• Use the Wi-Fi Adapter to check on the lock’s status from anywhere, so you never have to wonder if the front door was left unlocked
• View past activity to see which codes have been used and when

Adding your Schlage Sense smart lock to Yonomi Routines

Adding your Schlage Sense locks is easy and works by either adding your locks to existing routines or creating brand new ones. Here’s how to connect your lock to a new routine:

1. Launch Yonomi, tap on the Routines tab and select +

2. Tap Add Event + and select Location, swipe right to select I leave home

3. Tap Add Action + and select the action you'd like executed first

4. Customize your action by swiping it to predefined options or tapping the text to edit notifications

5. Continue to add actions in the sequence you'd like them executed

6. You can also add conditions if you'd like your Routine to run only under certain circumstances (e.g., time of day)

7. Once you're complete, tap Save in the upper right-hand corner

Ready to get started? Have Alexa lend you a hand by setting up a Dinner Party Routine.

Dinner party routines with Yonomi

Take advantage of Yonomi’s new “Routines within Routines” feature to create the perfect setting for your next dinner party.

1. Create a  “Dinner Party Lights” Routine:

      a. LIFX lights turn warm for all living room lights

      b. Philips Hue outdoor lights turn on patio lighting to bright

      c. Philips Hue turn on garden spotlights

2. Create a “Dinner Party” Routine:

      a. Lights are adjusted for Dinner Party Lights routine

      b. Nest adjusts the temperature to 72 degrees

      c. Sonos turns on your favorite party playlist

      d. Front door Schlage Sense deadbolt is unlocked

Still chopping vegetables in the kitchen when the first guests arrive? Just tell Alexa or Google Assistant to “turn on Dinner Party” and Yonomi will take care of the rest!

Technology has been a big driver behind the 26% year-over-year growth of the home-hosting industry in the US. App-driven technologies from platforms like Airbnb are powering this segment of the gig economy. Smart-home technologies are giving hosts control over home automation, management and security. And projected industry revenue of nearly $170 billion is attracting more potential hosts to the category than ever before. According to the 2017 Global Hotel Trends Report published by Tourico, more new hosting properties have been added than new hotel beds in the last year.

Managing home security and protecting one’s personal property – and personal space – is an important consideration for a prospective home host. Ted Roberts, the Style and Design Chief at Allegion, shares some insights into the home hosting phenomenon and Schlage’s role in providing door hardware like the Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt and Schlage Connect™ Smart Deadbolt. These technologies make security management convenient, affordable and smart.

Q&A with Ted Roberts

Q. What are the key factors propelling the home-hosting phenomenon?

A. “Like so much in our changing culture, a lot is built upon rapidly evolving technologies. From a security standpoint, we’re talking an evolution of such things as security cameras, changeable lock codes, programmable security systems – a lot of which can be easily and securely controlled from your smart phone. So much of this simply couldn’t have happened before the technology caught up with the need. All the more important since the category has evolved to be so focused on personal fulfillment and satisfaction.

Q. What are some general security tips you can provide a prospective host?

A. “Hosts need to think of their homes both holistically, in terms of overall security, but also in sectors. You’re bringing people into your home. First and foremost is general house access, and a programmable electronic lock or a smart lock are ideal for exterior doors. Think of this simply as providing the convenience of an easily changeable and assignable code versus providing a key. With smart locks, you’re providing the added benefits of managing home access using your smartphone.

For adapting interior doors to your specific needs, there’s Schlage Custom™ which facilitates a custom designer look, while adding the flexibility of switching a non-locking door to one that locks in a matter of seconds.

“You’ll also want to think about access throughout the home. Are there areas that need to be secured – like a home office or utility closet or family area? Many of these rooms are ones you don’t normally think about locking up. In a home-hosting situation, it’s important to really think through how you would like manage your whole-home access.” In cases such as these, a product designed for use on exterior doors, may also have an application inside.

Q. What about the specific advantages of Schlage door hardware?

A. “In addition to the benefits I’ve already outlined, something else to think about is aesthetics. With Schlage door hardware, hosts don’t need to sacrifice style for convenience and performance. In much the same way our products add to the curb appeal of a home that’s being sold, the style of Schlage products provides an appealing point of difference for host rental properties as well. We give hosts the opportunity to incorporate door hardware more beautifully, as well as providing security and practicality. What’s going to make your house, your property and the experience you provide stand out? We see that as part of our job.”

Q. How do I know if hosting is right for me?

A. “Are you a people person? As a host, you’re not just giving people a place to sleep or renting a room. You’re giving your time, your patience, your hospitality. Prepare to adjust to your guests’ specific needs to provide the best possible experience. How flexible are you? What about your schedule? You’ll want to be prepared for any eventuality, whether it be providing directions, lending your guests a bicycle or your car or something as mundane as having an extra toothbrush or some toothpaste handy. Don’t forget, you’re competing against hotels, so you’ll want to be prepared to truly share of your home and of yourself. If that’s you, then welcome to home hosting.”

Q. How do I know if my house is right for hosting?

A. “So much depends on whether you’ll be sharing your home while your guests are there or are planning to be away. But in general, the ideal host home will have extra bedrooms and bathrooms, it’ll either be a private home or a dedicated apartment or condo and it’ll be conveniently located near area attractions, transportation and etc. It’ll have all the amenities a guest would look for in a hotel – from cable to internet to clean towels and bedding. Is there something unique about your residence – is it historic, famous or haunted? Is your home a place you’d want to know about if you were travelling elsewhere? If so, you’ve got yourself a great home hosting prospect.”

Q. Any other general tips?

A. “Expect the unexpected. Really try to anticipate those things you may not have thought about. Are there any legal restrictions (Does your mortgage and insurance agreements allow you to host? Do you have the right kind of homeowner’s insurance? Does your HOA or lease allow you to host?) These types of considerations are just the beginning. Are you prepared to have things break, be it appliances or personal items? What if a guest gets ill? Do you have any home safety concerns that could pose a liability? Finally, again, will your guests feel secure in your home? That’s our focus, and it has been for almost 100 years. Make sure your guests know that and give them every reason to come back again or recommend you to friends and family.”

“Alexa, Earl Grey, hot.” While this might not be the most important request you make of your Alexa device today, her answer of “Unable to comply; replicators are off line…” is sure to delight.

From charming pop-culture Easter eggs to advanced home automation functionality, Alexa-enabled devices have become a staple in smart homes around the world. Featuring an ever-evolving list of skills, people have fallen in love with the convenience and charm of Alexa. So, if you’re planning on picking up an Alexa device on Prime Day this year, Schlage would like to remind you of all the great things you can expect.

Managing your thermostat. Controlling your home’s lighting. Locking your front door. Whatever you’re looking to control, Alexa is exploring all that is possible with today’s smart homes, taking home automation voice technology to the next level and boldly going where few have gone before. Better yet, Alexa is not alone. Many of today’s most respected and innovative brands – like Schlage, GE, Phillips, Ring, Nest and others – are supporting smart-home technologies with products that were literally once the stuff of science fiction.

“Alexa, what can you show me?”

Alexa-enabled devices are designed to work with a range of brands innovating in the home automation space.

Alexa can control the volume of your Sonos wireless speakers. Phillips Hue lighting can be turned on and off or dimmed, just by asking. Your front door can be locked with your voice thanks to the innovative Schlage Connect™ Touchscreen Deadbolt. In fact, you can monitor many of the safety systems in your home from video doorbells to security cameras. And this is just scratching the surface. If you’ve been considering adding home automation technology into your life, now is the perfect time to get started.

“Alexa, lock the front door.”

It’s no surprise that Schlage is among the leading companies innovating for the smart home of today (and tomorrow). In 1909, Schlage’s founder, Walter Schlage, received his first patent for an electronic door lock that could also turn the lights on and off. Now, nearly 100 years later, the company he founded is expanding its innovation footprint by introducing a whole family of smart locks that can be accessed from your smartphone or from your Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.

With Schlage Connect™ Touchscreen Deadbolt and Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt, Amazon Echo users can lock their doors with their voice. Convenience. Peace of mind. They’re just a voice command away and represent but a fraction of what voice-activated home automation promises to bring to you and your family.

“Alexa, play Holst Jupiter on Spotify”

There are a wide range of Amazon Alexa-enabled devices for you to consider, each sporting its own particular set of features tailored to your preferences and the specifics of your home automation system. From the Echo Plus smart speaker, to the compact Echo Dot, to the video-enabled Echo Show, there are plenty of options to match your needs. Pick your favorite and then sit back and enjoy, as a whole world of possibilities in home automation open up for you.

“Alexa, what’s the date?”

With all home automation devices, a little research and preparation can go a long way in making sure all of the products you pair with your system are compatible and will work properly. You’ll be well on your way to making yours one of the more than 5 million smart homes in America today.

By 2020, it is estimated that there will be more than 50 billion connected devices, including more than half of all cars on the road! Since you can get started exploring the Internet of Things for as little as $500, when you consider the convenience, safety, security–and fun–connected technologies can bring you, it’s certainly worth looking into.

And there's no better time to start than right now.

Like most things, the decision to hire a professional in lieu of employing a DIY solution has its trade-offs. But the decision to hire a professional locksmith can pay for itself in time, convenience and peace of mind when it comes to something as important as helping to secure your home.

Schlage has many products that are easy to install with nothing but a screwdriver and some handy know-how. But we’ll also be the first to recommend a licensed, registered locksmith if you’re looking to rekey your locks or undertaking a big task like replacing all the door hardware in your home. And if you’ve ever locked yourself out and locked your keys in, then you already know how valuable it is to have a relationship with a local locksmith or at least know where to find one. Allegion’s (maker of Schlage Locks) online locksmith locator tool gives you quick, easy access to a registered professional.

Here are the 5 top reasons to think about letting a locksmith do it:

1. Convenience

A licensed, registered locksmith will have the tools and the expertise to handle most any challenge. And that’s 24/7, 365 days a year. You’ll save time, get professional service on your own schedule (even in an emergency), and help is rarely more than a click or phone call away.

2. Knowledge and Experience

Did you just move into a new home and are looking to rekey your exterior doors, providing single key convenience for all your locks? This is just one example of service requiring a level of expertise even the most intrepid DIY enthusiast probably doesn’t possess. No worries when you leave it to a qualified ALOA (Associated Lock Smiths of America) professional and to locks you can trust.

According to Jared Gehle, Schlage Channel Sales Manager: “You should look to a locksmith anytime you’re not sure what you need or have any doubts about how to upgrade or install or upgrade your door hardware.”

3. Quality you can trust

Schlage doesn’t make locks that are easy to rekey since they generally don’t meet our strength and integrity standards. We recommend the job be left to professionals and to the guarantee of quality service they’ll provide.

Says Gehle: “Fitting new hardware to existing door openings or undertaking something potentially complicated like rekeying or replacing a number of locks throughout your home can be a lot of work. A locksmith allows you to prepare for any eventuality, saving you time, money and aggravation.”

4. Peace of mind

In more than a third of the two-million-plus burglaries that occur each year, the perpetrators come in through the front door. Don’t trust your home security to just anyone. Or any old lock. The Schlage brand is trusted by professionals and home owners alike with a heritage built on nearly 100 years of innovation, strength, quality and style.

5. Value

You get what you pay for. Getting the job done right, right from the start, will pay for itself many times over. If you have a non-standard door, if you’re replacing locks and the door measurements don’t conform to Schlage specifications (if you’re replacing a mortise lock, for instance), these kinds of adjustments are many times beyond the skill level – and patience – of a DIY project.

Gehle concludes: “Even if you think you know what you’re doing, don’t hesitate to contact a locksmith for advice, a specific product recommendation or for helpful tips. There’s no substitute for expertise and experience. They’ve got all the right tools. And a locksmith will be there for you at every turn.”

Considering hiring a locksmith to rekey your locks or install new ones? Define what is important to you, choose a licensed lock professional you trust and visit Schlage.com for more information and a wide range of innovative, stylish, top-grade door hardware possibilities.

Selecting outdoor décor is fun because it’s so easy to switch things up season to season without spending a fortune. You’ve already seen a few of our easy DIY tips for increasing your home’s curb appeal this summer. Here are a few more great ideas to steal: the top outdoor trends of 2018 courtesy of Style and Design Chief Ted Roberts.

Q&A with Ted Roberts

Q. What are some of the top outdoor trends you’re seeing pop up this year?

A. We have been seeing a closer association between the outdoors and indoors, both this year and in 2017. This is reflected not only in the popularity of natural materials, textures and floral-inspired motifs throughout the home, but also in the items we see adorning porches, patios, decks, and yards. Products for exterior cooking, entertainment, decorative fireplaces, porch ceiling fans, and comfortable outside furniture all enable the extension of the living space to the outdoors. As the backyard becomes more of a destination, the door between the inside and outside commands new importance. Many of the technological features of the front door are now equally important to back and side doors.

Q. What are the trending styles, colors and types of door hardware for exterior doors?

A. Exterior doors are getting larger and making more use of windows. On the front door, it’s common to see one large window, either frosted or textured, to allow light in without offering those outside a clear view into the home. The back door may have a clear window to further blend interior space with the exterior porch, patio, or deck. We’ve even seen windows covering almost the entire door, further supporting the idea of bringing the outdoors inside. We are also seeing a trend towards rich, saturated color used selectively throughout the home as a statement and combined with muted warm tones. This is especially true on front doors where yellow, purple, red, emerald green, cobalt blue all can be used to make a statement. Stained wood doors also remain popular, with stains trending darker and richer. For hardware, matte black stands out as the perfect color to coordinate with every choice of door color. We are even seeing door frames in black.

Q. What sort of technology trends are you seeing in the outdoor space?

A. Smart locks continue to gain popularity because they can add so much convenience to daily life. The idea of being able to secure the house, yet securely allow access to the homeowner without a key is appealing regardless of the door used. Keeping track of the kids as they come and go, and having control over the door lock from wherever you are can offer major peace of mind. As these features become standard at the front door, the expectation for other doors to adopt the technology increases. These locks strive to enhance and simplify life through technology. As always, it’s best to look for a reputable company (like Schlage) that understands door hardware and home security just as well as they understand smart technology.

Q. Which of these trends do you see living long enough to lead us into 2019?

A. The merging of the indoor and outdoor space is a trend that is here to stay. We see growing interest in simplifying and calming, and this is evident in the natural materials and organic style that continues to grow in popularity. Technology is also shifting towards simpler, more intuitive solutions. Going forward technology will continue to expand into appliances of all types with a growing focus on refining and humanizing the experience.