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    3 reasons smart locks are your best move when moving

    April 28, 2017 8:36 AM by emily.bailey

    Friday, April 28, 2017

    3 reasons smart locks are your best move when moving

    See how a smart lock can make your home more attractive to potential buyers and add convenience to the home selling process.

     

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    There are a lot of things to think about when putting your house up for sale. But have you considered getting a smart lock? Not only can it make your home more attractive to buyers, it can also provide peace of mind during the stressful process.

    1. People in and out of your home

    When you’re selling a home, people are coming and going constantly. Whether it is the realtor showing prospective buyers around or service providers coming to make repairs or clean, it’s impossible for you to be home every time someone needs to get in. Instead of leaving your door unlocked or leaving a key under a plant, a smart lock can keep your house secure while still allowing access to those you trust. You can use an app to program new access codes into the lock, even setting schedules for when those codes can be used. And because you’re notified when they are used, you can keep a better eye on who is in your house and when.

    Why smart locks are great when moving

    2. What buyers look for

    Smart home devices are becoming more in demand and expected for buyers. In a 2016 report, The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) said that 37% of clients find smart locks very important. Installing a smart lock on your front door is a simple and affordable first step towards making your house “smart.” With 42% of surveyed clients saying they are interested in smart home devices, a smart lock is a great way to spark buyers’ interest in your home.

    Importance of smart home devices

    3. Curb appeal

    The first impression is sometimes the only impression when it comes to a potential buyer. While there are plenty of major upgrades that will increase your curb appeal, updating front door hardware is one of the easiest and most noticeable improvements you can make. Use the product selector to find the perfect door hardware for your home and refresh the front of your house in minutes.

    Smart locks increase curb appeal
    Have you already gone keyless or are ready to make the switch? Share with us on Instagram or Facebook why you are going keyless with Schlage or check out our keyless options to see what would work best for your home!

    5 spring cleaning steps for a perfect patio

    April 27, 2017 8:00 AM by emily.bailey

    Thursday, April 27, 2017

    Patio spring cleaning

    Here are 5 steps that will have your patio ready for spring entertaining in no time.

     

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    Everyone knows spring is the time to deep clean and organize, but many people overlook their outdoor spaces in favor of organizing closets and dusting the tops of the cabinets. Spring marks the time of year when you can start entertaining outdoors and having barbecues, so we think that making sure that your patio is inviting and ready for guests should be at the top of your spring cleaning list.
    Patio spring cleaning

    1. Furniture

    Your patio furniture has been in storage for the winter, and if you’re lucky, there are just a few cobwebs to dust off. More likely, it could use a good deep cleaning. Soon there will be guests sitting on those chairs. They appreciate your attention to detail and remember patio get-togethers as particularly polished when they’re treated to sparkling clean patio furniture. Check out these tips on how to clean your patio furniture and get it ready for entertaining.

    2. Patio

    Chances are, the winter wasn’t too kind to your patio. You can create a much more welcoming space by power washing your patio and cleaning off all of the dirt and grime that has built up over the past year. There are plenty of stores that allow you to rent power washers.

    3. House

    While you have the power washer, don’t neglect your house. A clean patio is great, but pairing it with an entire exterior that’s been freshly scrubbed will make your house truly stand out. Use the power washer on the exterior of the home as a quick and easy way to brighten your outdoor space.

    4. Windows

    Your windows are another easy way to make your space feel cleaner and more put together. The outside of your windows probably don’t get cleaned regularly, especially during the winter. Spend a little bit of time wiping them down to help get the outside and inside of your house ready for warm weather and guests.

    5. Door hardware

    One of the easiest and quickest ways to add some flair to your outdoor area is to make sure all exterior doors are fitted with fresh, up-to-date hardware. Maybe your current hardware is outdated and doesn’t fit the space, or you want to add an extra layer of security to the back entrance. It’s easy to choose the perfect product for your door. Once you’ve decided on the hardware, you can install it on your existing door, even if it doesn’t have the correct pre-existing holes, like Shavonda Gardner did on her doors.

    Do you have a great patio space that’s ready for spring? We want to see it! Share your pictures on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

    Why the old-fashioned vestibule is worth considering

    April 20, 2017 10:26 AM by emily.bailey

    Thursday, April 21, 2022

    Why the old-fashioned vestibule is worth considering

    This classic entry room, sometimes called a mudroom, offers energy-saving and other comfort-inducing perks.

     

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    A vestibule is a small, enclosed entry chamber that traditionally has served as a buffer in winter between indoors and outdoors, to trap air and minimize heat loss. Vestibules today also help keep air-conditioned air inside and hot air outside in summer. There’s no denying that the old-fashioned vestibule, sometimes called a mudroom, used to be far more popular than it is now, but it remains a charming way to create an inviting and practical entrance to a home.

    Create a place to pause

    Beyond the practical concerns of stabilizing a home’s temperature, the vestibule eases the transition from public to private life. If you’ve ever walked into a home whose front door lands you smack in the middle of the living room, you can probably understand the appeal of bridging the indoor-outdoor gap. A vestibule gives you an extra moment to adjust to the indoor temperature while allowing you to pause and collect yourself before greeting the household.

     

    Combining exterior materials like outdoor siding with indoor materials like a finished ceiling and wood flooring reinforces the in-betweenness of the space.

    Merge indoor and outdoor materials

    Even if you use mostly indoor materials for the walls, you can still opt for brick for the flooring, or concrete for a more industrial vibe. In wet or snowy climates, these materials will hold up better than wood. 

    “A patio even covered with a trellis doesn’t provide the same protection from the elements” as a vestibule, says Jace Levinson, principal at Jace Architecture. “Sure, it costs more. But at the same time, you’re adding square footage to your home that can increase its value.”

    In this vestibule in Calgary, Canada, we see another strategy for blurring the line between indoors and outdoors: The interior doorway’s windowpanes mirror those on the front door. The net effect serves to elongate the transition while preserving sightlines.

    Consider pocket doors

    If you don’t like the look of two sets of doors in a row, how about interior pocket doors? This way you can hide the interior doors when you want to open up the whole space. Additionally, doors inset with glass let the two parts of the home feel connected even when the doors are slid shut. 

    The tile floor here also provides an ideal surface for stamping off muddy boots and bridging the interior and exterior realms.

    Increase intimacy

    The front door doesn’t need to be parallel to the interior door for your space to count as a vestibule. You simply need the ability to close off one room from the other. Here, the antechamber doubles as a full-fledged entry hall. Placing the interior doorway perpendicular to the front door creates a sense of intimacy and privacy.

    Make peace with your property

    A vestibule can also be a terrific way to take advantage of a sloping grade. While a staircase leading to the front door is rarely appreciated when one is fumbling with luggage or groceries in the cold, a vestibule like this allows an entrant to quickly park the groceries inside, and then shuttle everything up the stairs and into the home in relative warmth.

    Pull it all together

    This architect-designed home outside Chicago makes use of several principles of a well-designed vestibule: A covered porch is the first layer of this multitiered entry, while the formal vestibule continues the outdoor materials inside and places the front door perpendicular to the open set of French doors. Visitors can feel warmed and welcome in these public spaces of the home.

    Take it out back

    Creating a vestibule doesn’t always require extensive remodeling and changes to your floor plan. If there’s no feasible way to seal off your entry, you could always add a covered shelter, insulated or not, to serve as a buffer zone against the elements, whether in the front or back of the house.

    Levinson designed this contemporary mudroom for a San Francisco home. “While some people may associate a mudroom or vestibule with more traditional homes, they add the same benefits to a contemporary home and can be every bit as stylish,” he says.

    Cut costs

    A vestibule is a luxury that not every home or budget can pull off. If all you can spare is a little platform inside the front door, a single step can go a long way toward defining the entry space — even if it’s not a true vestibule with two sets of doors.

     

    Get even more entryway inspiration from houzz.com.

     

    This article first appeared on Houzz on January 23, 2017.

     

    Jess McBride | Houzz Contributor

    Jess McBride | Houzz contributor



    Custom decorating professional with a lifelong passion for color, pattern, and texture of every "stripe."

    How the Internet of Things is opening possibilities beyond the smart home

    April 19, 2017 9:15 AM by Rob_Martens

    Wednesday, April 19, 2017

    The IoT is going beyond the Smart Home

    Futurist Rob Martens explains how the convenience of a smart home is made possible with an open platform.

     

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    By Rob Martens, Futurist and VP of Strategy and Partnerships at Allegion, maker of Schlage.

     

    Most people have heard of the Internet of Things by now, but few are familiar with the possibilities this platform opens for businesses and consumers alike. This platform, that has long been associated with the smart home, offers real and tangible value beyond the cool factor. Consumers and businesses fail to recognize that the Internet of Things acts as a key component to the daily operations of companies in several industries, such as fitness, agriculture and fashion. 

     

    A sensor does not make a product or technology part of the “Internet of Things”, it’s all about creating a holistic experience for the end user. It’s time consumers and businesses drop this notion and realize the positive impacts this technology has or could have. From the clothes we wear to the food we eat, the IoT is creating new conveniences and helping us maximize our resources every day.

     

    Beyond Fitness Trackers, IoT Taps into Equipment

    Most people are familiar with wearables that track fitness like Fitbit. The IoT is also taking exercise machines a step further into the future by creating realistic and tangible user experiences. The Peloton Cycle Exercise Bike, for example, comes with a screen that allows you to connect to real-life classes hosted by fitness trainers, giving users access to world-class instructors and allowing them to compete with other users from the comfort of home. With the busy schedules many of us keep, it’s easy for self-care to fall to the bottom of the priority list. Connected fitness machines make it easier to prioritize fitness by saving time spent traveling to the gym, and encouraging healthy competition between users all over the world.

     

    Hotels are even catching on, providing Peloton bikes within the room so guests can get their exercise without heading down to the gym. This is a smart idea in that it differentiates those hotels and draws guests away from the competition by offering a premium experience. The bike’s ability to import data from your wearables means you have access to the latest health metrics whether you’re using a hotel’s bike or your own. And perhaps best of all, when Peloton added tech, they didn’t sacrifice good design. The bike is one of the most attractive fitness machines on the market, and sturdily made so it can handle intense exercise sessions.

    IoT Provides Solutions to Farmers and Harvesters

    The IoT is even helping to maximize our agricultural resources. Farmers face immense challenges in creating a steady crop yield year over year – unpredictable weather, water shortages, and limited availability of land can impact the yield significantly. Brilliant IoT innovators have been focusing their expertise in this industry for years to create some pretty amazing resources to help solve those problems, increasing the quality, quantity and sustainability of agricultural production.

     

    Large farms can now use remote sensors to monitor the amount of moisture in the soil and even the amount of growth the crop has achieved. Harvesters can now be controlled from anywhere in the world, provided there’s an Internet connection available. Inventors have even begun using artificial intelligence to analyze metrics about the crop and even weather patterns to make predictions about the future, taking some of the guesswork out of a traditionally unpredictable industry. This is not just great news for farmers – it’s great news for everyone because it increases crop yields to make food more widely available.

    Fashion Meets Technology

    The fashion world is even beginning to catch onto the many benefits of the IoT. Most people today appreciate the ability to customize; we want our clothes, our homes, our cars, everything we own to not only behave in ways that make the day go smoothly and conveniently, but to reflect who we are as people. We live in an increasingly connected world in which we interact with new people more frequently. First impressions are more important than ever, so the ability to express who you are through the clothes you wear has become equally important.

     

    Services like NikeID allow you to customize your product (in their case, shoes) from the ground up. You start with a blank canvas, choose the basic structure of the shoe based on the functionality you want, and then you get to customize the fun stuff – materials used, colors and graphic prints. You can even choose how the bottom of the shoe looks. Another service called Trunk Club behaves as a personal fashion assistant, a luxury typically reserved for the rich and famous that’s becoming available to all thanks to the IoT. The service shows you several style combinations and asks for your opinion, building a profile of your tastes that allows it to make suggestions based on what it knows you like. It even seeks out the clothes that are best for your body type, as well as those that fit within your budget, so you aren’t pressed into spending more than you normally would.

    The reason these innovations work is that they create a holistic experience for the end user. It’s not about the latest gadget or simply adding sensors to everyday items – it’s about integrating technology into your lifestyle in a way that makes sense and creates convenience and efficiency. It’s about creating a beautiful user interface, in terms of both usability and design. It’s about providing you with the essential knowledge you need in order to be as successful as you can. In its simplest terms, the IoT is about making life better, and the opportunities to do that are boundless. Every industry on the planet, and even the planet itself, stands to benefit from technology used in this way.
    To learn more about Schlage’s stance on the tech landscape, please visit schlage.com/thoughtleadership.

     

    Rob Martens

    Rob Martens | Futurist and VP of Strategy and Partnerships


    Rob Martens uses his unique talent for identifying patterns and associations to look for mega trends in technology, as well as the ways they can be used to improve the average person’s day. 

    6 must-have elements to unlock your foyer's decor potential

    April 12, 2017 8:07 AM by emily.bailey

    Wednesday, April 12, 2017

    Foyer decor ideas

    Get your foyer décor right by focusing on the six most important elements of a perfectly styled entryway.

     

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    Your foyer is the first thing to welcome you home each day and the first introduction to your personal style your guests will see. Make sure it is both welcoming and coordinates with the rest of your home by including these six elements below.

    1. Coordinating door hardware

    If you're still rocking the same door hardware that was installed when you moved in, it may be time to for an update that coordinates well with other style elements in your home. Take a look at existing lighting and fixtures, consider the style of your home and choose a style and finish that adds the perfect finishing touch. You'll be pleasantly surprised by how well door hardware completes the look. Try our style selector tool to help you get started.

    2. Adequate lighting

    There's nothing more welcoming than a vibrant, well-lit space. If your entryway has the tendency to look like a dungeon, consider installing new lighting that brings it to life. You can even opt for smart lighting that illuminates as soon as you unlock your front door with one of our connected smart locks.

    3. Organization

    It's easy to get home and throw your bags, coat, shoes and everything else you're carrying on the floor or nearest table. Tackle the chaos before it starts by adding a little organization right when you walk in. Install hooks for coats and bags, a shoe tray for shoes, and even a decorative crate or bucket to catch miscellaneous accessories.

    4. Landing strip

    The landing strip is also a key component of the organization you need above but is so important, it deserves its own callout. Add a table or even a slim shelf for small entryways to catch keys, mail, your phone, and other small miscellaneous items you may be carrying.

    5. Place to sit

    Give yourself and your guests an easy place to remove shoes by adding a chair or bench to your entryway. You can even save a little room by using the space below to organize shoes and accessories.

    6. Durable rug

    Finally, add the finishing touch with a rug that is both stylish and can stand up against whatever you may track in from outside. Resist the urge to choose something too light that will need replaced after a few weeks of wear and tear but don't be afraid to have a little fun with prints and color.

    Ready to get started? Check out these DIY entryway projects to help you complete a space affordably and with your own personal touch.

    The best modern door hardware for contemporary style homes

    April 7, 2017 8:39 AM by emily.bailey

    Friday, April 7, 2017

    Modern, Contemporary bedroom style

    From finish to knob and lever style, take a look at the perfect modern door hardware pairings you should consider for your contemporary home.

     

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    Contemporary spaces rely on the simplicity of color and shape to provide their aesthetic appeal, rather than elaborate design. With a focus on clean lines and basic shapes, Contemporary style was made popular throughout the design movements of the late 20th century. If that sounds like your personal style, take a look at the perfect door hardware pairings you should consider for your contemporary or modern home.
    Modern door hardware

    Trim

    The subtle details in our trim options establish a profound foundation for your door hardware. Give your home a unique touch by choosing a trim that perfectly reflects your modern or contemporary style.

    Century Trim

    Schlage Century style trim
    The Century trim is chic, boasting a delicate, slightly curved shape that is simple yet imaginative. This trim is a Mid-Century Modern design, characterized by homes built between 1945 and 1980 and made popular in Southern Californian cities like Santa Monica.

    Collins Trim

    Modern door hardware styles
    The strong lines and square shape of the Collins trim embody refined elegance and provide this trim with a distinct, minimalist appeal. This trim stems from Northern Europe where styles like Bauhaus and minimalism flourished, giving it a modern, international flair.

    Greenwich Trim

    Greenwich trim | Schlage
    The unassuming look of the Greenwich trim is modern and stylish and lends a chic touch of simplicity to any space. With a Californian flair, this trim was inspired by the look and feel of Mid-Century Modern homes.

    Greyson Trim

    Contemporary door hardware
    The Greyson trim is elegant, with contemporary appeal that adds a tasteful modern touch to any space. This trim has a chic, urban aesthetic, inspired by fast-paced metropolitan spaces like Manhattan.

    Upland Trim

    Modern door hardware styles
    The Upland trim offers a fresh take on simplistic design by focusing on the beauty of its shape alone. It takes significant style cues from the Bauhaus design movement, best known for open floor plans, functional furniture and smooth facades. This style was made popular in Germany and often featured a muted color palette of blacks, whites and greys.

    Knobs & levers

    Take your contemporary style up a notch by choosing the perfect knob or lever to accentuate your favorite trim above. These classic looks below never go out of style.

    Broadway lever

    Broadway Lever | Modern door hardware
    The minimal, tubular design of the Broadway lever offers a tastefully reserved, yet high-style look. This lever is influenced by the urban style found in large metropolitan cities. Its tubular design is a sub-genre of the Bauhaus movement.

    Latitude lever

    Latitude lever | Contemporary door lever
    The Latitude lever offers a crisp perspective on minimalist design with its clean lines and rectangular features. The modern look of the Latitude lever stems from Mid-Century Modern design and urban town centers like the vibrant city of Miami.

    Manhattan lever

    Manhattan lever | Contemporary door lever
    The Manhattan lever offers a modern touch of elegance to any space, bringing with it clean lines, a simple design and a commercial appeal. This lever finds its roots in Mid-Century Modern design and works particularly well in modern environments.

    Merano lever

    Merano lever | Contemporary door handle
    The Merano lever has a graceful curve that makes this style as delicate as it is chic. This lever gets its sophisticated style from Italian designs of the 1980s and 1990s. 

    Northbrook lever

    Northbrook lever | Modern door handle
    The Northbrook lever is imaginative and refined, offering a new view on minimalist design. This lever stems from Eastern European style—particularly that of Germany and the Bauhaus architectural movement. However, the inventive transition from square handle to round shank illustrates a fresh interpretation of true Bauhaus design.

    Bowery knob

    Bowery | Modern door knob
    The Bowery knob’s clean lines and minimalist design give it a futuristic look that’s as modern as it is stylish. The smart style of the Bowery knob stems from its Mid-Century Modern roots that are ever-present in Schlage’s contemporary line.

    Finishes

    Complete your contemporary door hardware set with a finish that coordinates perfectly. Here are four we'd recommend below.

    Satin nickel

    Satin nickel
    Satin Nickel is a versatile finish, full of brushed silver hues, that offers a tasteful and flattering accent to any project. This classic finish saw its rise to popularity alongside the Victorian and Mid-Century Modern design movements.

    Bright chrome

    Bright chrome
    The smooth, mirror-like finish of Bright Chrome gives it a dramatic allure that never fails to make a statement. Bright Chrome finds its inspiration in the Art Deco movement and the jazzy style of the roaring 20s, but is able to seamlessly transition into the minimalist approach of the 1930s and 40s as well.

    Polished nickel

    Polished nickel
    The Polished Nickel finish is a glamorous designer finish that’s adaptability allows it to blend into nearly any décor without being overlooked. It was inspired by the timeless sophistication of the Victorian Era. Made from solid nickel, it can change its color and appearance with a simple change of lighting.

    Matte black

    Matte black
    The striking appearance of the Matte Black finish creates an elegant look that’s sure to be noticed in any style setting. Matte Black is unique in its ability to serve as a bridge between the worlds of modern and traditional styles.
    For even more help building the perfect door hardware set for your contemporary home, check out our style selector tool.

    How to change the handing of your Schlage door lever

    April 3, 2017 12:06 PM by emily.bailey

    Monday, April 3, 2017

    Changing the handing of your new Schlage door hardware can be completed in just a few easy steps.

     

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    When installing one of Schlage's levers with a curved design, you may find that you need to switch the handing. This happens when the lever points towards the door edge instead of away from it during installation. The good news is, Schlage makes this process quick and easy with just a few steps below.
    1Locate the pin tool that came with your lock.
    Door lock handing

    2Insert the tool into the small hole on the lever base and gently depress the retainer pin while pulling the lever away.
    Change direction of door lock

    3Remove and exchange both levers.
    Remove door lever

    4As you re-install, make sure the retainer pin lines up with the small hole on the lever base. You will hear the lever snap into place.
    Change door lever handing

    5Gently pull on the lever to ensure it's secure.
    Change door lever handing

    That's it! Changing the handing is easy as that.