The Chairish Podcast: How Smart Does a Home Need to Be?
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Host: Michael Boudreau | Guests: Beth Dotolo (Pulp Design Studios), Cynthia Ferguson (Cynthia Ferguson Design), Charles Hilton (Architect)
Introduction: Navigating the Smart Home Landscape
In this enlightening episode of The Chairish Podcast, host Michael Boudreau delves into the evolving realm of smart home technology with industry experts Beth Dotolo, Cynthia Ferguson, and architect Charles Hilton. As the interior design sector faces rapid technological disruptions—from sourcing and marketing to client interactions—the discussion centers on balancing innovation with practicality in home design.
Evolving Client Motivations: From Status Symbols to Practical Solutions
Cynthia Ferguson highlights a shift in client motivations over the past two decades:
"Initially, I felt that it was really a status symbol. The more bells and whistles your house had, the more luxurious your home. And today... trying to make your life easier and being able to get a head start on things." [03:29]
Beth Dotolo adds nuance, noting that both men and women clients now prioritize convenience and wellness:
"Our clients, especially like our male clients... have wellness routines... they want the option to be able to control things from afar." [04:49]
Meanwhile, Charles Hilton emphasizes practicality and reliability over sheer techiness:
"The things most people are interested in are just kind of practical. Ability to control things conveniently... and also to be reliable." [06:09]
Balancing Convenience with Reliability: Navigating Smart Home Challenges
The trio discusses common challenges associated with smart homes, such as system dependability and the need for manual controls. Beth Dotolo underscores the importance of hybrid systems:
"The best systems out there are ones that you can control by your phone, but that there's also a wall mount control so that you can manually control it as well." [09:45]
Charles Hilton echoes concerns about technology becoming outdated:
"A lot of these technologies are not very dependable and they break down or become antiquated in a short period of time." [07:25]
The conversation also touches on the rising demand for generators and alternative energy solutions to ensure seamless functionality during outages:
"Generators are a must-have... because we can't ignore the weather obviously has changed." [10:10]
The Post-COVID Home: Designing for Remote Work and Flexibility
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally altered home layouts, introducing the necessity for dedicated home offices. Cynthia Ferguson points out the enduring nature of this trend:
"I don't think anybody is at home full time working. They're all back in their offices. But the conversation about where to take a zoom call is prominent in every discussion." [12:10]
Beth Dotolo emphasizes the personalized nature of home office designs:
"It's just so personalized. We also have clients who have homework rooms for each of their kids... so it's just so personalized." [11:58]
Charles Hilton adds that while some clients desire large home offices, others prefer flexible spaces that can adapt to various needs, including outdoor work areas:
"They seem to all still want a home office... but they also want good connectivity around the house and outdoors." [15:58]
Innovations in Kitchens and Bathrooms: Smart Appliances and Beyond
The kitchen and bathroom are hotspots for smart technology integration. Cynthia Ferguson notes a surge in inquiries about advanced kitchen appliances:
"Most of the... innovations are really kitchen appliances and how quickly the kitchen appliances have really seemed to change everything else." [35:25]
Charles Hilton discusses the growing preference for energy-efficient and sustainable kitchen solutions:
"There's been a lot more interest in induction cooktops... and steam ovens have become a more popular request." [35:27]
In bathrooms, while features like bidets and Toto toilets are popular among certain demographics, they haven't achieved universal adoption:
"Some people want them, but it's not the most common request." [20:32]
Beth Dotolo highlights the trend towards remote control functionalities in bathrooms:
"Setting your steam shower from your phone or setting the temperature of your shower from your phone... all from the touch of a button." [21:10]
Security and Monitoring: Enhanced Measures for Modern Homes
With rising concerns about security, the integration of advanced monitoring systems has become paramount. Cynthia Ferguson mentions the increased implementation of security cameras and smart locks, especially in urban areas like Toronto:
"Everyone's got added security and cameras... to make sure that their car's still parked there in the morning." [33:02]
Beth Dotolo appreciates the scalability of security solutions:
"If you have just a small single-family residence, you can put a couple of Nest cameras up... if you have a big luxury home, you can have an in-home integration consultant." [34:06]
Charles Hilton emphasizes comprehensive security setups that extend beyond the interior:
"Everything related to security and monitoring is kind of off the charts... license plate readers for the driveway and security lights tied to floodlights." [32:30]
Sustainability and Material Choices: Building for the Future
Sustainable practices and the use of eco-friendly materials are increasingly integral to home design. Charles Hilton delves into various sustainable technologies:
"We have projects where we've actually done electric co-generation... saving money that way." [36:44]
Cynthia Ferguson underscores the importance of flood prevention technologies and energy-efficient systems:
"Having that technology... is so important because they're investing a substantial amount of money in all of their material selections." [31:18]
Beth Dotolo advocates for pre-wiring and future-proofing homes:
"We encourage our clients to pre-wire... just thinking through and talking with your clients about... invest a small amount now to have it ready to upgrade later." [30:12]
Client Dreams vs. Practical Investments: Striking the Right Balance
While practicality governs many decisions, clients also harbor dreams for luxurious and innovative home features. Cynthia Ferguson observes that clients often mirror trends they see elsewhere:
"They tend to ask me what I'm seeing, what other people are putting in... especially kitchen appliances." [34:29]
Charles Hilton highlights requests for aging-in-place features and recreational additions:
"Home elevators are more and more a request... interesting golf simulators at home." [35:27]
Beth Dotolo emphasizes integrating technology that enhances daily life:
"It's all about how do I make my everyday easier, better, and elevated." [39:17]
However, the experts caution against adopting every new gadget, advocating for thoughtful integration that truly benefits the homeowners.
Conclusion: Embracing Smart Technology with Awareness
The episode concludes with reflections on the balance between embracing smart home innovations and ensuring their practicality and reliability. The experts agree that while technology can significantly enhance home living, it is crucial to prioritize features that genuinely improve daily life and offer long-term benefits. As the smart home landscape continues to evolve, designers and architects play a pivotal role in guiding clients through informed and sustainable choices.
Notable Quotes:
- "Today, tech... is driven by the women of the household... trying to make your life easier." – Cynthia Ferguson [03:29]
- "We try to set the expectations for the client... what's going to fly and what's not going to fly." – Charles Hilton [09:13]
- "We have to protect [clients'] investment... automatic blinds on temperature control or light control." – Cynthia Ferguson [29:30]
- "We encourage our clients to pre-wire... just thinking through and talking with your clients about." – Beth Dotolo [30:12]
This comprehensive discussion provides valuable insights for interior design professionals and homeowners alike, highlighting the importance of thoughtful technology integration in creating functional, sustainable, and luxurious living spaces.