By Cassidy Mantor
Austin and Jennifer Arruda’s home is fully integrated from top to bottom. State of the art LED smart lighting, a high performance 9.4.2 Dolby Atmos home theater, and design focused technology include invisible speakers hidden behind drywall in the master bedroom and a living room TV that drops from the ceiling to the ideal viewing height when turned on. It’s no wonder that their home is showroom quality since Austin and Jennifer are the owners of Home System Solutions.
“I wake up in the morning, press a single button, and our whole home comes alive.”
–Jennifer Arruda, Owner,
Home System Solutions
Living with an automation system in their home has simplified Austin and Jennifer’s everyday lives. As parents of two small children, Jennifer points out how much they value these time saving applications and the freedom it gives them.
“I wake up in the morning, press a single button, and our whole home comes alive: lights turn on to the perfect level and then automatically adjust throughout the day to match the light outside, shades lift and lower with the sun, our TVs even automatically turn on to display preselected art. When I go to bed, a similar single press of a button closes the whole house down and automatically checks that all the doors and windows are locked so I know our family is secure. With an integrated home, what most people have to do as part of their daily routines becomes the job of the system,” Jennifer explains.
Many more features are hidden in their home in plain sight thanks to Jennifer’s background in interior design and Austin’s knowledge of home automation. Whole house audio, home security including video intercom and automated door locks, smart lighting that mimics the natural circadian rhythm, and motorized shades are all easily controlled from one central app.
When they built their home, they very intentionally designed it to show off the full spectrum of what HSS has to offer. Like many of their clients, Austin wanted the highest performing system in a fully controlled home, from the lights and shades down to the shower fan; but Jennifer didn’t want to sacrifice aesthetics and detract from the beautiful finishes she worked so hard to select. Their home showcases the merger of their skills and HSS’s expertise. She says, “When we bring our clients into our show home, they can immerse themselves in what it is like to live in an HSS smart home without feeling like the technology is the main focal point.”
Austin shares their objective behind their home’s design, saying, “We welcome people into our home because it’s helpful for clients, builders, and trade partners to see how we’ve optimized our house. The same tech I recommend to clients is what my wife and I have chosen to live with on a daily basis. We believe in these integrations.”
Making decisions about building or remodeling one’s living space can be challenging. Between different tech adoption interests and design preferences, HSS is skilled in balancing design and performance to complete a home program that is functional and enjoyable for everyone living in the house.
“As a couple, Jennifer and I have been through the entire process that we ask our clients to go through,” Austin says. “Between our professional background and our personal experience automating our home, we understand the intricacies of the process and aspire to find the right solution for each client.”
HSS also is committed to educating clients so that they can make the best decisions for their homes. They interact with transparency and honesty. Many clients have a general understanding of smart home features but not much knowledge about the options with the products themselves. This educational aspect comes into play when advising clients how to achieve their dream smart home experience without breaking their budget.
“That warm light also makes the interior design of our home look so much more refined in the evenings. Think of the way a home looks when hosting a dinner party by candlelight versus simply dimming recessed lighting. The warm light not only calms our minds, but we also perceive our surroundings as looking much nicer in that kind of lighting.”
–Jennifer Arruda, Owner, Home System Solutions
“For every custom integrated home, we can design a project with products that can do it for $20,000 and another one at the high end of the spectrum that will cost $200,000. That range of price points can create a very different living experience, but depending on a client’s budget we will make the best recommendation for them,” Austin shares.
Lighting is what excites Austin most these days. It helps showcase architectural and design features and adds to the overall ambiance of the environment. It has been a game changer for HSS and also for Austin and Jennifer’s personal living experience in their home.
Austin explains why upgrading their lighting has made such a noticeable difference and improved their enjoyment of their home. He says, “Most homes are built with inexpensive LED cans that may dim, but they still put out a light that is harsh to our eye. The lighting we installed in our home changes color temperature and will warm to a soft glow in the evenings to help ease your brain toward sleep.”
“That warm light also makes the interior design of our home look so much more refined in the evenings,” Jennifer points out. “Think of the way a home looks when hosting a dinner party by candlelight versus simply dimming recessed lighting. The warm light not only calms our minds, but we also perceive our surroundings as looking much nicer in that kind of lighting.”
Austin dives even deeper into the science of HSS’s innovative lighting, adding, “Most LED lighting is only capable of producing 10-20 percent of the color variation sunlight produces. Natural light often enhances objects and spaces while LED light can be harsh and detract from their natural beauty. LEDs also can contribute to headaches and disrupt our circadian rhythm.”
Jennifer comes from a family of contractors, so serving Bend as part of the construction community feels like a natural fit. They love being surrounded by trade partners and clients on their projects and find many commonalities with their peers. “You might find us on a job site together one day and out mountain biking or at a local brewery the next,” she reflects. “We really appreciate this community and what it has given us both in our personal and professional lives.”
Austin expresses a similar level of gratitude. “Bend is such a cool, unique place that feels intentional in that people choose to come here and typically share a love for all things beautiful and natural,” he says. “Focusing on smart lighting that highlights this natural beauty and also helps our overall wellness at home is how we support our community.”
“For every custom integrated home, we can design a project with products that can do it for $20,000 and another one at the high end of the spectrum that will cost $200,000. That range of price points can create a very different living experience, but depending on a client’s budget we will make the best recommendation for them.”
–Austin Arruda, Owner, Home System Solutions
HSS seeks to foster positive relationships with like minded trade partners who share their desire to build a healthy Bend. “We want to connect with architects, builders, and other trade partners who are aligned in our values to create something truly beautiful,” Austin says. “If everyone is aligned and we’re speaking the same language, the client ends up with better service and a high performing home environment, which is always our ultimate goal.”
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