This family kitchen was part of a whole-house install, but stands alone as a very elegant place to cook and eat.

“The biggest challenge we faced on this job was integrating A/V equipment into a humongous home, and making sure that it was not going to overpower the aesthetic quality of the decorations,” says Chad Lofgren of custom electronics firm Hi-Tech Home. “We got involved in this home while it was in construction phase, so we had to make sure that our design was spot-on before we ran any wiring.”

The project required detailed discussions with the interior designer to ensure dimensions were met and adhered to for the electronics. In the kitchen the TV choice came first, and the cabinetry followed suit so things were a perfect blend.

“We worked with the interior designer on locations for a TV, distributed audio speakers and controls, and components for the kitchen. Entertainment centers all over the home were going to be built-ins, so we had make sure we chose our TV early on, got the exact measurements, and got them to the designer,” Lofgren explains. “We chose a 32-inch Sharp LCD and the woodworking they did around the TV turned out beautifully.”

Hi-Tech Home wired the TV back to a DirecTV HD satellite receiver located in the kitchen pantry, so as not to have any equipment other than the TV in sight, and it’s controllable using a DirecTV RF remote.

The homeowners also wanted distributed audio available in the kitchen, so the company installed a pair of Proficient C610 in-ceiling speakers that were painted to match the ceiling, so not to stand out.

An On-Q LyriQ system for housewide audio allows the owners to access multiple sources including satellite receivers, a tuner, a CD player, and more. Hi-Tech Home installed a volume control panel in the kitchen so the owners can adjust volume in addition to switching sources. It also has an intercom built in so that they can communicate with other rooms in the house, and even the front door.

The designer aesthetics—tile flooring, granite counters, classic furniture—provided the finishing touches to what Lofgren calls “the most beautiful kitchen I have ever seen.”

About the Author:
Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!