Even interior designers are forced to work within the limitations of their own residences.

You know the drill.  You'd love to arrange your room "this way" but the combination of your existing furnishings and the door or window openings on your walls just won't allow it.  One designer's problem was their bulky TV/entertainment center in a tiny living room.  You have to have a TV and, in the case of designer/blogger Erin Loechner, her husband just had to have crystal audio clarity to go along with a superb picture.  Frankly, she didn't care as long as she could see it and hear it.  Here's how she put it:

Televisions and entertainment centers are often the biggest eyesores in any space, and our bulky, ten-year-old TV was certainly no exception.... Still, it was functional and I happen to live with a man who would marry function if he could. Me? I choose form to a fault.

But how do you get sparkling quality like that while hiding ugly speakers and (worse) speaker wire?  After all, most set-ups usually involve some sort of cabinet that houses speakers with a screen to mask their appearance.  But when you're dealing with a small space, ANY kind of built-in just gobbles up precious space.

Here's the solution they came up with...replace it all with the Bose VideoWave, a 46" LCD flatscreen with speakers built-in but nowhere to be seen!  That's because the speakers are actually located behind the TV viewing screen, so no ugly speakers in every corner of the room and no messy wiring.  Despite their location, the speakers produce brilliant sound.  Plus the single remote control not only controls the TV and sound but her iPod and Blu-Ray as well.  So "goodbye" remote control clutter!

by Bryan Naquin.  Follow Bryan on Twitter @ACIexperts.  And you can always contact him at 225.906.2589 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Bryan Naquin is president of Acadian Home Theater and Automation based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  CEPro Magazine ranked Acadian in the top 100 consumer electronic companies in the U.S. coming in at Number 87 for 2011.

Professional Lighting for New Orleans Homeowners

Lighting is a necessity, and you may not think twice about how and where it functions in your New Orleans, Louisiana home. However, lighting is a big part of the aesthetic in your home. Interior designers often plan and design the lighting first before adding in colors and furnishings. The reason is that the right lighting sets the stage for a beautiful home. You may think that smart home automation is all about control and convenience, but it’s about style too. In this blog, we’ll cover the finer points on how to incorporate lighting control into your interior design.

SEE ALSO: How to Customize Your Home Lighting in Baton Rouge 

Interior Lighting Tips

When you hire Acadian Home Theater & Automation to install your lighting, we go above and beyond to make your home look as beautiful as possible. Our team can strategically place your lights in the right spots to not only illuminate your spaces but also highlight and complement décor.

For example, a chandelier or detailed lighting fixture hanging above your dining room table is not only a piece of art in your home, but it also provides a romantic ambiance for a meal. Dimmers help establish the right ambiance, or mood, by brightening the room for a party, or lowering it for a relaxing night in.

We can also install accent lighting around your art pieces, like sculptures and paintings, to highlight the detail in the artist's work. With our lighting control systems, you can even hit a button on your mobile device to enact specific scenes when the time is right. Having cocktails with work friends? Hit "Entertain" and the accent lighting turns on to highlight your beautiful art collection, the overhead lights dim down to mid-level for a cozy ambiance, and your front porch light stays lit as visitors approach your home. The best benefit of all is that we'll work with you every step of the process to create the right lighting scheme that works best for every room, from home theaters, kitchens, bedrooms, and more.