Category: Custom Home Lighting

Review: Monitor Audio C3M Creator Series In-Ceiling Speakers

Architectural audio is a fairly mature category. New speakers come out all the time, but the fundamentals of producing sound through in-wall circles and rectangles have stayed pretty much the same for a few decades. I wouldn’t call myself jaded, but I don’t go out of my way to solicit reviews for these products because […]

A Hands-On Review of Control4 X4

Control4 has been around since 2003 and its user experience has been long overdue for a ‘glow up’ since the launch of OS3 over 5 years ago. They sent me a new CORE 1 controller and an 8-inch T8 wireless touch screen to test drive in concert the new X4 user experience. I was really […]

Hands on with EVO by Coastal Source

  Outdoor lighting is a fun category. The feeling I get pulling up to my house in the evening is magical. Thanks to a review I wrote a few years ago about Coastal Source, every tree and pathway are perfectly lit with fixtures built to withstand a nuclear blast (and, incidentally, the weather). Five years […]

Reviewing the Alarm.com V729 Outdoor Floodlight Camera

Motion-activated flood lights are nothing new. At this point, neither are combination camera/floodlights. Alarm.com may not have started the conversation with its new V729 4MP Outdoor Floodlight Camera, but they seemed squarely aimed at finishing it. Would this new outdoor “bad guy repellent” live up to the hype? My professional integration team and I set […]

Top 5 Benefits of Smart Lighting

Every year, Livewire connects with hundreds of households in Richmond and across Central Virginia to discuss their smart home lighting needs. Many of our customers ask us about the benefits of smart lighting as they consider upgrading from their old recessed can lighting. We believe in transparency and strive to provide our customers with the […]

LED, Fluorescent, & Incandescent Halogen Lights: Which Light Bulb is Best?

For the longest time, incandescent light bulbs were what we had to work with. We had our choice of wattage or brightness, but we were pretty limited. Today, there are a number of options to choose from, all with different strengths and weaknesses. With so much to consider when deciding on the right light bulb, […]

Outdoor Lighting Maintenance Checklist

  Transforming your home with a stunning, custom outdoor lighting system is a fantastic feeling. The visual results can be dramatic, and your ability to enjoy your property at night will sky-rocket. But installation is only half the battle! Your system requires regular care to keep it looking as great as it did on day […]

How Outdoor Lighting Can Improve Home Security With Style

Tackling an outdoor lighting project can be intimidating. From what kind of lights to buy, to what features to highlight, to where everything should go – there’s a lot to consider! If you’re not sure where to start with your outdoor lighting project, we’ve got you covered. In our Outdoor Lighting Design Guide, we’ll go […]

Voice-Activated Lighting – How it Works & How to Get It!

We’ve come a long way since the clapper! Today, spoken commands can control any number of household and office appliances, saving you the trouble of turning on the lights or even reaching for a remote. Many home lighting brands have incorporated voice-activated lighting control into their products, you have more options than ever to automate […]

Curious about the impact of unique landscape lighting on your home?

Don’t let your hard work in landscaping go unnoticed when night falls. Illuminating your outdoor space is an artistic endeavor just like designing it, especially if you want it to stand out from the rest. Check out our blog for valuable insights on creating a distinctive landscape lighting system. Unique landscape lighting requires planning and […]