Welcome! What's On Your Mind?

At Echo Workshop we are big believers that technology can be beautifully integrated into any space, while keeping all the style and feel that you worked so hard to achieve.   The same holds true for our outdoor spaces.  In Houston we spend a lot of time in our outdoor living areas and pools and, of course, we want to listen to our favorite tunes while entertaining and relaxing.  If you are looking for amazing sound quality while still maintaining the beauty of your outdoor living area, we have a couple of great options.

The Sonance Landscape Series offers incredible sound quality while blending into surrounding foliage and landscaping.  Imagine underground subwoofers and small hidden satellite speakers throughout your space.  They even offer rock speakers that completely blend into the landscaping.  And since the Sonance Landscape Series is scalable, you can experience immersive sound and even coverage no matter the size of your outdoor area.

If speakers on your patio or in your outdoor kitchen is more what you are looking for, the Revel XC Series is a perfect solution.  Designed for indoor and outdoor use, these speakers are made to withstand hot, cold, damp, humid, or wet weather.  These speakers are so well designed that they are even rated for use on docks and beachfront property (we see you Galveston)! 

If you’re like us, you are dreaming about spring and more time outside.  Call Echo Workshop for a free consultation to find out how we can bring your outdoor space to life with great sound.

Are you building a new home?  Then you already know how much planning goes into every step.  You have probably also realized that looking further into the future and making sure that your home can accommodate the needs of new technology is crucial.  Here are a few features that you need to consider adding to your plan today - before you begin building.

1. Automated Systems, including remote access: Control everything in your home from one convenient device. Control your lighting, audio system, security system, thermostats, door locks, and smart appliances from anywhere in the world. 
2. Energy: Monitor energy usage, integrate solar energy, and add a charging station for your electric vehicle. This can also help you monitor energy usage and save money.
3. Security: Video doorbells, cameras, and lighting are all part of home automation that will help protect you and your family not only from intruders, but also from fire or flooding.
4. Motorized Shades: They come in a multitude of colors and fabrics, but they aren’t just about aesthetics and convenience. You will also benefit from energy savings with the ability to close shades during the hottest/coldest parts of the day.    
5. Pre-wiring and networking: Without having this done correctly, the rest of your home won’t work the way it was planned. Get the backbone of your home mapped out and installed correctly the first time, so walls don’t have to be re-opened after your home is built. 

If you are interested in learning more about making your new home smarter, please contact the experts at Echo Workshop.  We have the knowledge and experience to help you choose what is best for you now and help you plan for the future. 

ENTERTAINMENT, WITHOUT THE WIRES

Flying looks a lot more impressive if you can't see the wires. When you walk into your living room, you shouldn't be able to see all the wires and electronics that make your technology work. You should be fully immersed in the impressive, exciting, and comfortable entertainment space, with no bulky wires or electronics on display. With custom furniture, you can maintain the illusion of full technological integration.

Imagine a state-of-the-art, fully customizable credenza that is specifically designed to seamlessly store and hide all the cords and electronics for your TV. Salamander A/V furniture not only hides the electronics but also protects and integrates them into your space. These sleek modular cabinets offer cable management, a cooling system to protect your electronics, and can even integrate an impressive sound system right into the cabinet. The vented cabinet's built-in cooling system keeps your electronics from overheating.

Now, you can shrink down the capabilities of an entire movie theater to fit inside a sleek A/V cabinet that integrates effortlessly into your home. 

CUSTOM, NOT "ONE SIZE FITS ALL"

Every room in your home should feel like it was designed specifically for you and your family. Your style, your preferences, and your wants and needs should all be reflected in your home. Furniture sets the tone for the entire space, so you need to be able to customize it. With custom furniture, you don't have to compromise.

You can customize your A/V cabinet to perfectly fit into the design of your home. Change the size, shape, layout, finish, color, material, and much more so that the furniture will blend harmoniously into your home. With custom furniture, your specific requests can turn into reality because of the modular design of Salamander furniture. This furniture works with you so that you don't have to settle. 

WHAT IS AN ENERGY SURGE?

Any major storm has the potential to cause damage to buildings, electrical relays, and cable lines. Pole-based lines are the most susceptible to damages caused by major weather, like the 2020 hurricanes. When the electrical wires are damaged, a buildup of power, or a surge, is created and released into the neighboring connected homes and businesses. This can damage any appliances or electronics that remain connected to the energy grid.

Houston experienced a large energy surge with the landfall of Hurricane Laura in August 2020. More than 113 thousand homes and businesses in Southeast Texas were without power. In the days that followed, energy began being restored. This created a new danger for those electronics and equipment still connected to the grid: the surge back to power. As lines were repaired and re-energized, it created an inward surge that continued to have the potential to damage electronics that had not been disconnected.

All this being said, it’s important to note that most surges actually come from within our own homes, not from storms. You can read a detailed explanation about this from our owner here. 

WHAT DOES A POWER SURGE DO?

Everything from alarm clocks to high-tech computers that are connected to a wall socket has a form of a power converter in it. With the influx of too much power, the tiny transistors and capacitors are unable to handle the load. In essence, it floods the system and burns out the device's ability to transfer power from the electrical grid into the device itself. Devices that are charging when a power surge occurs have a greater risk of exploding the battery, as they can not hold enough power.

WHAT TO DO IN INCLEMENT WEATHER

Major storms caused most of the damage that created the energy surges in August 2020. However, all storms have the potential to damage systems. It is not only the storm creating electrical surges that can damage equipment either, but water damage can also occur from flooding and downed trees on homes. How do you protect your important electronics from storms?

YOUR WALLS CAN CAMOUFLAGE POWER OUTLETS

Your home has stunning stone countertops, gorgeous accent walls, and smooth marble surfaces. It's time to stop letting power outlets ruin carefully crafted designs. Trufig is like a chameleon that can change its skin color to hide in plain sight. Whatever pattern, design, color, material, or texture your wall has, your power outlets will now be able to replicate its surroundings and blend right into the wall. This design solution is also trimless and flush with the wall, so your power outlets won't stick out or stand out. Now, you can put invisible power outlets anywhere you need them, instead of having to worry about what they will look like in that location. You can now keep your living room and kitchen walls clean and clutter-free.

YOUR WALLS CAN SEAMLESSLY HIDE YOUR ELECTRONICS

Instead of mounting smart home devices on your wall, put the devices in your wall. Your lighting and smart home controls will be exactly where you need them, without ruining the aesthetic appeal of your space. Control your lights with the touch of a discrete button, and mount an iPad inside your wall for easy, yet unobtrusive, smart home control. The electrical components and wires will stay safely hidden inside your walls. Trufig's mounting system is compatible with many touch screen devices to fit your preferences.

YOUR WALLS CAN KEEP YOU COOL

Stay cool and refreshed, without bulky vents and units. With Trufig's mounting technology, even your HVAC grilles and linear diffusers will be fully integrated in your home. The vents and grilles become so hidden that it's almost like your walls can breathe on their own. Imagine HVAC grilles and wall or ceiling linear diffusers that are flush with the wall, match their surroundings, and still function perfectly. Trufig's mounting system for linear diffusers offers a seamless transition between the air opening and wall or ceiling surface. This integrated system helps you breathe clean air, while also keeping your walls clean and streamlined.

YOUR WALLS CAN PLAY MUSIC

If your walls could talk, they would tell great stories about your family and home. You also wouldn't have to look at bulky sound systems and tangled cords. With Trufig's integrated Sonance speaker system, your walls will do more than talk. They will play music. Relax on your couch while peaceful ambient music gently plays, or enjoy a get-together with friends and family with lively music in the background. Enjoy the benefits of background music, without having to look at the obtrusive speaker system that takes up space. Let the speakers blend into your walls with Trufig.

YOUR HOUSTON TRUFIG DEALER CAN HELP

You don't have to compromise anymore. With Trufig's integrated mounting system and design solutions, you can enjoy your home with all of its features, without any bulky electrical outlets or devices.

See Also: BUSINESS CHIC: INSPIRE PRODUCTIVITY WITH AUTOMATION AND INTERIOR DESIGN

PRE-WIRING

The primary benefit of working with a smart home integrator is the opportunity to pre-wire your projects before the drywall goes up. Homeowners expect technology that will work quickly, efficiently, and doesn’t clutter the space with visible components and cabling.

We can work with you to create detailed plans that take the architectural design into account, so the system works flawlessly the first time around. Homeowners benefit from increased property value, and you won’t have to re-work anything to accommodate their needs.

SYSTEM DESIGN

You can also benefit from understanding the complete system design. Wiring will hide behind drywall, but outlets, lifts, and architectural speakers require pre-planning and calibration to function correctly. By collaborating with a technology professional, you can design around the technology, and the devices integrate seamlessly with the room.

Additionally, many homeowners look for flush-mounted installations to avoid unsightly wall-acne. We work with specialized bracket manufacturers to provide the best possible look for every room of the new home construction. With your help, we can integrate the keypads and other controls to blend with the design. The homeowner will be happier, and you're ready to move on to your next project quickly.

See Also: DON’T LET TECHNOLOGY INSTALLATION SLOW DOWN YOUR NEXT HOME BUILD

HISTORY

If you’re building a smart home system, you want to work with someone who has a bit of history in the field. Not only does it indicate that they’ve completed satisfactory jobs in the past, but they also come to you with experience. A local professional is more likely to understand the needs of local residents. They can help suggest ideas that your neighbors are already enjoying, while still listening to you. Together, you’ll build the system of your dreams.

For more than 20 years, Echo Workshop has been serving the greater Houston area with AV and integrated technology solutions. We’ve seen devices and manufacturers come and go, and our experience has helped us partner with reliable companies that will take your home to the next level. And we have a proven record of collaborating with other local professionals like designers, architects, and builders for the best installation experience.

EXPERTISE

Any company you work with should be an expert in the field of technology. Of course, that may be hard to determine -- especially if you don’t know much about it yourself. Remember, you’re not looking for an expert on every manufacturer. You’re looking for an expert on the manufacturers and devices that can fit your needs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. After all, it's your home system, and a good integrator wants it to be a practical part of your everyday life.

We partner with best-in-class manufacturers to provide you with the best and most versatile solutions. Our Tutorials page will show you how you can take advantage of your systems quickly and efficiently while providing you with easy-to-understand instructional videos. 

ELEVATE YOUR ENERGY

Have you ever noticed how good you feel when you breathe fresh air? How invigorating it is when you step outside? Well, there's a reason for that: the air outside your home actually tends to be cleaner than the air inside your home! Yes, you read that right. According to the EPA, indoor air pollution tends to be 2 to 5 times greater than that of outdoor air pollution. Higher air pollution in your home means poor health and poor sleep, which means it's going to be difficult to get up at 5:00 A.M. for that home workout. At Echo Workshop we have partnered with Pure365 to bring you the premiere home air purification systems: the "Super V" Whole House Air Cleaner and the Ultrafine 468 for single room and area purification. When you're breathing cleaner, you're living better.

IMPROVED WELLBEING

There's something else about clean, fresh air that I'm sure you've noticed: it helps you sleep. Ever fall asleep on the beach? On a picnic blanket? I bet you have and that is because fresher air means better sleep. A 2017 study by the American Thoracic Society found that high levels of air pollution over time may get in the way of a good night's sleep, and we all know how terrible we feel and look after a night of restless sleep. With a Pure365 air purification system, you can rest easier and better knowing your home's air quality is safe and pure. Furthermore, with all that sound sleep you'll be getting you'll be looking and feeling younger—and who wouldn't want that? 

SAFE AT HOME

Your home is your sanctuary. A place of safety and security. It is the place where you raise and love your family; it is important to protect them. Echo Workshop can help you ensure your family's safety and health for years to come by finding the air purification system that is right for your home. According to the first WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health young children and elderly adults are most at risk for health problems related to air pollution, especially indoors. The Super V Whole House Air Cleaner from Pure365 utilizes technology that is currently used by hospitals and the military. It's patented DFS (Disinfecting Filtration System) technology deactivates mold, viruses, fungi, and bacteria all the way down to 0.007 micron, which is smaller than most viruses! It also helps to reduce harmful gases and odors. With an air purification system in your home, you'll never have to worry about whether the air your family breathes is safe because you'll know it is.

You work hard to provide the best life for you and your family. You deserve clean, pure, safe air to breathe at the home you have built for them. This Respiratory Care Week, let our home customization experts at Echo Workshop help you choose the air purification system that is right for you and your family. Whether it is for your entire home or just one room, we have an air purification system to suit your needs. Contact us today to start living a better, happier, healthier you.

WHAT IS “WALL ACNE”? (AND WHY YOU SHOULD CLEAR IT UP)

We all want our homes to be "smarter." We'd love to walk into a room and effortlessly dim the lights, turn on the music, adjust the shades, turn up the heat—and even make a movie screen descend from the ceiling, all with the touch of a button. The more smart features we add to a space, however, the more challenging it is to seamlessly integrate all our high-tech devices — and make sure they're not an eyesore.

Devices require power outlets, keypads, switches, data jacks, dimmers, touch panels, and more all around our home. Most often, they need to be in less-than-ideal spots, usually in our direct line-of-sight. Typical electrical outlets and light switch covers will interrupt a room's design flow and create unsightly bumps, A.K.A. "wall acne."

To further complicate the issue, you may find decorative hardware that you like, but chances are it won't be compatible with devices from different manufacturers.

WE MAKE FUNCTIONALITY BEAUTIFUL

Our team at Echo Workshop combines a well-thought-out plan with the right tools to overcome these challenges. We specialize in making functionality beautiful. Trufig systems are our secret weapon because they can power up all types of electronic and high-tech devices, invisibly.

Once your wall acne clears up, your interiors will be perfectly smooth—and your space will feel instantly upgraded. Your furnishings and artwork will suddenly pop against a seamless backdrop.

WHAT IS IT?

The Samsung Frame TV is a designer TV inspired by a picture frame. It features a QLED (quantum light-emitting diode) screen that enhances and improves color and brightness, 4K resolution, and highly customizable monitor bezels. When you're not watching your impressive screen, it transforms into a beautiful work of art. Let's take a closer look at what it can do. 

DESIGN

The design of the Samsung Frame TV is meant to be versatile and personal, making it a great fit for any Houston residence. Available in multiple sizes, it's able to blend in or stand out in your space. First, choose your size and bezel, from a range of different colors and styles, and the ability to change with built-in magnets that attach and detach with ease. Then, easily hang your frame like a piece of art, flush against the wall with a clean, sleek finish. You'll be impressed with the beauty of your new TV before you even turn it on. When it's time to watch your favorite show, enjoy the brilliant color, adaptive picture, and active voice amplifier. This means your screen will adjust its picture due to the surrounding light and its sound due to existing background noise. When you have to change the channel to share the wealth with your family, you can always temporarily split the screen and mirror your phone's screen on the other side. Yes, that can even include checking scores on that game you're missing out on. Make everyone happy. As it is compatible with your other devices, you can easily enjoy the various features you expect from a Smart TV, such as voice recognition and app configuration. The Samsung Frame TV takes the features you already anticipate while adding and enhancing them. 

ART MODE

This is the exciting part. Improve your home's decor or showcase your best family moments by turning your TV into a work of art. Curate your own collection from an impressive archive of over 1,200 pieces that is constantly growing. Classics, modern, eclectic, eccentric, choose whatever works best for your space. You're even given a free trial to the Art Store, meaning you can play around and experiment before deciding what you like. Have a single classic you enjoy displayed at all times, or flip through a personalized list of pieces to keep your space fresh and exciting. You can even upload your own photography and family portraits to proudly display.  You also have the option to filter and edit the photos to truly make them your own. Whenever the TV isn't on, you can engage Art Mode in order to display your favorite art pieces and elevate the room. Then, when you leave the room, you can program the art to turn off and conserve energy. Don't worry, it will turn back on when you enter the room again.

With Samsung Frame TV, you don't have to settle. Watch the big game with incredible sound and quality visuals. You don't even have to worry about a glare. Then, elevate your space with fine art, or with cherished family moments. Echo Workshop is your Houston Samsung Dealer, so contact us before the holidays sneak by!

A FRESH START

We commend those who make a New Year's resolution to improve their overall health. Committing to a health and wellness program is one of the most important measures a person can take to ensure they will remain active and vibrant for themselves, their family, and their employment. 

Pure Air — Of course, one of the most important lessons of 2020 that everyone learned, is that the quality of the air we breathe is of critical importance. Breathing clean and healthy air provides a number of benefits, including avoiding potential illness. It also reduces the load of dust, chemicals, and other allergens and irritants we would normally breathe in from unpurified air. This is especially important for asthmatics, as well as those who are sensitive to chemicals and/or have a dust allergy.

Pure Water — Part of maintaining good health means drinking plenty of clean, pure water. Keeping nasal, respiratory, and other vital tissues well-hydrated means our body will be better able to fight illness. When a person has access to pure, good-tasting water they tend to drink more of it. In turn, this will help prevent them from becoming dehydrated, which is a well-known detractor when faced with germs that can cause illness.

BENEFITS OF A PURIFICATION SYSTEM

A whole-home purification system is great for improving the overall quality of the air and water throughout the home, including key areas such as a home gym, a yoga room, or a meditation room. Family members will also enjoy improved sleep, as they breathe in purified air that is free of allergens such as dust mites, chemicals, and other irritants.