Homemation: Home Automation Experience Centre  October 2018, Kramerville Johannesburg, Homemation, the AV, home automation and theatre specialists, recently revealed their state-of-the-art Experience Centre.   Guests were welcomed into the awe-inspiring, spacious Scandi-style showroom, offered drinks and enjoyed snacks from the live sushi chef. They were able to walk through the ‘home of the future’ viewing invisible speakers, drop down screens, automated blinds and even a robot vacuum cleaner. The spaces were alive with the sound of people talking excitedly about high-tech offerings and tempting DJ’ing coming from outside.

The ‘home’ is completely automated, which means that using voice, or the touch of a button, lights are turned off, on or dimmed, the blinds can be adjusted, stove switched on, fireplace lit and music of choice streamed through a variety of speakers – even ones that are completely hidden in the ceiling.   Walking into the lounge, the invisible Stewart Filmscreen screen and JVC projector emerge from the ceiling for an even more immersive experience.   The bedroom features an LED strip light behind the bed that is motion activated when you get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.   The room that fascinated most, was the THX “CANNES” cinema room where guests could experience a thrilling car chase that had the hairs on the back of their necks stand upright!

After the tours, the house warming bourgeoned into a real party… live sushi, premium gin and whisky bars and the ultimate DJ’s Small Paul, Roger Goode and international acclaimed Timo ODV!   Founders and Joint CEOs, Nicholas Gliksman and Daniel Mclean, welcomed everyone and their pride of seeing their dream become a reality was evident as they shared the vision behind the first Home Automation Experience Centre in the country. It is a world-class experience, comparable to the US and UK markets. The scale is exciting – a mini-house fitted out with tech, home automation, home cinemas and AV. It is 500m2 and has a kitchen, dining room, living room, TV room, bedroom and even a patio equipped with outdoor speakers.

Homemation showcases their premium brands – Steinway, Stewart Filmscreen, Monitor Audio, Klipsch, Polk, Denon, Rotel and Triad to name a few, across their four movie and music rooms (and if you’re in Joburg, pop me an email for a private viewing).   “What is great is that it is relatable to your own home and we can demonstrate real-life scenarios with cutting edge technology”, enthuses Nic. “It is the home of the future here and now, nimble and evolving to change, with voice-controlled lighting and appliances. It demonstrates the Internet of Things seamless integration and in true Homemation fashion, the audio and visuals are seamless, practically invisible and still deliver performance.”, shares Dan.

Homemation is a specialist supplier of premium branded audiovisual, home automation and home theatre products. The brands in their stable offer some of the most advanced and sought-after AV and technology in the world. Homemation has the exclusive distribution, in Africa, of global leading brands such as Control4, Definitive Technology, Denon, Heos, Klipsch, Monitor Audio, Polk Audio, Steinway Lyngdorf and Stewart Filmscreen.

Call Homemation on 011-781 8887 for your nearest stockist, or visit www.homemation.co.za or www.control4.co.za ; Facebook ; Twitter and Instagram.

The Sleep Experts, Vencasa, Open New Store in Kramerville, Johannesburg and Brooklyn, Pretoria  June 2018, Vencasa, The Sleep Experts, held the official and exclusive opening events, unveiling their brand-new stores in Kramerville and Brooklyn, Gauteng. Vencasa, the home of Tempur, Magniflex and Sealy, has opened two new flagship stores in true style. Guests were welcomed into the awe-inspiring, spacious Scandi-style stores where the scent of fresh, hot coffee filled the air.

The stores were alive with the sound of people talking excitedly about the wide range of mattresses, pillows and accessories.   Greg Smart, CEO of Pharmaline, greeted guests and spoke proudly about the new store and their journey to create a space for the world’s best sleep brands. Vencasa has partnered with global and local experts to bring a wide range to the South African market. The Showroom showcases mattresses, headboards, bases and frames, side tables, lamps, occasional furniture, ottomans, linen, pillows and luxurious bedroom accessories, with several price points to accommodate their wide clientele. Vencasa is made for people looking for a high quality, yet affordable range of products, and the store reflects that. “We have seen a need in the market for mattresses that are both quality and affordable.

There is currently a gap between expensive sleep solutions and cheap mattresses, the latter having a short lifespan and counterproductive to health.” explains Greg. “Our drive is to fill this gap with premium products, that are priced realistically, with mattresses starting from R 12 499 upwards. Essentially, our value proposition is to provide the greatest sleep products at a practical price. We source the best products worldwide, the best technology to cater to the diverse needs of sleep lovers and in doing so have learnt that building trust is key and as such, we strive to position ourselves as ‘The Sleep Experts’”.

Vencasa intends to partner with Interiors and encourage them to use the spaces to hold meetings, collaborate and build their businesses. Their input is crucial in sharing customers’ needs and to align this with global trends and innovations.   Greg shared the success of the first Vencasa Pillow Bar, in the country, based in Sandton City, with 29 pillows on display, and Vencasa Consultants available to advise on the best pillow for you. The Malouf scented pillow is the latest in the collection, and guests were curious to smell and lie on them. A definite scent-sation!   The innovative product, SleepSpec was demonstrated, which is a unique need created by our modern-day living – and it promotes healthy sleep, which is disrupted by the continuous use of screens.

The artificial light from LED lights, televisions, cell phones, tablets and e-readers is believed to be responsible for wrecking our sleep. They all emit high levels of blue light which suppress melatonin production – the hormone needed for sleep. SleepSpec are an easy solution to deal with the problem of blue light in our environment. The scientifically engineered orange lenses eliminate blue light from one’s environment allowing the body to produce melatonin and prepare for a good night’s sleep. Who would have thought that wearing ‘sunglasses at night’ would actually help you get to sleep and stay asleep?

Dr Robert Daniel, a Specialist Ophthalmologist with training in Human Physiology and Neuroscience is available to discuss the research and science behind why blue light and specifically using electronics at night is affecting sleep quality. He can also explain how using SleepSpec can help improve one’s sleep, general health, sports and physical performance as well as how SleepSpec can be used to manage jetlag. (Please let me know if you'd like more info and I will put you in touch with them directly).   Guests listened intently while lounging on the beds, sipping bubbly and eating delicious snacks, followed by testing the pillows and experiencing the Tempur Sleep Centre. Greg explained, “Vencasa, in Spanish, means ‘come home’, and the new stores portray that superbly. We invite our guests to feel at home and take their time when choosing a mattress and sleep solution. Bring a book and relax in our stores.”

Vencasa, The Sleep Experts, know that your body, mind and soul deserve quality sleep, and provide a range of exceptional sleep solutions to ensure it.

Visit www.vencasa.co.za or call 0861 60 60 60 for more information or for your nearest stockist.

About Vencasa
The Sleep Experts, know that your body, mind and soul deserve quality sleep, and provide a range of exceptional sleep solutions to ensure it.   Vencasa was born from the legendary and reputable long-standing Pharmaline umbrella. Medically informed, scientifically sound and aesthetically magnificent, Vencasa brings the ultimate sleep solution to the market. Providing premium, high quality products with a range of pricing. Vencasa showrooms have created the perfect balance, where scientific research and product development complement their understanding of the sleep industry, while incorporating genuine care for each person's individual sleep requirements. Vencasa is proud to be the official and exclusive distributor of Tempur products, and world-famous brands such as Magniflex, Reed Family Linen and their own Vencasa Signature Collection.

“We have seen a need in the market for mattresses that are both quality and affordable. There is currently a gap between expensive sleep solutions and cheap mattresses which have a short lifespan and are counterproductive to health.” explains Greg Smart, Pharmaline, CEO. “Our drive is to fill this gap with premium products, that are priced realistically. Essentially, our value proposition is to provide the greatest sleep products at a practical price.”   Vencasa brings the art of sleep to your 'casa', from the smallest to the most essential sensory detail. We invite you to 'come home' to Vencasa for the ultimate bedroom experience.

Visit www.vencasa.co.za or call 0861 60 60 60 for more information or for your nearest stockist.

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Add a touch of elegance to your space by visiting Handles Inc, the exclusive supplier of the designer Italian brand, Oro & Oro. With this door handle, watch how your lighting subtly glimmers off this polished chrome handle, embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Priced from R 700 per set.  NEW Store Opening In Kramerville, Johannesburg, JANUARY 2018...  For your closest branch, visit www.handlesinc.co.za or call 021-422 2322.

Excellence is in the attention to detail, and choosing the perfect cupboard and door handles for your home or office will be the final touch that brings your space together. Let your living reflect your purpose, your style, your essence. Visit a Handles Inc store, where their seasoned team will help you choose the items that best suit your needs.

Their stores are renowned for being eye-candy for architects, interior designers and decorators, as they know that the smallest detail will complete the look – whether it is a corporate office, modular home or rambling mansion. Handles Inc boasts a collection of over 9000 items to inspire you. Specialists in handles and bathroom accessories, for all applications, personally selected from top global brands and available exclusively from Handles Inc.

Watch how the smallest change can create the greatest transformation.

For your closest branch, visit www.handlesinc.co.za or call 021-422 2322.