Susie Skog knows Lake Norman Real Estate Inside Out

Ensure that your smart home is safe from potential threats with these steps.

Create a Separate Network

Have a separate wifi network for your smart devices to run on, which can be done without having to purchase an additional router.

Review Privacy Settings

Do research to get a better sense of what the manufacturer or service provider has access to.

Change Default Passwords

When you get a new smart product, be sure to change the default password.

Install the Latest Updates

Software updates include improved security features, so set your smart products to automatically update.

Consider a VPN

When using public networks to control your smart products, use a VPN, virtual private network, to encrypt your connection.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

After you buy a new house, that usually means its time to do some furniture shopping. Finding just the right pieces to fill out your new space can be a challenge, though, thats particularly true if the home dictates a specific style, like contemporary or rustic. Following are a few of todays top interior designers with stunning furniture collections that are sure to inspire.

Bunny Williams Home
Bunny Williams knows how to stay at the forefront of style and her home collection stands as a testament to that. With everything from garden furniture to bamboo bed frames, the design legends trademark elegance certainly extends to her home dcor line. Youll find original designs and inspired reproductions that will instantly give your new home a refined ambience.

Timothy Corrigan & Perennials Collaboration
Timothy Corrigan is renowned for projects that capture European elegance without compromising on comfort, so its no wonder that high-end fabric brand Perennials decided to team up with him. This collaboration yielded a breathtaking array of performance fabrics and rugs that are all resistant to stains, mildew and UV-fading, which means theres no cause for concern if someone spills a glass of red wine at your housewarming party.

Marmol Radziner Furniture
Marmol Radziner is an internationally recognized design-build firm with a list of noteworthy clients that includes Tom Ford, Ellen DeGeneres and Bradley Cooper, to name a few. The firm may not have designed your new house, but you can incorporate their sophisticated style with Marmol Radziner Furniture, which consists of pieces that were originally created for custom homes.

Kelly Wearstler Furniture
Another designer to the stars, Kelly Wearstlers iconic furniture line is energetic and borderline eccentric with pieces that are sure to make for a memorable abode. If you want to try out maximalism or transitional style in your new home, this collection will certainly steer you in the right direction.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are five ideas to help keep your kids busy while spending time around the house.

Prepare the Playroom

Puzzles and board games can be a great way for kids to stay mentally active.

Utilize the Library

If you have a library or reading area in your home, its the perfect space for kids to spend an hour of daily reading time.

Cook Together

With everyone doing their part to prepare a delicious home-cooked meal, little ones will be sure to feel a sense of accomplishment.

Designate Outdoor Time

Dont overlook the importance of outdoor time when it comes to keeping your kids entertained.

Enjoy the Media Room

After a long day of keeping them busy around the house, theres no reason to feel bad about letting the kids enjoy some entertainment of their own.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

There are certain home features that have to be sacrificed when living in a city, like a private swimming pool or spacious backyard. You may be surprised to learn that an outdoor shower doesnt have to be one of them. While the thought alone probably conjures up images of a vacation home outside the confines of the metropolis, it is within the realm of possibility to design an outdoor shower in the city. If bathing in fresh air is a luxury you cant live without, heres everything you need to know.

Year-Round Feature
Outdoor showers are understandably associated with the warmer months, yet they are equally enjoyable, if not more, when the temperatures cool down. From winter sunrises to a quick rinse in the thick of summer, a private sanctuary where you can connect with nature under cascading water can undoubtedly be considered a year-round feature.

Bring in an Ensemble
Keep in mind that designing an outdoor shower in the city can require working with an ensemble of professionals depending on where you plan to put it. If you have a backyard, then youll have a relatively easier time installing one than if its going on your balcony or rooftop terrace. The latter can require hiring a plumber, architect, engineer and even a landscape designer to bring the perfect oasis to life.

Privacy Matters
Privacy, of course, is a top consideration when designing an outdoor shower in the city. Thats why working with an architect or landscape designer is well worth the cost in order to have creative solutions that combine form and function. Even if your rooftop terrace is safe from any prying eyes, drones have completely changed privacy in urban areas. A pergola with thick vegetation, for example, can provide you with cover from above without compromising the outdoor experience.

Published with permission from RISMedia.