The cottage should feel comfortable, family friendly, and like an escape from reality. But how should the cottage sound? Of course you want to enjoy the sound of your family’s laughter, friendly conversation, and the warble of the loons, but what about music?
“The cottage experience includes entertaining friends and family, as well as spending time unwinding by yourself. We believe that music is a great way to add to the entire experience, but it needs to be done right,’” says Lisa Venus, co-owner of Muskoka Smart Homes.
“Quite often we hear clients say they don’t want speakers in their cottage. But that often turns out to be because they are envisioning something large, loud, and not complementing the design aesthetic.”
Unlike the bulky speaker towers of yesteryear, Lisa says today’s audio technology can completely disappear into the walls and ceiling, in a variety of materials including drywall, plaster, wallpaper, veneer or a wood ceiling. By carefully installing and balancing an array of hidden speakers, an expert AV designer like Lisa can give you and your guests a seamless ambient audio experience that only enhances the cottage design aesthetic.
One of the leaders in hidden speaker technology is Sonance. They have developed in-ceiling and in-wall speakers that completely disappear into the architecture, delivering a balanced sound experience that can blend into any style, installation, or budget. They also work in conjunction with Sonos sound systems.
“These speakers can be installed behind the drywall,” says Lisa. “By working with an AV design specialist, you can create a balanced sound from speakers in the ceiling and walls, to create a seamless sound that remains constant as you move through the cottage.”
The key to getting this invisible audio is to speak with an AV specialist before your walls and ceilings are drywalled. “It’s possible to retrofit these speakers into an existing structure, but it’s better if you make decisions in the design stage.”
To better understand how you want your sound to look, Lisa suggests visiting with the Muskoka Smart Homes team at their showroom in Port Carling.
“Get a feel for what’s possible, how you want your sound to look with a state-of-the-art audio solution for your cottage.
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE | PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
