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Mills has recently achieved certification through the  Home Technology Association. Mills is the first technology integration firm in Illinois to achieve this certification. The HTA Certification system is the new industry standard of excellence for home technology installation companies. The HTA exists to connect homeowners and the specification community with an independent method to evaluate the technical…
At Mills, we view ourselves as more than just a great technology installation company. As our new logo suggests, we believe that design and support are equally, if not often more important. Sometimes those two things combine, as Mills strives to “design for serviceability.” For the past few years Mills has been specifying and installing…
Trends show that Outdoor Technology is playing a big role in new or updated outdoor spaces. A recent study by Houzz shows that over half of homeowners spend more time outdoors after completing landscaping projects. More than 750 homeowners on Houzz shared details about their landscaping projects in an online survey. Outdoor Activities Increased Post- Project…
The season of barbeques, outdoor entertaining, pool and beach parties is almost upon us. Is your yard ready for the season? What’s a party without great music? Good quality speakers are key to outdoor audio systems. First, they need to withstand the elements. And, of course, they need to sound great too. So, what type…
This post comes to us via the Control4 blog, from Emily Long, a freelance writer based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She writes about tech trends and personal finance with the occasional dive into health and wellness. A renovation is the perfect time to customize your living space and take advantage of the latest…
Most homeowners don’t spend much time interviewing technology companies about their after-sale service. It’s hard enough to comparing  different proposals, and how it will all fit the budget. By the time it’s complete, the system should just work forever (well, perhaps a very long time), right? You enjoy your technology systems when they’re working. But then…
Mills was an annual guest on the Siskel & Ebert Holiday Gift Guide program.  Watch our very own Fred Thomas discussing home theater technology with the legendary Roger Ebert. As a throwback to those days, we offer our own holiday gift guide. Our top picks: Music Music for any budget: Sonos: A Sonos music system is a great…
Lighting control systems have evolved rapidly and increased in popularity over the past few years. According to data from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), more than two-thirds of all homebuilders offered automated lighting controls as an amenity in their newly constructed homes in 2015. Lighting control systems offer…
Every home has windows. And, probably most homeowners would agree that window treatments are necessary for privacy and cosmetic appeal. But, should you install motorized window treatments? As a homeowner, you make a significant investment in your home and its interior furnishings. And you likely have an interest in protecting them. Motorized shades bring real…
Technology in the home can be visually distracting, but it doesn’t have to be. Home technology can be designed to integrate seamlessly into the design and décor of the home. To preserve the sleek contemporary aesthetics of this downtown condominium, Mills Custom designed solutions that make the devices low-profile or hidden until the homeowner is…
