Final Touches We’re Loving (and a Few We’d Rethink)
Things are moving fast, and we’re officially in the home stretch of our open-concept remodel! We’ve been working hard to bring our vision to life, and now the finishing touches are falling into place. From lighting upgrades to smart tech and sleek window treatments, here’s what’s new (and what we’ve learned along the way).
Lighting Upgrade: Goodbye Can Lights, Hello Continuum Track System
We took a big step away from the usual ceiling can lights and went for something much more customizable and modern—Continuum track lighting. These aren’t your typical lights! The track allows you to place and direct individual light fixtures exactly where you want them. We chose ET2 lights, which can be angled to spotlight specific areas—perfect for highlighting artwork or creating cozy zones within an open space.
That said, full transparency: while we love the final look, we wouldn’t recommend this brand. It delayed our project by a full six weeks. We ran into major issues trying to get wiring specs, driver compatibility, and placement guidance—information we needed back in the framing stage. The vendor we ordered from was zero help. Thankfully, our electrician saved the day by tracking down the right specs and ordering directly from his distributor.
To top it off, the light quality isn’t great. One extension track isn’t playing nice with the light we added, and we’re still troubleshooting that. So yes, it looks fantastic—but it came with headaches.
Samsung The Frame TV: Total Game Changer
I’m OBSESSED. Truly.
This open-concept space needed a large TV that could be viewed from multiple angles—but I’ve never liked a giant black screen as the focal point of a room. In the past, I’d hide TVs in a cabinet when they weren’t in use. But this? Total upgrade.
The Samsung Frame TV is beautiful even when it’s off. You can choose art from their library and add a virtual mat around it, so it looks just like a framed piece of artwork. Plus, it has interchangeable magnetic bezels, so you can switch out the frame if your style changes down the road. Form and function, all in one.
Sound That Fills the Room
We installed four James Loudspeaker SA-A2-4 speakers in the ceiling before the shiplap went up—and wow. Whether it’s music or a movie, the sound is crystal clear from every corner of the room. When I want to turn it up? No problem—I can hear every detail.
Window Treatments: Sleek, Silent, and Smart
Our Lutron Roman shades are finally in! These were hardwired during the framing stage, and they’re ultra-quiet—seriously, you hardly know they’re moving. The shades on the front-facing windows are blackout, while the large window shade is made from a 10% open weave fabric. It filters the light beautifully while still letting us enjoy the view.
Every shade features a fabric-wrapped fascia for a clean, polished finish. The fabric we chose? Matrice Blackout in Silver (Model WSF-RF-MATO-SI)—and we’re thrilled with how it turned out.
Comfy Seating: A Foot Rail That Makes a Difference
One little upgrade that made a big impact? The foot rail we added to our bar seating area. Now, when we sit in our counter-height chairs, we can rest our feet like we’re in a regular chair—it’s surprisingly more comfortable!
We found this one on Amazon, and it’s been a game changer: Foot Rail Link
The Finish Line Is in Sight!
We’re so close to calling this place home, and I can’t wait to show you the final reveal. Check back soon—the final touches that made this house truly ours.
It’s looking great!!! I really like the foot rail, but I absolutely love the TV! That is amazing!