It’s A Wonderful World Wish Day for 7-Year-Old James, who Receives His Own Dream Home Theater and Gaming System

Thanks to the Passion and Teamwork of JDAV, George to the Rescue, Make-a-Wish and Salamander Designs, Boy Sees His Dreams Come True on The Big Screen.

Every once in a while, a story comes along that warms you deeply from the inside and makes you smile bigger than you thought possible. And this is one of them. Fittingly, this story also happened to air recently on NBC on World Wish Day, Saturday, April 29, 2023, on George to the Rescue.

13-season NBC TV show “George to the Rescue” was looking to do a first time-ever collaboration show with the Make-a-Wish. Since 2010, George to the Rescue (GTTR) has been NBC’s Emmy-winning human interest and home renovation series that elevates the human spirit while celebrating and showcasing the power of community. Featuring George Oliphant’s design-build transformations, the series has supported countless individuals, families and organizations in need.

For this special episode, GTTR and NBC contacted Gabriel Karlis, CEO of JDAV Design, an AV Integration & Technology company, to design a home theater and gaming room for a family that had two young children, James and Rose, that have both been diagnosed with congenital muscular dystrophy. And JDAV Designs and Salamander Designs stepped up to help make that happen, bringing together a passionate, big team to fulfill a big screen wish.

With no boundaries to his imagination, James made a wish for an accessible home theater and gaming room that would allow him to play games with friends and enjoy movie nights with family. GTTR host George Oliphant brought in a team of experts and designers to renovate the Popelka’s living space, and create a new, immersive theater room to provide them comfort, excitement and entertainment for years to come.

The integration firm, JDAV Designs, is a top integration company that serves New York, New Jersey and Florida. Their generous team took the lead to design and deliver the complete cinematic system with smart controls for all of James entertainment. This new room features a remarkable variety of leading audio and video systems that all come together for James and his family.

“Our goal at JDAV was to design a Home theater gaming environment that would accomplish James’ wish and also provide a level of control and future independence using voice control technology,” shared Gabriel Karlis, CEO of JDAV Design.

The JDAV team designed a Samsung short throw projector that’s fully integrated into the Salamander Designs Custom Credenza that, together, project a video image on a 120” Screen Innovations screen. Salamander donated the Ultra Short Throw Projector Cabinet in a beautiful black oak finish. It houses the projector and also other components to serve as a centerpiece for the system. They selected a Sonos 5.1 surround sound system, and the team also incorporated an automated Lutron lighting and shading system and a smart thermostat for comfort. All aspects of the new room are fully functional through voice recognition technology controlling the music, video, gaming, lighting, shades and HVAC thermostats.

Now James has seamless access to being immersed in movies, TV shows, video games and any entertainment that he wants. Adding to the joy, his wish was revealed to him on his seventh birthday! And, along with his sister Rose, they enjoyed a day full of fun that was capped off with a special concession stand full of goodies.

“JDAV is proud to have had the opportunity to use our expertise and experience in our field to create a special environment for the Popelka’s family,” added Gabriel Karlis. “We are grateful to be a part of this and help make James’s wish come to true. We hope everyone will take the time to join us in watching this special episode.”

George Oliphant of GTTR shared, “With JDAV, Salamander Designs elevated this George to the Rescue/Make-a-Wish exceptional collaboration. The beautiful, functional media credenza really brings James’ immersive entertainment space together. It was an honor to team up together while granting a deserving child’s wish. We hope the Popelka family’s gratitude, positivity, resilience and togetherness inspire all who watch the program.”

“Being able to donate something to make a child’s dream a reality is one of the most rewarding things we do,” said Scott Srolis, SVP of Sale and Marketing for Salamander Designs. “In the full spirit of ‘World Wish Day,’ we are honored be a part of James’ wish and provide a Salamander Cabinet for his new theater and gaming system. We hope it will bring great enjoyment to him and his family, and we are extremely proud of our Dealer JDAV, who brought us into this heartwarming project and freely contributed their time and expertise.”

See the full reveal from Season14, Episode3 here on George to the Rescue’s YouTube.

It’s also available for streaming on Peacock.

Try Salamander Entertainment Furniture Today – See Our New Look Book for Inspiration

Golf Simulator Leads to Exceptional Entertainment Retreat for BRAVAS Colorado Client

This exiting entertainment project all started when the client came to BRAVAS in Littleton, Colorado for a golf simulator. This story reminds us that you never know where a job—even a relatively smaller scope job—may lead. Hesitant about smart home automation at first, the client did not want a lot of complicated technology in their home. But as mutual trust and confidence grew, the project also grew into adding Lutron Palladiom for centralized lighting, a full-blown home theater, music in other areas of the home and more. 

Photos by: Jess Blackwell Hohman

New Technology, New Construction.

Mac Saad, with the BRAVAS Colorado branch was the lead designer and technology architect on the project with the backing of BRAVAS Colorado’s extensive Engineering team. BRAVAS has offices and representatives in 15 cities across the US and completes more than 3500 integration projects around the country each year. BRAVAS sells and supports everything from lighting, shades, and A/V to networking, security systems, and power management. They also provide high-quality entertainment furniture from Salamander Designs.

The project at hand was new construction. The BRAVAS team was fortunate that the builder was happy to closely coordinate efforts and work together to ensure optimum outcome for the client. One example of this collaboration, the BRAVAS team was brought in early when they were building the theater.  

Photo by: Jess Blackwell Hohman

“We had a very large Barco Projector going in for video in the theater area of a room,” Mac explained. “This basement room shared both the golf simulator and the home theater. Because we were brought in early, we saw that if the soffit was extended just a small amount, we could put the projector entirely into it so that it’s quiet and always out of sight. We worked together with the builder, and the client was extremely happy about this adjustment.”

Challenges and Covid Didn’t Stop Them.

Most every custom project has some challenges. In this case, the golf simulator was a key component and created some additional work. BRAVAS had to try several layouts, and in the end, were able get this accomplished for the client.

As for many integrators over the past year, COVID-19 was a challenge, too. The BRAVAS team started the project during the pandemic and encountered some natural inventory delays. Fortunately, they were able to source suitable alternative choices. In this case, the client wanted consistent black products and looks such as speakers, wall switches and more. Mac shared, “The original seating was to be a black microfiber. With Covid-related delays, we were able to find a faster—and actually better—solution for this client by working closely with Salamander Designs.”

Photo by: Jess Blackwell Hohma

Challenges and Covid Didn’t Stop Them.

At the time, the black microfiber seating was on backorder, which is uncommon. But Salamander Designs worked with BRAVAS and their client to find similar fabrics and other options that were more readily available. With a curated, very wide assortment of upholstery including 45 seating covers to choose from, the Salamander team went into design and service mode for the dealer and their client. They had to satisfy a client who was very sure about his vision. After sharing more readily available options, the client selected a highly unique, two-tone Salamander Talia Seating that could be secured more quickly and even elevate the room. Mac said, “It was pretty great how Salamander could still provide furniture that was custom built and quickly delivered during this time. Most importantly, they did so with products that worked the best for durability and fit this home theater in the way our client envisioned.”  

“Salamander Designs— and everyone who works there, actually—was very accommodating to us and the client’s requests. Even smaller things, like providing special awesome piping on the seats. Salamander was able to do this for us. Our customer got exactly what they wanted, customized, with special piping and in a great color that would work—even during the Covid crisis.”

Photo by: Jess Blackwell Hohman

BRAVAS is in a class by itself: After-Sale Service.

We went on to find out that this BRAVAS location is really all about providing the best in white glove service and going in after the design and installation. The company sees after-install support as very key to the client and our company because unlike other things such as a floor that is put into a home, the customer must interact with home technology every day and it is integral to convenience in their lives. BRAVAS Colorado views the installation as really the beginning of the relationship, and they make sure customers have ongoing , never-ending satisfaction and that technology is always seamless and easy-to-enjoy for everyone.

Salamander Seating Satisfied Other Client Requirements.

“Our customer loved the ability for everyone to have the same great movie viewing experience,” the Dealer said. “Build-quality was a major part of this project. The client wanted the best quality and when he saw and understood that this was a 1000-pound couch/row seating, they understood this seating was different.”

Another objective, this client wanted either entertainment seating or a couch setup where the kids would not fight over who got which seat during a movie or show. He wanted all seats to be equal so to speak. The Salamander Talia seating included motorization and butt shakers in every single seat so that everyone had the same experience.

Photo by: Jess Blackwell Hohman

The Real Reaction?

BRAVAS saw the seating before the client family did and was a bit uncertain about the two-tone seating choice because the two tones were similar in color. Two-tone is usually the more expensive option, and the BRAVAS team wanted it to be exactly right.

The good news? This client was thrilled and loves the outcome. “The two-tone looks very, very slick!” it was reported. “Best of all, everyone in our family has the premier seat in the house in our new home theater and entertainment space.”

Other Equipment in This Perfect Project.

The overall project included Lutron Palladiom lighting, Control4 for control and several Sony TVs including an 85-inch above the fireplace upstairs. Speakers included James Loudspeakers, a small Sonance aperture system and Kef Speakers in theater/golf simulator space. And yes, there is also a Salamander Designs Media Stand for components in the home theater. “We sell other furniture, but Salamander is my go-to because of how easy it is to customize and how very helpful their team is.”

Try Salamander Entertainment Furniture Today – See Our New Look Book for Inspiration

Salamander Scores as #1 for 17 Consecutive Years in CE Pro Brand Analysis

Voted Tops Again, and up 10% as Voted by Technology Integrators

Just out in June, the 2021 CE Pro 100 Brand Analysis report shows Salamander Designs is, yet again, ranked as the #1 leading AV furniture brand. For 17 years in a row, Salamander has taken the top furniture position, which has been consistent for us every year since the beginning of the CE Pro Annual Brand Analysis voting and report. We are one of very few companies, if any, that have had the #1 spot in a CE Pro Brand Analysis category since the start.

The Numbers are in – and Up! 

The numbers associated with each manufacturer reflect the number of CE Pro 100 dealers using that brand. Salamander has increased our rank, up another 10% to 62% and has more than double the percentage of its closest competitor in the category.

These numbers are closely monitored according to CE Pro, “because these are the most successful, go—to companies in our industry”. Many professional integrators look to the brands that are being used by these companies as a signal of success in working with them, and their design and quality.

Having been consistently recognized in these categories for furniture, we hope our current integration companies and their future customers are even more confident that Salamander delivers the world-class, finest experience in home entertainment furniture. We are passionate about being the AV, technology and entertainment furniture brand that you can always trust and depend upon.

What Makes Salamander Furniture Different?

Quickly personalized, modern, stylish and always backed by Limited Lifetime Warranty – these are just some of the most desirable features homeowners seek for their daily entertainment and comfort solutions. And Salamander offers them all from media and technology cabinets to pro component racks, to TV mounts and more.

With innovative Salamander features such as fully customizable interiors with pull out storage shelves, active cooling, wire management and unique footing options, no other AV furniture brand can compare. And all our products are built to last with quality craftsmanship, premium designs and exceptional details. Dealers and customers can even easily reskin many of our products to match updated interior designs or new rooms. 

Try Salamander Entertainment Furniture Today – See Our New Look Book for Inspiration

Congrats to 3-Time Award-Winning Salamander Dealer!

Miestro Home Integration Receives Three Top Honors for Project of the Year for CE Pro’s Mark of Excellence!

Wow! Today we celebrate Miestro Home Integration of Memphis for earning not one, but three separate honors as Runner Up for Project of the Year in CE Pro’s Mark of Excellence Awards in March 2020. 

Using Salamander Sectional Seating, Jump Seats and Cabinets, Miestro set the bar for today’s home entertainment and media rooms while satisfying their customer’s every need.


Miestro’s Winning Solutions Include:

Stunning Media Room Features* Custom Salamander Designs sectional for large groups to enjoy media on large projection screen* Dedicated game center with a pair of Sony 4K displays connected to dueling Xbox units plus a beautiful pair of Salamander Jumpseats.

Dream Listening Room Features* Design that overcame room shape and size challenges to maximize the space, employed Salamander Designs Cabinet as the focal point and hb for storing records, electronics and even instruments! 

Smart Home Features* Control4, SEURA + Coastal Source for gorgeous, stunning exterior, smart security and more.


SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE


SEE SALAMANDER RESIDENTIAL SOLUTIONS


Salamander Shoutout goes to Miestro – and all our valued Dealer CE Pro Mark of Excellence Winners!

The very first design:tech connection

Here’s a quick shout-out to everyone who attended the very first “design:tech connection” event held on February 21 here at our Bloomfield, CT headquarters. Thank you for joining us!

The general consensus is that the division between residential and commercial is fading fast partly because more and more people are working from home offices and because spaces at both home and work are blending technology, tech-related solutions and design aesthetics.

Savvy tech companies recognize this and are tailoring product offerings to better serve this growing audience by supplying the technology and furniture to equip headquarters conference rooms and all office spaces with extended communications and collaboration capabilities.

For those of you who weren’t able to attend the event, here’s what you missed. About 70 AV/IT integrators, architects, designers, press and Salamander technology partners gathered together to enjoy an evening of tech talk, networking, snacks/libations and the latest technology and furniture demonstrations. Our co-host was Massachusetts-based ACT Associates, well-known experts in the arena of corporate AV and video conferencing spaces. The fun-filled, inspiring evening included words from our founder and president Salvatore Carrabba and a tour of our 94,000 sq ft, totally solar powered factory.  

You do not want to miss this one-of-a-kind event next year!

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The Foundation of Renovation

The Situation: Time to Upgrade

When something works well and fulfills our expectations, it can be difficult to part with. But there often comes a time when it’s better to investigate more up-to-date options. So it was with a family in Pennsylvania who had been thoroughly enjoying their TV set—for 25 years—until they got the itch to find out what’s new. The family did what thousands have done, they turned to World Wide Stereo (Montgomeryville, PA and Ardmore, PA) the company that has been “…bringing the world’s finest consumer electronics together in one place” since 1979. 

World Wide Stereo, whose motto is “Do well by doing good…and never put a fake gorilla on the street,” also did what thousands upon thousands of others have done over the past 25 years—they turned to Salamander Designs to provide a foundation for an exciting renovation.

Read the original story on the World Wide Stereo website.

The Itch to Switch

After thoughtful fact-finding conversations with the suburban Philadelphia family, system designer Chad Snedaker (who coincidentally started his career with World Wide 25 years ago—there seems to be a pattern here) learned three crucial facts among other details. The family had decided to upgrade their 25-year-old set but wanted to retain full use of their extensive optical media library. Second, they very much enjoyed audio and had a significant collection of vinyl. Finally, they wanted a TV that could handle it all: watching football with friends, streaming video, family movie nights and catching up on favorite shows.

Salamander Designs at the Foundation of Family Fun

For the beautiful but functional foundation, World Wide selected a custom designed Salamander Chameleon Triple 339 Elba cabinet. At World Wide’s request, Salamander collaborated with one of their many partners, Leon Speakers, the home of “picture perfect sound,” and a Leon soundbar was built into the cabinet which also housed all of the equipment. Custom design and collaborative solutions are the mainstay at Salamander, as are the superior customer service and legendary Lifetime Warranty.

Because of the relatively bright ambient light in the family room, Snedaker recommended a Samsung QN65Q9FNA 65” QLED TV which can be enjoyed in many different lighting environments. For rich audio enjoyment, they installed a Bowers & Wilkins ASW610 600 Series 10-inch subwoofer and a pair of Bowers & Wilkins M-1 Satellite Speakers for the rear surrounds. To complete this home theater system, they added an Integra DRX-2.1 7.2-channel AV receiver.

Rounding out the remake, Snedaker specified Sonos CONNECT, a Sony Blu-ray player and Panamax power line conditioner.

Salamander Innovation

The frosting in the cake, so to speak, is the turntable. Thanks to Salamander’s innovative design technology, it was possible to install the platter spinner where it would be quietly out of sight until called upon to perform. World Wide Stereo upgraded the system to include a brand new Denon DP-300F automatic turntable and made it super easy to access. So now when the family is ready to turn off the TV and listen to their records, all they have to do is open the cabinet, slide out the shelf, and away they spin.

The Choice of Custom Professionals

Salamander Designs is proud to be part of this elegant and sophisticated update, with the ideal blend of classic nostalgia with modern technology. Salamander furniture is manufactured in the USA in a 100% solar-powered facility. So whether your project is an all-new initiative or an extensive retrofit, look to Salamander for the foundation.

The top choice of residential and commercial integrators, Salamander has been ranked as the #1 leading AV furniture brand for 14 consecutive years in the annual CE Pro 100 Brand Analysis.

Salamander ranks #1 for 14 years straight as Top AV Furniture Brand – CE Pro Annual Brand Analysis

CE Pro Brand Leader for AV Furniture
CE Pro Brand Leader for AV Furniture

Ranked #1 for 14 years straight

The 2018 CE Pro 100 Brand Analysis report shows Salamander is ranked again as #1 as leading AV furniture brand. This is the 14th consecutive year Salamander has taken the top furniture position, which has been consistent for us each year since the inception of the CE Pro Annual Brand Analysis.

Custom, convenient, elegant and covered by Limited Lifetime Warranty – these are just some of the most desirable features homeowners seek for their daily entertainment and comfort solutions. And Salamander offers them all. As the trusted brand of choice, our cabinets, TV mounts and other furniture solutions are built to last with quality craftsmanship, premium designs and exceptional details. Our furniture can adapt to your needs today and far into the future.

 

And in the Top Ranking for Seating

In addition to being #1 in the furniture category, Salamander is in the top-rankings in this CE Pro Analysis in the seating category. With seating solutions that fit every interior and room in the home, our wide selection has not gone unnoticed, and this in-depth study reflects just that. Choose from custom individual, modular and theater row seats that all bear our exceptional quality and durability.

The Numbers are in – and Clear

The numbers associated with each manufacturer reflect the number of CE Pro 100 dealers using that brand. Salamander is ranked with 52% and has more than double the percentage of its closest competitor. These numbers are closely monitored according to CE Pro, “because these are the most successful companies in the industry”. Many professional integrators look to the brands that are being used by these companies as a signal of success.

Having been consistently recognized in these categories for furniture and seating, we hope our current and future customers are even more confident that Salamander delivers a best-in-class experience. And, one that is backed by our Limited Lifetime Warranty for many years of enjoyment. We are the AV and entertainment furniture brand that you can trust and depend upon.

 

Try Salamander Today

If you’d like to try our entertainment furniture and seating solutions or speak with a local professional about a customized solution just for you, please visit an authorized dealer or contact us for our recommendation.

Scott Srolis to lead the Salamander Designs Sales Team

Salamander Designs is proud to announce the addition of Scott Srolis to lead the Salamander Designs Sales team.

Scott is a 30 year CE industry leader in B2B, B2C sales, business development, product marketing, operations and sales training. Scott has had past success as a senior executive for Tweeter and was most recently Vice President of Sales for Universal Remote Control.

Scott’s has built high performing world-class teams, dealer programs/policies and marketing strategies that offer dealers the tools needed to ensure success.

Salvatore Carrabba, Founder and President says; “Salamander is excited to add a well-respected industry veteran to our ranks. Our company is expanding into new markets and Scott’s energy and experience is sure to help us scale.”

Scott Srolis
scott@salamanderdesigns.com