Three Top Trends in Luxury Home Design

A resident of Babylon, New York, William Locantro is the owner of Absolute Electric, a company that installs and services electrical systems for commercial, industrial, and residential properties. William Locantro is also the principal of Paramount Custom Homes, a luxury home builder in operation for over 20 years.

Luxury home designs have changed significantly over time due to evolving technologies and preferences. Some of the most popular trends in modern luxury home design are presented below.

1. Smart technologies. Commonly used in modern luxury homes, total automation involves using smart technologies including smart A/C and heat, smart audio systems, and smart lighting to enhance home comfort and energy efficiency. Smart security including motion sensors, electric window shades, doorbells with cameras, and motion-activated lights are also a priority in typical luxury homes being built today.

2. Seamless storage. Hidden storage spaces that seamlessly integrate into the home environment are increasingly being incorporated into luxury home designs. An example of seamless storage would be wall panels that open up to reveal drawers and large cupboards that can accommodate items inconspicuously.

3. Lounge pools. Modern luxury homes are often being built with lounge pools, which are smaller than traditional in-ground pools with a diving board and deep end. The concept behind lounge pools is to enable the owner to enjoy relaxing in a pool without having to deal with the maintenance requirements of a full-sized pool.

Advice for Art Collectors

A leader in the construction industry, William Locantro serves as principal of Paramount Custom Homes in Long Island, New York. Under William Locantro’s leadership, the company has built and sold more than 100 luxury homes. In his free time, Bill enjoys golf and football, as well as collecting art.

Collecting art is an enjoyable hobby for many. Here is some advice for art collectors deciding whether to buy a particular artwork.

First, stay true to your tastes and preferences, regardless of what others dictate. See if the artwork evokes an emotional reaction. This makes it easier to choose the art to add to your collection.

Establish a long-term relationship with an artist or gallerist with similar aesthetic values, since they can help to make connections and expand your collection. Once you learn the basics from a professional, check out the Internet. Social networks such as Instagram and Facebook can help you connect with artists and other collectors who are selling pieces that complement your existing collection.

Questions You Should Ask When Hiring an Electrical Contractor

William “Bill” Locantro is the founder and owner of Absolute Electric, an electric site contracting company led by a team with over 100 years of combined experience in the field. Also serving as principal of Paramount Custom Homes, William Locantro has extensive experience in the homebuilding sector. When looking for an electrical contractor, there are a few questions that can help determine how capable and serious a contractor is about the work.

Before you get started with the hiring process, make sure all the prior planning is completed. It’s important to know exactly what needs to be done, and when it needs to be done.

The first and most obvious thing to ask a contractor, electrical or otherwise, is if their licenses and insurance are in order. Any hesitation about answering this question should be a deal-breaker. Furthermore, they should be able to provide other clients as references.

Next, they should be able to tell you how their rates are calculated and how they plan to approach the project. Experienced electrical contractors should know how to create a clear approach to a project and estimate costs accurately.

Finally, take a close look at the numbers in the proposal and how they’re broken down. If you find something that’s missing, you should ask the contractor why it’s missing and whether that will affect the estimate.

Bill Locantro

A resident of Babylon, New York, on south central Long Island, William (Bill) Locantro serves as principal of Paramount Custom Homes in nearby East Moriches. Paramount builds luxury houses that range from traditional Hamptons beachfront retreats to modern residences throughout the greater New York City area. William Locantro’s expertise in the luxury homebuilding sector ranges from overall architectural design to interior decorating. He has successfully overseen the completion of hundreds of Paramount construction projects.

William Locantro concurrently owns and operates Absolute Electric in downtown Manhattan. This independent electrical services contractor employs a staff of highly skilled IBEW Local 3 electricians with more than 100 years of combined experience. Under Mr. Locantro’s direction, Absolute Electric has completed work for a wide range of building owners and property management firms, including Brookfield Financial Properties, Tishman Speyer Properties, Jones Lang LaSalle, RXR Realty, the Empire State Realty Trust, and the Morgans Hotel Group.

Active in his community, Mr. Locantro co-chaired a recent event in Southampton that raised Some $300,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In his free time, he enjoys golf, traveling, and art collecting.