text by Vicki     Sign up here to join our weekly email newsletter! 

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

We have installed many smart home products in our homes over the years. Each one providing its own unique services, conveniences, and potential money saving features. If you have never ventured into the smart home product world, it might seem intimidating. There are so many brands and products to choose from, as well as terminology that may be foreign to you! Things like Apple HomeKit, Smart Hub, or ZigBee!
​
If you’re looking to take the leap (and we hope you are), the Philips Hue Starter Kit is the perfect product to begin your journey! In fact, back in 2013, this was the first smart home product Steph bought for her new home.

text by Vicki     Sign up to get Mother Daughter Projects updates in your email!

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

In the bloopers at the end of this video, you hear me say "super simple!" That was in response to what we learned about installing this Ring Stick Up Cam! I think we have installed all version of Ring cameras now, and this one was as quick and simple as the others.

text by Vicki     Sign up to get Mother Daughter Projects updates in your email!

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

Today, arriving home after dark, I was met with the welcoming lights from my newly installed smart garage door opener! Needless to say, since the lights in my old garage door opener have not been working in years, it was nice (and safer) not to have to stumble my way through a dark garage. 

Back in 2001, Steph and I installed an opener. The install took a good three days, as we hit problem after problem. We were a little hesitant about tackling the install on the new Genie opener, considering our history.

But after getting started, we couldn't have been more pleased with the ease of installation! The online video and written instructions walked us seamlessly through the installation process. What problems we did encounter, were easily solved. 

Genie has made the installation of garage door openers a very DIY friendly process. As long as you have the right tools, a bit of patience, a clear understanding of the process, and a buddy to help- this is a project is for you!  

text by Vicki     Sign up to get Mother Daughter Projects updates in your email!

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

About a year ago, we installed the Schlage Sense lock at my house. We had a very easy time with the install and smart features' setup. As part of The Home Depot #smarthome campaign, we had a chance to try out the Schlage Connect Lock. Schlage makes three smart locks, and here you can click to see the differences.

With the Schlage Connect, you need an additional hub for the smart features to work. If you already have one of the compatible hubs in your home, which you can see here, then this might be a great lock for you. Check out below as we show you the lock install at Steph's house. 

text by Vicki     Sign up to get Mother Daughter Projects updates in your email!

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

My very first smart home product was the Philips Hue Go, that I use as a nightlight as well as an alarm clock. I've added several Hue bulbs since then and enjoy the app enabled features, to be able turn the bulbs off and on automatically. I was thrilled to see this Hue Pendant lights on the Philips website. 

As part of the Home Depot #smarthome campaign, we are able to request additional items to install and review. I knew when I saw this pendant light that it had to be installed at my home!

I love the clean lines and the mid-century look of it, and knew it would be perfect above my 1967 Norwegian teak mid-century table.