A deteriorating barn is transformed into a state-of-the-art home-entertainment space with original-looking beam work and warm, stained woods.

At first glance you would never expect that this 1,500-square-foot renovated barn, part of a 13-acre suburban Philadelphia estate in Bucks County, can convert into a high-tech home theater with the touch of a button. But do just that—press a single button on the Universal MX-850 remote—and concealed blackout shades descend from above, a projection screen drops down from behind a ceiling beam, the lights fade to black, and the projector jumps into action.

A capacious mountain getaway, designed for family and business retreats, is sprinkled with technological treats that are easy to use.

There’s a certain ruggedness—a rough-and-tumble way of life—in Colorado that’s as irresistible to the locals who run the ski mountains as it is to the well-heeled who build vacation homes from the ground up.

Richard Thalheimer, founder of The Sharper Image, sells his tech-enhanced home.

Sharper Image founder and former CEO Richard Thalheimer has moved on to gadget site RichardSolo.com. Now, The Wall Street Journal says that he’s moving onto a different home.

We know that The Sharper Image has a ton of cool tech-enhanced toys. So why would the founder’s home be any different?

Thalheimer’s 7,750-square-foot home is located in San Francisco, California. Like the retail chain, it features enough technology to keep you busy for hours on end—as well as entertained.

One of the many tech perks includes touchscreens sprinkled throughout the house, which can access cameras, music and even automated shades. There’s also a total of nine flat-screen HDTVs.

After buying the house in 2002, Thalheimer spent three years remodeling the place. Now, he wants $15 million for the Mediterranean-style house, which has six bedrooms, six full bathrooms and one half-bathroom.

A contemporary home with 11,500 square feet of indoor/outdoor living space is built for entertaining.

Interior designers Sam Ewing and Gail Winn discuss the details.

2009 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Award Winner

Best Integrated Home: Overall Winner

Electronic Systems Consutlant: T&T Automation Ltd.—British Columbia, Canada

When Tony Harper, the managing director of T & T Automation Ltd., was hired to handle all the a/v and automation for a sprawling 35,000-square-foot residential compound in Vancouver, Canada, it’s fair to say that the word “imposing” crossed his mind. 

Best Whole-House Installation

The Big Show

With the push of one button, this home shows off everything it can do. And it can do a lot.

Best Home Theater Installation

Masterpiece Theater

Tons of hidden gear combine with an obstacle course-like construction zone to create our favorite theater of the year.

Best Innovation Installation

Reinventing the Wheel

Commercial cinema and home theater come together like never before in this amazing private screening room.