Motorized Shades Make Actor AJ Buckley’s Family Life Easier and Safer

When Abby Ochse and her partner, actor AJ Buckley, began remodeling the living room in their Charleston, SC home, they were thinking long-term. Abby is the writer behind The Chic Mamas blog, where she shared that her design choices were not simply about the here and now. Rather, she was creating the space that would comfort her family and entertain her guests for decades to come. 

Once Abby learned about J. Geiger Modern Motorized Window Shades powered by Somfy, she immediately recognized the lasting value of this design choice. The existing blinds in Abby’s living room had long cords that got tangled and presented a safety hazard for her young children. Even her Roomba got into a bit of a scuffle with some cords that reached all the way to the floor! J. Geiger’s motorized blind solutions were not only the safer option, but would also incorporate Abby’s focus on an interior design that lasts the life of the home. 

A Somfy Expert dealer, J. Geiger designs motorized shading systems that are architecturally conscious. This means that not only are the systems designed to conceal wires, motors, and hardware, but they also fit perfectly with the room’s features and aesthetic. The shades give the appearance of having been built with the home’s original window frames. 

Abby and AJ went with motorized, cordless shades powered by Somfy in a sleek modern design. The hardware works well with their living room’s overall design, and there are no more unsightly or unsafe cords. With Somfy technology, Abby and AJ can control the shades with a remote, by voice command, or by simply setting a daily schedule. 

AJ, who is known for his roles on the CBS shows SEAL Team and CSI:NY, said, “When you have your hands full with kids, the ability to make one thing that much easier is worth its weight in gold.” The couple has three young children, a daughter and twin boys. Their hands certainly are full! But now the daily job of managing incoming light and heat to their window-filled living room is a snap. 

The long-term thinking of motorized shades is not just about safety and attractiveness. Because homeowners can control the shades so easily, they are able to maximize usefulness for other benefits. Motorized shades offer UV protection, protect furniture and floors from fading, enhance privacy and home security, and reduce energy costs. Not that Abby and AJ have any plans of selling their beloved new home, but motorized shades increase its resale value as well. 

Abby is thrilled to walk into her newly remodeled living room each morning and simply say, “Alexa, open the living room shades.” Somfy TaHoma® integrates with multiple smart home systems to offer home automation that makes a busy mom’s (or anyone’s!) life a little bit easier. Somfy motorized shades and blinds can be controlled by remote, voice command, app controls, or scheduled scenes based on time or daylight. 

When you’re thinking long-term in your home upgrade or remodel, motorized shades should be on your design checklist. Work with one of our Somfy Expert dealers to create the perfect look and functionality for your home. Contact a Somfy dealer near you to start exploring your new motorized shades.