I hear you on the “dumb lock” thing. My house was built in 1912, and I’ve spent years restoring all the original hardware—mortise locks, skeleton keys, the works. There’s something satisfying about a solid brass key that’s older than my grandparents. No batteries, no firmware updates, just… click, open.
But I’ll admit, I caved and put a smart thermostat in last winter. It’s convenient, but it’s also the only thing in my house that’s ever needed a reboot. The old radiators have never once asked me to “reconnect to WiFi.” I get why people like smart stuff, but when my neighbor got locked out because his phone died and the keypad froze up, it made me wonder if we’re overcomplicating things for the sake of convenience.
I’m not totally against tech—I like being able to check if I left the lights on from my phone—but there’s a line where “smart” becomes “fragile.” A hidden backup key slot is just common sense. Even my old locks have a way to open them if you know the trick (and have a thin enough screwdriver). Maybe it’s nostalgia talking, but I trust a hunk of metal more than an app that needs an update every other week.
Funny thing is, half the time these “smart” upgrades end up looking out of place in an old house anyway. Nothing like a glowing blue touchscreen next to 100-year-old wainscoting… It’s like putting a spaceship dashboard in a Model T. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but I’ll take reliability over bells and whistles most days.
Nothing like a glowing blue touchscreen next to 100-year-old wainscoting… It’s like putting a spaceship dashboard in a Model T.
That visual made me laugh—I've seen clients do exactly that, and it always feels a little off. I get the appeal of smart tech, but I’ve had to talk people out of installing those massive digital locks on gorgeous antique doors. There’s a certain integrity to original hardware that you just can’t replicate with plastic and LEDs. I’m all for convenience, but when tech starts clashing with the soul of a space, it loses me. Sometimes, “old-fashioned” just works better, both functionally and aesthetically.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen some clever ways to hide smart tech—like tucking touch panels inside cabinets or using vintage-style switches that work with modern systems. It’s possible to blend old and new, just takes a little creativity.
Tucking panels away is a smart move. I get a bit skeptical about hiding everything though—sometimes it’s nice to see how things work, you know? But yeah,
—that’s such a cool blend. Old-school charm with new tech is my favorite combo. Makes the place feel less... sterile, somehow.“using vintage-style switches that work with modern systems”
Yeah, hiding everything can be a double-edged sword. I like a clean look, but sometimes I need to see what’s going on—especially when something inevitably stops working and I’m crawling around trying to find the right panel. Vintage switches are awesome though. I swapped out a bunch of those boring plastic ones for old bakelite toggles wired to smart relays. Now my living room feels like a 1940s spaceship, but with WiFi. Way better than that cold, all-glass-and-steel vibe.
