FEATURED Cover Story // Tamara Day’s Family Matters
sneak out and all the good stuff that teenagers
do. I’m sure that they will eventually, but if we
can beat them to the punch with security
measures, that’s the goal.
Our security system in my office and
warehouse is all automated from my phone. My
thermostats, too. It feels like such an expense,
but at the end of the day, it’s such a cost saver
because I’m going to be able to remotely manage
50 Residential Tech Today | July/August 2019
the thermostat, which is going to save me
money over the course of a year significantly.
RT Today: Is there any smart home tech you
find to be a little superfluous?
TD: There are a lot of things that are certainly
not a need. It’s definitely a want. Things like
turning on your fireplace with your iPad. It
sounds pretty cool, but … can’t you just flip the
switch on the wall? It’s a few steps.
Stuff like that. If money is no object, then
those are awesome things to be able to do. But at
the same time I’m always budget conscious, so
it’s gotta make financial sense for me to want to
do it.
RT Today: Do you consult with different
integrators in your projects?
TD: Yeah. I had talked with a lot of different
companies and of course, just like any kind of
subcontractor that we might use, I have my
favorites and tend to go back to them,
depending on what that feature is. For the most
part, I like to stick with the guys that I know and
I know do a good job.
RT Today: What does that process generally
entail?
TD: It depends on who the client is and what
the project is. Things that we do a lot of are
televisions and installing those so that they look
seamless in the décor. We just had one installed
in a home over a fireplace where there was not
previously a television. Framing it, putting it in
… It’s a pretty easy sell to a brand new client
when you take them in and you can show them
you can have this big, black, shiny box on your
mantle, or you can have this beautiful, mattefinished,
framed piece of artwork when it’s
turned off. It’s such a beautiful addition to the
space instead of taking away from all the
designing you’ve done.
RT Today: How has working with your dad
on Bargain Mansions helped you come up
with new renovation ideas?
TD: There are no “new” ideas. Everything
new is an old philosophy. A lot of times it’s new
to me, but it’s something he’s already done.
Having him there to help guide and direct things
is really helpful because he may have had
experience with something that I’ve never seen
before or dealt with before. Having his wisdom
is always helpful.
RT Today: Your chemistry with your father
is one of the highlights of the show. Is that
how you two naturally interact?
TD: Yes, it is. He’s pretty funny. He’s easy to
love. Dad is a riot; he says it like he thinks it.
RT Today: Throughout your career,
between Bargain Mansions and private
clients, what’s your favorite project you’ve
worked on?
Photos: Nate Sheets Photography LLC
One of Day’s favorite aspects
of hosting Bargain Mansions?
Inspiring the next generation
of female home renovators.