The “Zen Master Bath” episode (season 1, episode 6) of DIY Network’s “I Hate My Bath” featured our FLP-110 flip-down lift. Host Jeff Devlin helped a couple, Matt and Vickey, remodel the disaster of a bathroom that their house came with, into a modern, Asian-inspired luxury bathroom – just in time for the baby they were expecting.

Click here to see the show’s website and learn more…

Late last month [November 2009], Royal Caribbean opened bookings for their new cruise ship, the OASIS of the SEAS. This cruise liner (16 decks, 1,184 feet) is now the world’s largest passenger vessel, even featuring it’s own full-size shopping mall and central park.

OASIS of the SEAS features 28 ultra-modern loft suites and 2,700 spacious staterooms. LIFT IT was contracted to provide flip-down lifts for all 28 of the loft suites, pictured here:

There’s also a really nice YouTube video made about this
(we’re about 4 minutes in, if you’re interested)…

To give you an idea of the scale of this ship,
here’s a picture of it coming into harbor…

And for more of a close up view…

You can learn more on Royal Caribbean’s website and view more videos and pictures at their OASIS of the SEAS showcase site.

We advise taking a look at the showcase site especially – there’s so many amazing features aboard this ship, you’ll probably be surprised at least once.

Today we’ve got a new video for you of our flip-down style lifts. The video’s of an FLP-210 in action, hiding the lift in the ceiling of an RV.

This video come to us from our local dealer in Spokane, WA

Companies like Crestron®, Control4®, AMX®, etc… These guys have the ability to automate audio, video, home theater, lighting, climate control, window shades, security systems… it shouldn’t come as a surprise then, that TV lifts can be controlled this way too. They use a remote or touch screen (or both) to accomplish this.

Sparking any ideas? Because really, you could do a lot with this. Walk into the room, press a button, TV appears and turns on automatically. Press another button, the shades go down. Another button, the lights dim. Thirsty? Another press of a button and a mini-bar lifts up for you, you can probably even child lock it to keep the children out. Just signed a big contract or won a lot of money and need to keep it safe? Press a button and your safe comes out. And that’s just a living room. What about a kitchen? A bedroom? By the pool?

Think about it.

(note: the images in this post are quoted from Crestron’s, Control4′s, and AMX’s websites and are used as examples of what companies like these can do)

There are basically two sorts of ways that you can choose to install one of these lifts, and each way has it’s own benefits. Here we’ll tell you a little about each of these options and help you choose which method is right for you.

Option #1: Recessed Installations
A recessed installation is where the lift is built into the ceiling itself so that when the lift is closed, it appears as pretty much just another part of the ceiling. It can appear as unobtrusive as just a seam or line around the lift.

All of our flip-down lift are only 4.5″ deep, and with a TV, at most that will only increase to a maximum of 6″.

The benefit of this is mainly a savings in headroom in places like RVs, boats, or yachts where headroom can be at a premium. Also, some customers prefer the minimal effect this type of installation has on their decor.

Here’s an example of a recess style installation in an RV:

Option #2: Built-Down Installations
A built-down installation is where you build a box or a frame of molding on the ceiling around the lift. You can match the look of the room and even the style of molding to maximize the aesthetics of the room.

As we’ve said, all of our flip-down lift are only 4.5″ deep, and with a TV, at most that will only increase to a maximum of 6″. So the box or frame doesn’t need to be all that noticeable.

The main benefits of this option are that you won’t have to cut into your ceiling so it’s less of a worry in that regard, and then of course you’ll get the added distance down from the ceiling which may give you a better viewing angle.

Here are a couple examples of built-down style installations:

Take a look at our line of flip-down lifts, and choose the one that’s right for you:
FLP-310 – for 42″-55″ LCD or plasma TVs
FLP-210 – for 32″-42″ LCD or plasma TVs
FLP-110 – for 15″-32″ LCD or plasma TVs

If you need help making your selection, call our sales team at 1-877-543-8698 (toll free)

As you might have noticed, we’ve added a new feature to our website, one we think will have a lot of value to offer! DealerLink™ is designed to put you in touch with an authorized Lift It™ dealer in your area, from whom you can not only purchase any of our lifts, but take advantage of all the added benefits these local professionals have to offer. The benefits will vary form dealer to dealer of course. Some will specialize in custom home or future design or installation, others might sell RVs, boats, or yachts, still others might be a straight forward A/V outlet. Many of them though will have on-site sales staff that can show you the lifts up close and help you decide on the best lift installation solution to fit your needs.

As this post is being written, there’s only a relative few dealers signed on in comparison to the width and breadth of the United States. There’s a good chance we won’t have one in your area quite yet. In that case, you can always order from us direct until we’ve signed up a dealer in your neck of the woods. We’re already in the process of filling this map in though, as well as bringing in a few more dealers from elsewhere in the world.

When you click on DealerLink™, you’ll be taken to our interactive map. All you’ll have to do from there is choose your state and click to see if we’re linked in to your area.

Take a look for yourself, today! [DealerLink™]

If you’re a dealer reading this and would like to sign up, [go here].

In the July 2009 issue of Residential Systems Magazine, Lift It, in and among other lift companies was featured and profiled. It’s a great article, and we’d love for you to take a glance at it. You can read it online at their website, or buy the printed version when it arrives on the stands. You can read an excerpt of the article here…

In the Seattle area, where so many companies trace their genetic roots to Microsoft, loosely or otherwise, Port Orchard, Washington’s Lift It Inc. is no exception.

“My brother, Brett Branham, worked for Paul Allen’s company, Mediatel, doing very high-end AV, and Brett mentioned that lifts were a nightmare, and that his industry needed a better one,” said Lift It president, Tony Branham. “Brett and I worked on many versions of lifts for about a year, and then Brett worked for Lift It and attended trade shows until he married and left the company.”

Lift It, he said, went into production in 2004 with a mission to design a full line of lifts for all hidden TV applications. “In 2008 we started to redesign our line to better handle all TV models with fewer lift models. We offer two ascending lift models that can handle 99 percent of the available TVs. Three of our models mount into the ceiling.”

Lift It’s market includes the custom AV store or dealership as well as some retail locations… [read the rest of the article here]

For the smallest monitors, or especially for use in a kitchen, bathroom, or other smaller space, use the FLP-110. Standard size TVs and those of the mid-range size will want to use the FLP-210, and the largest screens will use the FLP-310. See the chart below for exact specifications:

FLP-110: (A) is less than 19 1/2″ (49.53 cm.) and (B) less than 28″ (71.12 cm.)
FLP-210: (A) is less than 28″ (71.12 cm.) and (B) less than 47″ (119.38 cm.)
FLP-310: (A) is less than 35 1/2” (90.17 cm.) and (B) less than 55” (139.7 cm.)
TIP: When measuring your TV, make sure to account for TV speakers (side, top, or bottom)

Still not sure which Lift is perfect for your install? Give us a call! We are always happy to help

At LIFT IT™, we build our products to last.
And to back it up, you get a 5 yr. warranty that covers you
should your lift not work as it was designed to.

 This new warranty is in effect for our complete line of flip-down lifts.
FLP-110, FLP-210, and FLP-310

Lift It™ announces it’s new partnership with HES. HES members will now enjoy a group discount on our products, as well as have access to a custom built member area, full of information and resources to assist them.