Retto Interiors Smart Home Showroom

For some years, Ketan Patel, Director and Founder of KBB Custom Interiors, had long envisioned opening a showroom to demonstrate the high-end products, including home cinemas, TVs, audio systems, lighting control and home automation tools, offered through his well-established construction business. That ambition is now a reality, after a series of fortuitous events and a good amount of hard work, with the launch of the impressive new Retto Interiors showroom in Rochester, Kent.

The Vision

Situated above a local builders’ merchant, the space was originally used for storage. Today, it’s been completely transformed into a stylish, multi-functional showroom, showcasing the very best in luxury interiors, bespoke kitchens, and integrated smart home technology. “Now was the right time to open this showroom,” says Ketan. “The space allows us to showcase everything internally that we can now offer alongside the construction business I’ve been running for years. Basically, we do very high-end kitchens and all other interiors as well. It’s a one-stop shop.”

From Blank Canvas to a Dream Showroom

It took just under a year from securing the space to completing the build – an extraordinary timeline that Ketan credits to strong partnerships with trusted kitchen, bathroom, and AV suppliers, including AWE. “The builders’ merchant used it for storage, so we cleared it out, built walls and created this space. It was a blank canvas,” he recalls.

Having worked with AWE for over a decade, Ketan was quick to call on them again for this project, opting for a wide range of AWE-distributed solutions, including a dedicated cinema room, TVs, speakers, and a full home automation system, all designed to demonstrate how technology can enhance every room of the home and support the showroom’s vision. The goal was clear: to create an inspiring environment where customers can experience the benefits of home technology first-hand.

The Home Cinema Experience

One of the highlights of the showroom is the dedicated six-seater cinema room – designed to fully immerse visitors in a luxury home cinema experience. At the heart of the system is the Sony VPL-XW6100 native 4K projector, delivering exceptional image clarity to a 2630mm ADEO Acoustic Screen. The visuals are backed by a powerful 7.2.2 surround sound system solution using Bowers & Wilkins. This includes three CT7.4 LCR speakers, four CWM7.5 S2 in-wall speakers, two CCM7.5 S2 in-ceiling speakers, and two CTSW12 in-wall subwoofers, powered by a pair of CDA-2HD DSP amplifiers. A Marantz Cinema 30 AVR ties the system together, while six fabric cinema chairs from Front Row Seating ensure the experience is as comfortable as it is impressive.

Retto Interiors projector — *(L to R) Sony VPL-XW6100 projector, wide view of the cinema room, and the Marantz Cinema 30 AVR powering the system.*

Retto Interiors cinema — *(L to R) Sony VPL-XW6100 projector, wide view of the cinema room, and the Marantz Cinema 30 AVR powering the system.*

This room has quickly become a favourite with clients visiting with family. Ketan and the team actively encourage customers to bring their children along, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. While parents sit down to discuss layouts, design, and smart home options, younger visitors often settle into the cinema room to enjoy a film. “It actually helps open up the conversation,” Ketan notes. “Once they see how much the kids love it, the cinema often becomes something they want to include in their own home too.”

Smart Integration Throughout

Beyond the cinema, the team also created a mini meeting room designed to showcase a 5.1 media room setup. Here, a 65” Sony Pro BRAVIA anti-glare screen is paired with Bowers & Wilkins speakers and a Marantz Cinema 60 amplifier, giving visitors an idea of what’s achievable.

*(L to R) Bowers & Wilkins floorstanding speakers in the kitchen design studio, and Sony display screens positioned throughout the showroom.*

In addition, large Sony TV screens ranging from 65” to 75” are positioned throughout the showroom to display their inspiring completed project portfolio, alongside German kitchen profiles such as Nolte and other luxury interior brands. “The TVs have all been fitted in a nice way so customers can see how it would look in their space,” Ketan explains. “We’ve done some decorative panelling behind one of the TVs so we’re showing off what we can do pretty much around the whole showroom. There’s a bit of AWE everywhere.”

In the kitchen design studio, two Bowers & Wilkins floor standing speakers provide a high-quality soundtrack to the showroom experience. “These are always on so customers can hear the music as they’re picking their kitchen doors,” says Ketan. “And I think it works because customers start thinking ‘oh, I’m not just here buying the kitchen. Actually, we need speakers, and a TV. That TV in our kitchen area will be stunning.’”

Also installed and on demo is the latest generation invisible speaker solution, Stealth Acoustics LineaRadiance (LRAD) models, which blends seamlessly into the interior architecture. As well as permanently installed speakers, the showroom also features temporary showcase pieces, including the statement Marantz Horizon.

*(L to R) Beautiful Marantz Horizon Speaker on display, demo units of Stealth Acoustics invisible speakers, and the URC wall-mounted touchscreen.*

“We’ve got full home automation here as well, which is also provided by AWE,” shares Ketan. The showroom is powered by a URC control system, featuring a wall-mounted touchscreen, desktop interface, and two handheld remotes. Multiroom audio and video distribution is also integrated, showing just how easily smart home living can be controlled with a single touch. “We’re showing them everything rather than leaving things as an afterthought,” Ketan adds. “I think we’ve tied it in quite nicely – and it definitely works.”

Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead

Despite its generous size, the team quickly realised the showroom space would fill up fast. “Our biggest challenge was the space,” Ketan admits. “Even though we have got a large area, we could have done with double, because I would have loved to have created a much larger cinema and put in more kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms.” Nonetheless, the finished result is something the team is incredibly proud of.

Kit List:

Cinema room

Sony VPL-XW6100 BRAVIA 8 Projector

ADEO Acoustic Projection Screen (2630mm wide)

Marantz Cinema 30 AV Receiver

Bowers & Wilkins CDA-2HD DSP Amplifiers x2

Bowers & Wilkins CT7.4 2-Way Speakers x3

Bowers & Wilkins CTSW12 12” In-Wall Subwoofers x2

Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.5S2 In-Wall Speakers x4

Bowers & Wilkins CCM7.5 S2 In-Ceiling Speakers x2

FRONT ROW Seating (fabric cinema chairs) x6

Boardroom