Corian Kitchen
Samantha from TyabbI'm just trying to do some research on kitchen materials, one of my friends told me about a product called corian, what can you tell me about it and do you have anyone who uses it in your ... continue reading
More Space for Growing Family
Melissa from Mt MarthaWe require a really cost effective solution for an extra room on our currrent family home. Due to the rise of interest rates and stamp duty we realise it is too expensive to sell our home and take a ... continue reading
Kitchen Face-lift
Gail From BalnarringWe have just moved into a fantastic 6 year old dream home in Balnarring. The kitchen is in good condition but we would like to upgrade it with todays colours and add our personal touch. Is there a ... continue reading
Building a Pergola
Amanda from TooradinI am looking at adding a pergola/entertainment area onto the back of my house. I know that there are two options with building materials including timber and steel, but am not sure which material is ... continue reading
!!! Winners !!!
posted 2 hours, 56 minutes agoAnd The Winners ... continue reading
Timber Floor Special
posted 1 week, 51 minutes agoDon't miss these specials on Timber flooring... Mountain Timber products are dropping prices on all the following untill 31st May 2010. ... continue reading
Timber Flooring Sensation - Sale Now On!
posted 1 month, 1 week, 3 days, 17 hours, 35 minutes agoHurry in to Perfect Timber Floors for these huge ... continue reading
CBA Mortgage Innovations Manager in Store
posted 2 months, 1 week, 5 days, 2 hours, 51 minutes agoRelax. I'll come to you... Home Loans at your convenience to Finance your ... continue reading
Non-Firable Asbestos Removal Course (Class B)
Tuesday 9:00 am, 23rd March 2010This WorkSafe recognised course is aimed at supervisors and others directly involved in the process of non-friable asbestos ... continue reading
Certficate III OHS - (Occupational Health & Safety)
Tuesday 8:30 am, 13th April 2010Participants are required to undertake a range of assessment activities. ... continue reading
Master Builders - Green Living
Wednesday 9:00 am, 14th April 2010An accredited category of Master Builders course for environmentally aware builders and building public to pursue sustainability options for their constructions. ... continue reading
Builder Registration Course - Cert IV in Building & Construction #2
Friday 9:00 am, 21st May 2010Recognised by the Building Practitioners Board as the qualification towards registration as a ... continue reading
Create a Lighting Plan
If you're building a new home or doing major renovation work, plan and cater for the lighting at the same time as the plumbing. Most of us have to work with fixtures that are already there, but with a little strategic thinking it's possible to get lighting that works for you.

Starting your plan
Begin by going round the house with a notepad and pen. In each room, ask yourself...
What do I use this space for?
Think about all its possible uses - your lounge might have to double up as a study, the children might need to do their homework or music practice in there, you might knit or sew or use part of the room as a studio.
Do you tend to eat in the kitchen or on your lap in front of the television ?What's on display in each room? Do you have a specific picture or plant you want to make a feature of?
Note it all down, because this will determine your accent lighting.
Who uses this room? A 60 year old uses 15 times more light for reading than a ten year old.
At what times of day will people be in this room? Where does the natural light come in?
Making your plan
Now take a piece of graph paper and draw a plan of your room to help you work out the best places to put your lighting. It's better if it's to scale but it doesn't have to be. Mark immoveable fixtures, such as fireplaces, alcoves, doors and windows.Next, mark with arrows which way people are likely to be facing - towards the television, for example, at a desk for working or towards the window if they like reading in a particular chair. Mark the existing sockets. In many houses there aren't enough, which can result in dangerously overloaded plugs. To determine your circuits, mark where the light switches should be. Work logically round the entry and exit points in your home - it's frustrating when you have to feel around in the dark for a switch that is either on the wrong side of the door or non-existent. Mark out where you'll place large pieces of furniture, such as sofas and beds. Think about practicalities such as how you're going to change the bulb. What if you live in a room with extra-high ceilings or in a loft-style apartment and the spotlights are 20ft high in the air?
Remember...
Although you're treating each room as an individual space, you should also take the overall feel of your home into account.
For example, it's dangerous to go straight from one brightly lit room into one that's completely dark. Use light to link rooms together. Beware of making your plan too complicated. You can use a single light for several purposes by angling the beam in different directions. Standard lamps and table lamps can be used for mood lighting or where a second storey prevents additional lighting being added. Take this lighting plan with you when you go shopping for fixtures and fittings.
Circuits
Do you want to turn all your lights on with a single switch or do you want to operate them individually? What about dimmers? Ideally you should fit several circuits in each room, each with a dimmer switch and no more than two lights, which are controlled from a wall-mounted panel. Try not to place more than three switches on a panel or you'll never remember what they're all for.
HIDC Exhibitor(s) who specialise in this area;
