Hydronic Heating
Carley from BalnarringWe are in the process of building a new home and would like it to be as environmentally friendly and efficient as possible. We have heard about Hydronic Heating but do not know anything about it, ... continue reading
Heating Alternatives
Brad from Mt ElizaOur home is quite cold and damp so we are looking at heating options. We know a little bit about Gas fires and we have heard about pellet fires, can you tell us more and do you have companies that ... continue reading
Solar Power
Renae from BitternWe are building a new home and want it to be as environmentally friendly as possible. We are looking at having Solar Power, can you help ... continue reading
Patio Roofing
Cherie from FrankstonWe are currently building an outdoor patio and require some green colorbond to cover area 5 metres wide by 2.6 metres long. How many sheets of colorbond will we require and what color greens are ... continue reading
You’re Invited to Zesta’s Showroom
posted 1 month, 4 days, 3 hours, 38 minutes agoCome and visit Zesta in Cheltenham and see the largest dedicated Kitchen & Appliance Showroom in Melbourne's South ... continue reading
Blissful Bathrooms Winter Sale!
posted 2 months, 3 weeks, 19 hours, 41 minutes agoRenovate your bathroom with BLISSFUL BATHROOMS this Winter and receive FREE under floor heating! ... continue reading
Stone Benchtop Sale!
posted 3 months, 1 week, 9 hours, 2 minutes agoHappy 10th Birthday to Granite Transformations. Celebrations are on by giving you discounted stone benchtops. Don't miss out on this Birthday Special. ... continue reading
HIA Home Show | Wed 7 - Sun 11 April 2010 FREE tickets available
posted 3 months, 3 weeks, 1 day, 11 hours, 21 minutes agoCome & get your FREE Home Show tickets from Home Innovations. Hurry in as they are flying out the ... continue reading
Chisholm Marketing Workshops
Wednesday 6:00 pm, 4th August 2010Chisholm and Home Innovations, Mornington, invite you to a range of marketing seminars to help you identify opportunities, be innovative and grow your ... continue reading
MBA Builder Registration Course - Cert IV in Building & Construction #3 (Day Course)
Friday 9:00 am, 13th August 2010Recognised by the Building Practitioners Board as the qualification towards registration as a ... continue reading
MBA Builder Registration Course - Cert IV in Building & Construction #4 (Night Course)
Friday 5:00 pm, 13th August 2010Recognised by the Building Practitioners Board as the qualification towards registration as a ... continue reading
Introduction to Interior Design | Part 1
Wednesday 10:00 am, 18th August 2010This is an introduction course to help develop your own personal style so you can move forward with ... continue reading
Lighting Tips
Before designing a room, you need to consider two types of lighting: natural and electric. Make the right choice and you can turn a dull, soulless room into a vibrant space.

Natural Light
To maximise natural light:
Let light come through windows without interruption. Remove secondary glazing, which absorbs light, and objects from window sills. Replace heavy curtains with blinds or muslin drapes. Mirrors amplify light. Place a large mirror opposite the window to reflect light around the room. Choose light and bright paint colours. White, off whites & pastel tones will make a room look larger whereas red, orange, brown and black absorb light and make a room look smaller and darker. As a rule of thumb, the lighter the paint - the closer to white - the more reflective it is. Remember that cool colours work best in north facing rooms whereas warmer tones help to brighten up the cooler, darker side of the home. Your choice of flooring will affect how light a room is. Carpets are soft, absorbent and hold the light whereas floorboards with a high-gloss finish reflect light around the room. Keep small, dark rooms bright and fresh, with as little pattern as possible. This will make the space look larger and lighter.
Electric light
You can never light a room as efficiently as the sun so think of electric light as atmospheric background - it can create a cosy environment or a really dramatic one.
Choose something more versatile than a single bulb hanging from the centre of the ceiling. Use multi or directional lights on a track, which can be used to highlight your favourite painting or mirror. Layer the lighting throughout the room so you have the right kind of lighting for your different needs, such as ceiling lights, table lamps and uplighters. Put a floor socket in the middle of the room, so you don't have trailing leads across the floor. Highlight architectural features, such as ceiling coving, with uplighters. Each lighting type should be controlled separately to provide a variety or effects and combinations.
HIDC Exhibitor(s) who specialise in this area;
