Tag: led lighting

Categories
Bathrooms Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

Budget bathroom renovation ideas: luxe look for less

Photo credit:

By Wesley Sinclair

The design of a new bathroom is important. Unlike your linen cupboard, if you skimp on this part of your new home, it’s something you, and guests, are going to notice. The right bathroom space with the right fixtures can add significant value to a new home. However, as a first homeowner conducting your first renovation, it can be difficult to find the extra dollars to transform a bathroom into a haven. But we believe you can get the bathroom you want at a price that won’t burn a hole in your wallet.

Bathroom trends throughout the years have morphed periodically, from the decadent, French heavy brass and gold fixtures throughout the 80s, to the New York loft stylings of subway tiles and polished concrete floors that made their way into many Australian homes a few years ago. Now, it’s spacious, freestanding tubs, matte black fixtures, concrete basins and smart lighting that dominate the market.

As a first home buyer, the ‘less-is-more’ mantra is something that’s not only budget friendly but on trend. Here are a few tips and tricks that will elevate the luxuriousness of your bathroom without breaking the bank:

With LED comes luxury: Don’t settle for halogen downlights in your new bathroom. By installing lighting around the mirror and around the vanity, you’ll be creating a warm glow in the right places. LED strips or bead lights will do the trick here or consider a set of Edison bulb pendant lights to complete the luxe lighting look you’re striving for. As an added bonus, LED lights are highly energy efficient, saving you hundreds of dollars over time.

Get around round mirrors: Don’t get us wrong, a stylish set of square mirrors aren’t a bad choice by any stretch of the imagination, however a round mirror conveys sophistication over moderness – this, and it will make your wall appear longer, adding space to the room.

Themed fixtures: Installing fixtures with a consistent theme is an inexpensive way to add a touch of luxe to your bathroom. Updating the tapware and drawer handles with something eye-catching like brass plating or matching matte black is an easy way to make your vanity pop and give it a fresh new look, especially if you can get your hands on a matching shower head or rail.

Accessorise and declutter: This is the perfect way to add your personal touch and give your bathroom character. For that five-star feel, why not turn your bathroom into an indoor oasis with some greenery, and place extra towels in a basket? Decluttering your vanity top and re-organising any visible storage space can also do wonders.

–Wesley Sinclair is Brand Specialist, Highgrove Bathrooms, providing customers with designer products at wholesale prices. With a huge range of bathroom supplies, accessories and fittings available across Australia, you’ll find everything you need for your renovation at one of their showrooms or warehouses. Alternatively, you can browse their range online. Highgrove Bathrooms are a proud supplier of Channel Seven’s House Rules.

Categories
Expert Tips Homewares Jen's reno RENO ADDICT

Why I’m using LED lighting in my new home

LED lighting used to be energy efficient but well, kinda ugly! The good news is that these days, by choosing LED, you can save energy and money, have your pick of beautiful light fittings and a nice, dimmable light which isn’t blue-tinged or harsh like a hospital! Winning!

I first learned what money-suckers those halogen downlights can be in our old apartment, where we had them in every room. OMG. When we swapped them for the newer style LED downlights, our power bills decreased dramatically. I’m someone who likes light and to have lights on if it’s anything less than full sunlight in the day, much to my husband’s annoyance!

When we moved into this house (with more rooms and therefore more lights!), we were faced with a lot of dated glass pendants (an old lady had lived here for 30 years before us) and, unlike many people, I didn’t want to immediately start again with downlights. I love pendants and they can be really nice design features, like jewellery for your room in a way. It was also a lot cheaper to replace pendants with pendants than have downlights put in. I still wanted good-looking LED light fittings though. These days, that’s not an issue.

I chose some gorgeous gold chandelier-style lights from Beacon Lighting (they’re now sold out in gold, but these are very similar) for our foyer, living room and play room. They’re so elegant and just the right mix of classic and modern.

They take nine globes each (27 in total!) so it was important they were energy efficient! We chose the heritage LED globes in warm white which are pricey at almost $30 each, but come with a three-year warranty (I’d suspect they’ll last a lot longer than that). It took a couple of attempts to get the right brightness after trying the first batch in our home and finding they were way too bright (these globes aren’t dimmable, but some similar ones are), but we are now delighted with them. Everyone comments on the lights as soon as they come in! The globes don’t look anything like what you’d imagine as energy efficient. And they really had to be as good-looking as the chandeliers or it wouldn’t work!

An LED heritage globe. Not ugly at all!

In our bedrooms, we went for something more neutral with less globes! These rattan shades from Josh & Jenna’s range for Beacon were my way of sneaking some rattan (which I love and my husband hates!) into the house.

I love the texture they provide, and they take two globes each, so it’s a nice diffused light. These come in three different diameters and two different colours. I went for this natural one, but there’s a darker tan too (there’s also matching floor and table lamps too if that’s your thing!).

I’m getting some professional shots of my reno progress so far very soon, so look forward to sharing some of the lights in situ with you all.

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode; a semiconductor device that converts electricity into light. Super energy efficient and long lasting, LEDs use approximately 85% less energy than halogen or incandescent lighting, which means significant savings on your power bills. The estimated lifespan of LED lighting (depending on the globe) is 15,000 to 50,000 hours. That’s compared to 1,000 to 5,000 for halogen.

If you’re not sure where to start, need advice on how many lights you need and how bright for example, Beacon Lighting can give you personalised help via their online chat facility, by emailing them or by calling 03 8561 1599.

Categories
Kitchens Renting

10 DIY updates for your rental kitchen

By Kay Harrison

Rental kitchens are not known for their idyllic makeup. From dim lighting to a lack of storage options, they can be a source of everyday dissatisfaction. However, with a little kitchen-whispering, you can coax more usability from your space. Here are 10 quick and easy tips, ranging from storage to aesthetic, to set you on your way.

Ugly cabinetry? 

1. Line your shelves

SZ_lcnfZbGtypakk8VFzEhuPWtDUMiaJcyCdG4pLYRg
Photo credit: Jessica McIntyre Interiors

This is a sleek and simple solution to dingy cabinets. It keeps them neat and chic without tempting the wrath of your landlord. Select from a range of wallpapers and adhesive coverings. This injects pops of colour and personality into your space – understated or brazen according to your taste.

2. Change up your cabinet handles

ART91ymCj5AV0oY5wf5JILPQ_6vr-ena3l69iTnRdac
Photo credit: House to Home

Go shopping for new hardware for your cabinet doors. It’s amazing what a difference this can make to the overall look of your kitchen. And there are plenty of cheerful-on-the-wallet options available.

3. Remove your cabinet doors altogether

NOA4mt_ru2KVRuAwGChQkq_SZtKrYQGhRfFXqNI3wLw
Photo credit: Jenny Steffens

So you can’t stand the sight of those bland pine panels or (worse) that wood veneer? Get handy with your screwdriver and remove them for a fresh open-cubby look. Don’t throw them away! You’ll need to attach them again before you leave but in the meantime clean-lined kitchen shelving is uber-chic. Make-good the edging/cover the holes with wallpaper or adhesive covers.

Starved of storage?

4. Wire shelf inserts

Inserts are a great way for increasing the space available. Hook them under your shelves, over your doors or stand them over your plates to maximise the useable space.

5. Magnets

Consider a magnetic knife board to free up your counter space.

6. Hooks

ym137nA23W6Z9cRDi2pRQnee6v533o_G2wYJVmMn70Q
Photo credit: Fortikur

Add hooks to the insides of or beneath your cabinets. Ideal for teacups and mugs.

7. Think vertically

PFAYcyoldipOE6mwS8WZhOHSbfic26YqPByW81Z6K20
Photo credit: A Gentlewoman

Install a series of hooks on your ceiling or walls to utilise this hanging space. This is a visually impacting way to display your pots and pans for a rustic aesthetic.

Too dim? 

8. Increase the wattage

A wattage of 80-to-100w is recommended for the kitchen.

9. Add swing-arm task lights

L9eaccSE1uMMzYvsdVH80yMRrpOUGqpkUlKpaSwxCXk
Photo credit: Dan The Sparky Man

Add designated task lights above your counters. A couple of swing-arm lamps add vintage accents and increase your functionality ten-fold. You don’t need to hardwire these in necessarily – just ensure some care is taken to secure the cords out of the way.

10. Install LED ribbon lighting under your cabinetry

If you’re a little handy with a drill, LED downlights are to-die-for. I love mine. But I didn’t install them. I’m smart enough to realise that DIY with electricals is not for me. If you’re the same, outsource the install or opt instead for stick-on battery-operated lights – you can buy them in most supermarkets.

La-voila! There you have it. Not too taxing on the grey matter I hope. Happy renting!

— Kay Harrison is a feature, blog and copywriter. She has work published in ACP magazines, ABC fiction, Overland, Seizure, trade publications and online forums and her creative writing has won several awards. Kay wrote this piece for Zanui.

Categories
Designers Expert Tips Furniture

Lighting tips from Ikea Australia’s head of interior design

By Tiffany Buckins

One area within home furnishing that people often struggle with is lighting. Most people will only use general lighting to light their bedrooms and bathrooms, which can lead to these rooms lacking ambience and functionality.

Zg31pe-mYj2KrSq31_FwuZkoruBFI2_d16emdx5TE48,hPDchKomWZ2EobmBNMiEEaTwkIYIMVx4gYgg8GZ5A7o,CtKtn_UBnGmOxZpnhyHYs3qKz9qaHk51giVoVne-Xi0

So to ensure you create a beautiful, balanced room, make sure you have the correct lighting. It is important to remember there are three types of lighting functions: general, task and mood.

Follow my top tips for successful lighting:

  • Think of each activity you do, step back and evaluate the lighting levels. Can you really see well enough to perform that task? Adding extra light sources can really improve how you feel and interact within your space.
  • General lighting is just that; typically these lights have a wider pool of light and create an overall good lighting level. These are generally down lights or ceiling lights.
  • Task lighting is a concentrated light source that helps you see better when performing a specific task. Think adjustable floor lamps for reading, integrated wardrobe lighting to help you find the right shoes and vanity lighting to ensure your makeup is just right.Ldlfymdgx8Rx64wc1WcXdcBAcy680p9TQActuhKHcw0,puAnNP80uzObWpwnvsZ2ZXrf0adKKuD0x8KSoaoaPrI,wgE2BppUorcNTg6ZMxI8Bwdurf7PQgEwZfqc8cyiFR4,NUOkQIqSbZtqYv9smvaxpJXIfEjHlArgIyW-t-7wR2s,ZwgXLnqsljZZpTbn70V7ua81au7O_9fFeE3C4Jzc73w
  • Mood lighting creates ambience; it doesn’t serve a functional purpose but it makes a space feel more harmonious.
  • Cable management is a big frustration in people’s homes. Using a cable management box is a great way to keep the cords and wires hidden and allows you to still charge your phone or iPad.
  • Make the switch to LED: LED is the biggest thing in light since electric light was invented. It shines for over 20 years, can be built into lamps for new designs, and uses a sliver of the energy of incandescent bulbs. LED lights are the sustainable choice, and the smart, functional choice.

— Tiffany Buckins is the head of interior design at IKEA Australia

Categories
Bathrooms Kitchens

Benchtops made from semi-precious stones? So wrong it might just be right!

Now, this is one benchtop surface that’s going to divide opinion: the new Concetto from Caesarstone. First I loved it, then I hated it, then hang on, I really quite like the look of that! Hmmm…

Caesarstone_Concetto_ bathroom in 8141 White Quartz

Screen Shot 2015-01-20 at 4.46.24 PM

Concetto is a collection of extraordinary surfaces handmade from individually cut and bound semi-precious stones and it certainly makes a statement.

[contextly_sidebar id=”B7pcF8crNTAM9hFTmPR9WR2e3jGVGETV”]“It is amazing to consider that the semi-precious stones used to make Concetto are sourced from all corners of the Earth and up to 150 million years in the making. It is somewhat akin to owning a special piece of art,” said Andrew Dixon, general manager marketing for Caesarstone Australia.

“We are seeing Concetto used in very unique interiors, often as highlight elements in very contemporary, sometimes minimal ways. The development of new LED lighting technologies, often remotely controlled, is seeing the fusion of different back lighting effects being used with the six surfaces in the collection which can be backlit”

All Caesarstone showrooms can demonstrate Concetto backlighting examples by appointment.

Ideal for a wide variety of applications such as kitchen benchtops, splashbacks, bathroom surfaces, furniture pieces and feature walls, Concetto carries the same superior properties as all Caesarstone surfaces.

I’d love to know what you think?