Connected home

6 sources of inspiration for your build

Darcy — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:58:52 +1100

Planning your home designs or renovations should be a bit fearful and overwhelming. Even if you\'re entrusting a designer or an architect with most of the hard decisions, the concept\'s still down to what suits you best. If you\'re not chewing your nails to a bloody stump when you\'re considering what you want, it\'s possibly a sign that you need to dust off your brain and think much harder about the endless options you have in front of you. The world\'s full of spectacular ideas about to how we\'re able to live in our built spaces, what we can build, and how we can tweak and refine our ...

Like a giant Meccano set

wrenton — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:04:51 +1100

With the holiday break behind us the action on ‘The Block’ is picking up. Early January the scaffolding was put in place, then from that point on there didn’t appear to be much happening. However, we were assured there was plenty going on behind the scenes.

Can a price be too cheap?

matthew — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:06:41 +1100

We all love a bargain right? Group buying websites, department store sales, online shopping. We are being bombarded with discounts so much that if we pay full price we tend to feel ripped off.

Giving hefty discounts is fine if you have large markups. Sure profits take a hit, but if they are still making money the business can be sustainable.

Extreme DIY: Barry's backyard observatory

JonathanGreen — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:18:40 +1100

As a kid, Barry Armstead was a huge fan of Star Trek and Dr Who. He watched documentaries on space and dreamed of becoming an air force pilot so he could fly close to the outer rim. Instead, Barry joined the army, and on returning from active service in East Timor he decided to build an observatory. This was his very own Tardis – in the front yard of his house – that could transport him through time and space … if only through lenses. Astrophotography is the art of taking photographs of objects in space. Aficionados use telescopes, digital cameras and other sensitive equipment and ...

How to create the ultimate outdoor entertainment area

lior — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:39:12 +1100

In Australian culture, nothing compares to an evening outside with friends and family enjoying good food and drinks on a balmy summer’s night.

A state-of-the-art, outdoor entertainment area will add value to your home and also be the perfect venue for hosting family events. Imagine having the ability to control the amount of light and warmth in your outdoor area, you would be out there most nights. Well, with the use of innovative technology you can!

Lighting design: 5 lighting techniques for your home

sue@lalounge.com.au — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:09:48 +1100

With our electricity costs on the rise and facing the prospect of more frequent interruptions to supply, many people are looking for ways to reduce their home energy usage. Even though lighting generally contributes less to the total energy consumption of a building in comparison to say, heating and cooling, it does tend to get picked on in energy audits as it is one of the easier things in an existing dwelling to change.

PRODUCT NEWS: Frostdale nanogrid Z-Wave lighting controls

Darcy — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:42:13 +1100

Frostdale's award winning nanogrid Z-Wave lighting controls are now available in Australia and New Zealand.

Jetsons 2.0 - live rent-free in a smart home for a year

Darcy — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:39:13 +1100

Ausgrid today announced that the search is on for one lucky family to live rent-free in a swanky energy-efficient smart home in Newington, Sydney, for 12 months.

So you have at least 3 quotes, now what?

matthew — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:57:20 +1100

If you have carefully selected your tender list, then choosing your builder should be relatively easy. If you have read my previous blogs you would have already selected builders that can provide what you are looking for. So once you take this variable out of the equation it comes down to scope and dollars.

What you are trying to do here is get all of the builders to price exactly the same scope. Once this is done you can either just go with the cheapest price, or negotiate with your favourite.

Tech trends for the home in 2012

lior — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:29:18 +1100

One of the biggest trends to develop is the integration of cloud computing in the home and office. This technology has lead to a ‘virtual life’ where all movies, images, songs and personal information can be stored in the ‘cloud’ and accessed remotely. We have noticed an increase in homeowners wishing to incorporate this technology in their home, which will continue to grow in 2012. We’re already receiving a lot of interest at the moment from people wanting to save on utilities including electricity. People want to save on their energy bills and have become more mindful of ...

10 last-minute Xmas gifts for gadget lovers

Darcy — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:07:02 +1100

Less than a week left to finish your shopping! Here's a list of 10 connected home-inspired gadgets to stick under the tree.

The slab is in!

wrenton — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:46:14 +1100

It is hard to believe, looking at the concrete slab, how much work has gone into getting the project to this stage.

The initial setup was done, and once all the string lines were set out the lower corner of the floor seemed to be so elevated it was difficult to get everything in perspective. The fall of the block seemed to create an optical illusion. However, it was a case of wait and see as the preparations continued.

The ultimate underground garage

JonathanGreen — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:58:35 +1100

The quite extraordinary garage of Ralph Plarre could be described as many things. It is certainly somewhere to store the cars. All 10 of them. And there is space – and facilities – to work on them. But it also feels a little like a showroom. With the flexible space of an art gallery. But with great practicality. And with a personal touch that gives it warmth and promotes a genuine social environment. Oh ... I don’t know. Let’s just say it’s a lot of things.

Halogen globes: are they still sexy?

sue@lalounge.com.au — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +1100

By now most of us have had the experience of a household lighting scheme that comprises of a "swiss cheese ceiling" of low voltage downlights. I'm sure most would agree that the result is less than atmospheric. In addition to requiring a large dose of dimming down, this type of installation is highly inefficient and now since the recent changes to the BCA, possibly non-compliant.

5 technologies that will revolutionise our homes

Darcy — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:00:00 +1100

We all love new technology - and what a revolution it's caused in our homes over the last 15 or 20 years. I can imagine a few of you are looking around your living rooms and scratching your heads... it's hard to blame you if you haven't really noticed. Unless you've just built a shiny, elaborately wired wunderhaus the changes are likely to be subtle, and are probably things you've already completely taken for granted.

Progress at last!

wrenton — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:26:25 +1100

Who could believe that after signing the building contract, not a blade of grass had been disturbed in three months!!

We finally have some action shown in the photos. The clearing of the block has been completed, the cut has been done for the downstairs, and now the foundations have been poured.

Light up with automation

lior — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:27:37 +1100

Home automation, which incorporates sophisticated lighting control systems, gives home owners the power to tailor how they operate lighting in their home, which can be easily adapted to suit their lifestyle. Lighting is an integral component in all homes and when considering installing automation if refurbishing, building a new home, or simply wanting to upgrade it’s important to factor the needs and requirements of your household. Automation has changed the way we think about lighting. A light can now do much more than be switched ON/OFF or dimmed. In today’s smart homes, lighting can ...

Base Level Decisions

JonathanGreen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:00:50 +1100

Most men enjoy their garages. Many see it as a ‘Fortress of Solitude’ where a guy can store his tools and equipment – not to mention his prized possessions (mainly his cars!). And while most of us do use the garage to house our cars, the garage of today is also being used for a number of other purposes including an office, a retreat, entertainment area, workshop or a home gym.

No matter what you intend to use it for, one of the ways you can economically add real aesthetic value and functionality to your garage is to consider renovating the floor.

It's your ManSpace

JonathanGreen — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:37:04 +1100

There’s nothing particularly new about the concept of a ‘man’s space’.

Men throughout the world have been creating their own personalised rooms and areas for centuries. Mark Twain had a billiards room, Theodore Roosevelt had a trophy room – even Winston Churchill had a painting studio.

It was not sinister or exclusive, just a dedicated space for an individual – as he wanted it – where he could enjoy time alone or socialise with others. It’s pretty simple.

Keep your head above water

lior — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:27:46 +1100

Pressure is mounting on home owners to reduce the level of water they use every day. Home automation eases some of this pressure by providing residents with an easy way to take control of water usage – in addition to gas and electricity consumed. Water is a fundamental resource that is used throughout the main dwellings of the home; we use water in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and garden. Due to its many uses throughout the home it’s important to ask the question: How much of this precious resource are we sending down the drain?Home automation can significantly reduce your water use. ...

National Architecture Awards 2011 - Winners' gallery

Darcy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:38:30 +1100

The 2011 Australian National Architecture Awards winners were announced today, and as you'd expect they include some jaw-dropping houses from across Australia.

Obviously there's volumes to be said about the materials and designs that have been used for each of these ridiculously good looking homes, but pictures will always speak louder than words...

The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture - Houses

Out of Africa

sue@lalounge.com.au — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:32:45 +1100

As globalisation increases and we become exposed to new cultures, it makes sense that our design preferences change to include these outside influences. Lately, I have been coveting all flavours Moroccan. My husband has been cooking sweet and zesty Moroccan stews and I’ve been trawling the web, eyeing off vibrantly coloured Moroccan ottomans and lanterns. So it struck me as an odd coincidence recently when a number of clients came into the showroom on separate occasions describing the interior decoration of their new homes as ‘Moroccan inspired’. It turns out that one of the current ...

REVIEW: Swans T200B Professional Multimedia Monitor System

Darcy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:38:49 +1100

Read our review of the Swans T200B Professional Multimedia Monitor system - are these the audiophile's answer to good computer speakers?

REVIEW: Sonos Zoneplayer S5 multi-room system

Darcy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:36:04 +1100

We test drive the Sonos Zoneplayer S5 multi-room audio system, to find out how it stacks up against professionally wired multi-room options.

Sony Tablet launches in-store today

CF — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:55:36 +1100

Three months on from a show stopping reveal at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, Sony will deliver the much anticipated Sony Tablet ‘S’ into Australian stores today.

Down to the wire

lior — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:57:00 +1100

New innovations in technology for the home are emerging every day, from 3D TV that gives the viewer a whole new experience, to energy efficient light globes and sophisticated automation systems that alert owners when appliances have been left on or broken down. \'Future proofing’ is a way of ensuring the longevity and adaptability of your home in an age when there is new technology constantly emerging. Smart wiring is a good way to future proof your home.Investing in high-tech infrastructure is one of the best investments a home owner can make and it may also improve resale value of a home. ...

Is your investment in technology going to waste?

paul — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:23:04 +1100

Are Australians wasting their money? New reasearch from Netgear shows that over 18 million internet-enabled devices in Australia aren’t actually connected to the internet.

NSW building warranties - from 7 years down to 2?

Darcy — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:04:11 +1100

Some ominous legislation\'s being digested through the NSW parliament at the moment, and if you\'re planning on building a home in NSW it\'s something you really need to know about - because the changes it proposes are likely to cause a lot of people serious grief and heartache. The Home Building Amendment Act 2011 is ostensibly designed to tickle a bit of life into the construction industry, which has been languishing at record lows. Unfortunately, even if it does give the industry a bit of a boost, the biggest impact of this bill won\'t be felt at the industry end at all - it\'ll be felt by ...

A feast for the senses

sue@lalounge.com.au — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:38:51 +1100

When designing your living room, make sure you cater for all five of your senses. Do you know somebody who is always immaculately dressed? Perhaps you have a friend with the ‘gift of the gab’? Or maybe you know someone who could fall into the category of ‘touchy-feely’? Chances are you do. Well the traits described above are some of the outward indicators of an individual’s inner preference for information processing. It’s subconscious, we all naturally possess it and it all starts at the sensory level.Consider all of the senses when designing your living room. When it comes to ...

PRODUCT NEWS: Epson WirelessHD 3D projectors and iPad/iPhone dock projector

Darcy — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:35:06 +1100

Epson recently announced the launch of two new ranges of 3D 1080p home theatre projectors, featuring WirelessHD - and another projector with iPhone, iPad and iPod connectivity.

WIN double passes to Grand Designs Australia Live!

Darcy — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:20:41 +1100

NOTE: THIS PROMOTION IS NOW CLOSED! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE WHO RECEIVED TICKETS. WIN one of 10 double passes (valued at $57) to see Kevin McCloud, Peter Maddison and a huge range of cutting-edge building ideas at Grand Designs Australia Live at the Sydney Convention Centre, Oct 21-23. HOW TO ENTER All you have to do to enter is register for the BUILD newsletter on our sign-up page. Winners will be contacted by email on Monday, 17th October and the tickets will be mailed to them.

Keep burglars at bay

lior — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:00:56 +1000

Keeping your family safe and secure is of utmost importance, especially when the number of household burglaries is on the rise each year. It is only natural to consider the different security options available when there are threats to your personal space. Integrating home technology and security is a practical way to protect your premises. Recent statistics from the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) suggest that from mid 2009 to mid 2010, household burglary was the most prevalent crime in Australia with approximately 335,700 break-ins occurring in this period. To avoid being ...

Efficiency - the home automation way

lior — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:58:10 +1000

More and more Australians are putting their way of life under the microscope in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. Home automation is a simple solution for home owners to take control and monitor their usage of power, water and other resources on a day-to-day basis. When there are serious weather conditions, such as floods and cyclones, it makes most of us wonder about our impact on the environment and if we are causing the damage. According to a report released by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, Australia is one of the largest energy consuming countries in the world ...

Let ‘em at it

sue@lalounge.com.au — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:51:05 +1000

The more questions you ask, the more a system can be tailored to your needs. A qualified installer can help you navigate the installation process and debunk some of the myths out there, like how your kids can break your smart home. “My kids will break it!” is an objection I often hear when installing an automation system and it’s a personal favourite. For me it conjures up a mental image of two ten year olds running around a house with sledgehammers. Like a lot of people I, too, have a chaotic home with children so I understand the sentiment. However, it’s a concern that is unfounded ...

Design at the flick of a switch

sue@lalounge.com.au — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:50:06 +1000

When it comes to switches, most people believe they have a choice between white... and white. But they can actually be an important part of an interior design. Something that strikes you when you work in the design field is how vast the spectrum of design really is. Controls can be a big part of interior design. ‘Design’ is a word used to describe processes in highly technical fields as well as those of a more decorative nature and everything in between. Some even go as far as to say the words ‘designer’ and ‘design’ are overused terms. For some people the label ‘designer’ ...

The AVC Group signs with APG

Darcy — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:41:06 +1000

The AVC Group of Carlsbad, California has announced that Audio Products Group (APG) will take over responsibility for their brands Elan, Aton and Sunfire from 1 October 2011.

Quotes, and taking the razor to the plans

wrenton — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:31:32 +1000

The three builders quotes have come in and to our horror they are all more than 30% over our original budget. We will now get the razor out and look at where we can reduce the cost of the whole project. We met with each of the builders again and went through in detail all the areas where savings can be made without jeopardising the overall design. They resubmitted their quotations and we have chosen Jake - a local builder who is very keen to build our home. The next step is to complete the Project Building Specifications as required by the Master Builders Association. This is a 30 page ...

Auralex Acoustics introduces Digital Personalised Room Analysis Form

CF — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:54:09 +1000

Auralex Acoustics has launched the newest addition to its Free Personalised Room Analysis service, a Digital Personalised Room Analysis Form (Digital PRAF). The new form will allow for a more efficient customer experience.

The BUILD Placebook is alive!

Darcy — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:39:22 +1000

After many months of tweaking, polishing and refinement, we’re happy to say that we’ve finally unleashed our amazing new BUILD Placebook blogging platform. What does this mean for BUILD readers? Great question, glad you asked… What\'s in store We’ll have guest bloggers contributing from now on – people with years of expert practical experience, Australian industry insiders, colourful commentators, information on new products, events, competitions and giveaways, and stacks of hints, tips and advice on all aspects of building and renovating. You\'ll be able to leave your own ...

Jumping through hoops - permits and builders!

wrenton — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:53:39 +1000

Our planning permit was finally approved six months after being submitted to Council. The approved plans state that the works must be in line with the stamped plans, which note that the Manna Gum tree at the front of our property ( on Council land) is to be removed at our expense: The next step in our building project is to meet with our architects and proceed the advanced stage of the design development and working drawings. Further on from there we were presented with our interior design drawings which include all interior specifications including cabinetry, kitchen design ...

A Day Made Of Glass - by Corning

Darcy — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:14:29 +1000

A captivating video that looks into the many interesting roles that glass may play in future technology.

Cable management in everyday furniture

Darcy — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:02:19 +1000

Proper cable management can make a simple installation look impressive or a high-end system look cheap. Here is some furniture that brings a touch of class to your AV.

Panic room automation

Darcy — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:21:03 +1000

Where do you go when there’s nowhere else to go? To your very own panic room of course!

The horn speaker alternative

Darcy — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:20:40 +1000

That ‘smaller is better’ has been pushed to end-users for decades, but now a Sydney company is going large – very large.

Make your home a smart house

Darcy — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:08:44 +1000

Who installs smart homes?

Darcy — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:03:07 +1000