Australian Home lighting regulations – Building Code of Australia (BCA) J6 compliance

All new Australian homes and renovations that require a planning permit must comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) code – and specifically with regard to lighting, the J6 section. Regulating maximum energy usage, the NCC BCA J6 (developed by the ABCB) means that all residences where a Building Permit has been issued must comply with the 5W/M2 requirement.

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Understanding the Science of Light makes it possible to create beautiful HOME LIGHTING

Understanding the science of light makes it possible to create beautiful spaces quickly, effectively and inexpensively using the right lights in the right places.  The FUNdamentals covered here are the spring board for all lighting decisions, ensuring sustainability and quality are the key elements in creating great light at home.

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Lighting Effects made EASY

We've uncovered five easy ways to describe how light behaves in a room.  These five effect descriptions can be applied to any light fitting, and they form the core of the language we use to describe how light should behave in a room to craft the "right light"

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Bedroom lighting to create a sanctuary and relaxing space at home

A 12sqm (that’s 3Mx4M) room does not need a lot of light – it is not a particularly big space. You need light at the wardrobe (built in light is LOVELY, and highly practical, but not always in the budget) so often, when we’re keeping budget in mind a well placed low glare downlight at the front of the robe is all you’ll need. Beyond that a bedside lamp or reading light is going to give you the layers of light you need – and add an app controlled light globe to the equation, and you’ve got amazing scope for changing the mood in your bedroom.

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How and Where to Hang your Pendant Lighting at Home

So many images and TV shows show decorative lighting hanging right up close to the ceiling.  At MINT, we say NO to that.  Think of decorative lighting as jewellery for your home.  You should love it - you'll be looking at it every day.  Pendant lighting (and all other decorative lighting for that matter) should make you smile, bring the sparkle to your home and be the perfect accessory for your interior decoration and design.

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Lighting a Modern Fireplace in your Home

The questions when lighting a "living breathing" feature like a fire, are - do we light the fire surround? Add decorative features above the fire? create drama with texture? or allow the fire to take centre stage and hide all of the general lighting in the room away into the architecture?

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How early should you organise and order LIGHT fittings for a home installation?

Organising the supply chain for any kind of build can be a complex and mystifying process, especially if you are managing it yourself. Leaving purchasing of lighting or any other item to the last minute can have massive impacts on your on-site progress, often resulting in cost blow-outs as trades overlap and missing elements prevent final completion.

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Modern Minimalism in Middle Park

This Middle Park period home has had a sleek expansive modern extension out the back…..it’s a family home that provides wide open spaces for everyone to come together and the clients didn’t want the lighting to detract from the architectural features – it was all about creating *invisible* light

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Letting light out of the cupboard

Building light into joinery can also create a levitating effect, and really lift the feel of a room.  Especially rooms with limited natural light.  A smaller room can be visually expanded by having light hidden away into joinery and behind mirrors.  A large room can actually be lit effectively by hiding light into the architecture and using the room as a luminaire.  Completely hidden source, but brilliant bright room.  Clever stuff indeed.

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Lighting Timber Ceilings

The most obvious solution to lighting a timber ceiling is to use uplight - you've invested time, money and passion into that design - show it off!! The warm light, and ambient brightness will improve your mood at home, and creates a dramatic effect.

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Understanding Layered Light

Perhaps you’ve heard the term ‘Layered Lighting’??  Maybe it made you think of Wedding Cakes, or Winter clothing, but with light? Confusing for sure, how on earth do you “layer” light??.  
Before we explain, let’s just suggest, that a perfectly lit room should have the 3 basic layers to make for beautiful, functional and sustainable lighting in your home.

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