Retrotouch, the lighting solution company, is launching a new range of glass-plate remote-control light switches - in gold, black and white - that bring sophisticated but affordable home automation to any type of property.

The stunning new Retrotouch RTS 2040 Touch and Remote light switches can be touch or remote controlled, and come with a handy remote control unit that works through walls for seamless lighting control.

They are a retrofit, therefore use existing wiring and are less expensive, quick and easy to install; unlike many other home automation products developed for installation primarily in new-builds.

The new full-glass Retrotouch RTS2040 Touch and Remote light switches, come in 1 gang and 3 gang options so enabling you to control from 1 to three independent lights from one unit.

The light switches can, if needed, be controlled by an optional master remote control. This gives the user the power to turn on/off any light switch in the home, or set scenes - patterns of light - in different rooms, without the need for expensive controllers or senders.

All models in the Touch and Remote full glass range measure 86mm x 86mm, have a stylish glass surround with chrome trim, and come with a 1 year warranty.

Retrotouch products give the user the power to control their lighting the way they want, using the advanced features or simple controls.

The new range comprises:

• RTS 2040 full glass touch panel with remote, 1 gang version in Black glass, White glass or Gold glass - £51.08 including VAT.

• RTS 2040 full glass touch panel with remote, 2 gang version in Black glass, white glass or Gold glass - £56.19 including VAT.

• RTS 2040 glass surround, 3 gang version in Black glass, White glass or Gold glass - £61.29 including VAT.

• RTS2030 - Full glass Touch Dimmers - 1 gang version in Black or White glass - £51.08 including VAT

• Available from November 2010.

For further information about Retrotouch remote control light switches, please visit the website.

John Cullen Lighting the leading lighting expert, designs, schemes and supplies cutting-edge products for everything from kitchens, drawing rooms and bathrooms, to swimming pools and gardens, creating the perfect atmosphere for the house and garden, including home automation.

Not since the arrival of the low voltage tungsten halogen in the early 80s, has there been such a revolution in consumer lighting. Improvements in LED technology, now make it suitable for the home.

At the forefront of this innovation, John Cullen offers a comprehensive range of LED products, all designed in-house and manufactured in the UK.

The latest LED fittings are compact, revolutionising opportunities for introducing lighting into joinery, stairs and gardens.

They offer a warmer colour of light, which can be controlled with manual dimmers as well as preset systems; with a 50,000 lamp life, regularly fitting new bulbs is a thing of the past.

Light your stairs and terrace, with the latest LED fittings using only 14w of LED, instead of the 260w of traditional tungsten halogen lamps.

The energy efficient shelving unit in the picture, is lit with the latest LED strip Contour with its excellent colour rendition:

• Individual shelves are lit with 1w LED Eyelids at the top and LED Footlights at the bottom.

• These shelves are now lit with only 120w using LED products against 1020w using low voltage fittings.

LEDs can also add interest to a kitchen scheme.

• 1w LED Oslos to wash light under the island at low level.

• 1w LED Eyelids light the work surface and sink.

• At high level warm white energy efficient fluorescent strips provide a fresh boost of working daylight into the space.

John Cullen also offers an award winning design service.

Visit the John Cullen website to view the latest design effects and inspiration.

Tel: (020) 7371 9000

Marmitek’s Easy Icon10 RF enables high quality technology and operational simplicity to be combined.

This unique remote control, not only operates Audio/Video devices, but also Marmitek X-10 modules that control lighting, curtains, security systems and other electronic equipment.

Activating your X10 security system with one click, is effortless for the Easy Icon10 RF and even dimming a lamp is a piece of cake - or, to make it more difficult - how many buttons do you think are necessary, to dim all the lighting except one reading light, switch off the TV, turn on the outside lights and switch on the radio? The amazing answer is - just one button!

By combining all the aforementioned actions in a macro that can consist of up to 1024 steps, you can programme the most complicated scenarios under one, simple press of a button.

Another example is the handy Home Cinema Macro. One press on the button switches on all the equipment and X-10 lighting at the correct settings, for creating an atmospheric home cinema.

The Easy Icon10 RF is also compatible with ActiveHomePro, software, which makes creating macros even easier.

What is unique about this, is that the remote control can operate all 256 X-10 House/Unit Codes at the same time and the hundreds of equipment logos allow you to operate everything intuitively.

Of course, the Easy Icon10’s clear and cleverly placed buttons can also operate up to 10 ordinary A/V devices such as TVs, hard disk recorders, DVD players, satellite equipment and digital recorders.

The handy set-up Wizard means that programming is child’s play, as the remote control itself automatically searches for codes for the equipment used; any future equipment can easily be added via the integral learning function.

The recommended retail price for the Marmitek Easy Icon10 RF is
£71.95 incl. VAT. The remote control is available immediately at:

http://www.uk-automation.co.uk/marmitek-easy-icon-10rf-p-1373.html
and http://www.reallycleverhomes.co.uk/acatalog/Marmitek_EasyIcon_10_universal_remote_control.html

A room can be completely transformed by lighting, yet the control of it via dimmers remains one of the most overlooked and underused aspects of home interior design.
Quality dimmers - such as those from Lutron, whose founder invented the electronic dimmer in 1961 – can be used in rooms to create dramatic or subtle changes of ambience, to suit both mood and occasion.

Dimmer switches also help save energy, as dimming a bulb’s light output will normally reduce its energy consumption and extend its life, whilst having only a minimal change in perceived light levels. By dimming lights by 10%, it is possible to save around 10% of energy.

What makes Lutron’s dimmers stand out, is an over-riding commitment to technology and design - which results in a significant ‘step-up’ from the usual dimmer experience.
This is because Lutron’s dimmers are designed by some of America’s best engineers, are made using top-quality materials and finally are tested far above industry standards.

This high-end engineering is complemented by a range of stylish, snap-on faceplates, to ensure the dimmers look as good as they function.

Lutron doesn’t offer the ‘clunky’ rotary switch system – instead, it provides more contemporary looks and greater control via slide, tap and Infrared functions.

The range includes:

• The slide-function Lyneo; Priced from £22.50 to £151.00.
  The digital tap and IR-function Rania; Priced from £60.00 to £204.00.
  The ‘Solina’, a dimmer for floor or table lamps; Priced from £32.00 to £40.00.

Lutron products are really easy to install - and come in a range of stylish colours and models.
More information can be found via:
Web: http://www.lutron.com/europe
Tel: (020) 7702 0657

Home Easy is a comprehensive range of home automation products, which includes several different collections to choose from.

This innovative technology allows you to remotely operate lighting, appliances, heating and door access; all of these can be controlled from a single hand held remote control from anywhere in your home.

Even if you’re away from home, you can operate lights and appliances with a simple SMS text message, from anywhere in the world.

The On/Off Range
Simple On/Off control of lighting and appliances - simply plug your lamp or appliance into the remote socket, then plug it into a standard wall socket to control the lighting or appliance remotely.

The Timer and Dimmable Range
This range offers all of the features of the on/off range, but also enables you to fully dim your lights and program them to go on and off at set intervals.

The Outdoor Range
The outdoor range allows you to remotely control lighting and appliances in the garden.

The Ultimate Range
Pictured here, allows you to fully control your home from one simple remote:

• The Ultimate hand held remote is a touch screen controller that when touched, can turn your lights on and off, dim and pre set them to create mood lighting.
• The control has an infra red feature, which enables you to work up to five devices, such as TV, DVD, video, satellite or music system; the unit learns the codes allowing you to activate the devices, using only one remote control.
• Using the control in conjunction with a Home Easy door lock enables you to open your front door remotely.
• You can even control your home via text message, using the Home Easy SMS Base Station.

To view the ranges and brilliant demos visit:

Web: http://www.homeeasy.eu/home.php

Valentine’s Day is coming and love is in the air!

Roses can be all too predictable as a way to show your love; so, why not surprise your partner with some luscious gifts that will last and help set the mood for a romantic night in.

Fall in love with B&Q’s range of super soft furnishings, classy canvases and loveable lighting all inspired by a sensual colour palette of rich reds and passionate pinks:

The red Shaggy Chenille cushion (£9.98) offers the perfect way to snuggle up on the sofa; or why not weave your way to love with the Ric-Rac design cushion (£7.98).

Be sure to make your floor look foxy with the stunning Scroll rug (from £29.98), which has the boldest of floral patterns and a gorgeous soft texture.

For a true statement of love chose the sentimental Love Printed Canvas or the bold Red Rose Print (£16.98 each).

Alternatively spice up your walls with the dazzling Sophie Conran Midnight Garden wallpaper in clashing pink and red (£24.98).

Good lighting is the key to romance in the bedroom, so get pulses racing with the deeply seductive Beverley Flower Shade in red (£39.98); or for a more feminine look, try the pretty Posy Non Electric Shade in pink (£14.98) or the Lily Ripple Shade with base (£26.46.

Lighting doesn’t stop with a lampshade – co-ordinate your light switches with your décor with these funky light switches in red or deep pink (£1.98 each).

Livening up your love shack has never been quicker or easier!
Web: http://www.diy.com

X10 has been used since the 1960’s and is now a world wide standard for sending a signal over your existing mains circuitry to enable home automation.

Domia Ten is the latest incarnation of the original X10 system; no messy wiring is required, you simply plug your lamp or appliance into a Domia Ten module, which then plugs into your wall outlet.

Each Domia Ten module can have its own unique address to control individual devices so that multiple devices can be used.

Whilst Domia Ten retains full backward compatibility with the original X10 systems, it now offers a much improved range and greatly increased reliability; in particular it has better filtering capabilities, which makes it more robust in ‘noisy’ environments.

There is a variety of Domia Ten products available catering for many of your home automation needs. They are ergonomically designed, easy to program and offer visible feedback of activity through LED lights.

There are 13 individual modules - not all are necessary for the system to function – but are available only to expand the system capabilities.

Should you wish to control the appliances or lights in the home from your PC, just obtain and install the Harmony software plus the X10 interface and you’re ready to go.

Also the Harmony Media Center software will enable you to control your home through your TV, PC or remotely via the Internet.

With Harmony and Domia extensions, you can integrate your CCTV, use remote controls to dim your lights, include motion sensors to turn appliances or lights on when you walk into a room; set up a chain of commands triggered by an event, such as a security alert - the possibilities are almost endless!

Web: http://www.simplyautomate.co.uk

Tel: (08450) 644 3330

Domia Lite is a simple home automation solution, enabling control of lighting and other electrical home appliances at the touch of a button.

The system is an uncomplicated plug and play system, which doesn’t need any rewiring; it is RF based, which allows it to communicate with each individual module from a distance of up to 30 metres.

Controlled by a range of remote controls and motion sensors, this system offers a wide range of possibilities:

• Switch lights on and off in your driveway, porch and garden.
• Open or close sun blinds, roll-down shutters and automatic gate.
• Increase safety with the motion detector for lights.
• Switch on and off - lights, air-conditioning, radio, or TV, or dim lights to create atmosphere.

Domia Lite’s system is made up of 6 individual items, all of which are not required to begin with.

It’s really simple to install and even easier to develop and expand, with a range of compatible products to provide you with limitless expansion possibilities. For example:

Control and monitor your appliances wherever you are. Lights, cameras, motion detectors etc. may be controlled and monitored via the Internet, or your mobile phone, allowing interactive energy management.

Domia Lite is affordable, easy to use and install, for immediate use.

Web: http://www.simplyautomate.co.uk

Tel: (08450) 644 3330

The Traditional Trading Company has given a contemporary look to the traditional Dolly Switch, making this timeless classic suitable for the most up to date setting.

The switches are available in three stylish finishes – chrome, brushed nickel and brass – and set on a solid natural oak patress which can be stained to individual requirements.

You can choose from plain or fluted moulds in antique or polished finishes; or for a modern approach, why not mix classic with contemporary and select a chrome Dolly?

web: http://www.traditionaltrading.co.uk
tel: (01527) 55 77 22

Its easy to do your bit for the environment using one of Lutron’s range of stunning dimmer switches.

The lighting control experts at Lutron say that swapping your light switch for a dimmer will save you energy as well as increase the life of your light bulb.

If you dim your lights 10% of the time you will save 10% of the electricity and your light bulb will last twice as long. By dimming half of the time you will save 40% and your light bulb will last 20 times longer.

The Lutron dimmer range includes a sleek, black, round Solina lamp dimmer and the silver-coloured Rania dimmer switch (pictured).

web: http://www.lutron.com/europe
tel: (0207) 702 0657.