Hi Chookchook. I relation to your question about reproduction Murano Glass that is flooding the market, almost 99% of them originate from China. You will also find that almost ALL Chandeliers that claim to be Murano Glass that originate from China are hand painted and baked PYREX (a glass substitute) which is then sold off as MURANO GLASS. It is ILLEGAL to call a product that does not originate from or has not been made in Venice MURANO GLASS. You can call it "MURANO STYLE" but nothing else. Unfortunately, there are thousands of Chinese knockoffs claiming to be murano glass that are simply PYREX which has been spray painted then baked. This is why when you see a product advertised as MURANO GLASSf that seems to cheap to be true - this is why. Also, they MASS PRODUCE each and every Chandelier as almost every segment is blown into a mold, not mouth blown. If you look at a true piece of mouth blown glass, you will see what we call RIPPLE LINES which is where the glass expands and grows during the blowing process, very similar to ripples on a pond when a stone hits the waters surface. Also, you may see irregular randomly placed air bubbles in the glass which is not a defect, but a sure sign that what you are buying is indeed mouth blown. You will also find that the Chinese NEVER use REAL GOLD in their Chandeliers or any other item, only genuine MURANO GLASS used 24 Kt gold leaf which is rolled into the glass in the very initial stages of production. You will however find that Chinese do you a technqiue called AVVENTURINE which is where copious amount of Copper flecks are blown into the glass. The MURANO masters also use this technique but the quaility if EXCEPTIONAL, unlike the Chinese knock-offs. ALL products that we make originate in Venice and carry one or more of the following to assure you of its authenticity 1. An acid etched or diamond point signature of either the furnace or the Maestro or both 2. An attached lablel which will be either a Vetro Artistico Murano (VAM) label of the furnace or a PROMOVETRO CONSORZIO MURANO label 3. Depending on the furnace, an embossed Glass seal with each arm of the Chandelier signed an numbered 4. A certificate of Authenticity signed by and issued by the furnace who produced the Chandelier or any other item for that matter. As you can see, purchasing from any organisation who does not have a thorough understanding of and intimate knowledge of the furnaces in Venice, the techniques used by the Maestros and the various components and producton techniquesf that have been handed down through the centuries is leaving themselves open to huge financial risk If an item is being sold that is claiming to be AUTHENTIC MURANO GLASS, then the person you are purchasing MUST be able to provide you with a written legally enforacable guarantee, that certifies that what they are claiming to be murano glass can be traced back to a furnace and its origin confirmed. The Chinese WILL NOT do this as their products are PYREX, NOT glass so BUYER BEWARE. There is only 1 glass artist operating in China that has actually been trained in the use of just some of the techniques used by the Masters in Venice. Even he is not allowed to call his products MURANO GLASS but "MURANO IN STYLE". I trust this helps you understand exactly what you are dealing with when it comes to companies or individuals offering MURANO GLASS for sale. If they cannot prove it is indeed authentic and can provide backup documentation to support this, then DO NOT buy unless you really love it purely for its asthetic value. Being the largest Murano Glass delaer in the world, your only safety net when purchasing anything claiming to be MURANO GLASS is to do so through someone like us who provides you with a 100% ironclad guarantee of what has been mentioned above. Best regards Dean

Hi there, It is up to the pros who upload their products to Houzz if they want to include a price. What you can do is ask the supplier for their latest or best price - that way you can be sure it is accurate at the time. Look for the Ask A Question button adjacent to every product. [Here is an example[(https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/prices-please-dsvw-vd~3524659) of a pro sharing their prices. I hope this answers your question, Luke

I have used Saatchi Art (saatchiart.com) to both browse and purchase art for our home. Original art work can be purchased and most artists have prints at a more affordable price. It's a good place to determine what styles and mediums you love as you can filter your search. For Australian art I love Blue Thumb (bluethumb.com.au). All Aussie and all original. Very few options for cost effective prints unfortunately. I'd be cautious about filling the space for an instant look. As everyone before me has said "art is personal" and as such, I think it should grow with you and your space. Start with one piece that you really love, big or small and work around that. I have found that putting unusual unexpected items on the wall makes for interesting 'art'. My husband's baby shoes (circa 1953) and now our children's first shoes are objects that always create conversation when guests come over. I have a Mexican art cross (we're not religious, the colours and the metal work drew me to it), a vintage wooden Indian spindle, African birds in a tree hand-beaten and cut from a steel drum, a clay mask my daughter made in art class, a woven Maori kit bag, some art that our kids have done at school (put into Ikea frames so they are always the right size. We change them as something else we love comes home), a hand-made ceramic tile, a growing collection of geckos found in antique stores, vintage travel posters in frames, (I'll stop listing what we have!)...all these items and more, have been collected over the last 20 years and put up around our collection of art or in clusters to create stories. I've collected the initials of our family (yes the child with the "K" is not thrilled it's so small and the child with the "G" feels he's by far the favourite! Needless to say both will be replaced in the future when a more appropriate size comes to light) from vintage stores both here and overseas. Our walls are a growing collection of art and objects and at any time I can move things around and change the composition as a new item is discovered. Best advice I can give you is to have fun with it, enjoy creating your own gallery, it's for you to love you're not required to impress anyone else.

Hi 1991_kid If your intention is to be cost effective there are a number of approaches that you might like to take, however, the first plan of approach would be to gather as much information as possible before you begin construction. Most of this will be achieved by having a good set of drawings specifications and a very good research on materials and labor which are available in the area with reduced transport costs. This is some of the approaches that I would take; 1. If you are thinking of using a building company to do your house to "lock up" you may need to register as "an owners builder" you can find more info here or from your private "Building Surveyor", on an internet search 2. If you are thinking of using a building company that does "Design and construct" I would have a careful read of this article on my website. http://www.newhomedesign.com.au/index.php/faqs-article-based/faq-9 3. When you are considering your design I would have an independent person preferably one that does it for a living and has a few years experience monitor or vets your design. Consulting fees might be expensive but it's the only way that you will get an independent design appraisal. 4. Eventually you will have to do your "permit drawings" - Working Drawings and specifications - in Victoria these must be done by a registered person - you do not want the Builder to be responsible for this part as the person he employs will be loyal to him as he is likely to give him further work, you will most likely just give him one job, so it would be reasonable to assume that in any consideration or dispute he will take the side of the Builder - regardless what is said at the beginning. (You may also need a town planning permit depending on your circumstances) 5. You will have to vet your possible Builders and time with your build, I suggest that even if an amount of traveling is required you eventually do this face to face with at least three of your final picks - you have to get on with your Builder so a major effort on research is definitely required. It should be clear and in writing which items the Builder will purchase on your behalf, who pays for delivery and who does the installation especially of such items like windows, doors, landscaping and so on, and which items you will purchase ... etc. Specifications are nothing more than a "list" - try to keep it simple but be specific, but make sure it is written down and signed by both parties. 6. You can only get a "true tender price" from a builder that thinks he can get the job - and you can only achieve this if you have very good drawings and specifications else even a small error of 10% may mean $30,000+ depending on your overall costs. All other prices are a guestimate - a meter squared rate by the number of squared meters will give you a price - ask the builder for the approximate meter squared rate. There are many more twists and turn in this process of part/ self-build, wish you the best with your en devours, I would be happy to consult further if requested. Regards Michael.