Hi Andy, If you have a local Beacon Lighting, ask for advice. It's free and I have found the people most helpful in my area. Being a newbie and building for the first time, I sort of knew what I wanted but the advice I got helped me make the right decision. As for pendant lights, I have just one as a feature over the dining table, a trio and the rest of the house will still have downlights and of course fans in each room, so if you haven't already thought of fans, this will change exactly where you put your lights. I only have 2.4mtr ceilings. Good luck. Cheers, Barbara

Hi there Shelly, I am from a local Melbourne Lighting studio called Satelight, we have a large range of modern pendant light fittings that will suit this space well. You can view our range at - Satelight Pendants. I would suggest our Lumi or Sfar pendant. If there is anything I can help with please contact me at info@satelight.com.au. I look forward to hearing from you. Patrick. http://www.satelight.com.au/products/luminaires/pendant-lights/aeon-lumi-pendant/#.VXErMc-qpBc http://www.satelight.com.au/products/luminaires/pendant-lights/aeon-sfar-pendant/#.VXErP8-qpBc

If you go for down lights you will need to leave a gap around them of 100 mm between the recessed part and insulation so the insulation doesn't catch on fire. This also creates a problem with the thermal performance of your home because heat can move freely through the ceiling where there is no insulation. It can make a big difference even if there are only a few down lights. Also, down lights are very directional (send most of their light straight down) so you need to put more in to get the same effect. You could try track lights that attach to the ceiling instead. If you want a pendant go for something cheap and easy to replace if it is damaged by toys/clothes or whatever being thrown around. Ikea have lots. FYI dimmers don;t educe the power consumption, merely reduce the intensity of the light.

Hello Northstar 1 thing to remember when choosing your lights .If you want the light down choose a down facing lampholder, dont drop them to low as the GLARE from the globes in your eyes every time they are on is annoying as, every lit pendant you showed had an incandescent globe so if your going to use Fluro globes they will look worse.LED globes with a cleeear glass would be best. Avoid carbon filament even though they look great its a low light output. Depending on your budget take a look at Mondoluce on line they have some amazing glass pendants from Italy and in multiple sizes.