Well if your over designing and putting in more then what is required you are just becoming a part of the problem. Because the amount of energy that has gone into manufacturing your home and each material in it. Those materials require energy to produce them..... On the other hand yes there is that question what if there is not enough can we trust government policy. I think our focus should really be how can we design homes that design for current conditions, have a zero and no carbon footprint and the costs of manufacturing do not offset this goal. So I do place my trust in the science and research from the CSIRO. And policy that has been created as a result of their research yes.

I agree - skylights are ideal if you can put them in. I note that you have stairs leading somewhere - I assume you've got a second floor - if this is the case then ensure that your ceiling walls, shelving are all white to bounce the light around. Opposite the window and your sliding doors put in a mirror behind your pantry shelves which will help reflect light and maximize the available "free" light available. Put in good quality LED strip lighting under the shelves that will also assist you - and see if you can have them tied to motion sensors (it'll come down to your budget).. As to what Jo's reference, pantries are for storing food stuffs and ideally are cool with at least some areas that are dark so think about providing this in the way of doors that will allow for a darker area for things such potatoes and onions that need cool dark places to avoid sprouting. This would allow the best of both worlds for you.

LED lighting has made such a difference to how you can illuminate your home now and they give excellent light so you don't need the number of downlights as before. Strip lighting on stairs, for example, can look amazing and add wow to your home. Be guided by the experts above, or a good electrician should be able to give you practical advice. In some rooms one downlight can even be enough if you plan on having other feature lighting. Pendant lights for your bedroom will look great, but look at what wattage the lights you choose will take and whether you will need any other lights in the room. I have always been very minimalist in my home and try to keep to one light in each room for general access lighting and have alternative feature lighting for atmosphere. For example, I just have one LED downlight over my desk in my bedroom for when I'm working and a lamp each side of my bed for other times, and this is all I need. In my lounge room, I put two pendants, hung at different lengths in one corner of the room as a feature and I have two table lamps for when extra light is needed, but for watching TV or just generally entertaining and relaxing, the two pendants on their own are enough. Like you say, nothing is worse than over lighting a room, it totally loses any atmosphere. Your home theatre for example, could only need two downights for when you need a good light for cleaning and such, otherwise for general use, some wall sconces will give subtle lighting to the room. Have the two types of lights on separate switches naturally. One important thing I always suggest people be mindful of in work areas especially is to place lights so you don't work in your own shadow. One example is the kitchen sink or hotplates - put the light slightly to one side for better visibility.

For too long the lounge/TV room has been dominated by both a black hole (the TV in off-mode) and furniture facing the TV which makes the use as a lounge room cumbersome. This design uses the fabulous Samsung frame TV as well as swivel chairs to swivel to the TV in TV mode and back to face the other chair and sofa (not shown) in the conversation mode. The Samsung frame TV sensor and remote connector box are another bonus together with the programmable art including family photos.