how-to: z-wave wireless accent lighting

Ever wished you could press a button and turn on, off, or dim ALL your lights? Well you can with Z-Wave technology. I've retrofitted most of my wall switches and all my lamps and uplights. Girls, if you can flip a breaker and install a simple dimmer switch, you can have a smart home without the huge expense. It's the coolest thing, EVEN if you're not a geek like me.

I get a lot of comments online and from friends on my accent lighting which is PC-controlled by Z-Wave devices and Homeseer software.

Here's what happens 1 hour before sundown at my house: 11 lights above or in kitchen cabinets turn on dimmed 50%; all under cabinet lights come on, the nook pendant comes on at 70%; 6 cans in the living & dining rooms come on; dining room's buffet lamps and chandelier come on and dim to 30%; bookcase and cove lighting in the den comes on; and the garage lights turn off (if they were on); 2 table lamps in the living room turn on and 2 uplights stuck in silk trees turn on; then at sundown the 6 front coachlights come on at 40%.

At bedtime I push one button on my 7" Samsung Q1 touchscreen UMPC in the kitchen and everything that's on turns off, including any lights left on upstairs in my office; Even DH can handle it. Get the idea? See the kitchen lighting and PC in my video kitchen tour.

If you want more info, I'll be happy to expand on this. Lamps are easy - just use the plug-in style unit shown above.

Cool, huh?

If you're a design geek (and you must be if you're still reading this), check out my post on Flatwire, the amazing DIY solution for hiding your wires without calling an electrician.