For my home automation project I am using an egg that glows when my heating is switched on or off example http://www.maredana.nl/home-automation/woonkamer-cv-raspberry/ (sorry Dutch)
Now I am working on a box that not only glows but also displays the current temperature. I am going to update my site when I have it working and publish my code. http://www.maredana.nl/home-automation/8x8-led-matrix-temperatuurstatus-box/
Current hardware: Arduino nano 433 RF sender and receiver ESP8266 ESP-01 WIFI (future project) DHT11 MAX7219 Dot 8x8 Led Matrix