This is not about the easiest solution, as the easiest solution is just buying any automation system out there in the market. My main objective was learning. Absolutely always that I've learned something it helped me to get business opportunities or jobs. Regarding to the project, it works great for me. It works exactly as I need, it's flexible and extensible as no other approach, with the easyness that I have of been a software developer. I'm adding an alarm system to the project with push notifications, and I already can control my Pioneer AV receiver with the raspberry (through TC/IP), there are a lot of possibilites! :)
Something simple? You approach seems to be simple, not mine. Can you use that system as a security alarm and send push notifications to your phone? My system can. There are different approaches, don't underestimate others different than yours.
Of course you can do it that way also. I developed an app for working with Fibaro system last year, it works with z-wave. Also is possible to buy a z-wave module for raspberry pi, but then you have to buy z-wave devices. My approach is cheaper, and also help me to learn.
I don't want wires in my view. In my apartment the installation for alarm is built-in, so I already have the UTP cable inside the wall.
Also the lamp I want to turn on is on the other side of the room.