Get Cultured

GET REAL - PART TWO - INVESTMENT PIECES

2009-11-05T01:24:00.000-08:00

Following our previous Get Cultured 'Get Real' post on Authentic Design, we thought we might support our claims. It seems that buying authentic classic furniture not only holds its value, but in some cases far surpasses anyone's wildest dreams - check out these pieces found on the auction section of architonic.com Serge Mouille 3 Branch Floor Light - Current RRP $14,000AUD Sotherby's Auctions

ETHICAL LUXURY - PART TWO

2009-10-21T22:46:00.000-07:00

Following our 'Ethical Luxury' post back in August, we thought we might give you a little background into the fabulous Mater Accessories Collection...A favourite of design seekers around the world, Mater (Latin for Mother) founded in 2006 by Henrik Marstrand, is a Copenhagen-based company with a strong vision to create top quality, timeless, beautiful home accessories based on an ethical business

SERGE MOUILLE - A FRENCH ICON

2009-10-12T23:01:00.000-07:00

First launched in Paris in 1953, Serge Mouille's lighting collection fast became the lighting choice for collectors and avant-garde architects worldwide.Each considered a piece of art, the Serge Mouille lights have never gone into large production each piece are still made completely by hand with the original tools designed by Mouille himself - Absolute Perfection!!These iconic lighting fixtures

GET REAL - PART ONE: PRICE TAGS

2009-10-07T22:14:00.000-07:00

With so much talk at the moment regarding Authentic Designer Furniture versus Replica Furniture, we thought it best to set the record straight on where Corporate Culture stand on Authentic Design. The term ‘design’ is key in the entire debate. Original design is not driven by price, nor does original design need to be expensive to be considered ‘designer’. Original design is about creative

WE HEART MARC NEWSON

2009-10-06T23:37:00.000-07:00

Following our last post being dedicated to Copenhagen and Denmark, what better time to get all patriotic and pay homage to Australia's most celebrated designer.At just 46 years of age, Sydney-born Marc Newson, has worked fast to achieve his superstar status, creating a vast and eclectic body of work in the process.His CV includes everything from iconic furniture pieces to watches and clothing,

THE DESIGN SEEKER'S COPENHAGEN. SLEEP...EAT...VISIT

2009-09-16T23:29:00.000-07:00

SLEEP...HOTEL SKT. PETRISituated in the Krystalgade close to Copenhagen's main shopping boulevard Strøget, the Royal Palace and the hottest nightlife spots, Hotel Skt. Petri is the perfect gateway to explore this hip and vibrant Northern European metropolis. The 268-room hotel is everything which top-notch modern Scandinavian design has to offer: modern urban living comfort, featuring minimalist

CHILD'S PLAY

2009-09-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

In a world where a sense of humour comes in handy - modern architectural masterpieces appear to be inspired by the fun of childhood games and toys...The Next Generation House by Sou Fujimoto Architects (with obvious similarities to Jenga) is a small weekend house that overlooks the River Kuma in Kumakura, Japan. The 4m cube offers surprising functionality due to the little spaces formed by the

IN THE SPRUMMER TIME...

2009-09-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

Now that Spring (or should I say Sprummer – Google it!!) is officially here, what better time to take inspiration from beautiful residential architecture and their fabulous interiors – the sky is blue and the sun in shining - from art to furniture, its time to get inspired – Sprummer style...Portugal based firm SousaSantos Arquitectos designes the Y House as a vision device in the medieval town

ITZ ALAAAAAIVE!!!!

2009-08-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

Just like Frankenstein’s monster this green wall created by Canadian studio Bricault Design for a house in LA was said to be inconceivable.The plant-covered extension has living walls on three sides that not only visually link with the green roof and surrounding landscape but contribute to the passive systems that keep the house cool in lieu of air conditioning. Solar panels supply the home’s

TO SIR WITH LOVE.

2009-08-10T04:14:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia, in Ancient Greek religion, an orgy was a secret nighttime cultic congregation overseen by an orgiophant (a teacher or revealer of secret rites of sexual seduction).According to Karim Rashid, this awesome sofa "Orgy" for Offecct is his interpretation.Keys in the bowl?try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7698431-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}

JOIN ME.

2009-08-06T18:40:00.001-07:00

A collection or a collective? Obsessions, icons and followers. If I tell you I’ll have to kill you.

AND THE WINNER IS SiD 2009!

2009-08-02T15:44:00.000-07:00

Surprises, illusions, new products, champagne and competitions. In the spirit Juan Antonio Samaranch, Saturday in Design 2009, was the best ever.I've said it before and I'll say it again, my favourite was the the 2009 Design Journey Winner "Zoe", amazing!try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7698431-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}

I HEART SYDNEY.

2009-07-23T00:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry Melbourne (I love you too), but did you know Sydney has 300 sunny days a year? I especially love winter in Sydney… the amazing blue skies and warm breezes lull you into the feeling that summer is around the corner.try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7698431-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}

I HEART SYDNEY. VISIT.

2009-07-23T00:09:00.001-07:00

Design and motorbikes – does it get better? The showroom rocks, the café is hot. A visit to Deus Ex Machina is essential.

I HEART SYDNEY. EAT.

2009-07-23T00:02:00.000-07:00

Say what you like, I love Bondi, it’s a people watching dream. Lunch at Icebergs is the best way to spend an afternoon. Cocktail?

I HEART SYDNEY. SLEEP.

2009-07-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Sleepover? Designed by HPG, the Establishment is an oldie but a goodie. If you’ve got time and the budget dinner at Est is a must.try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7698431-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN.

2009-07-14T21:54:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year, everyone is revving up the Saturday in Design activity. Projects here, collaborations there, launch pads and new fads – as a smart lady once said “it rocks”.To make room for their new collections being launched a SiD, Corporate Culture is busting out their Annual Sale early for 3 days only, it starts on the 17.07.09 – 19.07.09. Visit 21-23 Levey Street, Chippendale.I’ve

ETHICAL LUXURY.

2009-07-08T23:37:00.000-07:00

I know it seems like a contradiction but Danish accessories brand Mater makes corporate social responsibility sexy.They combine exclusive high end home accessories with working methods that support people, local craft traditions and the environment. If that’s not enough, Mater is a member of the united nations global compact initiative.Their code of conduct is impressive and their products are

FORGET GG ACRONYMS ARE SO 1227…

2009-07-01T22:40:00.001-07:00

OMG, I loved the Roald Dahl books when I was a kid, especially The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant).This Giant Anglepoise lamp reminds me of the trumpet that the BFG used to mix up dreams.To celebrate the 70th Birthday of the Original 1227 handmade in England, Anglepoise created a giant version three times the size of the original.BTW xoxotry {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7698431-1");

CABBAGE IS THE NEW VIAGRA.

2009-06-25T00:26:00.000-07:00

A recent study in Sweden has found that pickled cabbage is the best natural Viagra.I don’t know about the cabbage but this light designed by one of my favourite Swedish designers Claesson Koivisto Rune for Wastberg, sure gets me excited.try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7698431-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}

YOU'RE ATTRACTIVE.

2009-06-18T00:37:00.001-07:00

Hiromichi Konno’s philosophy behind the new RIN chair for Fritz Hansen was “to develop a design that attracts people”.If you ask me it’s:AdoRINg…AlluRINg…InspiRINg…

ALL WE ARE SAYING IS GIVE PEACE A CHANCE.

2009-06-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

Everybody's talking about this new church in Denmark by KHR Architects.The steep incline of the building face was inspired by the surrounding natural landscape, with the interior elements such as the fishing net used inside as a space divider was influenced by cultural heritage of the town.Blessed with the Hay JW01 chairs, if you're going to pray this is the place to do it.Amen to that!

SWINE FLU AND THE MEXICO MYSTERY.

2009-06-04T00:12:00.001-07:00

Things are really going down hill for Mexico. Two months ago, no one had heard of this strain of swine flu, now it’s on every front page.The architects Productora, of this House in Chihuahua, must have seen the down hill trend coming when they designed this place to accommodate the extreme temperature differences between day and night by partially burying the house into the mountain slope to take

BYRON ANYONE?

2009-05-27T20:47:00.000-07:00

Lady Caroline Lamb once described Lord Bryon as "mad, bad, and dangerous to know”.So, if like me you’re thinking about a beach holiday right now:01. You’re MAD not to take this Mini/Airstream Combo designed by Fritz Hansen.02. BAD luck, I’ve got first dibbs.03. Did you know the Mini John Cooper Works can do 1-100 in 6.5 seconds? Now that’s DANGEROUS.

MILANO UPDATE BY FERGS.

2009-05-18T15:24:00.001-07:00

Milan Highlights by guest contributor Angela Ferguson.The event is officially called Salone Internazionale del Mobile (or I Saloni) and this year was held from 22-27 April at the fairgrounds known as Fiera Milano in Rho, Italy. There are 24 halls at the fairgrounds in use for the exhibition (each hall is about the size of all the halls at Darling Harbour or the Melbourne Exhibition Centre) and it

SPEAKING OF LUST.

2009-05-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

I recently took one of those lame facebook questionnaires… “Which of the Seven Deadly Sins are you?” – Of course I’ll keep my results a secret however, speaking of lust… Amazing Copenhagen artist Copenheroes has recently transformed the Seven Chair to interpret the Seven Deadly Sins which were auctioned and all proceeds going to humanitarian organisations (Red Cross, Unicef, etc.) The inspiration

ODE TO AUTUMN IN MELBOURNE.

2009-05-07T15:48:00.001-07:00

As the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness comes to an end there is no better time to visit our cultured southern city. try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7698431-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}

ODE TO AUTUMN IN MELBOURNE. SHOP.

2009-05-07T15:17:00.001-07:00

You can't visit Melbourne without going shopping. Drop into Craft Victoria and explore the delights from local artisans. Mark Tuckey make and sell everything from chairs, tables and cabinets, to beds, storage and outdoor furniture, from new and recycled, predominantly Australian, timbers. Their massive showroom is worth the cab ride to Fitzroy.Architext has the best range of

ODE TO AUTUMN IN MELBOURNE. EAT.

2009-05-07T14:37:00.000-07:00

Of course there are too many great restaurants in Melbourne to list but there are a few of our favs worth a special mention.Cumulus Inc, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Essential for breakfast, exquisite food for the people. Cutler & Co, 55-57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. Iconic style, the finest produce and a great wine list.MoVida Next Door, 164 Flinders Street, Melbourne. Little sister of the

ODE TO AUTUMN IN MELBOURNE. SLEEP.

2009-05-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

THE PRINCE.With it’s moody corridors, light filled rooms, indulgent spa and award winning restaurant, The Prince in St Kilda is where it's at.

KØBENHAVN UPDATE BY FERGS.

2009-04-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

This weeks post comes directly from Copenhagen by guest contributor Angela Ferguson.The Gubi showroom is in the Freeport area of Copenhagen, located in a huge warehouse space of around 2000m2. Everything about the showroom is striking, from the large full scale windows with views out over the harbour, the beautiful wide plank timber floors, the elegant but spare graphics, the elevated timber

STAYING HOME IS THE NEW GOING OUT.

2009-04-23T03:13:00.001-07:00

Due to “the new economic reality”, staying home is the new going out. This week we thought we needed some inspiration for sexing up our pads (like we needed another excuse).Enjoy the weekend at home!Images. Agent Bauer, Fritz Hansen, Haytry {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7698431-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}

CRYSTAL IS THE NEW BLACK BEAUTY.

2009-04-16T22:48:00.000-07:00

Anyone who remembers Stella McCartney’s horse collection for Chloe in 2001 knows she has a soft spot for the ponies. In 2004, Stella, created Lucky Spot, this Swarovski crystal “chandelier” installation for an exhibition and has now installed it at Belsay Castle in the U.K. for a special Easter engagement. I should be so lucky to have a pony like that in my house, Richard, can you put one in the

FROM PROJECT RUNWAY TO PROJECT PK.

2009-04-08T00:17:00.000-07:00

try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7698431-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}Supported by nearly everyone in the design community, Corporate Culture’s Project PK has now become bigger than Heidi Klum.Project PK innovator Alex Baker comments on his idea and the concept's evolution.“My background is fashion design and as an avid observer of popular culture was a big fan of

I'LL HAVE WHAT THEY'RE HAVING.

2009-04-02T14:50:00.001-07:00

Created by Paris-based Agency Jouin Manku, this amazing 3,000m2 “residence” in Kuala Lumpur, was designed for one of Malaysia’s most powerful families.The project is designed in 3 layers, base, ring and private house. Each has a distinct volume, which once assembled forms a unified whole. The base, for public functions, the ring, for guests and the private house for the family to inhabit.“

STOCKHOLM FURNITURE + NORTHERN LIGHTS FAIR.

2009-03-26T16:00:00.000-07:00

Corporate Culture's Jason Hess and Karen Ninness have recently returned from Sweden covering the Stockholm Furniture and Northern Lights Fair, the world's largest trade fairs for Nordic design and lighting. The hottest product launch by far... Swedish lighting design company Wastberg. Its debut collection included designs by Ilse Crawford, Claesson Koivisto Rune, James Irvine and Jean-Marie

PARIS JE T'AIME

2009-03-13T22:27:00.001-07:00

Found recently on Desire to Inspire, these amazing interiors by Paris architectural firm Joseph Dirand.try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7698431-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}

DESIGN STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR BRISBANE

2009-03-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

Corporate Culture launched Project Verpan in Brisbane, with special guest Peter Frandsen MD of Verpan. Designers from practices Donovan Hill, Fairweather and PDT were each issued $64.00 Verpan dollars to spend on recycled materials to create their own Verpan inspired creations.try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7698431-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}

YOU'RE TERRIBLE MURIEL

2009-03-12T01:31:00.000-07:00

How cool would it have been to be in Denmark in the 1950s and 60s (or in 2009 for that matter) and hanging out with Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjaerholm and Verner Panton?Whilst they’re all uber cool in their own right, how amazing was Verner Panton (1926–1998).I love the fact it’s published everywhere that he was known as L'enfant terrible (Terrible child), a French term for a child who is terrifyingly

REAL MODELS OR ROLE MODELS?

2009-03-05T08:24:00.000-08:00

As Barbie turns 50 this year, French fashion retailer Collette commissioned designer and "photographer extraordinaire" Karl Lagerfeld to shoot a special collection of Barbie photos. Lagerfeld captured Italian male model Baptiste Giabiconi as Ken.Which leads me to my quote of the moment by Karl Lagerfeld for Harper's Bazaar..."Forget the 'economic times' and think about what is right for this

DO U C WHAT I C?

2009-02-28T13:14:00.002-08:00

Corporate Culture has just announced a new competition to design the cover of their bi-annual C Magazine. To enter, send your design (incorporating the 'C') to jeff@corporateculture.com.au with 50 words or less describing your design philosophy.Entries to the competition close Saturday 28 March 2009, with the winner to be announced on 15 April. The winning entry will receive a CH_07 designed by

AN INSPIRED JOURNEY

2009-02-21T22:33:00.000-08:00

Corporate Culture's 2009 design journey brief was to embrace the challenges of the future office and design a product that creates a 'room within a room'.The winning entry was judged by David Clark Editor Vogue Living, Paul McGillick Group Editor Indesign Publishing, Amanda Pike Principal Pike Withers, Amanda Stanaway Associate Woods Bagot, David Whittiker Director WHO.The design was judged on

MILANO. SLEEP.

2009-02-15T11:53:00.000-08:00

Chic fashionistas and impeccable quality... there's no place that oozes style quite like Italy's design capital, Milano. So, you know what they say when in Rome...Sleep. Bvlgari Hotel

MILANO. EAT.

2009-02-14T18:27:00.000-08:00

Dine in style amongst the Italian's gilded at Dolce&Gabanna's multipurpose bar, restaurant, bistro and nightclub GOLD. True to it's namesake - gold is everywhere.Eat. Dolce&Gabanna GOLD

MILANO. SHOP.

2009-02-14T17:32:00.000-08:00

Founded in 1990 by gallerist and publicist Carla Sozzani and located on the outskirts of the city, 10 corso como is located in the inner courtyard of a traditional Milanese palazzo and is a 13,000 sq ft network of interconnected spaces dedicated to art, fashion and design.Shop. 10 corso como

LIFE STARTS AT 50?

2009-02-06T19:10:00.000-08:00

Built on a thousand years of traditional craftsmanship, Danish design greats like Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Poul Henningsen and Borge Mogensen took the world by storm in the mid 20th Century. Now 50 years on it's time to celebrate. Fritz Hansen has released a limited edition white leather swan and Louis Poulsen introduced the PH50, a special version of the PH5 in 5 amazing colours - HOT!

IMM COLOGNE 09

2009-01-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

During IMM, Studio Arne Quinze transformed the Dome in Cologne into "die kunstbar" (the art bar). In typical Quinze style, the bar is covered with packing crates normally used to ship artwork. What's behind it stays unrevealed. According to Studio Arne Quinze the wooden boxes are a methaphor for the church not revealing what happens in the church as it is trying to keep hold of its controlling

HELLO YELLOW COLOUR FORWARD 09

2009-01-25T20:17:00.001-08:00

While 2008 was all about deep blues and purples, according to Pantone and to combat the financial doom and gloom, 2009 is all about bright yellow and orange. Did someone say "GFC"?Images. Gubi, Hay, Fritz Hansen

CREATE YOUR OWN LANGUAGE

2009-01-25T19:36:00.000-08:00

We love the new Alphabet modular sofa designed by Piero Lissoni from Fritz Hansen. Inspired by Lego bricks, Lissoni's innovation allows you to create your own language using the "Alphabet" elements.Images. Fritz Hansen