If you’re anything like us, you get a you little bit excited whenever you see the term “A380” or “787 Dreamliner” on your freshly booked flight itinerary.

Anyone who still has the experience of a long-haul flight fresh in their memories will tell you exactly why: once you get over that 5 or 6-hour threshold, you’ll take any additional bit of comfort and convenience you can get (especially if you’re flying economy).

Now, there’s a new long-haul carrier for the magnificent jet set to get excited about, courtesy of those ingenious Frenchies at Airbus, the A350.

Here’s why its set to make your next flight the smoothest yet.

Improving On All Of The Basics

Of course, before we get to any of the frivolous things that take the A350 from a literal Air-bus to something more, it’s worth looking at how the Airbus A350 makes transporting people through the air safer and easier than ever.

First and foremost, the Airbus A350 can carry a lot of people a very long way. It comes in 3 variants which can seat anywhere between 280 and 366 people in a twin-aisle format. Its maximum range tops out at around 8100 miles, meaning if you took off in Sydney, you’d get somewhere halfway between Dubai and London before its twin-Rolls Royce engines finally ran out of juice. Whether any airlines plan to run routes this long we’re not sure, but you can’t deny that’s some serious mileage.

So then, it’s essentially Airbus’s answer to the acclaimed Boeing 787 Dreamliner, only with an even more intense approach towards ensuring the most passenger comfort and space possible. Wider seats, higher cabin ceilings and ambient lighting offer a sense of spaciousness that’s never been achieved before.

Aside from the new engines, the efficiency of the Airbus A350 comes from the way it’s built. More than half of it is made from Carbon Fibre, while it also has revolutionary wings that morph and change shape while it’s in the air. Airbus claims that the inspiration for this design comes from a bird, which is in a way endearing, and in a way strange. We’d assumed that planes have been taking inspiration from Birds for most of the time anyway.

All of this combined means that the Airbus A350 is by far the most economical, eco-friendly way to travel long-haul, with the new engines, reduced weight and reduced drag making for a saving of up to 25% on CO2 emissions.

What This Means For Your Flight

Hopefully, a fair amount. Of course, a good deal of what you’ve heard about new aircraft in the past has been total wank, with airlines boasting that their new planes now have an extra 5mm width and 0.002 degrees of pitch to the economy class seats, as if you’re supposed to tell the difference after 9 hours of sleep deprivation and turbulence. With aircraft like the Airbus A350 though, things are set to change a fair amount.

First and foremost, the legs on the A350 mean that you’ll be able to fly further without needing to take any annoying stopovers and change plans. Singapore for instance intend to roll out non-stop services from Singapore to LA and Amsterdam, the latter of which is a considerable 13-hour haul, but all the same it’s a shit ton better than a 9-hour changeover at Doha.

The extra space and flexibility of the Airbus A350’s format allows the airlines more opportunity to play around with the things that actually matter when you’re on-board. Different airlines are playing around with the configurations of their cabin sizes to match the length of the flights they’re using the A350 for. Some have larger economy cabin at the expense of the premium economy offering, while airlines like Singapore Airlines are even downsizing their business-class cabin to make room for more at the back. Smaller A350s will most likely make do without a first-class cabin altogether.

Nonetheless, the Airbus A350 has an impressive level of versatility, meaning that you’ll get the most spacious cabin possible for your flight and class. Before it’s even customised for the airline ordering it, Airbus has already incorporated a wide range of technology to make the mere act of living in their new aircraft as non-demanding as possible.

The Airbus A350 features what Airbus claim is the quietest cabin on any twin-aisle aircraft, up to 20% quieter than other current-gen aircraft, along with brand new air purification technology that cycles the air in the cabin every 2-3 minutes, optimising the temperature and humidity within the cabin as it goes.

Even the bare essentials of the Airbus A350 are able to be tinkered with to allow maximum passenger comfort. Its business-class configuration points the window seats outwards towards the side of the aircraft, making for a better view out of the window. Even in economy, Lufthansa have changed the colour of their seats so that they get gradually lighter towards the middle, negating the effect of the light streaming in through the windows and making the central seats feel less dark and cramped.

Creature Comforts & Business Class

Of course, everything we’ve talked about so far only makes so much difference in making sure you get your moneys worth when you’re paying thousands of dollars for a flight. Air travel should always feel that little bit special, whether you’re in economy or first class. The Airbus A350 is set up to provide just that feeling.

The Airbus A350’s economy seats are wider than ever before and sit inside the most spacious cabin possible, with vaulted ceilings and panoramic windows that adjust electronically from transparent to fully opaque. The overhead lockers are larger, offering space for every passenger to get a full-sized carry-on bag overhead without competing for space with those next to you. Each seat has a 4-way adjustable headrest, and Qatar Airways have even taken the step of integrating each seat’s power box into the seat itself, meaning you get more legroom.

Business class, as ever, takes things up a notch. Airbus A350 business cabins can be configured in either 1-2-1 or 2-2-2 layouts, maximising the space in each cabin to suit the length of the route being flown. Taking inspiration from its bigger brother, the A380, the Qatar A350 also offers an in-flight walk up bar for its business class customers.

A good flight is nothing without entertainment, and while other aircraft have definitely made strides towards making flight a properly plugged-in, interactive experience, the A350 has finally brought this aspect of flight into 2017. WIFI and GMS integration is available across all major airlines, going a step further than the rudimentary dial-up speed internet you used to pay an obscene amount for every hour (although it is still pretty pricey).

Airlines Using The A350

Cathay Pacific | Singapore Airlines | Qatar Airways

The post Why The Airbus A350 Should Be Your Only Flight Of Choice appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The term ‘minimalism’ often carries with it a many connotations of Scandinavian design.

Today we’re taking a break from that stuff and visiting the refined world of Japanese living through their own interpretation of minimalism. Welcome to Atelier FU House, a strikingly bare and intriguing home designed by Kubota Architect Atelier.

The firm has been around for almost thirty years now and churning out one of their latest signature homes has put this Shunan residence on the map. The Ferrari certainly helps with that to a degree.

Elsewhere it’s all about the modern geometric lines paired with exposed concrete everywhere. The designers say this is to drown out external noise but given it’s Japan, the noise really can’t be that bad.

the home features a terrace, pool that opens up via sliding doors and a of course the carport which makes for easy street access and viewing from within the home. A master bedroom resides upstairs with more space that is accessed via a concrete staircase.

Can it be lived in? Absolutely. We’d imagine that vacuuming would be a bitch though.

The post Kubota Architect's Latest Exercise In Japanese Minimalism appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Instagram is the undisputed king of social media eye candy. It’s our go-to for gawking at nearly everything – from fashion, food and fast cars, to fine women and travel in far-flung locations.

It’s also one of our favourite sources for interior design inspiration. After brushing up on all the latest tips and trends, we turn to the ‘gram to see the looks in action.

Here you’ll find a handful of the best interior design Instagrams to inspire your style, whether you’re starting from scratch or just need to spruce up a corner.

Apartment Therapy

Do you know what day it is? It’s House Tour Tuesday . On our IG story today, check out this 280 square foot beautiful brownstone located in Brooklyn, NY. (Image: @minettehand)

A post shared by Apartment Therapy (@apartmenttherapy) on Jan 24, 2017 at 7:05am PST

Apartment Therapy is one of the biggest and best repositories of information on home design and décor on the Web. The website’s mission is to help people make their homes more handsome, organised, and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources and ideas – and they firmly believe it doesn’t take large amounts of money or space to do it. Their Instagram is a constant source of inspiration for a wide variety of budgets and tastes.

My Scandinavian Home

Feeling truly inspired by the beautiful home of @daniellawitte here in Skåne – full tour on the blog today (link in bio). @daniellawitte styling. @emmaperssonlagerberg #butterflychair #sittingroom #swedishhome

A post shared by my scandinavian home (@myscandinavianhome) on Jan 30, 2017 at 6:08am PST

TRNK

We’re in the showroom today from 12-6! Swing by for a glass of prosecco and to check out some of our favorite products on sale, including the Standard Sofa (25% off), the Walnut Bar Cart set (25% off) and and in-store only promotion for 15% off all Gus furniture (including the Atwood sofa pictured). 153 Lafayette Street on the 7th Floor @isabelledimang

A post shared by TRNK (@trnknyc) on Nov 25, 2016 at 6:37am PST

TRNK was founded in 2013 by two friends, Tariq Dixon and Nick Nemechek, for men who appreciate home design but don’t represent common notions of domesticity. Their website and Instagram showcase their favourite products, stories, inspirations, and ideas – sourced from around the globe, but all sharing a single, carefully-considered point of view. TRNK describes the ideal home as considered yet approachable, masculine but not trite, and collected rather than decorated.

Lonny Magazine

We can get down with this rustic-meets-modern vibe. // Design by @kyleschuneman // @treasurbite via @mydomaine

A post shared by Lonny Magazine (@lonnymag) on Feb 6, 2017 at 5:35pm PST

Launched in October 2009, Lonny is a monthly online magazine that focuses on lifestyle and home decor. Lonny has been featured by the likes of Vanity Fair and The New York Times, as well as blogs worldwide, and has highlighted design luminaries ranging from Cath Kidston to Kelly Wearstler. The Instagram keeps it simple: all interiors, all the time.

Hunted Interior

Have to share the shelves too. I’m still sore from building and painting these bad boys, but #oneroomchallenge @housebeautiful

A post shared by Kristin Jackson (@hunted_interior) on Nov 9, 2016 at 5:19am PST

Hunting for the next big idea for your home? Hunt no further than Hunted Interior, headed up by Kristin Jackson. Ms. Jackson is editor in chief of the blog by the same name, which hopes to inspire readers searching for their own style and show them how to accomplish it on any budget. Though some of her interiors have feminine twists, a good number of them boast darker, man-approved vibes. Roger Moore’s Bond even features on a bathroom wall.

Benjamin Vandiver

A post shared by BENJAMIN VANDIVER (@benjaminvandiver) on Nov 4, 2016 at 1:09pm PDT

Benjamin Vandiver founded a full-service interior design and lifestyle brand in 2012. Today he has studios in Nashville and New York City, and his work has appeared in publications like Harper’s Bazaar and House Beautiful. Vandiver’s simple but rich style has earned him a roster of happy clients that includes world heavyweight champion Wladamir Klitchko, actress Connie Britton, and Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill.

Metropolitan Home

Aloft with @francesloom. #styleinspiration #loftstyle #loftliving #interiordesign #architecture #exposedbrick // via @witanddelight_

A post shared by Metropolitan Home (@methomemag) on Nov 16, 2016 at 8:25am PST

Metropolitan Home is a lifestyle and design magazine for people who are making homes, starting careers, and building communities in modern cities. It presents an authentic, authoritative, and entertaining look into the lifestyles of the creative class, including features on contemporary design, shopping, entertaining, and real estate, bolstered by plenty of visual inspiration on Instagram.

The post 7 Best Instagrams For The Interior Design Buff appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Following recent news that NASA discovered seven new exoplanets comes another story that’s rocking space-fans everywhere. SpaceX, the aerospace manufacturer and transport company founded by Elon Musk, just announced that two private citizens have booked a trip around the moon in late 2018.

Though the interstellar tourists won’t actually land on the lunar surface, they will be the first humans to venture to the moon since 1972. Their journey will begin at Kennedy Space Center’s historic Pad 39A near Cape Canaveral in Florida, the same launch pad used by the Apollo program for their lunar missions.

After lift-off, they’ll circumnavigate the moon and explore a stretch of deeper space before returning to Earth. In total, the trip will cover 300,000 to 400,000 miles and take a week to complete.

“Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration,” said the SpaceX announcement. “We expect to conduct health and fitness tests, as well as begin initial training later this year.”

NASA expressed support for the daring undertaking.

“NASA commends its industry partners for reaching higher,” NASA officials wrote in a statement. “We will work closely with SpaceX to ensure it safely meets the contractual obligations to return the launch of astronauts to U.S. soil and continue to successfully deliver supplies to the International Space Station.”

The historic mission will take place aboard the Dragon 2 spacecraft, which will be carried to orbit by the ultra-powerful, not-yet-tested Falcon Heavy rocket. Falcon Heavy is due to launch its first test flight this summer and, once successful, will be the second most powerful vehicle to reach orbit after the Saturn V moon rocket.

Call us crazy, but something tells us an adventure of this calibre can’t come cheap. SpaceX didn’t release an exact figure, but noted that the travellers – whose names have not been revealed – paid “a significant deposit” for the privilege of leaving Earth’s atmosphere.

The post SpaceX Plans To Send Two Space Tourists To The Moon Next Year appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Soho House’s stylish brand of cool is coming to yet another property in London. Set in the former Midland Bank building in the heart of the City, The Ned will open in spring 2017 with nine restaurants, 252 hotel rooms, a range of men’s and women’s grooming services, and a private members’ club.

The Ned represents a significant departure from previous Soho House offerings. Founder Nick Jones has been outspoken about his hatred for “packs of people in suits” and told the Standard he avoided the City because its inhabitants were the antithesis of the “cool creative people” who frequent his venues.

But it appears he’s had a change of heart.

“Now I’m embracing the City. The Square Mile wasn’t on my radar as a place to be, but I fell in love with the building as soon as I saw it,” he told the Standard. “The City has more than its fair share of culture and it’s developing at a rapid pace. The Ned is part of that change and we’re proud to be here.”

Jones describes his new venture as being “for anyone who likes eating, drinking and having a good time.” The hotel’s interiors are inspired by the 1920s 1930s, with vintage furniture and chandeliers designed to honour to the heritage building’s history. Expect tactile furnishings, classical details and a few modern touches, like rainforest showers, for ultimate comfort.

Eight restaurants sit amidst the grandeur of The Ned’s historic 3,000 square metre lobby, serving dishes that span the globe. England, France, Italy, America, and the Asia-Pacific region are all represented.

The lower levels of The Ned bring together a range of men’s and women’s services in an elegant yet welcoming atmosphere. The Cowshed spa offers a complete range of treatments, including tailor-made massages and facials using their own brand of natural products. Women can head to Cheeky Parlour for manis and pedis, while men can visit Neville – a “speakeasy-style barbershop” – for a haircut or a traditional wet shave.

A social and fitness membership dubbed ‘Ned’s Club’ grants members and bedroom guests access to some of the hotel’s most spectacular spaces. Ned’s Club Upstairs offers a panoramic rooftop view and a heated pool with two venues for dining and drinking. Ned’s Club Downstairs transforms the original Midland Bank vault into a chic cocktail lounge.

Ned’s Club Active is a generous exercise area with cutting-edge equipment, a boxing gym, and three studios for pilates, yoga, and spinning. After a hard workout, members can make a beeline for Ned’s Club Relax, a soothing space built around a 20-metre indoor pool equipped with a sauna, steam room, and traditional hamam.

The post Inside Soho House's Surprising New London Property, The Ned appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Rumours are swirling that the next iPhone could cost as much as US$1000. Despite the exorbitant price, Apple fanboys are sure to be camping out in front of stores long before the phone actually hits shelves. Here’s why they shouldn’t.

You were told from a young age that money can’t buy happiness. Your parents were right, and now scientists believe they have discovered exactly why experiences are better than things.

The thing is, money actually can make you happier – but only to a point. After your basic needs are met, research has found that having more bucks in the bank doesn’t significantly increase happiness.

So the question isn’t how to get more money, it’s how to allocate a limited resource in the way that will maximise its happiness potential.

The Wrong Answer

Some people assume investing in things is the answer. Because a physical object will last longer than a one-off experience, they believe the happiness will also last longer. However, psychologists and sociologists have found a link between materialism and narcissism, social anxiety, and life dissatisfaction in general.

When you buy something new, it excites you. But with time, the initial enthusiasm wears off, and before long you’re jonesing for another newness-induced happiness fix.

“One of the enemies of happiness is adaptation,” says Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University who has studied the link between money and happiness for over two decades. “We buy things to make us happy, and we succeed. But only for a while. New things are exciting to us at first, but then we adapt to them.”

A 2014 study also found that focusing what you want, rather than on what you currently have, makes it difficult to appreciate what’s already in your life. Participants who were more materialistic felt less gratitude overall which, in turn, was associated with lower levels of life satisfaction.

The Right Answer

That’s where experiences come in. Gilovich’s research indicates that happiness levels are equal when buying an object or spending money on a travelling escapade, but memories of an adventure – and the joy we get from recalling them – stay with us for a much longer period. We don’t adapt to them the way we do to stuff.

Shared experiences also connect us more to other people than shared consumption. You’re more likely to feel connected to the buddy you went backpacking with than the buddy who also happens to own the new iPhone.

You’re also much less prone to trying to compare your experiences to someone else’s than you are to trying to compare material objects, reducing the anxiety and dissatisfaction that inevitably come from trying to keep up with the Joneses.

“Our experiences are a bigger part of ourselves than our material goods,” says Gilovich. “You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences.”

The post There's A Scientific Reason Why Experiences Are Better Than Things appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

This story was originally published on Gizmodo

Queensland University’s Creative Advertising lecturer, Michael Klaehn, says the word “love” was tweeted more than 2.5 billion times in the past year and today “it will be the hottest word on the Twitterscape, most likely paired with one of the top 10 global love Emojis or hashtags”.

Vom.

“Twitter has just released its global top ten love Emojis and hashtags which demonstrate the incredible impact social media is having on the worldwide romance industry and how people communicate,” Klaehn said.

Here you go, in case you really need to know:

The number one love Emoji is that face with love hearts for eyes, then the red heart, then two hearts, that face blowing a kiss and that weird “vibrating heart” to round out the top five. Number 10 is a broken heart.

The top hashtag is not surprisingly #Love, followed by (oh god make it stop) #Blessed. #ValentinesDay comes in at number four and number 10 is the slightly desperate-sounding #LetMeLoveYou.

“At the same time marketers are trying to capitalise on Valentine’s Day via social media campaigns,” Klaehn says. “Air New Zealand has run quirky Valentine’s Day campaigns for the past few years and the latest asks people Are you #GoingTheDistance this Valentine’s Day?”

Some campaigns are a little strange but still entertaining, Klaehn says, like the Snuggle Bear campaign which lets people upload their own photos and send to their Valentine.

“Social media is now so mainstream in terms of communication that it will be very popular today for people to declare their love for their partners using Twitter, Facebook, other social media, virtual cards, and automated videos like the Snuggle Bear singing ‘I had the time of my life'”, Klaehn explains.

“The ability to use multimedia so easily and to send it to your special Valentine via the internet anywhere in the world makes it extremely appealing.”

But that doesn’t mean you should, internet.

That doesn’t. Mean. You. Should.

Gizmodo explores the smart design, breakthrough science and awe-inspiring tech shaping your future.

Follow Gizmodo on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Emojis & Hashtags Are The New Public Displays Of Affection appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Brace yourselves, cashed up tradies. Mercedes-Benz are bringing their wild X-Class Concept to local construction sites in 2018.

The green machine is the Silver Arrows’ first ever ute (that’s pick-up truck for you Americans) and the prototype model was yesterday spotted on the back of a truck in Tullamarine heading to an undisclosed location for a shoot.

The car which will take on the likes of long established pick-up names from Ford and Toyota is currently here on a promotional tour before its official debut.

Early details have already been confirmed about the X-Class Concept including the monstrous 22-inch wheels which Mercedes-Benz head of design Gorden Wagener admitted was “pretty much” production-ready.

Given that it’s a Mercedes-Benz, punters can also expect the same level of exacting luxury and safety in the interior with Wagener confirming that it will be on par with their passenger cars. In other words, it’ll be pretty damn good.

Other than that there are no powertrain or engine specs as yet. There is a cool trailer which you can check out below though.

The post Mercedes-Benz's First Ever Ute Has Landed In Australia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Add a dash of colour and reduce the size. That’s the secret formula TAG Heuer have employed in their popular Carrera Heuer-01 timepiece which first debuted in back in 2015.

The watches will now come in an easier-to-wear 43mm case whilst colours will extend to intense black, navy blue and cognac brown across six new references in steel and matching ceramic bezel. The same mechanics will be utilised in the Swiss brand’s proprietary Skeleton Manufacture Chronograph which affords a central seconds counter, a 30-minute counter, a 12-hour counter and a date window between the 3 o’clock and 4 o’clock markers.

The power reserve of the timepiece is a very respectable 50 hours meaning you can leave it untouched for two days without needing to readjust the time. On the aesthetic front the watch face features flashes of red on the hands and indexes as a nod to motor racing. The backside receives the mandatory sapphire case-back so that the skeleton chronograph can be admired in all its glory.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 timepieces will officially debut at this year’s Baselworld convention with an attractive pricetag of less than 5000 CHF.

References for the timepieces are below:

CAR201T.BA0766: blue dial and steel bracelet

CAR201T.FC6404: blue dial and blue leather strap

CAR201U.BA0766: brown dial and steel bracelet

CAR201U.FC6405: brown dial and brown leather strap

CAR201V.BA0766: black dial and steel bracelet

CAR201V.FT6087: black dial and black rubber strap

The post TAG Heuer Revamp The Carrera Heuer-01 In Three Striking New Colours appeared first on DMARGE Australia.