Great minds need a home to thrive in business and this week we’re taking a to Brisbane to uncover some of the trendiest coworking spaces you’ll mistake for designer digs.

Why the designer angle? At D’Marge we believe that a clear space with the right aesthetics allows for ideas to be born and nurtured. So straighten up those folders, throw two middle fingers to the corporate life and join us in exploring Brisbane’s coolest coworking spaces.

Gravity Coworking

Quality, prestige and a conducive working space forms the cornerstone of Gravity located in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. The fit out and furnishing is the first thing that will strike guests first with a traditional corporate building space being enhanced with high quality interior appointments.

Gravity boasts rapid internet, private booths, video conference boardrooms and dry cleaning facilities alongside a dedicated restaurant, bar and cafe. Mandatory bike racks mare also on hand for easy parking and less distractions.

140 Creek Street, Brisbane

Workroom

Built for creatives by creatives. Workroom is the brainchild of Catherine Roberts who also runs her own online interior design store, Showroom. The coworking space Workroom is housed within Showroom so it’s little wonder how polished the the fit out is. The goal like most other coworking spaces is to foster collaboration amongst likeminded people whilst providing a chic platform to conduct meetings and anything else to launch a business. Don’t like working indoors? They have a breezy verandah space to sort you out along with free WiFi and kitchen facilities laden with tea.

104 Edward St, Brisbane

The Coterie

It’s bright, quirky and exactly what some are looking for when it comes to inspiration. The Coterie comes as part of QUT’s Creative Enterprise hub, hence the younger vibe of the decor. The space is conveniently located in the Brisbane CBD with close proximity to public transport. Facilities here include hot desks, private desks, quick Wi-Fi and boardroom with conference capabilities. Most importantly though are they people that make up the space – teams, sole traders, and entrepreneurs in music, interactive media, fashion and gaming industries.

Level 4, 34 Parer Place, Kelvin Grove

Space&Co

Rapid Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, showers, bike cage and a cool central location makes Space & Co. one of Brisbane’s sweetest premium offerings in a soaring premium high-rise. Prime location makes this one the sweet spot with cafes, bars, and retail options all within walking distance. Shall you ever need a stint of fresh air, a run along the nearby river is also possible. Work-life balance achieved.

Level 15, 111 Eagle St

Lightspace

This one’s for the warehouse junkies who love to have their heads down in a proper creative bunker which also doubles as an event space and wedding venue. Say what? That’s right, the studios upstairs is where the good work gets done with open plane spaces being home to a collective of creative folk. Meeting rooms, quick internet, cool design…it’s all there in a fun and secure environment shall you need a change in scenery. It’s also a stone’s throw away from Fortitude Valley.

30 Light Street, Fortitude Valley

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Want to have a meal unlike any you’ve had before? Then you need to be checking out the best private dining rooms in Sydney. These private sanctuaries offer you and your loved ones or colleagues ample space to get away from the rest of the Sydney dining crowd so you can chat, wine and dine the night away. 

We’ve put together this list of the best private dining rooms Sydney has to offer so you and your squad can get up to all kinds of mischief in the confines of a luxurious setting before moving on to more late-night debauchery.

Bennelong Restaurant & Bar

Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point

Bennelong is one of Sydney’s trademark destinations in fine dining. Besides playing host to some of the finest modern Australian cuisine with a stunning Sydney backdrop to match, the restaurant within the Opera House also leaves room for semi-private dining for up twelve of your luckiest guests. If the food doesn’t enamour you, the architecture and harbour views certainly will.

The Gantry

11 Hickson Rd, Sydney

If you’re playing host to some special vegan friends then The Gantry is the best Sydney private dining room for you. The restaurant can handle up to nine or more guests and naturally foraged dishes that will take you on a culinary experience like no other. It’s also a hatted restaurant to go with the impeccable Sydney Harbour views.

The Roosevelt

32 Orwell St, Potts Point

The Roosevelt is easily one of the best private dining rooms in Sydney. Originally opened in Potts Point in 1947, it has become a serious player on the Sydney cocktail scene over the past few years and now caters to all your magnificent bastard whims with its Poker Room. Up to 12 guests can push past the secret doorways to The Roosevelt’s Poker Room to find an incredible speakeasy dining den, perfect for a game of Poker or lavish night of food and whisky cocktails.

INDU

350 George St, Sydney

Sydney’s INDU restaurant is not your average butter chicken and naan fix. It’s a celebration of village cultures, flavours and local hospitality in an environment where eastern mysticism meets western curiosity. For a truly authentic experience, INDU offers 2 private dining rooms carved out of the restaurant’s heritage-listed building for up to 12 guests. These little pockets of luxury book out quickly, so get in while you can.

The Apollo Restaurant

44 MacLeay St, Potts Point

Greek on its own is already food worth savouring but throw in a private dining session at the chef’s table and you’ll have an experience worth hanging around for. Headed by the talents of Jonathan Barthelmess, this Greek Australian eater is one of the town’s slickest which often attracts a bevy of high-profile clientele. Not that you’ll notice since you’ll be face deep in pita bread and dips, grilled octopus, Greek-style BBQ chicken and of course the lamb shoulder.

O Bar and Dining

Australia Square, 264 George St, Sydney

Soar 47 floors above the iconic Sydney CBD at O Bar and Dining and treat your comrades to a night of lush food and drink in the restaurant’s private dining room, Salon Privé. With breathtaking 360 degree views, bespoke menus and dedicated wait staff, you and up to 28 of your mates can drink and dine in the lap of luxury.

Sokyo

The Star, G/80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont

Eating like you’re in Tokyo doesn’t mean you need to travel all the way there. In the heart of Sydney’s Pyrmont at The Star is the high-end Japanese restaurant known as Sokyo. The eatery serves up some of the most exquisite seafood and sushi using the finest seafood from the neighbouring Fish Markets. 

The Grounds Of Alexandria

7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria

If you’re nice to the Groundsman, he’ll let you in on his best-kept secret: the Lock-In. Hidden behind a huge door, The Grounds of Alexandria’s private dining room, Lock In is perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the rest of the venue and relishing in a superb stash of top-shelf whisky and spirits.

BLACK Bar & Grill

The Star Level G/, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont

Located within Sydney casino The Star, BLACK Bar & Grill is a luxe restaurant that makes the most of the city’s harbour views and focuses on a seasonal menu of premium grass, grain and Wagyu steaks. The restaurant’s Onyx private dining room is a truly glamorous and exclusive space, featuring a 10-metre wide hand-painted mural, jet black panelling and handmade pendant lighting. It can accommodate up to 26 of your squad.

Saké

12 Argyle St, The Rocks

Next time you’re catering to a group of mates hungry for some contemporary Japanese grub, why not try Saké. Saké offers a host of stylish spaces for private use, from the 24-seater Bonsai room to the Saké Private Dining Room, housed in historic sandstone. This room oozes elegance for a sophisticated celebration and features a bespoke menu, extensive wine list, AV capabilities and an adjoining lounge for up to 60 guests.

Lotus Dumpling Bar

Shop 3/16 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point 

Lotus Galeries is part of the Lotus Dining group, the dumpling kingpins behind Lotus Dumpling Bar, Papa Bo Min and Lotus Barangaroo. Lotus Galeries is the largest restaurant in the group with 5 private dining rooms, ranging in size from 8 to 40 persons. For a private experience in a restaurant that combines fashion, art and music, Lotus Galleries is the place to be. It also features a cocktail lounge and a dumpling bar.

Other Sydney experiences you may like

• Best Pubs In Sydney
• Best Bars In Sydney
• Best Sydney Rooftop Bars
• Best Sydney Private Dining Rooms
• Best Pizza In Sydney
• Best Sydney Restaurants

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The following article has been brought to you by Nespresso Creatista

Uncovering the finest worldly pursuits for men on a daily basis is never one person’s job at D’Marge. It takes a dedicated team of typing monkeys armed with the perfect blend of coffee crafted to the most exacting tastes.

Thankfully the office’s sexy new toy is also our new best friend (condolences, Water Chiller). Say buongiorno to the svelte lines of the Nespresso Creatista.

As a group of creatives with little time to loiter around cafe lines overrun with bearded philosophers, we were glad to discover that the Nespresso Creatista is more than just a fancy name for a new generation of coffee machine.

The Nespresso Creatista has quickly established itself as a valued part of the team with eight different coffee selections designed to satisfy the most demanding tastes.

Where some would consider that overzealous, the Nespresso Creatista considers itself a barista’s tool of trade. It’s ingeniously compact and intentionally simple to use for those who are normally on the receiving end.

How easy are we talking? Like taking candy from a candy store and making your lovely date pay for it.

A Wand To Weave Your Own Coffee Magic

Nespresso likes to call it the Automated Steam Wand but we’ll just call this the most intuitive feature ever added to a civilian coffee machine.

The Automated Steam Wand is every wannabe barista’s dream come true, allowing for up to 8 auto frothing settings in order to achieve the perfect milk texture for your coffee.

Simply fill the milk jug to the designated level, place the steam wand into it, select your preferred texture via the quick selector dial and hit start. The Creatista will do the rest of the heavy lifting.

Customising your preference in the all-important milk froth doesn’t end there though. The Creatista also gives users the option to choose up to 11 milk temperatures to ensure your liquid gold is supple enough to sip straight off the brewer. You’re happy. Your boss is happy. HR is happy. Everyone gets to keep their job for another week.

Art Of Coffee In Your Hands

Choosing up to 8 different variations of coffee via 24 different Nespresso capsules is only half the fun of Creatista. When the machine has finished brewing anything from a flat white to a latte of your choosing, it’s time to remove the frothed milk and let your inner Vincent Van Gogh do the talking. The art part – not the cutting off your ear part.

Simply use the freshly texturised milk to create intricate patterns, motifs and drawings that you’ve been working on during meetings and you’ll be making some damn sexy coffee art in no time.

A Cleaner At Your Service

Nespresso understands every man’s need to tie up loose ends so the Creatista comes equipped with a very handy Assisted Cleaning System. Ensuring that milk isn’t caught inside the wand is a high priority but it shouldn’t be yours.

When frothing is complete, the wand will shoot a stream of hot water through the pipes to ensure it’s clean for the next mission. Your only job? Wipe off the milk froth from the external surface of the wand and you’re good for round two.

Who needs real friends when you have a Creatista.

FIND OUT MORE

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China isn’t normally the centre hub for bachelor pads that exude masculine charm but every now and then it throws us a curve ball.

This particular apartment located in Taoyuan, China, is neither bachelor pad or family home – it’s both.

The space was freshly completed in 2016 by Aworkdesign.Studio and includes small cavernous spaces for children to play in. The lounge though is where the adults get to play, featuring and ‘Explorer’ type theme which maximises space and the use of natural lighting.

The home is set on a natural base tone of hardwood whilst the raw concrete feature wall makes for a masculine offset in which a bookshelf, floor art and greenery is set upon.

The post Striking Minimalist Lines Adorn This Young Family Apartment appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The late Bob Marley once gleefully said: “Sun is shining, the weather is sweet. Make you want to move your dancing feet.”

Ironically, the poor bastard eventually met his maker in the form of melanoma at age 36. And herein lies a bigger issue amongst men: Most of us are either oblivious or just complacent when it comes to proper skin protection during summer – the season where it matters most.

Besides the obvious risk of skin cancer, chasing that “healthy glowing skin” can also toss up a few curve balls in the form of dark patches, oily skin, wrinkles and unsightly spot blemishes – the cosmetic stuff that will earn you the name Leatherface. It’s a big price to pay for a little bit of colour over a few months.

Here are the easiest ways to look after your skin this summer.

Don’t Use A Bar Of Soap

We get it. You’ve heard the myths about dropping the soap. It doesn’t mean you need to hold onto the thing for dear life and use it every chance you get.

Men’s skincare has evolved from from circulating the humble bar of soap between your body and face. In fact most guys wouldn’t know that standard soap actually damages the skin by stripping off the protective layer from it, making it easier for skin irritation and dryness.

Use Face & Body Wash

Men tend to sweat more during the warmer months and this results in an increase of oil and dirt on the skin’s surface. If these dirt particles clog up the pores, there’ll be an increase in outbreaks and acne.

Slathering a layer of sunscreen also doesn’t help in terms of preventing that greasy and dirty layer of skin. The solution is simple – use a body or face wash to rid all of the oils and dirt that has accumulated throughout the day. That means before heading out into the sun and after.

See our 10 Best Skincare Products For Men or check out easily accessible products like KLIM.

Inherit An Easy Routine

We can’t stress routine enough during summer as this will ensure you don’t fry over longer stints out in the sun. You might have gotten the first step down pat, but without a backup plan serious sun damage is still very possible.

Three key time slots should be followed:

Morning: Start with a decent cleanser that will clean away dead skin cells whilst purifying the skin without stripping it. Try Jack Black’s Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser before applying Dermalogica’s proven Pure Light SPF30 based moisturiser. This will protect your skin from harmful UVs when you’re not in the water.

Afternoon: If you’ve got five minutes, it’s time to re-apply and replenish before catching that last stint of sun. Wipe down your skin with a cleansing toner which is quite affordable. A good bottle of Cetaphil will set you back no more than $20. Once rinsed, re-apply the aforementioned moisturiser.

Evening: This is the wrap up of the day and also the most important. A build up of dirt and oil means you’ll need to cleanse and exfoliate (it’s faster and easier than you think) to remove dead skin cells in order to promote new skin growth. Top it off with a hydrating lotion or better yet get a two-in-one like Paula’s Choice Lotion Exfoliant.

Look Good, Not Greasy

Regulating your skin’s oil production, especially on your face, will go a long way in curbing the disenchanted sweaty-oil look. The key is to pick a fast-absorbing oil-free lightweight lotion which provides the same protection without making you look live you’ve just run a marathon hungover.

Sunscreen Application

Heading into the open sun with a bit of water action? You’ll need sunscreen for that. All it takes is 15 minutes for the sun to fry your ass, causing proper damage to skin. We hear you though – sunburn goes away after a week or two, right?

Indeed but it will comeback later on down the track in the form of unattractive pigmentation, premature ageing and you guessed it, risk of cancer. Always go for a high SPF rated sunblock and re-apply every two hours. Being in the water and sweating will ensure that sunscreen tends to run off the body quicker.

• Don’t neglect the lips as these can burn too leaving cracked and painful skin. Use Jack Black’s Intense Therapy Lip Balm.
• Let sunscreen absorb for 20 minutes before jumping into the sea.
• Don’t neglect parts of your body such as the feet, hairline and mid-back which is often hard to reach.

Sunburn Remedies

Alas we’ve reached you a tad too late and the sun damage has already been done. Keep your pants on. See our comprehensive guide on How To Treat Sunburn When You’re A Man (Typically A Lazy One).

The post How To Protect Your Skin This Summer When You're A Man (A Typically Lazy One) appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If you were wondering how to make family gatherings even more awkward this holiday season, Tinder has the answer. Introducing: Tinder on Apple TV.

The dating app everyone loves to hate on (but can’t seem to quit) has officially launched an app for Apple TV. Users can download the app to see their matches on the big screen, and use a new touch-sensitive remote control to swipe left, right, or up for Super Like. Tinder Plus subscribers can also shake the remote to Rewind.

“It’s the same dynamite swiping experience you know and love,” said the Tinder blog, “just bigger, better and streaming live from your living room.”

In other words, while you get your Tinder on in search of a New Year’s Eve date, your nosy/horny/judgmental friends and family can kick back on the couch, crack out the popcorn, and get full view of the action. The idea is that they’re the people who know you best, so they’ll be an effective troop of free matchmakers who can guide your swiping lest you drown yourself in a sea of bad decisions and despair.

Or, in Tinder’s words:

“Need a second opinion before you Super Like? Good news: the cousins from Omaha just rolled in. Plus, why swipe alone when you can let Aunt Donna have a say? She’s known you since you were two; she’s watched you grow. If she says you should Swipe Right on that nice girl in the penguin costume, you Swipe Right on that nice girl in the penguin costume. Seriously man, show Aunt Donna some respect.”

Nothing against penguins, or Aunt Donna for that matter, but this sounds like a real quick trip to mayhem town. Imagine your family gathered expectantly around the television, eagerly watching you swipe through endless duckface selfies and pizza puns and references to Netflix and chill, critiquing your every move like the world’s most meddlesome sports commentators. A piece of your soul probably shriveled just thinking about it.

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In a world of relentless pace dominated by technology, it’s easy to overlook the natural progression of Mother Nature’s marvels.

We’re not talking about your thriving moustache here, more so the collection of animals that inhabit Earth alongside us.

The National Geographic 2016 Nature Photographer of the Year Contest is the very celebration of this.

Featuring categories which include Animal Portraits to Landscape to Action and Environmental Issues, the series is a stunning representation of what civilian life usually prevents us from seeing.

The winner of this year’s award was Frenchman Greg Lecoeur of Nice who captured “Sardine Run”. He explained his image rather vividly.

“During the sardine migration along the Wild Coast of South Africa, millions of sardines are preyed upon by marine predators such as dolphins, marine birds, sharks, whales, penguins, sailfishes and sea lions. The hunt begins with common dolphins that have developed special hunting techniques to create and drive bait balls to the surface.”

See the shortened gallery above and then head over to National Geographic for the full listing of winning entrants.

The post See The Winning Photos From National Geographic's 2016 Contest appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Some people scrimp and save for months in order to feast at one of the exceptional eateries honoured by the Michelin Guide. Unless, of course, their destination is Tim Ho Wan, the dim sum parlour that currently holds the title of cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in history.

The Hong Kong–born hit today opened a brand new outpost in New York City, their first location in the United States and 45th location overall. The city’s famously foodie citizens responded by lining up immediately to sample the restaurant’s trademark char siu bao (barbecue pork bun), luo buo gao (turnip cake), and nuo mi ji (sticky rice in a lotus leaf). An hour into the opening, dozens of hungry diners were already braving the cold and lining the East Village block.

Michelin have published their annual city guides since 1900. The honours – one star, two stars, or three stars – typically go to fine dining establishments. When Tim Ho Wan secured a star for its affordable dim sum menu in 2010, it was huge news. Founders Mak Kwai Pui and Leung Fai Keung have since turned their surprise success into an international chain.

RELATED: Peek Behind The Curtain At The Smallest Michelin Star Restaurant In The World

The New York City location will dish out many of Tim Ho Wan’s signature dishes, all of which clock in at less than US$5.50. The restaurant will also feature two exclusive new options: veggie spring rolls and French toast filled with custard. Perhaps most essential of all to the city’s notoriously stressed-out population, the NYC restaurant will be the only location to serve beer and wine.

The post Cheapest Michelin Starred Restaurant Ever Opens Outpost In NYC appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A man’s home is his castle, but even the most handsome of castles gets stale over time. Waking up in the same old sheets, sitting on the same old sofa, staring at the same old art… it gets, well, old.

You hear about artists falling into ruts and writers battling writer’s block. Your home can fall into the same design doldrums, cursed by a creative stalemate that’s a scourge on your stylish mind. A magnificent bastard’s pad deserves to be just as magnificent as he is.

Steal From Social Media

Social media is a constant source of interior design inspiration. Scour Pinterest and Instagram for ideas you’d like to incorporate into your own abode. If you like a certain person’s style, see who they follow… and so on, and so on… until you’re deep in the rabbit hole of dapper homes. While you’re online, you may also want to check out blogs for fresh ideas (ahem).

Go On Home Tours

An easy way to learn your likes and dislikes is to see how others do it. Look at local real estate listings for home tours that let interested parties take a peek inside. You don’t have to be in the market for a new pad to learn something from an especially chic open house. Take a picture of anything you like so you don’t forget it.

Hit The Cinema

Perhaps you lusted after Tony Stark’s hillside home, or the chic interiors of Tom Ford’s A Single Man, or the quirky colour palettes of Wes Anderson’s oeuvre. Use the movie dwellings that most catch your eye to inform your own interior design. You may even be able to find interviews with the set creators that reveal exactly what’s inside.

Switch Up Your Accessories

Small changes can have big effects. You’d be surprised by how much swapping, adding, or taking away accessories can transform a room (and it’s a much less expensive makeover than redoing the whole thing). Mix things up with new window treatments, throw pillows, blankets, rugs, and other adornments.

Buy Something Unexpected

Your comfort zone is the reason you’re in your rut in the first place. Break out of the former and you’ll break out of the latter. Paint a door a crazy colour, buy the neon chair you spotted at a thrift store, hang something on the wall that would make a stuffy art critic weep. An out-there design detail could be exactly the jolt needed to jumpstart your style.

Get Back To Nature

Bring the outside inside. Just one or two plants go to a long way to sprucing up a home (pun definitely intended). If your thumb is particularly green, you may want to go all-out on a vertical garden. Pantone’s 2017 Colour Of The Year is Greenery – consider it a sign.

Scout Out A New Store

That store you’ve passed a thousands times and never explored? Explore it. Look both at individual items that catch your eye and the big picture of how they’re arranged. Take note of interesting mixes of colours and textures. Speak with employees for ideas. It doesn’t even have to be a home decor store that sparks your imagination. Anywhere that puts the focus on design – think Apple – could be a source of inspiration.

Put On A Coat

A new coat of paint is a guaranteed ticket out of an interior design rut. Redo an entire room if you’re feeling ambitious. If that’s an overwhelming undertaking, create an accent wall or repaint a piece a furniture.

Get Inspiration From Art

Who has a better eye for the beautiful than artists? Visit a local museum or gallery, take an art tour, or simply walk through your city looking for street art. Any kind of artwork could be a potential source of inspiration for colour palettes, styles, shapes, periods, and perspectives. Or you may find a piece that’s begging to be on your wall, delivering a much-needed refresh to a familiar room.

Get Away

Check into a design-minded hotel. A quick staycation in your own city will do the trick if a proper holiday isn’t in the cards. Hotel designers are some of the most creative and in-demand talent in the biz, and they generally have higher budgets to work with than home designers. You may not be able to afford the exact same splurges, but there’s no shame in borrowing ideas and adapting them to your bank account.

Rearrange

It doesn’t get easier than this. Play a game of musical chairs (and other furniture) to revamp the look of a boringly familiar space. Turn a living room chair into your desk chair. Move a piece of art from the hallway to a bathroom. Swap the living room rug for the one under your dining table. A bit of rearranging can completely reset your design palate – not to mention that lifting all that furniture is a classic primal-style workout.

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