3 weeks to go!

Come share a well-earned drink with us on exhibition night - Wed 30 Nov from 6-9 pm - and enjoy the fruits of our labour!

In order to raise the $55,000+ needed to stage the CO|LAB exhibition for 70 students, all graduating Interior Designers and Decorators students have worked tirelessly throughout the year.

We found over 70 generous industry sponsors. We held a hugely successful designer auction hosted by Stylecraft. We were sponsored to run (well, walk…) the City to Surf. We sold raffle tix at Café Culture as part of Saturday In Design. Together, we have given ourselves the opportunity to stage an unforgettable exhibition for graduating students this year - CO|LAB.

In order to make the exhibition as environmentally responsible a process as possible, the majority of materials purchased will be kept to be re-used by students at Design Centre Enmore.

A huge thanks to all of our sponsors, in particular to our Platinum sponsors - Aspect Designs, Stylecraft, Brighton Australia and Sunscreen.

CO|LAB - The countdown begins

With 6 weeks to go until the CO|LAB Interior Design + Decoration Graduate Exhibition 2011, here's a teaser to kick start the countdown:

Get excited!

CO|LAB x Aspect Designs

Aspect Designs, one of our very treasured platinum sponsors, is a multi-disciplinary practice that has been in the forefront of the design industry for over 30 years. Their exceptionally high standard of work has continually been a benchmark for others. Their scope includes:

• Prestige residential


• Retail


• Hospitality


• Commercial


• Public buildings


• Infrastructure


• Master planning


• Graphic design


• Brand development

Some examples of Aspects amazing work:

We had a chat with Michael Sasso, architect and founder of Aspect Designs:

What is your design philosophy?

Aspect’s philosophy is to combine our detailed and innovative concepts and continual personal interaction with each individual client to create a superior product reflecting the client’s self expression and physical requirements.

The key to our success has been the basic principles of our designs, which concentrate on a good flow of space, abundant light, an inside- outside relationship and the correct orientation and design features to allow for passive solar benefits. The projects are visually exciting and express the latest in style and materials and finishes available in the market and are managed with a personal commitment to quality.

Who are your major influences in the world of design?

I have been influenced hugely by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra and in the modern era no other than Glen Murcut who I had a lot to do with during my work experience year at university.

What area of design did you first work in upon graduating?

My initial area of design was in the commercial field. I was contracted to design service stations for TOTAL. The most interesting project for then was the design of the first solar powered centre.

What did you find most valuable in your time at UNSW?

To be honest…not a lot of value except for one particular tutor who mentored me for a couple of years. His understanding and love of residential architecture has had a huge influence on my philosophies in design.

What career advice would you give a graduating interior designer or decorator?

Make sure you get practical hands-on experience so you know what and how to design with what materials.

What has been your favourite collaboration to date?

My favourites are always those projects without clients. Sounds strange because our design philosophy is centred around the client but the ones without clients allow for a greater freedom of expression and experimentation.

What are some day to day issues or struggles an interior designer has to deal with?

The client’s understanding of how far a budget goes. Champagne tastes and beer budgets are very common. Another issue is trying to convince a client that a design principle is important…to them it’s all very pragmatic.

What was your favourite project and why?

My favourite design project was unfortunately never built. It was the conversion of a wheat silo into a residence on a farm owned by our Prime Minister Harold Holt who disappeared while swimming off the South Coast. Why? Working with curved spaces and making them feel comfortable was incredibly difficult. The senses look for sharp lines and boundaries as a reference. What happens to the brain when there aren’t any is amazingly uncomfortable?

What is your favourite object?

A golf club or a bottle of wine !!!

A big thanks to Michael for giving us some though-provoking insights!

You can see more of Aspect's work here, or you can contact them via phone:

• General enquiries: sales@aspectdesigns.com.au


• Architectural enquiries: michael@aspectdesigns.com.au


• Interior enquiries: cassandra@aspectdesigns.com.au

Saturday In Design + DCE Open Day

If you recall from this post, a certain someone was slightly excited for Saturday In Design. Held in Sydney this year, there were so many places to see in so little time! What were the stand outs for you?

One of stand outs for us were the finalists for the Cafe Culture Upcycling competition. Some favourites:

Pen de Light by Stephanie Qiu and Teddy Loho. Yes, those are indeed Bic pens!

Diesel Light by Peter Watson

Design Centre Enmore was incredibly lucky to have a small stand in Cafe Culture to sell raffle tickets to raise funds for the CO|LAB Interior Design + Decoration Graduate Exhibition. We raised a very tidy $550, and believe me, the prizes are A-MAZ-ING. How does a cocktail party at Hugo's sound? Or a rug worth $600? Anyone for $500 worth of wine and champagne? Last chance to purchase tickets are at the Design Centre Enmore Open Day this Saturday. If you're interested in pursuing a career in Interior Design or Interior Decoration, come along - we'd love to meet you!

Annual Design Centre Auction = SUCCESS!

The CO|LAB team would like to give a big thank you to everyone who came to the Annual Design Centre Auction and supported us. It was a massive success (we now hold the record for raising the highest amount from the auction *pats self the back*)!

Thank you again to Stylecraft for graciously lending us their Sydney showroom for the night; it was fantastic working with you guys! And again, thank you so much to Benino whose generosity saw us a magnificent feast of delicious food!

Make sure you pop on over to our facebook page to check out the photos from the night!

Annual Design Centre Auction - Alessi Tray

Top 3 has kindly donated a black Columbina tray by Alessi for the Annual Design Centre Auction. If this is just the piece you've been searching for, make sure you RSVP at rsvp.dceauction@gmail.com and come along to what will be a great night!

Annual Design Centre Auction - Kiku Chair

Kindly donated by Jardan, the Kiku chair not only has timber detailing and tailored styling, but it's environmentally sustainable as well!

If you'd like to bid for this great piece, remember to RSVP at rsvp.dceauction@gmail.com

Annual Design Centre Auction - Line Z Table Lamp

This puristic LED is the next desk luminaire for home or office use with a luminaire profile of just 5 mm and has 100% direct light emission.

Remember to RSVP at rsvp.dceauction@gmail.com

Annual Design Centre Auction - Bloompot

Characterized by its simple but elegant design and versatility, Bloompot was designed in 2001 by Rob Slewe of the Netherlands.

If you've had your eye on the Bloompot, make sure you bid for it at the Annual Design Centre Auction this Thursday night!

Remember to RSVP at rsvp.dceauction@gmail.com

Annual Design Centre Auction - El Gordo Rug

One lucky bidder will be going home with a fabulous 3.2m El Gordo rug by Art Hide. Individually hand crafted from premium hide by artisan producers in Argentina - a very unique product!

Remember to RSVP at rsvp.dceauction@gmail.com

Annual Design Centre Auction - Stem Coat Tree

Yes, you could totally win this item at the Annual Design Centre Auction this Thursday night!

The Stem Tree by Design By Them is a simple and elegant coat stand that will compliment any interior. It is made from rock maple coated in a hard wearing clear satin polyurethane finish.

How to get your hands on this great piece? Simply bid for it at the Auction this Thursday!

Remember to RSVP at rsvp.dceauction@gmail.com

Annual Design Centre Auction

We're on winter break at the moment, and even though it's nearly over, we're pretty excited for the ANNUAL DESIGN CENTRE AUCTION!

If you're keen to pick up some great pieces/items, or just want to catch up with some people in the industry, you're more than welcome to come along.

The details:

Where: Stylecraft Showroom

223-225 Liverpool Street

Darlinghurst NSW 2010

When: 21 July 2011 6pm-10:30pm

What: Auction, Lucky Door Prize, Silent Auction,

How: RSVP email rsvp.dceauction@gmail.com by 19 July

A big thanks to Stylecraft and Benino for supporting what will be an exciting night.

Auction items to be posted soon...watch this space!

Hi!

COLLABORATE AND DESIGN
This blog has been set up to represent and promote the work of Design Centre Enmore graduating Interior Design and Interior Decoration students (degree, advanced diploma and diploma).

Each year, graduating students work together to design, fund and stage an exhibition. This high-profile event represents the culmination of our studies and gives us the opportunity to show the design community our work, ideas and collaborations. This year’s exhibition will take place November 22 2011.

During the year, this blog will feature graduate exhibition information, students’ work, fundraising events, and interviews with industry.

***

CO|LAB
Each year the graduate exhibition design is decided in a competition between students, with 16 design teams this year presenting a wide variety of concepts and layouts.

The winning team for the 2011 exhibition presented their concept CO|LAB and won with overwhelming support from the student and teaching body. The team includes – Sanova Amiri, Connie Condylios, Alan Foster, Tuyen Le, Elizabeth Phan and Kelly Silm.

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CO|LAB DESIGN STATEMENT
The CO|LAB exhibition is an anatomic manifestation of form and function. It is an opportunity to explore our selves as single cells that collaborate for a common purpose. CO|LAB as an event in itself is a membrane that invites guests to enter and experience Interior Design and Decoration as individuals and as a collective.

You will find images of the CO|LAB design proposal here and we will soon present a video interview with the design team, with much more to come – watch this space!

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SUPPORT
Check out our regular updates, interviews and features on this blog and on our facebook page and spread the word! We are also seeking industry support to fund the exhibition. Monetary and product sponsorship is needed, contact us for information on our Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum sponsorship packages.