Greening the Olympics

The London Olympics are over but its worth taking a look at its lasting footprint. The London Olympic Committee strove "to ensure that all the athletes perform to the best of their ability whilst pushing the boundaries of sustainability knowledge and design." Many of the venues were existing structures throughout London, but we're interested in the new builds, in particular the Shooting Ranges and the Aquatic Center.
 

The Royal Artillery Barracks were an important training center for British soldiers from the early 19th century until 2007. Site of the longest Georgian-style facade in the United Kingdom, the former home of the Royal Artillery hosted shooting events during this summer’s Games. In stark contrast with this 200 year old building stands three indoor shooting ranges. Each of the temporary venues was built from steel, clad in plywood and then covered in more of the phthalate-free PVC membrane that will be recycled after the games. But what is the most cutting-edge feature? Each of the buildings is laden with octopus-like suckers that will allow natural ventilation to circulate inside. The shooting ranges will be dismantled and be rented for other events after the Games’ conclusion.

Standing out with its wave-shaped roof, the Olympics’ second-largest building after the main Olympic Stadium is the first structure visitors see as they approach the Olympic Park. Built on a brownfield site, the Aquatics Center’s stunning ceiling, which soars over the two 50-meter pools, were built out of sustainably sourced Red Lauro timber. The exterior was constructed with precast modular blocks of concrete, which not only reduced the amount of emissions required to build the facility, but also eliminated the need for painting. The interior stands are made from steel and phthalate-free PVC wrap that will be recycled after the games. And most of the building materials, including the 866,000 tiles needed to line the pool and locker rooms, were delivered by train instead of truck.To learn more about the Aquatic Centre and to see more amazing pictures,visit the master-mind behind the design at Zaha-Hadid Architecture

New Etsy jewelry is now ready to order!

This week we are happy to present two new necklace patterns.  Please visit our Etsy Storefront where these and 24 other items are available for you.

Sterling Silver Art Deco Wing and Flower Necklace:

 This necklace features a 26x17x17mm triangle made in Israel. Normally these pendants are the perfect component for chandelier style designs. In this case we've turned it on it's side and hung one Preciosa® Czech made, pressed glass flower with an Aurora Borealis finish. I love wearing mine with a high collar shirt. Because of it's asymmetrical quality it's one of the few necklaces that looks nice over fabric. 

www.etsy.com/listing/106992872/sterling-silver-wing-and-flower-necklace

 

 

 

Scribed Pure Silver Fan Necklace:

This necklace with it's metalwork detailed pendant, has inspiration from native and tribal artwork. The antiqued silver is amazingly detailed with fine lines in a fan-like pattern. It rests gracefully around the neck with the silver pendant dropping from a fine Sterling chain. Add the matching Hill Tribes Silver Motion Mark Earrings and get 10.00 off!

The Hand-wrought crescent is antiqued fine 95-99% pure silver made using centuries-old technique by the Hill Tribes people of Thailand.  

www.etsy.com/listing/106991294/scribed-pure-silver-fan-necklace

Follow that Dog!

Friend Heather Williams, owner of Pippy's Hot Dog Truck has put together an amazing menu for the summer, and as we are a small business we love promoting the same.  Here are some cute articles about Heathers life long ambition: 

www.pippyshotdogtruck.blogspot.com/

www.chronogram.com/issue/2012/6/Food+&+Drink/Food-Trucks-of-the-Hudson-Valley

www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2012/07/25/life/doc500ed52930be1155884043.txt?viewmode=fullstory 

http://www.pippyshotdogtruck.com/index.html

As designers we love how Heather painted up her truck as well as how she dresses up a dog! Next year SMMS will be creating the trucks roof sign for everyone to see when heading up to Hunter Mountain or Kaaterskill Falls in the Catskills.  

 

Start Ups

This has been a very creative design week in terms of graphics and branding. Our friends at Lil' Chick Jewelry are expanding to Lil' Chick Sitters. Yep, its as it sounds, chicken sitting. Amazingly enough, its a growing need, people are buying chickens and even ducks as the new trending pet.

Lil' Chick Sitters: For all your chicken sitting needs... go on vacation without worrying about who will take care of your flock!

A long time friend has finally realized what everyone around her has been screaming for the last 5 years "You have to start your own personal-training business!" SMMS Design is proud to be apart of the beginning of what will be a very successful and fulfilling business venture. The concept is a balanced approach to wellness, aiming to move each client forward in fitness, nutrition and life.

Do point: the point where you're fed up, done with excuses, and ready to get into action!

Vermont Antique Trip

SMMS went on a picking adventure in Vermont and New Hampshire recently. We unearthed many items for our stock collection plus "in-high demand" goods to be sold at the Brooklyn Flea. Here are a few of our pictures from the trip including our amazing finds.

Makeup cases are handy on so many levels. Whether on a bathroom counter housing jewelry or displayed nicely in a stack of multiples.

People are often intimidated by a rewiring project, what we say to that is, "You can wire a cheese grater!" In this case, we are able to take apart this bud lamp to create three individual pendant lights by using new vintage-looking fabric wrapped cord. In the end, these will be stunning anywhere they hang.

Oh, say can you see...

Its Independence Day and we're celebrating the Red, White and Blue through design. Maybe with a hint of cheeky prodding towards the Brits. Its possible to incorporate a little patriotism and a nod to history into our surroundings without looking like kitschy-Americana. Well-designed patterns, repeats and hues balance the red, white and blue theme in each of these products.

Pillow: Helkatdesign, Dishtowel: Crate&Barrel, Mug: Marimekko, Flooring: FLOR

Enjoy your independence and freedom to use America as inspiration in all your designs. Happy 4th of July!

NeoCon Think BIG

From Steelcase to Wolf-Gordon, many of Architecture and Interior Design's most influential companies unveiled new products and new concepts at NeoCon 2012, June 11-13. The three-day trade show at Chicago's Merchandise Mart drew tens of thousands from national design and architecture firms to see the latest products.

NeoCon is the only place to see thousands of new product launches from industry heavy hitters all under one roof. Attendees at the show were the first to see innovative, next generation products and resources from more than 700 of the world’s top furnishings manufacturers for commercial office, residential, healthcare, hospitality, institutional and government design environments. Products spanned a wide range of categories including: architectural products, artwork and accessories, building products and services, fabric, floor coverings, furnishings, kitchen and bath, lighting, outdoor furniture, stone and tile, sustainable design products, technology, textiles and wall coverings.

NeoCon 2012, Chicago’s contract and design trade-show, brought an influx of creativity and design to the Merchandise Mart. The first major art installation of its kind was a temporary, site-specific sculpture titled “Escalator Canopy” that hung above the 1st to 2nd floor escalator. The 30-foot 1,380-pound sculpture is surfaced in a selection of over 500 yards of Wolf-Gordon upholstery textiles, wall-coverings, and mirrors.