In the Design Industry Since: 2009
Accreditations/Experience: President’s Circle Award Recipient, Certified Sleep Expert;
Inspiration to Pursue a Design Career: It's a perfect outlet for my creativity.
Favorite Design Tip: By choosing your main upholstery pieces that will withstand time and trends, you can easily update your spaces by changing rugs, pillows and accessories when are ready for a fresh new look.
Best Advice to Clients: You should love where you live. Your home should be a reflection of your lifestyle and personality, incorporating items that have meaning and colors you love.
My Personal Design Aesthetic Is: I love mixing design styles to create spaces that are unique and interesting to the eye.
3 Words that Describe Me: Creative, Outgoing, Passionate
“My husband and I purchased and reconfigured a high rise Chicago condominium. When it came to furnishing it, we meandered many a store. Then we met Coleen Nelson at Walter E. Smithe, and it was kismet. She posed questions, looked at our space, proposed solutions, and turned concept into reality. We are living in our dream space.
When our building needed to update our lobby and party room, the Board looked to several vendors. As a Board Member, I invited Coleen to make a presentation to our condominium board. Her initial presentation, based on research she did beforehand, helped her stand head and shoulders above the competition, she won the opportunity to deliver, and deliver she did!
Coleen took a pedestrian space that hundreds meander daily (and each had an opinion about), and turned it into a showcase. It’s stylish, functional, practical, and beautiful. The compliments have poured in.
Coleen also worked magic in our building’s party room, transforming ordinary into stellar. She paired hard and soft surfaces, intermingling artwork to create the backdrop that will serve thousands of people over the years. It’s truly stellar.
Coleen is a designer we trust with our space and our budgets. We can’t recommend her and Walter E. Smithe enough. Trust them with your project.” – Michael F, Chicago
"Had the best experience at Walter E. Smithe /Glendale Heights this weekend. My husband and I came in to begin the tedious and sometimes very long and maritally stressful process of "just looking" for furniture to redo our Family/Media Room. When we walked into your store, Coleen Nelson took us by the hand and guided us through the entire store and went through your great selection of choices with us. She was a pleasure to work with, was extremely helpful, intuitive and knowledgeable! She even came out to our home for a very much needed personal visit to see our space. We're completely done with our search for everything that we needed and wanted! Together we completed the entire room from start to finish by Monday AM. We are delighted with the results and we're looking forward to many happy years of enjoyment from our finished room. Coleen and Walter E. Smithe are the best around. Thank You!" -Susan W. and John H.
"Hi Coleen, Thank you so much for your unquestionable expertise and excellent taste in helping me pick out all these beautiful unique items for my collection. I love every single piece of it, from furniture to accessories. I LOVE YOU COLEEN and WALTER E. SMITHE. You made my dream house come true." -Tess P.
"I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much my wife and I enjoyed our latest experience. We have been Smithe customers for a long time and have done business in a number of your store locations. I do have to say that we had the best experience in Glendale Heights. You were able to get to a price that helped us keep within our budget, but Coleen Nelson was truly the one that made the deal. She helped us to customize the Godfrey Sectional to make it our own, and even got me involved in the design process. It was actually fun. I work in sales, and I understand the importance of the personal experience and customer service, and we were really impressed. Thanks to you, Coleen and the entire Glendale Heights store for making it a great experience." -Chris
This was my first purchase with Walter E. Smithe, and I couldn't be more pleased. I visited the showroom back in April, and had the pleasure of meeting Coleen. She was very helpful in answering my questions, and helping me search for the perfect dining furniture. Once we placed the order, I was able to take delivery on 5/14. I will be a repeat customer because of the exceptional service I received. - Lisa A.