Buy better. Buy less often. Our choices in who we partner with to bring our clients quality furniture helps us reach our sustainability goals of putting less in landfills. When you buy from Smithe, you are investing in quality furniture that will last longer than some of the options carried by other retailers. Avoid the…
Buy better. Buy less often. Our choices in who we partner with to bring our clients quality furniture helps us reach our sustainability goals of putting less in landfills. When you buy from Smithe, you are investing in quality furniture that will last longer than some of the options carried by other retailers. Avoid the frustrating cycle of rebuying the same lesser quality furniture multiple times by choosing Smithe. We proudly stand behind the quality of our furniture so we can keep your home filled and landfills empty!
From brands to partnerships and our own solutions, we wanted to share some of the ways we are staying sustainably conscious in honor of Earth Day.
The GreenGuard Certification Program is a third-party testing program for low emitting products and materials. It provides manufacturers the ability to find low emitting products suitable for indoor environments. California issued a law, removing over a decade-old requirement, that flame retardants must be included in the filling of upholstered furniture. We work with our manufactures to source quality furniture made with GreenGuard certified materials, including many of our Worry Free Fabric options.
Warehouse Styrofoam Blocks
Safe transport of furniture across oceans and across the country requires packaging materials like Styrofoam. Seeing the waste this would produce was not something we could accept. When trying to find a solution, we learned that Styrofoam is one of the most complex and challenging materials on earth to decompose. Because of this, we looked into recycling. We found out that you can melt Styrofoam down into blocks that are so much easier to handle, and it doesn’t take up much space, meaning fewer trips to the recycling center and less space taken up in landfills. It took us an entire year to fill a truck after switching to this new method of melting down our Styrofoam.
Chicago Furniture Bank is a nonprofit that collects donations of gently used furniture and household goods and distributes them to families and individuals transitioning into supportive housing. They help Chicagoans in need by providing complete furnishing packages that turn empty spaces into comfortable homes with their partner organizations. As a partner with the Chicago Furniture Bank, we provide the organization with 1-2 truckloads of gently used furniture every week to help those in need while keeping more furniture out of the landfills.
Watch Colleen Smithe’s interview with Chicago Furniture Bank Co-Founder Griffin Amdur Here
Our SmitheCraft line is producing furniture made without harmful chemicals in hopes of creating healthier homes. Materials in our product comply with national fire retardancy and industry guidelines, assuring our customers that our products are free of toxic chemicals. The factory works four ten-hour days a week to reduce energy use and their carbon footprint. 70% of construction components are sourced within 8 hours of our factory, and over half of our fabrics are domestically produced.
American Leather’s long-lasting durability of their frames is equaled by the timeless beauty of their furniture and their lifetime warranty on every frame. They are able to maximize usage of each hide and the quality of each finished piece of furniture by identifying flaws and eliminating them from their process. Made in Dallas, Texas, we’re proud to offer this USA-made custom leather upholstery.
Newport Cabinet is handcrafted from sustainably harvested maple, cherry, and ash solid woods in Ontario, Canada. Their team of about 200 craftspeople is made up of family spanning from multiple generations. Dedicated to the craft of building fine furniture in an environmentally sustainable way,
they display a broad assortment of styles from contemporary to traditional and everything in between. We have been proud to represent this manufacturer for many years because of their legacy of quality products.
Using sustainably harvested lumber from the Appalachian Forest, Gat Creek builds solid wood furniture to your exact specifications. An artisan creates each piece of furniture and personally signs and dates it before it is sent out. By making the most of the lumber they purchase, 90% of the heat for their facility is provided by wood scrap that would otherwise end up in the landfill.
They were the first to create outdoor furniture from plastic materials 30 years ago. Since then, their mission is to recover and transform ocean-bound and land-bound plastic into outdoor furniture durable enough to last for generations.
If you can’t make it to California, we will bring California to you! Take a look at some of our favorite coastal designs that will have you dreaming of warm weather and a tranquil paradise. Woodside Bedroom Naturally dreamy California Coastal Naturally dreamy organic textures and a dramatic canopy frame create a unique…
If you can’t make it to California, we will bring California to you! Take a look at some of our favorite coastal designs that will have you dreaming of warm weather and a tranquil paradise.
Naturally dreamy California Coastal
Naturally dreamy organic textures and a dramatic canopy frame create a unique bedroom oasis. The woodside Canopy bed is a natural, serene look, perfect for your dream master bedroom.
California Coastal Kitchen
The Fritz stool is simple and organic, leaving you with a fresh look that anyone would love!
California Coastal Cool
Fresh and inspiring, this design style seems to lift all of your worries away, so kick back and relax – the Sawyer Living Room makes it easy with its breezy California Coastal appeal.
For more room ideas, check out our Room Inspirations on Smithe.com or let a Smithe Designer find what’s right for your space!
Our best-selling Gramercy Collection is growing! What started as a single dining room chair has expanded once again. The collection includes dining chairs, bar and counter stools, and now a tufted upholstered bed. For your dining chairs, choose from 3 fabrics and 1 leather option, or for your bar and counter stools, choose from 2 fabrics and…
Our best-selling Gramercy Collection is growing! What started as a single dining room chair has expanded once again. The collection includes dining chairs, bar and counter stools, and now a tufted upholstered bed. For your dining chairs, choose from 3 fabrics and 1 leather option, or for your bar and counter stools, choose from 2 fabrics and 1 leather, with a rich espresso leg finish. Our Gramercy beds come in our light and dark fabrics. With gorgeous tufting and comfortable seating options, this classically styled collection goes with just about anything.
Gramercy Leather Counter Stool
The Gramercy Collection is a part of our Quick Ship Stocked Collection, so you can start enjoying it right away! Ask a Smithe designer about in-stock availability as these sell out fast.
There are signs we’re getting closer to resuming normal life but, many of us still find ourselves working from home. Creating a home office doesn’t need to be work. See some of our Home Office design inspirations below to get some ideas flowing on your new workspace, or chat with a Smithe designer who can…
There are signs we’re getting closer to resuming normal life but, many of us still find ourselves working from home. Creating a home office doesn’t need to be work. See some of our Home Office design inspirations below to get some ideas flowing on your new workspace, or chat with a Smithe designer who can help bring your space to life.
This modern home office will add a weightless style to any workspace with its collection of expertly designed pieces.
Elson Chair (chair pictured has been discontinued, this is a nice alternative)
This clean mid-century design offers plenty of desk storage with three spacious drawers. Pair it with a matching corner desk, credenza, or file cabinet for extra storage.
The simplicity of the Maxwell collection makes for a perfectly inspired home office. We adore the clean lines and sophisticated look of this workspace! Fun fact: several of our clients use this desk as a small-space dining table. It can comfortably seat 4, with 2 chairs on each side.
This modern home office adds dramatic touches to your workspace. The Linea Desk’s striated black, gray, and white wood grain pattern will steal the show.
If you have a small space, consider the simple-yet-sophisticated Mercury Writing Desk. It is available in your choice of finish, so you can customize it to suit your needs!
This home office collection is ideal for executives who rarely leave work at the office at the end of the day. With secure storage, function, and technology built-in, you can pick your favorite piece and design around it or bring home the whole collection!
An area rug is the foundation of your furniture and helps to ground and define your space. We’re sharing our industry tips and tricks that will ensure you get the rug right for the room. Living Room When picking out a living room rug, you need to consider the size of the space and your…
An area rug is the foundation of your furniture and helps to ground and define your space. We’re sharing our industry tips and tricks that will ensure you get the rug right for the room.
When picking out a living room rug, you need to consider the size of the space and your furniture. Do you have an open floor plan? Is it a confined space? These are the questions to ask yourself before purchasing a new rug.
If you have a larger space with an open floor plan, get a larger rug! The rug should be big enough to accommodate most of your furniture and it should coordinate with other rugs in the open space to create a nice harmony and balance.
If you have a smaller and more confined space, you have a few options when it comes to rugs. A larger rug will allow you to have the front legs of your furniture on the rug without making the space feel small. This layout is best if you have a grouping or piece of furniture against the wall.
For a small and narrow space, use a smaller rug as an accent to make the room feel larger. Base your rug size off of the size of your sitting area and the coffee table. You want it to fill the negative space without overwhelming it.
Take the shape of your furniture and room into consideration while looking for a dining room rug. All chair legs should be placed on the rug with enough room for them to still be on the rug when the chairs are pushed back. If your table has an extendable leaf, don’t forget to account that into the size of your rug.
The bed is the focal point of the room and will be the driving force in determining the size of your rug. A good rule of thumb: when you get up in the morning, your feet should hit the rug and not the cold floor!
A king bed should have a larger rug that allows the bed and nightstands to entirely or almost fit on the rug. A 9’x12’ rug or larger would work best with a king bed. It is up to you if you want to pull the rug to the back off the wall for the back legs of your furniture to sit on it or not. With a larger bed, you have more placement options for your rug!
A queen bed pairs nicely with an 8’x10’ rug that doesn’t extend under your nightstands but leaves about 36” of rug on either side of the bed. You can also go with a 6’x9’ rug giving you 18” on both sides. You can also pair a queen bed with an 8’ round rug for a differentiated look.
With a full bed, you have a few options to choose from. Get a 6’x9’ rug to fit under the bed or get two 3’x5’ rugs to put on either side of the bed in front of the nightstands. This is an excellent option for a smaller room where two sides of the bed sit closer to the wall. The runners shouldn’t be longer than the bed but should be a little wider than the nightstands.
For a twin bed, try an 8’x10’, 6’x9’, or 5’x7’ rug, depending on the size of the room. If you have two twin beds in a room next to each other, separate the space with a 3’x5’ rug between the beds.
Outdoor rugs are similar to indoor rugs in their functionality and style. Use outdoor rugs to highlight and define your space, whether it be an outdoor sitting or dining area. When picking the right size for your rug, make sure that all the front legs of your furniture fit on the rug. The same rule applies for outdoor dining rugs as it does for indoor. If you pull out your chair, it should still be on the rug.
There are nearly limitless styles of rugs to choose from. Start shopping now on Smithe.com or let a Smithe Designer find what’s right for your space, style and budget.
Need furniture in a hurry? Don’t compromise style and quality just because you need it fast. We take pride in knowing that we can deliver what you want when you want it. With our Quick Ship Stocked Collection, we stock hundreds of best-selling and sought-after products locally for immediate pick up from our warehouse in…
Need furniture in a hurry? Don’t compromise style and quality just because you need it fast. We take pride in knowing that we can deliver what you want when you want it. With our Quick Ship Stocked Collection, we stock hundreds of best-selling and sought-after products locally for immediate pick up from our warehouse in Itasca or white-glove delivery. Due to Covid-19, the furniture industry and just about all others are experiencing unprecedented delays, meaning furniture you order today may take weeks or months longer than it would have 2 years ago. Our Quick Ship Stocked Collection was created with your needs in mind. We have it all from sofas to chairs, home office to home entertainment, and beds to dining room sets. And if you don’t find what you like or if you aren’t in a rush to get your new furniture, our wide range of custom order options will have you covered.
Check out some of our favorite Quick Ship Stocked items that are available now!
Bristow 60″ Round Table-Natural
Other finishes and sizes available, including rectangular. Seating also available.
Summit 63″ Dining Table in Saddle
85” Table Also Available
King Size Also Available
Gramercy King Dark Grey Tufted Bed
Queen Size Also Available
Queen Size Also Available
Willow 48″ Desk in Ginger and Silver
Other Finishes Also Available
Trey Modular Writing Desk in Auburn Poplar
If you need it quick, shop Quick Ship Stocked Collection or work with a Smithe Designer to shop more Quick Ship!
Summer is approaching, so check out some of our favorite dreamy backyards for some inspiration to revamp your outdoor space! POP of Color If you want to refresh your outdoor space but stay cost-efficient, adding a pop of color is the best way to do so! Replace your cushions, umbrellas, and plants with a…
Summer is approaching, so check out some of our favorite dreamy backyards for some inspiration to revamp your outdoor space!
If you want to refresh your outdoor space but stay cost-efficient, adding a pop of color is the best way to do so! Replace your cushions, umbrellas, and plants with a fun new color to leave you with a gorgeous new look on a budget.
Black and white will never go out of style, and the contrast between the two colors will make any outdoor space look stunning! Balance your black furniture with lighter cushions and add some stripes to complete your look, giving you a touch of glam.
This lighter wood is the perfect color for a tranquil outdoor dining or lounging space. Add neutral accents to enhance the space without taking away from the calmness the tones provide.
This dainty iron outdoor set is beautifully paired with light blue striped cushions, and it’s sending our minds straight to the beach. Add a rug and statement cocktail table to pull the space together for a cozier feel!
Make the most out of your outdoor space with help from our Outdoor Room Inspiration at Smithe.com.
Add some light to your life and your home with new kitchen pendant lights! When choosing what pendant lights would work best in your space, think about the size and layout of the room. The bigger the area, the bigger the pendant should be. Make sure to measure correctly so that the space between…
Add some light to your life and your home with new kitchen pendant lights! When choosing what pendant lights would work best in your space, think about the size and layout of the room. The bigger the area, the bigger the pendant should be. Make sure to measure correctly so that the space between each fixture is the diameter of each pendant. That means, if the diameter of your pendant is 12 inches, then you should have 12 inches between each pendant. Typically, the pendants should fall about 3 feet (36 inches) above your table or island or 6 feet (72 inches) from the floor. But don’t stress too much about taking measurements – a Smithe designer makes house calls and can take care of that for you.
As stylish pendant lights are growing in popularity, we wanted to share some of our favorites based on current design trends.
Dafina 3 Light Burlap Drum Pendant
Tillie 3 Light Textured Gold Pendant
Telesto 8 Light Linear Pendant
Ovala 3 Light Gold Drum Pendant
Jarsdel 1 Light Industrial Mini Pendant
Dayton 1 Light Industrial Pendant
Pearsall 1 Light Industrial Mini Pendant
Spring is here, and we are daydreaming about the warm weather ahead! What’s better than relaxing in your own backyard on some new eye-catching Adirondacks? Nothing! We have the perfect chairs for your summer days, bonfire nights and to match your favorite team tailgates. The Modern Folding Adirondack Chair is the total package.…
Spring is here, and we are daydreaming about the warm weather ahead! What’s better than relaxing in your own backyard on some new eye-catching Adirondacks? Nothing! We have the perfect chairs for your summer days, bonfire nights and to match your favorite team tailgates.
The Modern Folding Adirondack Chair is the total package. The curved back slats and comfortably contoured seat folds flat for easy transportation and storage. These are the ideal Adirondack chair for comfort and style.
Our Adirondacks are constructed locally in Indiana of a proprietary blend of plastics, including recycled milk jugs and detergent bottles. This formula makes these chairs incredibly durable. They are not prone splinter, crack, chip, peel, or rot and come with a 20-year residential warranty.
If you’re from Chicago or anywhere with brutal winters, you understand what a pain and headache it is to store your outdoor furniture every winter. The Modern Folding Adirondack Chairs are built to withstand any weather thrown their way. Heat, strong winds, and snowy winters have nothing on these chairs. This all-weather lumber is super durable and easy to maintain.
No matter the weather, occasion, or style, these chairs will be a beautiful addition to your outdoor space. Order yours at Smithe.com, or head into one of our 10 Chicago area locations to bring them home today.
What will design trends look like in a post-covid world? The last year has been incredibly difficult for everyone and looking ahead is one thing that is keeping us going. As we face the Covid-19 pandemic and a return to “normal” doesn’t feel so out of reach, it’s exciting to think about what could be next for design and architecture trends. The 1920s…
What will design trends look like in a post-covid world?
The last year has been incredibly difficult for everyone and looking ahead is one thing that is keeping us going. As we face the Covid-19 pandemic and a return to “normal” doesn’t feel so out of reach, it’s exciting to think about what could be next for design and architecture trends. The 1920s were a memorable decade for many reasons, most notably in the design world for the birth of Art Deco style. It’s not widely known that the flu pandemic of 1918 or, more specifically, the end of the pandemic was widely influential in the trend. After so much time spent at home in isolation, the world was ready to celebrate. Art Deco is creative, over the top, glamourous and exciting. Exactly what the world needed in the 1920s and exactly what the worlds needs today. All signs point to the 2020s being as memorable for interior design as the 1920s as thrilling new design trends begin to emerge.
Neotechnic design uses exaggerated lines that are chubby, curvy and in some cases animal-like and paired with rich, sophisticated colors delivering a tremendous punch of style. For some, a small piece like a lamp, cocktail table or side chair is enough neotechnic design for one room, but entire rooms, or even homes, make for a stunning statement when neotechnic design is the reoccurring theme. While it has a nostalgic feel to it with resemblance to mid-century design as well as styles from the 70s, 80s and 90s, it also is a whole new style in and of itself, which is very exciting!
What’s old almost always ends up being what’s new again, however it usually comes with a modern tweak, as is the case of the remerging looks from the 80s and 90s. This is not limited to furniture and interior design as trends from the 80s and 90s are popping up everywhere, including fashion runways, music and even on TV, as streaming platforms have brought back old TV shows like Friends. In the home, think neotechnic design and Miami Vice vibes, but with today’s color and material trends.
What is a statement piece? It’s that piece of furniture that you immediately gravitated to upon seeing it in a store, catalog, or online, that you had a “moment” with. The piece that every friend makes a comment on how gorgeous or cool it is whenever they come over. The piece that makes the room! Be it a sideboard, chest, cocktail table, chair, piece of artwork or even an accessory, a statement piece stands out in a room and is often the focal point. As design trends become more curated and personal, statement pieces are more of a must than ever because a statement piece is something that YOU love.
The hard lesson that we all have learned from the last year is that we, quite simply, do not know what lies ahead. That said, it’s very safe to say that we have new and exciting design in our future and that’s something to be optimistic about! We wish you and your family health, safety and happiness as we navigate these difficult times.
Looking to style your home with the latest trends? Contact your favorite Walter E. Smithe designer today! Don’t have one? Let Walt personally select one for you or visit your nearest WES showroom.
Turn a New Leaf Console
Teak Slice Cocktail Table