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!
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.
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.
Whether you’re a veteran work-from-homer or a newbie trying to navigate this new office environment, there are some easy steps you can take to improve your home office surroundings to make yourself more productive, calm, and focused. Create a beautiful space. A beautiful environment can inspire creativity and create joy, so invest in high…
Whether you’re a veteran work-from-homer or a newbie trying to navigate this new office environment, there are some easy steps you can take to improve your home office surroundings to make yourself more productive, calm, and focused.
Create a beautiful space. A beautiful environment can inspire creativity and create joy, so invest in high quality pieces that you are drawn to visually. Working in an attractive environment is said to increase productivity.
Accessorize! Your home office is a room in your home, after all, so make it stylish! Some accessory ideas: photos of the people you love, decorative books, small sculptural objects, and a globe is a classic home office accessory. Just be careful not to overdo it with the accessories, no office needs clutter.
Get comfy. A comfortable office chair will pay for itself in dividends. With all the time you spend working in your office, being comfortable is a must.
Simplify. Most people are no longer using big, clunky computers and the only technology items needed in the office are a laptop or tablet and a small printer. Ditch all the cords and bulk! Same goes with bulky furniture pieces. A beautiful desk with some good drawer storage, a file cabinet and a bookcase/etagere usually are enough to cover storage and workspace needs.
Organize. Going through old files is no ones favorite task, but living with them piling up is even worse. At the end of every quarter, go through your files and ditch the ones you no longer need. It will free up space both in your mind and in your office.
Clean off that desk! Don’t be guilty of letting things pile up on your desk- it’s just stressful. When you get something like a new piece of mail, deal with it on the spot. Even if that means having a place to put things that you’ll get to later.
Short on space? If you don’t have a room in your home that can be designated as the office, carve yourself out a little corner. Ideally, find the quietest spot in the home, and a window with a view never hurts. A simple desk with a comfortable desk chair sure beats working at the kitchen table or counter and you’ll feel more focused being in a space that is devoted to just work.
Do you need some home office design help? Big or small, Walter E. Smithe’s designers are masters at creating beautiful and functional at home work spaces. If you are in need of home office furniture immediately, we can help with that as well. Please contact your Walter E. Smithe designer for help and more information. Don’t have one? Walt will personally select one for you here.
It’s the first day of spring! Just as a spring wardrobe calls for new color and pattern, your home needs a spring update too! You made it through another winter and the change of seasons should be rejoiced in your home. Here are some tips to get your home ready for this most enjoyable…
It’s the first day of spring!
Just as a spring wardrobe calls for new color and pattern, your home needs a spring update too! You made it through another winter and the change of seasons should be rejoiced in your home. Here are some tips to get your home ready for this most enjoyable time of the year.
Embrace Spring Colors! Flowers are blooming, leaves are budding, the sun is (hopefully) shining- there is so much color to be celebrated in spring. Bring some of that into your home… whether it’s blues, greens, pinks or a bright, sunny yellow. The spring palette is light and vibrant. Some easy ways to do that are with accent pillows, artwork, and other décor items…or go with a fun, colorful statement chair!
Let nature in! We’d all love to spend our days outdoors, but, realistically we just can’t. Decorating your home with organic elements like rattan, stone, live edge wood, and cane will create a serene oasis that brings the outdoors in.
Adler Dining Room
Declutter! “Spring Cleaning” is a term for a reason! Find a home (or donate) all the little things you have laying around, serving no purpose other than taking up space in your space!
Get your outdoor spaces up and running! Remember that sad feeling late in the fall, when you’ve given up on the odd warm day and you have to “winterize” your outdoor spaces? Well, now that it’s spring, you can de-winterize, or is it spring-ize? Seriously, why isn’t there a term for setting the outdoor furniture and accessories back up?
Need help getting your home ready for spring? Contact your favorite Smithe designer to help you over email or the phone while our showrooms are temporarily closed. Don’t have a Smithe designer? Let Walt personally select you one here.
#socialdistancing is trending for good reason. It’s the right thing to do to slow the spread of COVID-19, but everyone could use some tips on how to do it without going stir crazy. Walter E. Smithe is in the business of creating beautiful and happy homes, so we’ve put together some of our favorite ways…
#socialdistancing is trending for good reason. It’s the right thing to do to slow the spread of COVID-19, but everyone could use some tips on how to do it without going stir crazy. Walter E. Smithe is in the business of creating beautiful and happy homes, so we’ve put together some of our favorite ways to keep busy while staying home bound.
Please share your tips and tricks with us! Post to Facebook or Instagram and tag us so we can share your ideas with our followers. We’ll get through this together!
@walteresmithe
@wesmithefurniture
Fight Boredom with Board Games
Looking for ways to pass the time that don’t involve screens? There’s never been a better time to bring out the board games. Yahtzee is a family favorite in Caitie Smithe’s home.
Pass the Time by Organizing
We’re all busy. But right now, things are slow. Take advantage of this down time by organizing all the spaces in your home that have been on your to-do list for months (OK…years).
One of our favorite home organization solutions comes from our very own Meghan Smithe. She is a mom of 3 and uses a sideboard to discreetly hide toys, books, art supplies, games and schoolwork.
Pop that Popcorn and Enjoy a Movie Night
With many studios releasing movies early and a literal plethora of options on streaming services, it’s time to zone out in front of the TV.
There’s space for the whole family to hunker down and enjoy some screen time together on our in-stock Edward Sectional.
Keep Moving
Of course, it’s important to stay current on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. At this time, it’s perfectly ok to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. In her home, Colleen Smithe is doing this by taking 2 walks around the block each day. To keep this fun for her 3 kids, she has created scavenger hunts with things to find as they walk around the neighborhood. Make your own tailored to the ages of your kids, or use hers (appropriate for kids 6 and under):
Red Front Door
Blue Car
Purple Flowers
Yellow Flowers
Kids Bike
Grown Ups Bike
Shamrock
House with 2 Chimneys
Swing Set
Sleepover at Home
Mix up the bedtime routine and set up a sleepover at home. Pull out the sleeper sofa or make up the sofa cushions into cozy beds. And of course! Bring out the sweet snacks and scary stories. Maureen Smithe’s twins were happy to test this out with our Goodwin Sleeper Sofa!
Redecorate!
Spending all that time in your house means you will be staring at the same furniture day in and day out. If you love it, great! If you don’t, then use this time to pick out pieces you do love. Smithe designers are available to work with you over phone, email, online and video chat.
There’s never been a more important time than now to make your home where you want to be.
Stay well, Chicago.
One of our favorite details of our WGN Radio office makeover was the hand painted pillows from our incredible, local manufacturer Eastern Accents. More on the pillows in a bit, but first we’d like to just touch upon what an amazing company Eastern Accents is. They are a family business that is not only based…
One of our favorite details of our WGN Radio office makeover was the hand painted pillows from our incredible, local manufacturer Eastern Accents. More on the pillows in a bit, but first we’d like to just touch upon what an amazing company Eastern Accents is. They are a family business that is not only based in Chicago, but all manufacturing is done is Chicago as well. Their manufacturing facility and offices employ over 300 people- including an experienced sewing staff, artisans, and highly skilled craftsmen- some of whom are multi-generational employees. Their specialty: high end bed linens, pillows, and window treatments. Their focus is quality, fashion, and customer service- we are proud to be partnered with another Chicago company that shares the same values as ours!
Now, on to the fabulous hand painted pillows! Maureen and Caitie wanted to add a personal touch to all the hosts’ offices. After meeting all the on air personalities, it was clear to us that they all have big personalities and clearly don’t take themselves too seriously, so we wanted to add something fun. We immediately thought of Eastern Accents. Being such a highly customizable manufacturer, we knew they could help us dream up something unexpected. And, being right in our backyard, we knew they could deliver custom quickly! Included in their talented staff is an artist who hand paints custom pillows. She is a true talent- give her your vision, color palette, and style and she will make it come alive on a pillow. No two pillows are exactly alike! We took notes when we met each host and gave her ideas for each person.
Caitie is Steve Cochran and his wife’s personal designer, so she already had some inside scoop on Steve. He is making over his own home office with Caitie and, at his wife’s request, it will be transformed from a dated golf theme (complete with golf border wall paper!) to a cool, transitional space. To pay homage to the golf office he is saying goodbye to, we just could not resist adding a hand-painted golf scene to his pillow!
When we entered Bill and Wendy’s office, the first thing we noticed was Bill’s extensive Mold-a-Rama collection! It was such a quirky but charming thing to collect that we knew his pillow needed to feature a Mold-a-Rama symbol on it. We especially liked this idea because Wendy was born and raised in Brookfield, IL- home to the Brookfield Zoo and many Mold-a-Rama machines!
Roe’s biggest request, make that need, from us was a replacement to his beloved “Canarble Wagon” aka bar cart. His old one was damaged in the move the new offices and we wanted to keep the liquor theme going with his pillow! We must say that it looks very cool and sophisticated on his shiny new Canarble wagon.
John Williams has owned many dachshunds in his life, including one that he famously billed as the “World’s Largest Dachshund.” We know how important dogs are to their owners- they really are members of the family! While we considered a hand painted dachshund pillow for John, we new that Eastern Accents had a hand sewn leather dachshund pillow in their line and it is already so extra special, so we had one made for John. The design on the pillow is laser cut and topically applied. We are so blown away by the many talented artisans right in our back yard at Eastern Accents!
Last but not least, the newsroom! We had the WGN logo cut into a custom made stamp and hand blocked onto a pillow to include with their fabulous Palisades sofa vignette. It was the perfect little touch of WGN!
We also used Eastern Accents in our Jenner Teacher’s Lounge makeover. You can read about that here. Nothing but the best for these hardworking teachers and faculty!
We are really proud to offer the beautiful Eastern Accents line to our clients. Not only is their style and quality just breathtaking, they also help our local economy and the quick trip from their warehouse to ours decreases our environmental impact. If you’re interested in learning more about the Eastern Accents line, contact your favorite Walter E. Smithe Furniture designer today. Don’t have one? Come on out to one of our 10 locations or have Walt personally select one for you here.
It’s the first day of school for Chicago Public School students, teachers, and faculty today and we’re thinking of our friends at the newly merged Ogden and Jenner schools. Today is extra special for the Ogden and Jenner schools because it is the first day with the two schools merged. If you’re not familiar with…
It’s the first day of school for Chicago Public School students, teachers, and faculty today and we’re thinking of our friends at the newly merged Ogden and Jenner schools. Today is extra special for the Ogden and Jenner schools because it is the first day with the two schools merged. If you’re not familiar with this merger, here’s a little background. For many years, Ogden School was overcrowded while Jenner School, less than a mile away, was only half used. Community members from both schools worked to merge the two for many years and this exciting change has finally happened. Ogden will now serve as the Elementary School and Jenner will be the middle school. We wanted to do something special for the teachers- new and old- at Jenner to make them feel all the love and appreciation we have for them- and all teachers- with a makeover of the teacher’s lounge.
The Jenner teacher’s lounge prior to our makeover was.. well…a boring and uncomfortable teacher’s lounge. Mismatched tables with plastic chairs, cold linoleum tiles, and a broken and ripped sectional… these teachers deserved so much better! Enter Maureen and Caitie Smithe to the rescue! We wanted to make the space comfortable, functional, and stylish and create an open, conversational space that could serve a lot of purposes.
To maximize comfort, we chose our insanely comfortable Bilboquet Sectional. This amazing sectional is as deep as a twin size bed- perfect for lounging and even napping! We just love how the color grey can instantly make a space look cozy and sleek and the Biloquet sectional- with a fun mixture of pillows of different sizes, shapes, and textures- did just that. We added a clean Calvin Klein rug to warm up the cold linoleum tiles. Perfectly styled cocktail and end tables complete with decorative accents made the space feel more like a home than a teachers lounge. The end tables we used are from one of our favorite lines Butler Specialty Furniture. We love their eclectic product line- they are a great go-to when we want to achieve a curated-with-ease look. Best of all, they are a Chicago-based company- we love partnering with Chicago brands!
The teachers also needed a space to eat meals, hold informal meetings, and get work done. For this, we used three of our 54” round Cecil Dining Tables paired with our durable and cool Timothy dining chairs. We love a big, round dining table because they’re conversational and always make a statement. We imagine a lot of great discussions happening around those tables as new staff get to know each other.
There was also a boring little corner of the room that needed a little love and style. To fill up that space, we used two of our Abella Wing chairs in a soft and striking navy velvet topped with two of our incredible hand-painted pillows made locally from our bedding manufacturer Eastern Accents. We also added a cute round end table- also from Chicago-based Butler Specialty Furniture– to place the school phone on.
The big reveal was a thrilling, moving, and unforgettable moment. The teachers were so excited and gracious. Huge smiles and lots of cheering- it was just awesome. As they walked through the door of their newly made-over teacher’s lounge, we gave them all a pair of our Walter E. Smithe shades because, as they say, their “future’s so bright!” We also made sure that they left with Walter E. Smithe swag bags as an extra “thank you” for all that they do to shape their student’s lives.
Want to see more? Check out NBC 5 Chicago’s Leanne Trotter’s coverage of the grand unveiling here!
We here at Walter E. Smithe wish all teachers, faculty, and students a great school year. We wish we could makeover every teacher’s lounge across America because they all deserve nothing but the best!
Interested in any of the pieces used in our Jenner Teacher’s Lounge makeover? Contact your favorite Walter E. Smithe designer or visit one of our 10 locations. Don’t have a designer? Let Walt personally select one for you here.
Spring 2018 High Point Market Color Trends Our buying team recently returned from the spring furniture market in High Point, North Carolina. If you’re not aware of it, North Carolina is something of a Mecca for furniture. It’s the largest area in the country where furniture manufacturing takes place and many furniture manufacturers have their…
Spring 2018 High Point Market Color Trends
Our buying team recently returned from the spring furniture market in High Point, North Carolina. If you’re not aware of it, North Carolina is something of a Mecca for furniture. It’s the largest area in the country where furniture manufacturing takes place and many furniture manufacturers have their corporate offices and warehouses in North Carolina as well. It’s also well known for the massive High Point Furniture Market- in fact there’s an entire downtown devoted to just the show that sits empty for the majority of the year. This semi-annual event- held in the spring and fall- is an opportunity for nearly every furniture manufacturer and designer, both nationally and internationally, to introduce their new products for the upcoming season. There is always a ton of buzz about what trends are seen throughout the market. Over the next few weeks, we are excited to share some of our favorite trends we spotted with you! This week, we will share our favorite color trends from the Spring 2018 High Point Market.
While there were certainly many specific colors we saw all over the market, an overall trend that we are really excited about was the bold use of color throughout the show. It seems like we’ve been in a long period where neutrals ruled but the tide is shifting towards bold but thoughtful use of colors- on both upholstery and casegoods.
While we saw just about every color of the rainbow, here are the colors that were trending most:
Sage, moss, and cactus greens… and all greens for that matter!
Green makes a stunning statement while also being a color that is timeless and you won’t “get sick of” after a few years. We absolutely fell in love with emerald green and love that there are now extensions to the green color trend. Whatever hue of green pleases your eye the most, you really can’t go wrong with anything green!
Yellow
Yellow has made a smashing and exciting comeback this spring. It’s bright and cheerful and a striking way to bring color into a room. We saw all yellows across the board- from very soft, warm light yellows, to bright, bold yellows, to golden yellows.
Pastel Blue
We always say that blue is the one color that is consistently on trend and, even so, it always catches our attention and affection! This spring, be prepared to see lots of pastel blue which is just so darn pleasing to the eye! It pairs so nicely with other colors too! We love the pastel blue/ soft yellow combo and the unexpected blend of pastel blue and cactus green.
Purple, lavender, lilac, violet, ultra violet
If it’s in the purple family, you can count on it being HOT this season! Pantone named Ultra Violet their “Color of 2018” and boy did they nail it! It’s a passionate color that is as sophisticated as it is pretty and playful. We loved seeing all the different interpretations of the trend- it was all so fresh and exciting!
Apricot, raspberry, pink, and lilac
These “sherbet tones” are so darn gorgeous and eye catching. They are a great extension to the pale pink trend. We love these colors on their own but also mixing them together- they are soft enough that they can be blended without feeling too in your face. There is just something about a pastel color that is so calming and makes us happy!
Reds
That was not a typo, we said reds plural because, like so many of the other color trends, we saw a wide array of colors that were either red or had red undertones. This range included oranges, pinks, bright reds, maroons, burgundies, and eggplants. They were often pulled together with a tweed fabric that had undertones of many or even all of the mentioned colors.
Looking to add some COLOR to your home? Contact your favorite Walter E. Smithe Designer today! Don’t have one? Let Walt personally chose one for you here!
This Valentine’s Day, why not get your Valentine what they really want – something beautiful for the home! Sure, roses and chocolates are nice, but furniture and home décor doesn’t wilt and is calorie-free! Here’s our Valentine’s Day picks from Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. Looking for more ideas? Contact your favorite Smithe designer…
This Valentine’s Day, why not get your Valentine what they really want – something beautiful for the home! Sure, roses and chocolates are nice, but furniture and home décor doesn’t wilt and is calorie-free!
Here’s our Valentine’s Day picks from Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. Looking for more ideas? Contact your favorite Smithe designer or let Walter personally select one for you!
Individual products linked below
Pinks:
A: The Crescent pillow delivers the perfect pop of pale pink with the slightest bit of rose gold shimmer in the pattern.
B: The clean silhouette of this Ondine Table Lamp makes incorporating pink into a room extra easy. (need link)
C: Rather than flowers, why not give a fabulous painting of a flower!
D: We love the soft tones of the romantic Carmen Chandelier
E: Our blush pink Mongolian Sheepskin pillow creates instant interest and texture to any room at an incredible price.
F: The Cecily pouf will fill that empty corner of your room with a fun punch of color, pattern, and shimmer.
G: These “Yours, Mine, Ours” nesting tables are a trifecta of our favorite metals, and a fitting name to boot!
H: The Glenn bed, in its rich blush pink velvet and ultra hip channel tufting, will make any bedroom feel cozy and romantic.
I: Are you lucky enough to get to call a little one your Valentine? This adorable print let’s you tell them “I love you to the moon and back” all year long!
Links below to shop individual items
Reds:
A: We love the instant drama of a lipstick red rug!
B: Our red and cream bistro chair can be pulled up to just about any dining table to bring in color, texture, and interest.
C: “A Paris Kiss“, with the night lights of the Eiffel Tour, and soft rain… doesn’t get more romantic than that! (need link)
D: Our Sanger Chandelier is so incredibly glamorous!
E: The Alimos lamp is such a cool way to bring red into a room!
F: The Rebecca Accent table is the perfect spot to hold your favorite pink Valentine’s cocktail!
G: The Alexis sofa, in this bright Sangria velvet, is sure to be the show stopping piece in any room!
H: The Estate mirror is a true work of contemporary art.
I: The classic midcentury design and wild yet subtle fabric on the Ana chair makes for one great statement chair.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
xoxo
Turn a New Leaf Console
Teak Slice Cocktail Table