A: Yes! All designers on the Smithe Design Team go through a comprehensive training program when hired to hone their skills in everything from design styles to product knowledge of our 250+ manufacturers. Once on the job, the education continues with courses released by our internal training department and in partnership with our manufacturers.

Many of our designers also have additional design accreditations and degrees. You’re in great hands with a Smithe designer!

A: You can schedule a consultation with one of our expert designers at one of our 10 Chicago area showrooms, virtually via phone, email or video call, or at your home. We aim to make the experience convenient for you, so we’ll meet wherever best for you.

The initial consultation is to learn more about what you’re looking to do, including getting an understanding of your needs and wants, budget, timing, and what's important to you.

Our designers find it beneficial to do this in the home so they can visualize the space and do the work of taking measurements. If you would prefer not to have one of our Design Team experts to your home, you may be asked to provide photos and measurements of the space. But don’t worry, our designers are experts at guiding you through the process over the phone or a video call!

A: Our in-showroom and virtual consultations are FREE! Our designers are on hand to share their design expertise with you, sketch out your room, help with product selection, show custom options, and answer any questions you may have.

Our in-home design consultations are complimentary with your purchase. There is a $100 retainer fee, collected up front, which is later applied to your purchase.

A: Your Smithe designer will be at your home for 30-60 minutes. They will talk with you about the space and get a good understanding of your needs and wants, who uses it, likes and dislikes, budget, and more. They will look at style and color flow from surrounding rooms, and often take photos of the space to recall details. They will take accurate measurements of the space and draw your room to scale for furniture sizing and placement.

Following the consultation, your Smithe designer will pull together a plan for your project and present you with the best options at your next appointment.

A: You will join your Smithe designer in the store of your choice on a date/time that works for you. He/she will ask you questions to get a good idea of your style, needs and wants, who uses it, likes and dislikes, budget, and more. If you have photos of furniture and styles that you like, this is a great time to share them with your designer.

Your designer may ask you to bring photos of the space and the surrounding areas so they can get a better sense of your style and how colors flow throughout your home. They may ask you to bring measurements and do a very rough line drawing of the space. If this isn't something you have done before, don't worry! Our designers are experts at guiding you through this over the phone or a video call.

During the in-store consultation, you and your designer will walk the store and he/she will ask you to point to any pieces you like, and they will have you test out the furniture to find what is most comfortable for you.

A: : All the same great offerings listed above just handled via phone, email or a video call! Your Smithe designer will likely ask you for measurements and photos of the room(s). Your designer may ask you to walk through the measurements and photos during the virtual consultation. If you are on a video call, your designer may ask you to walk you through the home too so they can get a better feel for your style and for the colors and patterns found in the surrounding areas.

A: Every project is completely different, and the presentations are unique to each client. In general, here are some common elements our designers pull together for projects:

• Space Planning (scaled floor plans, layout options, etc.)
• Furniture selections and options
• Fabric and color recommendations
• Paint selection
• Finishing touches such as window treatments, accessories, rugs and more
• Costs, including special promotions

A: Once you have selected all your final pieces and options, your designer will place your order for you, and provide you with an invoice and copy of the finished design and floor plans. If you paid the retainer fee for an in-home consultation, that will be applied towards the purchase.

Our Order Department will take it from there, tracking your pieces and scheduling your delivery, giving you updates along the way. You may also wish to have your designer on hand for the delivery, which can be arranged through the Order Status representative or the designer.

A: Simple! Fill out the form above and we'll assign the designer who is right for the job. We do our best to be in touch immediately, but it may take up to 12 hours.