As mothers, theyve learned its not only possible, but preferable, to have a functional yet beautiful home. As mothers, all of us have cleaned up a childs spill, or even their vomit, from our furniture, Colleen jokes. We not only respect this, we embrace it.. Feb 20, 2022 - The 4th generation of Walter E. Smithe family stops by to visit Bob and Marianne. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design (Old Orchard) 17 miles. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. While we still have traditional pieces, our showroom appeals to a number of different lifestyles. Jeff Lewis's collection of vignettes is available at Walter E. Smithe's 11 showrooms in Chicago, and online. A 2005 advertisement showed Mark and Tim Smithe dueling with CGI-enhanced lamps in an homage to the lightsaber duels of the Star Wars films. There is no true balance for moms in our situation., We cant be everything all at once, Meghan says. Bob's proudly proclaims that it sells cheap garbage, Walter E looks like they're trying to sell you viagra and Penny Mustard radio commercials are justweird.. Its a constant toggle between work and family talk, notes Colleen, but at the end of the day theyre focused on creating a furniture company that helps clients truly curate a home. Brothers Walt, Tim and Mark Smithe -- the faces of Walter E. Smithe Furniture -- seem to have hit on something with their ubiquitous ads. Or "Hardrock, Coco and Joe." The CBS Chicago team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSChicago.com. But even as likable as the brothers are, do they run the risk of oversaturation or going to the well too often? Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. The Walter E. Smithe + Jeff Lewis showcase certainly fits the bill. Its nice to see when a family is ready to replace a well-loved piece that they come back to Smithe to do it. To date, there are 10 Smithe stores scattered throughout Chicago, and one in northwest Indiana. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. One by one, each sister began working in the family business. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. What she does: I use both sides of my brain: left for all the analytical spreadsheet stuff and right for the creative vision. When I first came on board, our industry was very much a good old boys club, says Maureen, who regularly travels to marketplaces around the country to buy merchandise. hbspt.forms.create({ The girls got the bedrooms; the three boys shared a room in the basement. Even with little ones underfoot, the Smithe sisters make balancing their family furniture business and their growing broods look effortless. Even if you weren't sure that Walt, Tim and Mark Smithe were brothers -- yep, those Smithe brothers, of "Walter E. Smithe, you dream it, we build it" fame -- their banter at a recent commercial shoot was a dead giveaway. 1251 W. Thorndale Ave. Itasca, IL 60143-1149. That was the extent of his pitchman career. A few bucks later, the clunker is off to Victory's Bensenville lot. We don't take that lightly.". The 86-year-old patriarch of the Smithe family, Walter Edward Smithe Jr., "died . Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. ". Smithe's wife of 64 years was by his side when he passed, and he . The Smithe sisters have heard it all before, and they've set out to dispel those misperceptions. It was a natural fit, she said. It takes work and sacrifice.. Introduced to the family business at an early ageI can recall pigtails in my hair, getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled, says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have embraced their own roles for the Itasca, Illinois-based company; Meghan is director of marketing, Colleen is director of advertising, Maureen is a buyer, and Caitie is a designer. They pointed out how affordable the pieces are. Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, - Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. "I was at Dulles Airport in Washington, waiting for a 9:30 flight at night," Mark says. "Smithes have fun at the old ballpark". "So that drove us, I think, to be successes.". The commercial included the tagline "Change the Name, Change the Luck", a reference to the Cubs' decades-long struggle to reach the World Series. Dazzling Divas Glam Mansion Offers the Ultimate Diva Experience, Family Guide to Attending a Chicago Cubs Game at Wrigley Field, Pelvic Floor Therapy Growing in Popularity for Women, 10 Non-Candy Items for Your Kids Easter Basket. And it's not uncommon for their kids to make cameo appearances in advertisements or to help sort through fabric samples, "which would technically make it a five-generation business," Maureen says. Most recently, she was at . We had no grand plan.. "It's made us focus on what we do best, which is designing our clients' homes," he said. They hammer out a script, call in O'Neil and start filming. As their father, the company president, has told customers for decades, Life is too short to sit on uncomfortable furniture.. The 3rd brother, Tim Smithe, retired in 2016. "I was invited to speak to 300-some designers in Oak Brook," he says. The founder of well-known Chicago-area furniture company Walter E. Smithe has died, his family announced Wednesday. ", Instead they talk about the U2/iTunes takeoff, the brothers' version of "The Apprentice" or the Olympic parody from last year. Find employees, official website, emails, phone numbers, revenue, employee headcount, social accounts, and anything related to Walter E. Smithe Furniture. High School," Walter says. Were now getting calls from all over the world., Under Colleen and Meghans direction, Smithe now has a beautiful new lookbook in its marketing toolbox and a stable full of breathtaking photography, as they become the exclusive distributor for Ellen DeGeneres new furniture collection from Thomasville. Walter E. Smithe Furniture is a company located in Itasca, Illinois, United States. They're not egomaniacs. "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. His four daughtersMaureen, Meghan, Caitie, and Colleenare now the new faces of this historic Chicago brand, a spot he and his brothers held for decades. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs Walter E. Maureen in 2002 Meghan in 2014 Caitie in 2015 and Colleen in 2016. The seven pieces featured in the Quincy Master Bedroom vignette below (chair, trunk . They've transitioned into the spotlight. The company made its website easier to use and more modern-looking. From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers. Walter E. Smithe also is changing up its ads. Compare how recession-proof Walter E Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. It's all a part of an effort to hang on to the company's loyal customers while persuading younger shoppers that Walter E. Smithe isn't just their parent's go-to store. Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. Smithe's three sons the Smithe brothers Mark, Tim, and Walter III became executives in the business and were regularly featured in the commercials. Unlike their brothers, they chose other careers. However, Lewis Lazare, the Chicago Sun-Times' advertising critic, has defended the commercials. I was probably in elementary school when I would come in to work in the warehouse sweeping for a nickel Colleen says. Caitie Smithe is aDesigner, Design Coordinator + Stylist atWalter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. "Instead we did it on the turn of a dime. And I thought, `makeup and lighting. Through March 16, enjoy savings of up to 20 percent on select rugs (hopscotch, anyone?) 1428, hollyhunt.com) has expanded its Great Plains textile offering with the Foreign Affair collection, which has a mix of warm and cool neutrals. This led to the development of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled," says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have . That sentiment applies to their lively commercials, too, which frequently feature the sisters chatting on a stylish couch or gathering with family members in a beautifully staged home. "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? Getting the Smithes in front of the camera wasn't easy. [1] The 4th generation (the Smithe Sisters), all daughters of Walter III, are Maureen Smithe (buyer), Meghan Smithe (director of marketing), Caitie Smithe (designer, design coordinator and stylist) and Colleen Smithe (director of advertising). (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). Meghan was hired in 2013 and now serves as director of sales strategy. This is useful in estimating the financial strength and credit risk of the company. The Bob's puppet is a far better actor than the Smithe girls though. Our learning curve has been steep and long, with a lot of challenges, says Colleen, flanked by her sisters at the familys Lincoln Park location, a 10,000-square-foot boutique store. In one of their most memorable ads, the four women get into a food fight -- spaghetti and red wine included -- and seemingly destroy a bright white couch, which is then scrubbed clean. Compare how recession-proof Walter E. Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. "You think a huge corporation is going to have pencil pushers and button touchers," says Lynn Hamilton, vice president of the Shirley Hamilton Agency, a Chicago talent agency. The Smithe sisters - Walter III's daughters Maureen, Meghan, Caitie, and Colleen - are also now executives at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design and appear in the ads. This began a long series of lighthearted television commercials, which became increasingly elaborate over the next few years. I also think, coming from a family business myself, to see how they interact with each other just gives you the feeling that they're good people, that you'd want to do business with those people.". Personally, I dont want to stare at ugly furniture for all those years, Meghan says. The girls have all worked elsewhere before they came to work here, says Walter of his daughters who have had careers ranging from merchandising to advertising. And youll see each of my sisters doing what they do best.. Further confused by the commercials now. "That's F-A-M-E, with an E". "And there's 10 televisions, all tuned to the same station. But the truth is, I love coming to the office. Meghan Smithe was on maternity leave when she began working part time in the family business, long known for its infectious jingle: You dream it, we build it.. 1E, kneenandco.com) continues to add to its Robbe & Berking assortment with the new Martel Bar collection, which features bar cart staples like handmade silver tumblers and cocktail coupes as well as bottle openers and nutcrackers. Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. Marketing Contacts Contacts (5/9) Name Title State; Walter S. President & Chief Executive Officer . They have a younger brother, who lives out of state, and plenty of younger cousins who have yet to join the team, though the sisters say there's still time. His four daughtersMaureen, Meghan, Caitie, and Colleenare now the new faces of this historic Chicago brand, a spot he and his brothers held for decades. Walter E. Smithe, Jr. joined the business in the 1960s with his brothers Gary and Tomm, and began phasing out appliances to focus on custom upholstery. You have this sense of passion and responsibility for it. Sometimes it does not pay to work with family. Walter Smithe III and his brothers Mark and Tim helped make the furniture store a household name with clever commercials -- a tradition that's continued with Smithe III's four daughters, Colleen . "The brothers have no acting talent," Tim says. There have been more than a thousand of them since, and thanks to the magic of cable TV he is now a national celebrity. Over the past 76 years, the company has grown to include 10 Chicago area showrooms. The Smithes: (L-R) Colleen, Meghan, Walter III, Walter Jr., Mark, Caitie, and Maureen. walter e smithe. Chicago, IL. The sisters get together at least twice a week, traveling from their homes in Chicago, Barrington and Riverside, leaving behind their children, husbands and home duties. We connect families with the best local resources, advice, stories, things to do with kids and much more. The Feldco guy creeps me out more. There is no rule book that says they all need to matchmetals always compliment one another. [4][5] In 2008, they filmed and edited a takeoff of the Sex and the City franchise, with the brothers sipping "Smithe-o-politans". It was an organic transition for each of us, says Colleen, the youngest sister. Shop the label. I can't breathe!' Also would somebody please feed them? The Smithe sisters Walter III's daughters Maureen, Meghan, Caitie, and Colleen are also now executives at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design and appear in the ads. Not as long as they keep the commercials clever and topical, O'Neil says. Like most mothers, whether theyre working or staying at home, we do what we can, she says. How, they wondered, would longtime customers respond to four new female faces on their television screens? Through March 7, EuroFurniture (2145 W. Grand Ave., eurofurniture.com) is offering 15 percent off BDI media cabinets and consoles available in-store, online, and by phone. But it wasn't long before he approached his youngest daughter with a proposition. I was probably in elementary school when I would come in to work in the warehouse, sweeping for a nickel, Colleen says of the brand, which first opened in 1945. The announcement was merely an early April Fools' Day prank, although the Smithe brothers said they had received about one hundred emails from viewers who were not sure what to think. You could say that the Smithes are a bit obsessed with quality. But they do have a business. Then he and Thorson meet with his brothers and throw ideas around. Meghan and Colleen spent several years working at advertising agencies in Chicago. Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. But learning how to work together while also juggling their busy personal lives -- they have 18 kids among the four of them -- can be a delicate balance. The journey from Point A to Point B started with an all-blooper and outtakes reel that O'Neil and Tim Smithe put together as a birthday gift for mom Florence. "And of course this summer's blockbuster is supposed to be `Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' But one by one, they followed Maureen's lead and rejoined the family business. My hope is to inspire people to slow down enough to talk with a designer and hopefully buy something.. While it may not be usable 365 days a year, the days that your outdoor space are in fact usable should be embraced. The fourth generation of Smithe leadership is hoping that this young, fresh approach to advertising and marketing will resonate with a consumer base that hasnt yet shopped with Smithe before. Three generations are involved in the family-run Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, including Walter Smithe Jr. (far right); his sons Walter III (far left) and Mark; and his four granddaughters, from left, Maureen, Caitie, Colleen and Meghan. What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . "It's a big responsibility. Newlyweds can now register for exclusive honeymoon stays and experiences at 23 of Auberge Resorts Collections luxury hotels and resorts worldwide More, With two movies out this winter, the actress and producer Salma Hayek Pinault is at the top of her game More, The star of A Beautiful Noise, which just opened at the Broadhurst Theatre, is a big Neil Diamond fan More, The writer and actor makes his Broadway debut in his just-opened play Aint No Mo More, After flying high in the hit sequel Top Gun: Maverick, Glen Powell stars in the new film Devotion, out now More, It's not enough to just be smart. I love incorporating an unexpected element into a room. Shop the clearance. Bargain-hunters, take note: Artistica (990 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, artistica.com) has gotten a jumpstart on spring cleaning and updated its clearance selection to include more than 600 items (including custom-painted majolica backsplash panels) discounted by 50 percent. Sometimes you have to act fast. Then when I plugged it in, the place went up for grabs. Create Comparison. The company offer of a free DVD generated a huge response, and more than 60,000 were given away.). One spot was modeled after Apple's weird commercials. My sisters and I represent the viewpoint of our younger clientele, Meghan says. Billy Corgan and Walter E. Smithe Wrestling. The boys' first ventures into the working world included Walt's daily paper route -- 70 Tribunes, three or four Sun-Times and a couple of Wall Street Journals -- that Tim helped him with ("I got 1 cent per paper, and I'd give Tim 10 cents for helping me"), and collecting beer cans that they resold at a Park Ridge flea market. I dont think anyone in the furniture industry does advertising well. The Smithes stand out because they're doing silly things. There's a lot of blurred lines, and we have to learn when to defer to each other.". Whether bringing in color as an accent or making a big statement with a lot of color, your home will feel instantly transformed and personalized. As Caitie puts it, Theres no reason you cant use an entertainment console as a buffet in the dining room.. For decades, the public faces of the privately owned company have been the sisters' father, Walter E. Smithe IIIthe 59-year-old grandson of the business's namesakeand the sisters' uncles, Mark and Tim. - Timmy: Dressed as an old-time newspaper boy, 10-year-old Timmy appeared in dozens of commercials in the '70s for his uncle's Long Chevrolet dealership in Elmhurst. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. In fact, none of the sisters seriously considered having a career in the company, founded by their great-grandfather in 1945. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and stage of life. But always start from a place where we love each other and enjoy working together., Between the ages of 10 and 18, former Barrington High School soccer, For Olympian Patrick Gasienica, ski jumping has been a part of his, Dr. Rekha S. Rajan has devoted her personal and professional life to, One of the most prestigious dance companies in the world, The Joffrey, Saint Anne Catholic Community Churchs Project Hope ministry, A night of sequin-studded disco fever, the 5th Annual Hoosier Ball was. "Still hard for me to imagine.") Over the last 12 years, one by one, Walter's daughters have been hired on at Smithe in an official capacity. Sometimes we present to our dad as a united front and other times we need him to be a tie breaker. "Pam, Bill and I are always on the watch for pop culture. And then fate gently tapped them on their shoulder. He also hosted telethons. It couldn't have gone more perfectly, Maureen said. I gave up sleep and TV, Maureen jokes. It's not included in a shorter version now airing on TV. He attended the University of Notre Dame and earned a bachelor 's . Shop the Sofa Sale. - The Victory Auto Wreckers guy: Almost every night since 1981, on some channel, Bob Zajdel has barely escaped injury when the driver's door fell off his old Chevy. This rating has improved by 10% over the last 12 months. Smithe then went into the computer industry working for General Electric and IBM in 1967, according to his obit. The Smithe sisters - Walter III's daughters Maureen, Meghan, Caitie, and Colleen - are also now executives at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design and appear in the ads. '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. Then they brought in the wives. In some of the footage, youll see my dad installing a dimmer or my uncle driving a truck. It also featured an appearance by Dutchie Caray, wife of the late Cubs announcer Harry Caray. Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, based on over 92 reviews left anonymously by employees. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up on the Northwest Side in Belmont Central. It stuck in your head. Get Eric Clark's email address (e*****@smithe.com) and phone number at RocketReach. Walter e smithe is a high end furniture store, no surprise their ads are geared towards middle aged women from high income households aka suburban moms. Thats fast, but it shows what we can do. Shop now. To their delight, the reaction to that initial campaign was primarily positive, as has been the case for every commercial they've produced since. "It almost feels like the business is, in a weird way, a member of the family. The Smithe sisters now serve as the face . A wake will be held at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home in Park Ridge on Friday, Oct. 21, and a funeral mass will follow on Saturday, Oct. 22, and St. Paul of the Cross Church in Park Ridge. The are the Smithe sisters, Meghan, Colleen, Maureen and Caitie. Sip A Negroni While Exploring This Stunning New Home Boutique, Peruse Artisan-Crafted Collections At This Chicago Boutique, Fresh And Feminine Vibes Rule This Winnetka Boutique, Whats In Store At Chicagos New Must-See Surface Destination, 3 Things To Know About The Latest RH Gallery, Do Not Sell Or Share My Personal Information. Or using a new high-tech application to keep couch fabric truly worry free from childrens spills, everything from spaghetti sauce to Kool-Aid. Industry: Home Furniture & Housewares Stores. William Hageman and Tribune staff reporter. So much misogyny in these comments, their commercials have always been cheesy and annoying. While they took breaks from the biz to make their own way after college, each came back when the right positions opened up. "Some dabbled and moved on and others just weren't interested.". The Smithe sisters, all in their thirties, worked in the family business as teens but pursued different career paths in adulthood. So as long as strangers keep serenading them with the company jingle instead of pelting them with "Hardrock, Coco and Joe" DVDs, and as long as the business continues to grow, they'll keep doing the ads. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. What she does: I make spaces beautiful for clients homes, our catalogs and showrooms, and play couples therapist for clients who cant agree on a sofa.. / CBS Chicago. That cartoon of Bob has BDE and you can't deny it. "They're having a lot of fun. Give yourself time to just be in a comfortable and beautiful outdoor space. "We were kind of like dorks, geeks, growing up," Mark says. We get that question all the time, and that was to be expected," Colleen said. Explore. Take dress up and glam up a notch with a self-care day at this luxurious spa for kids and tweens. Favorite design style: Cozy and comfortableaka hygge ethos. walter e smithe, furniture stores near me, ballinger vase buy, gold side end table, tall mirror, walter e smithe daughters, furniture . They were each only a year apart, at one point covering all four grade levels at Barrington High School. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. "An hour and a half. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. Who are the Walter E Smithe daughters? You want it to succeed and do well.". Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and. I presented my ideas for this two weeks ago and it will be out on the floor in three weeks. There's a certain time and simplicity factor, so from the time of the idea to the time we shoot it can be as short as a week.". ("Did you notice he used the wide-angle lens when he shot your [rear end]?"). He was still spending weekends at Smithe furniture showrooms until recently and he volunteered for many years for Habitat for Humanity, building houses in the U.S. and Central America. "That is the top priority for the four of us," Meghan Smithe said. First published on October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM. I love the attention I get as a local celebrity," Mark says. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Smithe says that doing everything in-house allows them to be quick on their feet. During a stint in the Army, Smithe attained the rank of captain and became an expert in the field of computers.
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