The Smithes stand out because they're doing silly things. Caitie was a manufacturers' representative before becoming a stay-at-home mom. To their delight, the reaction to that initial campaign was primarily positive, as has been the case for every commercial they've produced since. Find employees, official website, emails, phone numbers, revenue, employee headcount, social accounts, and anything related to Walter E. Smithe Furniture. walter e smithe furniture inc. Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, specializing in custom upholstery, and operates ten showrooms throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. This is not how you attract a premium buyer or build a premium brand. When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. As Caitie puts it, Theres no reason you cant use an entertainment console as a buffet in the dining room.. Furniture Stores. The seven pieces featured in the Quincy Master Bedroom vignette below (chair, trunk . Tim offered Walt brotherly support after a just-completed scene. The Empire Carpet Guy, of course. Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". As they grew into their teens, there were the usual summer jobs -- caddying, yard work, selling ice cream from a motorized three-wheeler. The Smithe brothers are following in the footsteps of other memorable Chicago commercial icons: - Jim Moran: Starting in the late '40s, "The Courtesy Man" sponsored wrestling programs, late-night movies, a country-and-western music show and his own variety show. They brought in real clients, worked with real designers and demonstrated each sister's essential role within the business. They can really do great things. The brothers are recognized on the street, in grocery stores and coffee shops ("I got a free Starbucks latte once," Tim says). Over the past 76 years, the company has grown to include 10 Chicago area showrooms. In recent years, Smithe enjoyed his time with extended family. View info about Walter E. Smithe Furniture (smithe.com). "It's never gone completely crazy -- no one can say that one commercial will bring customers in -- but we kind of thought it re-established us in the marketplace. Her sisters had fallen into their own specialties and were pursuing different paths at the time. "We're not your parents' furniture company," Caitie said. Dont burden yourself with the boredom of a matching wood set. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. No surprise why the quality is so crap. The commercial included the tagline "Change the Name, Change the Luck", a reference to the Cubs' decades-long struggle to reach the World Series. Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Smithe Furniture, dies at 86 1 Early life; 2 Television; 3 Personal Life; 4 References; . A family affair: How four sisters are bringing a 75-year-old store into The Sisters Behind the Walter E. Smithe Furniture Company - DuJour Tomorrow, Hubbard Woods Design District (Green Bay Rd. The Smithe brothers have been described as "Chicago's most recognizable furniture purveyors", due to their ubiquitous television commercials starring themselves. Walter E. Smithe Furniture founder, Walter E. Smithe Jr., dies at 86 Brothers Walt, Tim and Mark Smithe -- the faces of Walter E. Smithe Furniture -- seem to have hit on something with their ubiquitous ads. And it's those commercials, always informative and usually silly, that have the Smithe brothers walking in the footsteps of Linn Burton and the Empire Carpet Guy as Chicago TV commercial icons. The Smithe sisters are working to expose the brand to a new customer base Photo credit: Robin Subar. 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. It said he passed away peacef Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. Walter E. Smithe - Wikipedia They seem very pretentious I think. There have been more than a thousand of them since, and thanks to the magic of cable TV he is now a national celebrity. Thats fast, but it shows what we can do. 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. Customers were more concerned with what we were selling versus the people who were selling it, she adds. Smithe brothers aim for 'Sex' appeal in latest quirky commercial, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Walter_E._Smithe&oldid=1127865487, This page was last edited on 17 December 2022, at 02:33. Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. McCarthy was married to grandson of Walter E. Smithe, Timothy Smithe Jr. in Paris, France in June of 2013. . Press J to jump to the feed. 20 White Bathroom Design Ideas | HGTV The store, which has 10 locations in the Chicago area, has been open for nearly 75 years and has faced all the challenges of . Walter E. Smithe ads, famous for their jingle, now featuring next He attended the University of Notre Dame and earned a bachelor 's . Till your hair grows back."). Were not trying to portray an image that working mothers can pull off everything without something falling through, Maureen says candidly. The daughters took over the company. We not only respect this, we embrace it.. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Home - Facebook "We have wonderful clients who are my generation or older, but we have to figure out how we cater to this new generation that's setting up households now. In the 1970s Walter left Smithe and Shanahan (His brothers remained with the original company) to start his own company - Walter E. Smithe. Home Cities Chicago Meet the Smithe Sisters, The new generation is shaking things up at furniture icon Walter E. Smithe. And Mark, 40, is Smithe's general counsel; he and his partner live in Lincoln Park with Petey, a 4-year-old bulldog. Some ways to do this include mixing fabrics and leathers such as pairing linens with velvets, shag rugs, fur throws, organic elements such as rattan and bamboo even the reflective-ness of chrome can add texture to a room! Receive a 20 percent discount on sofas, love seats, sectionals, chaises, and more at Cassona (5241 N. Clark St., cassona.com) through March 13. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Yelp Shop the Sofa Sale. While their father and grandfather are still actively involved in the day-to-day, the women have taken over the companys marketing, design, advertising and buying effortsand immediately went about altering brand perceptions. What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . "But we've also gotten some really nice feedback from people who are happy to see four working women on their TV.". Walter Smithe, president of the furniture company named for his grandfather, is flanked by daughters, Maureen, left, and Caitie on March 21, 2017, as theywatch his other daughters Colleen, far left, and Meghan play pingpong at the Walter E. Smithe furniture store in Oak Brook. 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. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. Lewis Lazare. Create Comparison. Favorite design style: Cozy and comfortableaka hygge ethos. portalId: "6766057", You have this sense of passion and responsibility for it. "And there's 10 televisions, all tuned to the same station. Compare how recession-proof Walter E. Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. Most recently, she was at . But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie Smitheis shaking things up in a big way. - 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. It stuck in your head. Walter E. Smithe is a family business in every sense of the word, the sisters say. Walter E. Smithe Furniture - Employees, Contact info, Overview - Wiza In family businesses, thats the only way to ensure a companys continued success. Today, Maureen is a buyer, Meghan is the director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and assists the merchandising team, and Colleen is the director of advertising. If you grew up in Chicago, you can probably hum it. Smithe's wife of 64 years was by his side when he passed, and he . walter e smithe, furniture stores near me, ballinger vase buy, gold side end table, tall mirror, walter e smithe daughters, furniture . Kyla McCarthy - EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM Walter Smithe, president of the furniture company, climbs the stairs March 21, 2017, at the Walter E. Smithe furniture store in Oak Brook, alongside his four daughters, Colleen, from left, Caitie, Maureen and Meghan. "I was at Dulles Airport in Washington, waiting for a 9:30 flight at night," Mark says. 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. Walter E. Smithe Jr. also earned a master's degree in Anthropology at Loyola University Chicago in 1980. Walter E. Smithe Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design Some have criticized the spots for underemphasizing Walter E. Smithe's actual furniture products. "It's a big responsibility. Young. Instead of starring third-generation brothers Walter III, Tim, and Mark, the new ones put the spotlight on fourth-generation sisters Caitie, Meghan, Maureen, and Colleen. Or "Hardrock, Coco and Joe." All three attended St. Mary's College in Winona, Minn. Walt got an MBA at Notre Dame, Tim got one at Northwestern, and Mark got a law degree at Loyola. Tim recalls Walt trying to smother him -- repeatedly, apparently -- with a bean bag chair. They pointed out how affordable the pieces are. A matte black bathtub, vanity mirrors and hardware pop against the airy walls in this modern primary bathroom. How, they wondered, would longtime customers respond to four new female faces on their television screens? My sisters and I represent the viewpoint of our younger clientele, Meghan says. "It's made us focus on what we do best, which is designing our clients' homes," he said. Walter E. Smithe III, is the President of family owned and operated Walter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. The company has become known over the years in particular for its quirky TV commercials Chicago TV viewers have long known the jingle, "Walter E. Smithe, you dream it we build it." You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe (smithe.com) siblings-on-a-couch commercials. walter e smithe. Who are the Walter E Smithe daughters? They're going to be the ones buying furniture for the next 50 years, so we have to be ready to serve them the way they want to be served," said Walter Smithe, 57. But even as likable as the brothers are, do they run the risk of oversaturation or going to the well too often? Born in the heart of Chicago, we're a family owned and operated local business since 1945, now four generations strong. It's pretty surprising they are still playing on these tired sexist tropes in this day and age. An added factor in the commercials' success are the brothers, who come across as regular guys. There are so many cool and unique materials being used to manufacture furniture these dayssuch as capiz shells, bone inlay, faux shagreen, concrete, rope and slate. He NEVER blinks. Walter E. Smithe Near You in Vernon Hills, Illinois - furniture 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 . "[5] Of the commercials, Tim Smithe has said, "We wanted to entertain people first, so then when we wanted to inform them they'd already be paying attention". Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. I havent seen the Tile Outlet lady in a while!! Like their brothers, the four Smithe sisters were all in the business when they were in high school. With 16 1/2 children among them (Colleen is due with her third baby this month), the sisters also find work as a time to be togethersans children. A new book offers a primer on how to spot, seize, and exploit and create lucky breaks More, Two new must-visit hotels from Austin to Houston More, Shop Patek Philippe timepieces, Oiya bracelets and a Miami-based skincare brand More, Plan a day of relaxation at Pressed Roots and The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas More, Raise a glass to our favorite new French-inspired bistros, charming piano bars and bold Italian eateries in Manhattan More, From shoes to handbags, here are the new boutiques to visit in New York City More, The best-selling author, entrepreneur and global philanthropist continues a push with Feeding America to provide 1 billion meals More, Were Over The Moon About This New Travel Registry, 2022 Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Edible Presents, Room Request! Sisters Take Smithe Spotlight, More High-End Barware, and a Sofa Sale, 2020 Chicago magazine / A Chicago Tribune Media Group website, map of participating First Friday locations, Design Controls - Facebook Instant Article. So, somewhat reluctantly, they let themselves become the public face of Walter E. Smithe Furniture. [3], The company has become well known in the Chicago area for its television commercials, which for decades starred the three Smithe brothers, and now star the four Smithe sisters. His signature line: "Linn Burton for certain!". Walter E. Smithe Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design My wife and I were just talking about this yesterday, we truly hate the Walter E Smithe commercials with the daughters. His line was, `If you can talk you can breathe.'". They've been able to weather the unexpected storm of the coronavirus pandemic. 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. The best commercial -- at least the one viewers relished -- featured this grating kid getting hit in the face with a pie. [4], In March, 2017, daughters of Walter E. Smithe III became the fourth generation of the Smithe family to be featured in the commercials.[8]. ", Says Tim Smithe, "Pop culture is always changing and so are we.". Then they brought in the wives. Through March 16, enjoy savings of up to 20 percent on select rugs (hopscotch, anyone?) Working at Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design | Glassdoor It was an organic transition for each of us, says Colleen, the youngest sister. "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? 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. officially retires, although he still enjoys visiting showrooms and meeting clients. There is nothing like a day spent soaking up the sun and a good book or an evening with friends and good food and drinks under the stars. "We're kind of strategically positioned in different departments," Meghan said. This is useful in estimating the financial strength and credit risk of the company. Chicago's Best Furniture and Expert Design. It's fun to be part of Chicago in that way.". You can still be a fun premium brand (Virgin, for example) but this is Family Dollar-type schtick. Weird. I can't breathe!' But they do have a business. In fact, none of the sisters seriously considered having a career in the company, founded by their great-grandfather in 1945. 'Flipping Out' Where To Get Jeff Lewis' Furniture Collection The CBS Chicago team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSChicago.com. How could they ensure the 75-year-old brand would be sustainable for decades to come? I always suggest going with whatever color or colors are most pleasing to you, but some big color trends this spring are oranges, pinks, sage green and pastel blue. Walter E. Smithe Trade In Sale - YouTube Happy Hour With Jeff Lewis + Walter E. Smithe - fountainof30.com between Scott Ave. and Tower Rd., Winnetka, shophwdd.com) hosts a First Friday event on the North Shore. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. 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.. "And I'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! Get Eric Clark's email address (e*****@smithe.com) and phone number at RocketReach. After college, all three gravitated back to the family business, which was founded by their father. 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. We refer to Smithe.com as our 12th store, since many of our clients are doing their research online before coming to see us in person.. We understand that customers see a certain look on, say, Instagram and they want it replicated in their own home, Colleen says. We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. "They're having a lot of fun. Their interactions were zany, their dialogue lighthearted, their catchy jingle -- "you dream it, we build it" -- recognizable throughout the region. Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. Anyone got a link to the current commercial? As their father, the company president, has told customers for decades, Life is too short to sit on uncomfortable furniture.. About. Now, the fourth-generation leaders of Walter E. Smithe are learning to balance their busy personal lives with the big responsibility of carrying out the legacy of their family-run business. That's why when she and her three sisters -- Maureen, Meghan and Caitie -- were asked a few years ago to transition into the role their father and uncles held for so long, they weren't immediately receptive. Colleen loved being able to point out that her dad and uncles, Mark and Tim, brainstormed and executed the ideas themselves. "We wanted to entertain people first, so then when we wanted to inform them they'd already be paying attention," Tim says of their advertising philosophy. Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. "Instead we did it on the turn of a dime. Ellen is very serious about design and had a definite voice in what this modern-rustic-meets-farmhouse collection would be. Walter E. Smithe Jr. Obituary. Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. Corporate Profile - Winmo "There was some physical violence between the brothers," Walt says with that satisfied look of a big brother who got to dish it out. Mix together different, but complimentary, elements such as woods, metals and stonesand feel free to mix various metals together. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is a family-owned furniture retailer, founded right here in Chicago, back in 1945. "[7] Maria Coons, a marketing teacher at Harper College, has also defended the advertisements, telling a Daily Herald reporter, "Some people who aren't in that [30 to 60 year old] demographic might consider them dorky, but for their target market, they're not. Now, the fourth-generation leaders of Walter E. Smithe are learning to balance their busy personal lives with the big responsibility of carrying out the legacy of their family-run business. Chicago Parent, as a Zoe Communications Group company, is certified as a Womens Business Enterprise by the Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nations largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women. You may also light a candle in honor of Walter E. Smithe Jr. or send a beautiful flower arrangement to the funeral . Bringing new and various textures into a room can take it from plain and lacking in interest to exciting and memorable. Its unnerving. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Maureen Smithe and Caitie Smithe Were often building on what we see resonating in the market and what is interesting and beautiful at the moment., Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is coming off a successful year of strategic partnerships with Bravo TVs Jeff Lewis and interior designer Cynthia Rowley.
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