Not as long as they keep the commercials clever and topical, O'Neil says. 70 reviews of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design "This is a really good store for when you hit age 40 or so and realize your house still resembles a college dorm. As their father, the company president, has told customers for decades, Life is too short to sit on uncomfortable furniture.. So much misogyny in these comments, their commercials have always been cheesy and annoying. October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM So I'm speaking, and they're half listening, you know. "The brothers have no acting talent," Tim says. This is useful in estimating the financial strength and credit risk of the company. Four sisters carry the Walter E. Smithe brand into the future "And I'd be yelling, `I can't breathe! What she does: I use both sides of my brain: left for all the analytical spreadsheet stuff and right for the creative vision. 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. Walter E. Smithe also is changing up its ads. Walter E. Smithe and Bill Shanahan founded the store anticipating a booming economy in the wake of World War II. "It's always positive, and it's nice to be part of it. Compare how recession-proof Walter E Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . His line was, `If you can talk you can breathe.'". Kyla McCarthy - EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki Then they tie in pop culture it shows that they're sort of a with-it furniture company. Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. Shop the Sofa Sale. "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' And then fate gently tapped them on their shoulder. Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. 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.". 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." About. Born in the heart of Chicago, we're a family owned and operated local business since 1945, now four generations strong. Chicagoans came to know and appreciate the three Smithe brothers who starred for years in quirky TV commercials touting their family-run furniture company. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. It takes work and sacrifice.. "[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. Nah, I know a few of them. Compare how recession-proof Walter E. Smithe Furniture is relative to the industry overall. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. I think people felt sorry for me, assuming that I wasnt getting any sleep and having to come to work every day, says Maureen. "But we've also gotten some really nice feedback from people who are happy to see four working women on their TV.". The first order of business: ditch the longstanding, highly recognizable ad campaign featuring their father and two uncles. 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 strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and. "It almost feels like the business is, in a weird way, a member of the family. The Walter E. Smithe + Jeff Lewis showcase certainly fits the bill. Tags: Design Controls - Facebook Instant Article, Home & Garden, Interior Design. Its unnerving. Walter E. Smithe Jr's death was announced Thursday on the company's Facebook page. Walter e smithe daughters. Am I the only one who just thinks he looks like Louis CK? 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. 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. The Smithe sisters have always been close -- and growing up, it wasn't always by choice. Even their more than 250 employees are treated like family. Draftfcb. To make up for it, she woke up early to make heart-shaped pancakes. 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. Courtesy of Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. However, Lewis Lazare, the Chicago Sun-Times' advertising critic, has defended the commercials. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. Take dress up and glam up a notch with a self-care day at this luxurious spa for kids and tweens. When Smithe makes a furniture delivery, Its not uncommon for our crews to bring a 25-year-old sofa with a Smithe sticker on it back to this warehouse, Meghan says. He received a Bachelor of Philosophy in Commerce from the University of Notre Dame in 1958. While it may not be usable 365 days a year, the days that your outdoor space are in fact usable should be embraced. 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. Shop the clearance. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. Luxury Hotels, Travel, Dining, Lifestyle - Haute Living Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. Oct 2012 - Apr 20152 years 7 months. with Maureen Smithe Brusznicki and Caitie Smithe Jisa at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. Walter E. Smithe Furniture founder, Walter E. Smithe Jr., dies at 86 For instance, finding that perfect piece of decorative furniture that creatively doubles as a toy box for kids games, toys and video devices. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. As they grew into their teens, there were the usual summer jobs -- caddying, yard work, selling ice cream from a motorized three-wheeler. And I thought, `makeup and lighting. "With a strategy to continue Smithe parodies of relevant topics, really, the future is limitless," he says. Smithe's three sons the Smithe brothers Mark, Tim, and Walter III became executives in the business and were regularly featured in the commercials. Getting the Smithes in front of the camera wasn't easy. "I think it's time for us to get out of these TV commercials," Walter said. Walt and Tim mocked Mark's new haircut. Colleen, Caitie, Meghan and Maureen Smithe, all between the ages of 33 and 37, represent the fourth generation of the family business and are daughters of company President Walter Smithe, the grandson of the business's namesake. Chicago, IL. Today. We can be real nimble when we're this tight and this spread across the business.". 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. Kneen & Co. (399 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Ste. When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. The business grew in popularity as they approached adulthood, at which point friends would regularly sing the jingle and colleagues would ask about the creative TV ads. My sisters and I loved being a part of it.. The Smithe brothers commercials Chicagoans are used to were great for getting the Walter E. Smithe name out, but the new ads put the focus back on the furniture and design services, said Meghan Smithe. The Smithes stand out because they're doing silly things. Our lives can be overrun with technology, commitments and schedules. Were a Chicago company that was given national exposure. And they're not showbiz types. Even with little ones underfoot, the Smithe sisters make balancing their family furniture business and their growing broods look effortless. Smithe Family Takeover - Country Magazine Still, she never dreamed of working full time for Walter E. Smithe Furniture, even while growing up in Barrington with her three sisters, Maureen, Caitie and Colleen. Start shopping. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. "Instead we did it on the turn of a dime. The sisters laughed at hearing this family adage, knowing that home furnishing has been woven into the tapestry of their lives. [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. Jamie Sotonoff. 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 . But shes quick to point out that the business is still very much a multigenerational effort, noting that their 81-year-old grandfather still regularly meets with clients. The company made its website easier to use and more modern-looking. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. Marketing Contacts Contacts (5/9) Name Title State; Walter S. President & Chief Executive Officer . Shop the label. Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. "We're kind of strategically positioned in different departments," Meghan said. - 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. His sons, Walter, Tim, and Mark, joined the company in the 1970s and 1980s. 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. Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. But it wasn't long before he approached his youngest daughter with a proposition. Most recently, she was at . Zajdel was a driver for Victory when he made the commercial a quarter-century ago. In some of the footage, youll see my dad installing a dimmer or my uncle driving a truck. Today, they help oversee 10 showrooms, the warehouse and headquarters, working together (generally) perfectly. "As furniture commercials go, what the Smithes are doing is great," he says. "If you think of furniture commercials, it's always just panning a showroom with obnoxious graphics," says O'Neil, who has directed all the Smithe commercials. 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. getting a penny or nickel for every clearance tag we pulled," says Meghanthe four daughters of Walter Smithe III have . Walt (actually Walter Smithe III), 45, is president and general manager of the company; he and his wife have five kids and live in Barrington Hills. Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. The implication was that he was doing/looking at something inappropriate. And they wanted a way to build the brand. They hammer out a script, call in O'Neil and start filming. This rating has improved by 10% over the last 12 months. Some have criticized the spots for underemphasizing Walter E. Smithe's actual furniture products. No surprise why the quality is so crap. Through March 16, enjoy savings of up to 20 percent on select rugs (hopscotch, anyone?) / CBS Chicago. The new campaign, dubbed Smithe Family Makeovers, showcases Smithe furniture in the homes of actual clients, revealing the handiwork of the companys designers in HGTV-esque episodes. Their interactions were zany, their dialogue lighthearted, their catchy jingle -- "you dream it, we build it" -- recognizable throughout the region. The 3rd brother, Tim Smithe, retired in 2016. The Smithe brothers have been described as "Chicago's most recognizable furniture purveyors", due to their ubiquitous television commercials starring themselves. A matte black bathtub, vanity mirrors and hardware pop against the airy walls in this modern primary bathroom. Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. High School," Walter says. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". First published on October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM. Main Telephone (630) 285-8000. 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. Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered. She sounds annoyed that the spill isn't absorbing, like there's some insurance scheme that hinges on being able to stain this white couch. What happened to the Walter E Smithe guys? - Cowetaamerican.com Smithe Parker leads Walter E. Smithe advertising We get that question all the time, and that was to be expected," Colleen said. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. 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. She also sees more demand for curation: Rather than walking into a store and getting an entire matching bedroom or dining set, people are mixing and matching and getting a look thats uniquely theirs., The new ED Ellen DeGeneres furniture collection (now available at all 11 Walter E. Smithe showrooms) allows for just thatand it includes versatile pieces that transcend their typical use. "There was some physical violence between the brothers," Walt says with that satisfied look of a big brother who got to dish it out. 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. Bringing new and various textures into a room can take it from plain and lacking in interest to exciting and memorable. For example - my favorite large upholstered dining chairs are under $200. Around the same time, Caitie was ready to return to the workforce as a designer and stylist, a skill she had honed early in her career. "The majority of what we run is informational and tells about the company, but those aren't the ones people are talking about at the water cooler. Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Inc. is headquartered in Itasca, IL. Sometimes its the only quiet I get.. And now with the company's 75th anniversary approaching in August, they're ready to push forward plans to expand and evolve. We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. "That is the top priority for the four of us," Meghan Smithe said. For the most part, that relationship translates well in the business world, they say. The slogans "You dream it, we build it", or "That's Smithe, with an E" are commonly used. 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. "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? She had been a buyer for Abercrombie and Fitch for a few years after college when a job opened up in the Smithe merchandising office. 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. 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. Ellen is very serious about design and had a definite voice in what this modern-rustic-meets-farmhouse collection would be. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is a family-owned furniture retailer, founded right here in Chicago, back in 1945. 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. It worked really well for a long time, but post-recession, we saw peoples sensibilities had changed, says Meghan. One by one, each sister began working in the family business. But one by one, they followed Maureen's lead and rejoined the family business. "People really did love seeing them on their TVs.". Regarded as top performer within the account and the Agency, as a result of consistent over-delivery, passion to grow the business . Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca | Better Business Bureau Profile and became working moms in different industries. A few bucks later, the clunker is off to Victory's Bensenville lot. Best Outlet Walter E Smithe near Glendale Heights, IL 60139 - Yelp Sometimes we present to our dad as a united front and other times we need him to be a tie breaker. 1251 W. Thorndale Ave. Itasca, IL 60143-1149. We feel like we can now speak to the multitude of generations who shop with us, she says. Sibling revelry; Their offbeat commercials have made the Smithe brothers cult heroes. Chicago's Best Furniture and Expert Design. Tim offered Walt brotherly support after a just-completed scene. "If we'd done that with a large agency, it would have been flying people in from New York and storyboards and approvals along the way," he says. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Maureen Smithe and Caitie Smithe 20 White Bathroom Design Ideas | HGTV Mark admonished Walt to keep his feet off the furniture. The Empire Carpet Guy, of course. '", "I was at a gym on a treadmill," Mark says of the first time he caught one of the commercials. 74% of employees would recommend working at Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design to a friend and 70% have a positive outlook for the business. - Lynn Hauldren: Who? If you are ready to get grown-up furniture, this place has a very nice selection, with helpful staff who can guide you toward the proper colors, scale, and what looks nice together. They've been able to weather the unexpected storm of the coronavirus pandemic. An added factor in the commercials' success are the brothers, who come across as regular guys. 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. Determine whether Walter E. Smithe Furniture grew or shrank during the last recession. Their grandfather, who is in his 80s, remains active in the company, frequently visiting showrooms and making connections with clients. 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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