Tags: Design Controls - Facebook Instant Article, Home & Garden, Interior Design. It's not included in a shorter version now airing on TV. 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. [7], Chicagoans have had mixed reactions to the Walter E. Smithe commercials. Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. 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. 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.. You can still be a fun premium brand (Virgin, for example) but this is Family Dollar-type schtick. Till your hair grows back."). It said he passed away peacef Walter E. Smithe wants to create a series of similar videos to give customers a behind-the-scenes look at their services and the company. Its a tough balance, but I like figuring out the retail puzzle.. 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. William Hageman and Tribune staff reporter. Walter E. Smithe also is changing up its ads. Lewis Lazare. Give yourself time to just be in a comfortable and beautiful outdoor space. Ask how we can add diversity to your supply chain. Subscribe for free today! 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. This has been our priority since we first began serving the Chicago area back in 1945. They hammer out a script, call in O'Neil and start filming. 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. He received a Bachelor of Philosophy in Commerce from the University of Notre Dame in 1958. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. "The girls have all worked elsewhere before coming back to Smithe," says Walter of his daughters who have had careers ranging from merchandising to advertising. Their interactions were zany, their dialogue lighthearted, their catchy jingle -- "you dream it, we build it" -- recognizable throughout the region. The 86-year-old patriarch of the Smithe family, Walter Edward Smithe Jr., "died . Business Profile for Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca. 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. Walter E. Smithe told me they work with many designers but Jeff was really able to get a lot of value into the pieces in his collection and that its why . "And there's 10 televisions, all tuned to the same station. The Chicago native attended Fenwick High School and the University of Notre Dame. Walt and Tim mocked Mark's new haircut. 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. Create Comparison. One spot was modeled after Apple's weird commercials. Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Smithe Furniture, dies at 86 Margie, who used to be a buyer for Smithe, moved to St. Louis with her husband, who worked for Anheuser-Busch's ad agency. Were not trying to portray an image that working mothers can pull off everything without something falling through, Maureen says candidly. Primary Address. Visit Website (opens in new window) Walter E. Smithe. Walter has been known to take furniture for test drives, says Meghan. "It's a big responsibility. 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. While they took breaks from the biz to make their own way after college, each came back when the right positions opened up. People are buying a look, but they want it to feel curated and personal., Its up to Maureen and Caitie to monitor the market, make sure the showroom reflects current palettes, while staying a few steps ahead of what is currently trending. Sometimes its the only quiet I get.. 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. "As needs within the business grew, positions opened up organically," Maureen said. And they're not showbiz types. Eric Clark email address & phone number | Walter E. Smithe Furniture "We were kind of like dorks, geeks, growing up," Mark says. The Walter E. Smithe furniture jingle "you dream it, we build it" has been a longtime fixture in the firm's television ads, just as the Smithe brothers themselves have been. "They're having a lot of fun. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design advertising has featured everything from parodies of "The Price Is Right" to a 2013 classic in which the Smithe brothers got into a wrestling ring with Billy Corgan. 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. About. Instead, the Smithe sisters Colleen, director of advertising; Maureen, a buyer; Caitie, a designer; and Meghan, the marketing director help a Chicago couple with tastes that sometimes clash give their town home a new look before relatives show up for a visit. "We take that very seriously, and we have so much passion for it.". Chicago's Best Furniture and Expert Design. Then when I plugged it in, the place went up for grabs. Meet The Walter E. Smithe Furniture Sisters - Luxe - Design Shop the label. Walter E. Smithe - Wikipedia One of the first opportunities to test their compatibility was through a partnership with interior designer and TV personality Jeff Lewis. Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. The Smithe sisters now serve as the face of the firm, offering a female perspective that better reflects the company, the industry and the country today. The 3rd brother, Tim Smithe, retired in 2016. Smithe Family Takeover - Country Magazine What happened to the Walter E Smithe guys? - Cowetaamerican.com You could say that the Smithes are a bit obsessed with quality. "They've done a wonderful job building a distinctive brand," says Tim Calkins, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University. It takes work and sacrifice.. And Amy is a singer and songwriter. 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. "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. Sometimes you have to act fast. Draftfcb. [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. Indian Trail, High Street intersection work approved in Aurora, Suspect in high-speed chase crashes into, kills veteran Indiana State Trooper trying to stop him: officials, Educators get peek at Paramount play about artificial intelligence which is set to tour schools, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Shop the Sofa Sale. Sisters Colleen, Caitie, Maureen and Meghan Smithe, from left, are breaking the mold as fourth-generation leaders of the 75-year-old Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. But he soon returned to the family furniture business that his father first started in 1945, and pioneered the concept of custom-order furniture in the Chicago area. [4][5] In 2008, they filmed and edited a takeoff of the Sex and the City franchise, with the brothers sipping "Smithe-o-politans". Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. The Bob's puppet is a far better actor than the Smithe girls though. Walter E. Smithe Jr. also earned a master's degree in Anthropology at Loyola University Chicago in 1980. College was a turning point for the sisters, who now call one another their best friends. (Last year, Walter E. Smithe resurrected the 1950s-era cartoon that was a holiday staple on WGN-Ch. - 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. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie Smitheis shaking things up in a big way. And in between the entertainment were his folksy commercials for Courtesy Motors -- his cars were "honeys" and "sweeties" -- which at one point was the world's largest Ford dealer. "It's made us focus on what we do best, which is designing our clients' homes," he said. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. Holly Hunt (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. "I said, `Let's get you guys on camera.'". 9's "Garfield Goose" and "Ray Rayner" shows. Now its only the wives and zero about the furniture. CHICAGO (CBS) -- Walter Edward Smithe Jr., the founder of Chicago's Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86. 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. As their father, the company president, has told customers for decades, Life is too short to sit on uncomfortable furniture.. View a map of participating First Friday locations. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". "[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". 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The sisters left for college with a few prized furnishings and a work ethic that became a permanent fixture in their lives. Furniture store patriarch Walter E. Smithe Jr. dies at 86 "If our specialties fit those needs, then we were invited to have a conversation and explore the opportunity, but it was never a demand placed on us.". 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. In recent years, Smithe enjoyed his time with extended family. They got on each other's nerves and learned to talk quickly at the dinner table if they wanted to get a word in. But they still manage to get out to their stores about once a week, touching base with their employees, surprising customers or hosting events such as book signings or wine tastings. For instance, finding that perfect piece of decorative furniture that creatively doubles as a toy box for kids games, toys and video devices. Walter Smithe III and Mark Smithe (the Smithe Brothers) are the sons of Walter Jr, and serve as President and VP/Legal Counsel, respectively. There is no rule book that says they all need to matchmetals always compliment one another. The company's commercials were originally straightforward descriptions of their products and services, but in 2003, the brothers decided to include outtakes from past filmings, which showed the brothers stumbling over words and laughing at each other. Walter E. Smithe Jr., head of family furniture dynasty, dead at 86 Lewis teamed up with Smithes merchandising team to create in-store vignettes, and also featured the store on his show. As mothers, all of us have cleaned up a childs spill, or even their vomit, from our furniture, Colleen jokes. We are a 4th generation family-owned business, and our employees are an integral part of . Meghan is director of marketing, Caitie is a designer and stylist and Colleen is director of advertising. The Smithes had been encouraged to air their outtakes on television after Tim Smithe screened them at an interior design seminar and received a positive reaction from the crowd. "We're kind of strategically positioned in different departments," Meghan said. "That was the best part," she said. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Maureen Smithe and Caitie Smithe There is no true balance for moms in our situation., We cant be everything all at once, Meghan says. . After college, all three gravitated back to the family business, which was founded by their father. "I was invited to speak to 300-some designers in Oak Brook," he says. Over the last 13 years, one by one, Walters daughters have been hired on at Smithe as the jobs became available. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and stage of life. The Smithe brothers used good-natured humor on countless TV commercials selling furniture. Today. Who are the Walter E Smithe daughters? [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]. Young. Multi Location Business. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. 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. Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. The four women have been taking on bigger roles at the company and star in its new ad. Sisters Colleen, Caitie, Maureen and Meghan Smithe, from left, are breaking the mold as fourth-generation leaders of the 75-year-old Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design. Walter E. Smithe III, the company's president, and his four beautiful Meghan and Colleen spent several years working at advertising agencies in Chicago. "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. Jeff Lewis's collection of vignettes is available at Walter E. Smithe's 11 showrooms in Chicago, and online. "That is the top priority for the four of us," Meghan Smithe said. Pinterest. 1428, hollyhunt.com) has expanded its Great Plains textile offering with the Foreign Affair collection, which has a mix of warm and cool neutrals. The store, which has 10 locations in the Chicago area, has been open for nearly 75 years and has faced all the challenges of . It was an organic transition for each of us, says Colleen, the youngest sister. 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. '", "The business steadily increased since we started the commercials," Walt says. Dont burden yourself with the boredom of a matching wood set. Today, they help oversee 10 showrooms, the warehouse and headquarters, working together (generally) perfectly. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. Born in the heart of Chicago, we're a family owned and operated local business since 1945, now four generations strong. 1 Early life; 2 Television; 3 Personal Life; 4 References; . 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. During a stint in the Army, Smithe attained the rank of captain and became an expert in the field of computers. Favorite design style: Clean and neutral. The company gained national exposure from Lewis' collection, and each sister was able to shine in her own specialty. With a 71-year history and 11 stores sprinkled throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Walter E. Smithe is a local furniture icon. 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. Colleen loved being able to point out that her dad and uncles, Mark and Tim, brainstormed and executed the ideas themselves. Zajdel was a driver for Victory when he made the commercial a quarter-century ago. The Feldco guy creeps me out more. Start shopping. Working at Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design | Glassdoor Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. View info about Walter E. Smithe Furniture (smithe.com). Someone really needs a new marketing director/CMO/agency because they do not know what they are doing. Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". Tomorrow, Hubbard Woods Design District (Green Bay Rd. "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. "In what seems to be their unending and over-the-top zeal to self-promote, they just may be helping drive traffic," he wrote, adding, "If nothing else, the advertising suggests the chain has some suits with personality attached. One by one, each sister began working in the family business. No outside agency required. 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. "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. It turned out so well that Tim carried along a copy to a speaking engagement. The Sisters Behind the Walter E. Smithe Furniture Company - DuJour Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design - Chicago's Furniture Store and How could the Itasca-based company break the mold and reach a new audience while still carrying its message into a fourth generation? ". Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. 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. How could they ensure the 75-year-old brand would be sustainable for decades to come? Unlike their brothers, they chose other careers. Walter E. Smithe Furn-Itasca | Better Business Bureau Profile Walter e smithe daughters. 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. Additional partnerships with the likes of Cynthia Rowley and Ellen Degeneres have exposed the company to a new customer base. I think people felt sorry for me, assuming that I wasnt getting any sleep and having to come to work every day, says Maureen. 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. He NEVER blinks. USA. Kneen & Co. (399 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Ste. Growing up, she and her sisters held various roles at the furniture and design firm, earning their first paychecks and gaining job experience and exploring interests that would later launch their careers. For example - my favorite large upholstered dining chairs are under $200. "The brothers have no acting talent," Tim says. "I think it's time for us to get out of these TV commercials," Walter said. 1251 W. Thorndale Ave. Itasca, IL 60143-1149. Thats fast, but it shows what we can do. 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 chemistry among this familial foursome is something parents can only hope for from their children. Tim offered Walt brotherly support after a just-completed scene. 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 . They look hungry. Home Cities Chicago Meet the Smithe Sisters, The new generation is shaking things up at furniture icon Walter E. Smithe. Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. Walter E. SMITHE corporate office is located in 1775 W Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004, United States and has 382 employees. "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? She is a celebrity who is genuinely interested in how her furniture will do and be perceived, Maureen says. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. Personally, I dont want to stare at ugly furniture for all those years, Meghan says. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Since 1945, the company has established itself as a reliable family-run retailer, with the second- and third-generation Smithe men at the helm. Trendwise, Caitie says the color gurus at Pantone were right on when they selected a bright shade of green as Color of the Year.