Now, the Itasca-based furniture and interior design company wants you to get to know the Smithe sisters. Walter E. Smithe Jr's death was announced Thursday on the company's Facebook page. "It's a big responsibility. When they get a topic, Smithe says, he tries to figure a way to blend it into an ad. [7], Chicagoans have had mixed reactions to the Walter E. Smithe commercials. Oct 2012 - Apr 20152 years 7 months. Postpartum bladder leaks are common but there's help. 1251 West Thorndale Avenue. Its unjust to think that women can somehow balance it all, Colleen adds. Explore more of the publications in our portfolio here. 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. 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. "They were loved," said Colleen Smithe, the youngest daughter of Walter Smithe III. Those early Smithe commercials were straight-forward affairs, with each brother talking about his area of expertise -- Walt discussed the merchandise, Tim the company's designers, and Mark Smithe's delivery system and customer satisfaction -- and, of course, the furniture. walter e smithe furniture & design. "I was invited to speak to 300-some designers in Oak Brook," he says. with Maureen Smithe Brusznicki and Caitie Smithe Jisa at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. 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. Primary Address. The Smithe family announced that their patriarch died this past Sunday with his wife of 64 years, Florence Flynn Smithe, by his side. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and stage of life. Take dress up and glam up a notch with a self-care day at this luxurious spa for kids and tweens. The seven pieces featured in the Quincy Master Bedroom vignette below (chair, trunk . October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM The first order of business: ditch the longstanding, highly recognizable ad campaign featuring their father and two uncles. For example, Meghan had to miss her sons Valentines Day party at school this year, due to work responsibilities. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. "Case in point, I was just this morning sketching out my first ideas for The Three Tenors, featuring, of course, the Smithe brothers in a coliseum. "By being so close and meeting so regularly, we're all in the loop with what's happening in each other's sphere. The sisters are making their official debut in a new campaign theyve recently launched called the Smithe Family Makeovers. Fielding countless applications, the Smithes choose a home where they redesign a space and showcase the full range of interior design services and furnishings Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design offers. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . I'm so annoyed that I won't buy anything from there. This is not how you attract a premium buyer or build a premium brand. What she does: "I make spaces beautiful for clients' homes, our catalogs and showrooms, and play couples' therapist for clients who can't agree on a sofa." Favorite design style: Modern mixed with traditional. Till your hair grows back."). Chicago, IL. "But these are guys who you'd go to dinner with, you know? Customers were more concerned with what we were selling versus the people who were selling it, she adds. Its no longer that way.. 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. The Chicago native attended Fenwick High School and the University of Notre Dame. - Lynn Hauldren: Who? How could the Itasca-based company break the mold and reach a new audience while still carrying its message into a fourth generation? "So that drove us, I think, to be successes.". Check out the new collection. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. "Staying fresh, young . Our lives can be overrun with technology, commitments and schedules. The Smithe sisters have heard it all before, and they've set out to dispel those misperceptions. And youll see each of my sisters doing what they do best.. Anyone got a link to the current commercial? While it may not be usable 365 days a year, the days that your outdoor space are in fact usable should be embraced. "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. Assuming your a dude your not supposed to understand the commercials. Along the way, they got married, had children (17 in all!) 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. 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 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." Visit . Only a year apart in age, the lively, fast-talking Smithe sisters consider one another best friends. The two renamed the store Smithe and Shanahan, but Bill Shanahan eventually sold his share to Smithe's brother Charlie. In a new seven-minute "Smithe Family Makeover" video, you'll only see one Smithe brother and you'll only hear the new version of the familiar jingle if you watch all the way through to the credits. "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. They were each only a year apart, at one point covering all four grade levels at Barrington High School. (Last year, Walter E. Smithe resurrected the 1950s-era cartoon that was a holiday staple on WGN-Ch. 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. "It was kind of ingrained in us," Caitie Smithe said. What The Walter E. Smithe Daughters Do . The founder of well-known Chicago-area furniture company Walter E. Smithe has died, his family announced Wednesday. A new collection at Holly Hunt, discounts at EuroFurniture, a First Friday event at Hubbard Woods Design District, and more. 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 company made its website easier to use and more modern-looking. To the Smithe sisters, the company has always been a piece of their identity, an integral thread of their childhood. The spot showed the brothers at a news conference announcing that they had purchased Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, with plans to rename it Walter E. Smithe Field. Like most mothers, whether theyre working or staying at home, we do what we can, she says. 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. Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. The Smithe sisters have always been close -- and growing up, it wasn't always by choice. ", Instead they talk about the U2/iTunes takeoff, the brothers' version of "The Apprentice" or the Olympic parody from last year. 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. 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 only hear them on the radio. How could they ensure the 75-year-old brand would be sustainable for decades to come? They brought in real clients, worked with real designers and demonstrated each sister's essential role within the business. 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. It stuck in your head. I love the one where they are drinking what looks like Tang out of wine glasses. When the boys took over from their father, there were about a half-dozen stores. The Smithe boys started out in a tiny ranch house in Des Plaines, the children of Walter Jr. and Florence. Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design is a family-owned furniture retailer, founded right here in Chicago, back in 1945. Read on to find out more about pelvic floor therapy and how it's growing in popularity among postpartum women. That was the extent of his pitchman career. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Our dad always put an emphasis on hard work, and it stuck with us.. ", Says Tim Smithe, "Pop culture is always changing and so are we.". walter e smithe. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Walter E. Smithe and Bill Shanahan founded the store anticipating a booming economy in the wake of World War II. Timothy Smithe Jr. (m. 2013-2018) Kyla Lynn McCarthy (born October 8, 1986) is the daughter of politician and former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. Feb 20, 2022 - The 4th generation of Walter E. Smithe family stops by to visit Bob and Marianne. That's a galaxy away from the current "Star Wars" parody. The 86-year-old patriarch of the Smithe family, Walter Edward Smithe Jr., "died . }); Chicago Parent is Chicagolands trusted parenting hub since 1984. We not only respect this, we embrace it.. Caitie Smithe, Designer and Stylist. 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. But now a new generationsisters Meghan, Colleen, Maureen, and Caitie Smitheis shaking things up in a big way. 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. 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. Building upon the Smithe family legacy is a big responsibility, the sisters said, one they've embraced with fervor. Be sure to visit Sawbridge Studios, which will showcase sustainably harvested, live-edge furniture by David Stine. Cindy went to college in Iowa and settled there after school. Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered. 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. "There are still people who ask us, 'Where are the brothers? 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. After college, all three gravitated back to the family business, which was founded by their father. "It's always positive, and it's nice to be part of it. The girls got the bedrooms; the three boys shared a room in the basement. 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. Colleen Smithe, Director of Advertising We don't take that lightly.". Their advertising is creative, it's timely and it's interesting, so people remember it and they like it.". Walter was the first of the third generation to join the family business in 1981 . They hammer out a script, call in O'Neil and start filming. Lewis Lazare. So much misogyny in these comments, their commercials have always been cheesy and annoying. They can really do great things. As the fourth generation to run their family-owned Chicago furniture store, Walter. Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. For instance, finding that perfect piece of decorative furniture that creatively doubles as a toy box for kids games, toys and video devices. Caitie, Colleen, Maureen and Meghan Smithe represent the fourth generation helping run their Chicago-based family furniture store, Walter E. Smithe, and they're determined not to be the last. 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 slogans "You dream it, we build it", or "That's Smithe, with an E" are commonly used. One of the first opportunities to test their compatibility was through a partnership with interior designer and TV personality Jeff Lewis. Their interactions were zany, their dialogue lighthearted, their catchy jingle -- "you dream it, we build it" -- recognizable throughout the region. 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. The company began in 1945 as Tone Appliances and Furniture, a single store on Belmont Avenue in Chicago. 1428, hollyhunt.com) has expanded its Great Plains textile offering with the Foreign Affair collection, which has a mix of warm and cool neutrals. It's pretty surprising they are still playing on these tired sexist tropes in this day and age. 177 East Army Trail Road, Glendale Heights, IL 60139. "The brothers have no acting talent," Tim says. His signature line: "Linn Burton for certain!". Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. 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. "Instead we did it on the turn of a dime. They pointed out how affordable the pieces are. Find locations. And Amy is a singer and songwriter. 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. "We had a common agreement that we had the best furniture in Chicago," Tim says, "but not enough people knew about it.". The company offer of a free DVD generated a huge response, and more than 60,000 were given away.). 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. USA. "I said, `Let's get you guys on camera.'". 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. Some have criticized the spots for underemphasizing Walter E. Smithe's actual furniture products. William Hageman and Tribune staff reporter. But when they finally decided to accept, they knew they needed to come up with a unique and effective way to introduce themselves to the Chicago market as the new faces of Walter E. Smithe. 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. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. "I was at Dulles Airport in Washington, waiting for a 9:30 flight at night," Mark says. - Nick Celozzi and Maury Ettleson: Starting in the early '70s, they waved fistfuls of cash at TV viewers and reminded everyone that Celozzi-Ettleson Chevrolet in Elmhurst was "Where you always save more money!". Now, a lot more people know about us than knew a few years ago.". He also hosted telethons. Were not trying to portray an image that working mothers can pull off everything without something falling through, Maureen says candidly. 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 . 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. From 5 to 8 p.m., select retailers will offer refreshments while highlighting unique designers. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . "It's been about reworking how we approach visually what we want to convey about the product that we're selling," Meghan said. Walter e smithe daughters. It said he passed away peacef Who are these guys? Hope, once a Smithe designer and store manager, now lives in Colorado with her husband. Haute Living is a network of luxury publications with bimonthly regional editions in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco. About. 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. This initiative calls for all hands on deck. We see this country chic trend currently happening as a design emergency, says Maureen. The first change I noticed was it became all about the sons. This rating has improved by 10% over the last 12 months. That cartoon of Bob has BDE and you can't deny it. "And a woman was there with her daughter, and she nudged her and I heard her say, 'That's the Walter E. Smithe guy.' Let's go Cubbies! 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 . Or using a new high-tech application to keep couch fabric truly worry free from childrens spills, everything from spaghetti sauce to Kool-Aid. We feel like we can now speak to the multitude of generations who shop with us, she says. The Smithe sisters now serve as the face . The Itasca-based company has 10 locations across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, where the sisters ply their fourth-generation talents. 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. There is no rule book that says they all need to matchmetals always compliment one another. Shop now. 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. "That was the best part," she said. 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. If you grew up in Chicago, you can probably hum it. The Empire Carpet Guy, of course. - 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. Currently, there are 3 generations involved in the business: Walter Smithe Jr is retired, but regularly visits the showrooms. Walter E. Smithe is a family business in every sense of the word, the sisters say. and became working moms in different industries. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. formId: "acc781a7-d0b4-433d-bc7f-c5bac12f3766" His line was, `If you can talk you can breathe.'". View a map of participating First Friday locations. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Caitie Smithe is aDesigner, Design Coordinator + Stylist atWalter E. Smithe Furniture + Design. 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.". Or "Hardrock, Coco and Joe." 443 were here. In some of the footage, youll see my dad installing a dimmer or my uncle driving a truck. Its very much in line with our desire to offer the most beautiful pieces that are of the highest quality. "Staying fresh, young and relevant is how we're going to sustain the brand into the next 75 years," Meghan said. View info about Walter E. Smithe Furniture (smithe.com). "As needs within the business grew, positions opened up organically," Maureen said. Get 5 free searches. Smithe guy Walt actually Walter Smithe III 45 is president and general manager of the. Margie, who used to be a buyer for Smithe, moved to St. Louis with her husband, who worked for Anheuser-Busch's ad agency. I think people felt sorry for me, assuming that I wasnt getting any sleep and having to come to work every day, says Maureen. It takes work and sacrifice.. The commercials were being shot at a studio in Northfield and would result in enough footage for dozens of TV ads to appear over the next six months. Please enter valid email address to continue. We simply never had that conversation, 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. 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 . My wife and I were just talking about this yesterday, we truly hate the Walter E Smithe commercials with the daughters. 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. Their grandfather, who is in his 80s, remains active in the company, frequently visiting showrooms and making connections with clients. The four women have been taking on bigger roles at the company and star in its new ad. The brothers spend most of their time in the company's Itasca headquarters, which also serves as a warehouse, customer service center and point of departure for the fleet of Smithe trucks. Were really excited about this program, explains Meghan. We can be real nimble when we're this tight and this spread across the business.". They decided on an ad campaign that would, simply, pitch their product. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and. Spoken like the daughter of a true "shop owner," as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. She is a celebrity who is genuinely interested in how her furniture will do and be perceived, Maureen says.