Create your own style with Bon Appétit

February 23rd, 2011 by Caroline Categories: Design Tips, Featured No Responses
Create your own style with Bon Appétit

When it comes to redecorating a room, it can become frustrating when you can’t find a set of furniture that seems just right for your tastes. Maybe the table is the right shape, but you don’t like its legs; or the chair has the edges you want, but it’s not the right color. Why settle for a set that doesn’t appeal to you on every level? At Walter E. Smith, a leader in furniture retail, Chicago customers don’t have to settle thanks to our Bon Appétit custom dining selections! Continue Reading

Tips to spruce up the house for Spring

May 27th, 2010 by Caroline Categories: Design Tips, Featured No Responses
Tips to spruce up the house for Spring

With many of us on tight budgets in this economic climate, major redecorating may seem beyond our means. Some professional designers offered tips on how we can spruce up with a few small changes and give our homes a spring makeover.

Framing or reframing favorite photos or artwork in coordinating frames can lend a gallery look to your home and be a focal point in a room. Your Chicago Illinois furniture store staff can offer ideas on making your decorating dollar stretch further as well.

If you want to accent current pieces such as a dining room set Chicago decorators can help you find the perfect table accents or echo the color of wood in your wall décor. Condensing your wall hangings mainly to one wall can provide a nice backdrop for a gorgeous piece of furniture.

If you’re feeling brave and in the do-it-yourself mode try changing out the backsplash in your kitchen. Rather than outdated tile or a bare wall, update the tile with bright colors or a mosaic look or try copper or stainless steel. In a bathroom setting leather is even an interesting choice.

While you’re in the bathroom with the tools out, consider changing the vanity or sink. This change could be a bit more expensive but can really alter the look of the room. A vessel sink which sits on top of a washstand or dresser is sharp. Even a funky new faucet will add interest to a bathroom with the blahs. Chicago Illinois furniture dealers have storage pieces and chairs designed for the bathroom. A nice option if you have the space.

If you like the look of your room, but just want a subtle change you might shop for new light fixtures or a chandelier. Lighting can be a design or focal point all its own. Think about combining styles or just going with something over-the-top with colors or textures that enhance the room. Customized shades or a wrap of material around a chandelier can achieve this effect.

In the bedroom try spicing up the headboard. If you have a wooden one drape something colorful over it like beads. If you don’t even have a headboard consider creating one from decorator panels found at discount stores, or staple some textured fabric over plywood and foam in a whimsical shape. Your imagination is the limit!

Furnish your dining space with the perfect dining room set

January 12th, 2010 by Smithe Categories: Featured, Furniture Tips No Responses
Furnish your dining space with the perfect dining room set

When it comes time to furnish a new house, condo or apartment, it’s always a big decision what furniture will be the most aesthetically appealing, practical, balanced and complimentary to the rooms’ size and shape- and it should be.

Choosing a dining room set may be the most difficult since you’re usually not drawn to a specific table and chairs, as you would be to a bedroom set or unique sofa set. To begin the selection process, there are a few odds and ends that need to be figured out. First, how many people are you looking to seat? If you only live with one roommate, a four-person table should suffice with room for guests; but if you’re married with four children, you’re going to want a larger set, with maybe 8 seats, giving room if expanding the family is in the future and for sporadic guests.

diningsetNext, you’re going to want to measure the dimensions of the space you’re trying to fill. Knowing the space you have to work with is crucial since you don’t want to overcrowd the area- bringing me to my next point. Leaving space around the dining set is very important. Diners need room to maneuver around the table, and walk behind others who are seated.

The shape of the table needs to compliment the shape and size of the room, giving it presence. For instance, if you have a square-shaped room, a round table would soften the space and compliment it nicely. If you’re looking to give your dining room a more modern look, a square -shaped set should accomplish that. A higher table with more stool-like seats can also give a more contemporary look to a standard dining space. You can find a great selection of Chicago contemporary furniture at Walter E. Smithe.

Lastly, if you choose to dine in your kitchen, you may want to opt for a hardwood kitchen set that can be multi-purpose for things like baking, wrapping Christmas presents, office work, or cutting/ chopping ingredients. If you like  to dine in your living space, choose something that blends nicely with your sofa set and coffee table.

To top off the look, chose the right lighting. Dimmer lights and neutral-colored lamps make for a more sophisticated, relaxing setting while bright lights and colorful lamps create a more fun, upbeat ambiance.

To find your perfect dining room set Chicago, visit Walter E. Smithe, best in Chicago furniture sales.

How to pick out the right dining room set for you

October 14th, 2009 by Smithe Categories: Featured, Furniture Tips No Responses
How to pick out the right dining room set for you

dublin dining roomThe dining room. It’s where you want to spend mealtime, except it’s not organized. It’s where you want to entertain guests, except you never knew how to decorate it.

The dining room can and should be the most important room of your house, but so many people ignore its design or are ashamed of out-of-date furniture. Or if you’re like me, you have a spouse that wants to use it as an open-air filing cabinet.

With all that said there are several things to keep in mind when you embark upon purchasing new dining room furniture.

Continue Reading

Smithe goes Blog

October 2nd, 2009 by Smithe Categories: Featured, News One Response
Smithe goes Blog

Welcome to SmitheBlog, your place for furniture tips and news, Walter E. Smithe specials and advice, and everything else wonderful about furniture. As your most trusted Chicago furniture dealer, our hope is that you will find our experienced advice interesting and our furniture features as solid as our knotted Mahoghany Doors of Dublin dining room set.

This is our space for us to talk furniture, have fun, and celebrate what we do best – providing the best advice and best furniture Chicago and the surrounding area has to offer. Subscribe to our RSS feed so you’ll never miss a post and check back often to see what we’re up to around here!