Smart Furniture Studio

smART show: November 17, Ange Roth

2011-11-08T12:13:00.003-05:00

November Studio Trends

2011-11-08T12:11:00.004-05:00

This Saturday: Gallery Hop

2011-09-06T11:36:00.000-04:00

This weekend: HUGE SIDEWALK SALE

2011-08-26T16:53:00.003-04:00

Introducing Younger Furniture

2011-08-09T10:55:00.000-04:00

Complete Your Collection: Gus Upholstery Sale, Save 20%

2011-08-01T14:33:00.003-04:00

July Events

2011-07-19T14:56:00.001-04:00

June Events

2011-06-09T14:27:00.000-04:00

Stressless Sample Sale This Saturday: One Day Only

2011-04-13T18:20:00.000-04:00

Studio Trends for April

2011-04-13T18:19:00.002-04:00

March Updates

2011-03-16T20:40:00.003-04:00

Happy New Year from Smart Furniture Studio

2010-12-29T23:03:00.001-05:00

Studio Trends: Happy Holidays from Smart Furniture

2010-12-21T02:47:00.004-05:00

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Studio Trends: December Events

2010-12-03T14:41:00.003-05:00

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The 2010 Warehouse Sale

2010-11-20T11:06:00.002-05:00

Here’s something to be thankful for! On November 26th, Black Friday, we’re having a Smart Furniture Warehouse Sale! Believe us when we say you won’t want to miss this!

The Smart Furniture Studio will host the sale in Chattanooga, Tennessee. These are seriously some of the best deals of the year! How do we offer such great prices? We save up all of our returned items or boxes that have been opened throughout the year, and set up shop at our flagship store, the Studio. These sale items do not come with a warranty and all sales are final. Quantities may be limited, so get there early! (The sale starts at 8 a.m. Eastern Time.)

We know some of our loyal customers can’t make the drive to Chattanooga the day after Thanksgiving. So we thought we’d offer a little sneak peek! While you’ll have to be present at the Warehouse Sale to shop the majority of these discounted items, we wanted to reward our Facebook fans! Starting today, fans of the Smart Furniture Facebook page can shop a small selection of our Warehouse Sale items at discounted prices BEFORE the actual sale starts on Black Friday! Want access to these great deals now? Check out our Facebook store and "Like" us on Facebook to unlock these deals, because they only last through November 26th!

Studio Trends: November Events

2010-11-16T01:46:00.002-05:00

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Smart Furniture Studio Warehouse Sale

2010-11-11T17:14:00.003-05:00

Studio Trends: November

2010-11-01T20:46:00.001-04:00

Join us for our Stressless Grand Opening, Nov. 4!
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Join us Nov. 4 for our Stressless Grand Opening

2010-10-25T21:18:00.002-04:00

Please click to view the invitation. We look forward to seeing you!

Blu Dot 20/20 Sale

2010-10-16T20:21:00.004-04:00

Are you ready for the BIGGEST Blu Dot Sale of the year? It begins in just 4 days. Come see us and try out our beautiful Blu Dot products, ranging from beds, dressers, sleeper sofas, coffee tables and rockers to lighting.

You won't want to miss this event or our cookies!

Studio Trends: September

2010-09-19T23:48:00.002-04:00

StudioTrends: New Hours at Smart Furniture Studio

2010-08-19T12:56:00.002-04:00

Save My Living Room: The Ugliest Chair in America Contest

2010-08-02T11:25:00.002-04:00

Hey all, we have great news!
During the month of August, Smart Furniture is running a big giveaway event, called Save My Living Room: The Ugliest Chair in America Contest.
It’s pretty cool. All you have to do is take a picture of an ugly living room chair in your house, or even one in a friend or relatives house, and send it in with a story about how it got there, what makes it so ugly, why you need a new one, etc. Whoever wins the grand prize (a.k.a. has the most hideous chair or the best story) gets a brand-new free Stressless Chair from Ekornes!
Essentially, you’ll be trading in the Ugliest Chair in America for the most comfortable, supportive, ergonomic and beautiful recliner we have. The Stressless brand has been huge ever since the 1970s, when Ekornes began their ascent to international furniture powerhouse.

Here are a few pics of the Stressless Chairs in their natural environment (click image to view larger):

So be sure to send in your pictures and stories; we want to hear them, and we want to give away a Stressless Chair!
Official rules here.

NeoCon 2010

2010-07-30T18:15:00.001-04:00

We’re still flush from our trip to NeoCon in Chicago - forgive us, it was heaven.

The keynote speaker was Yves Behar. He’s Swiss, he works in San Fransisco, and he makes some amazing things. His keynote was pretty special, as well. The topic was Design in the Age 360º.

Essentially, Behar’s point was that new designers had to work between two poles. One pole was personal expression; what you wanted to say, how you wanted to say it, your own taste and decisions. The other was modern technology, the cutting edge of modern design. In a sense, you have to navigate between what you love and what your buyers (clients, users, etc.) need and will find useful.

It’s bold for a designer, especially one as high profile as Behar, to come out even a little bit on the side of the buyer rather than that of the creator, but it’s the right thing to do. We like to think Smart Furniture does it every day. The address was refreshing and apt, and Behar has securely caught our attention as a guy to look out for.

Summer Sale at Smart Furniture Studio

2010-07-16T11:35:00.000-04:00

Gus* Modern Summer Sale

2010-07-16T09:55:00.015-04:00

We're happy to announce the Gus Design Group Summer Sale, 20% off all Essential Upholstery is happening now through August 18th! This summer sale includes all upholstered chairs, sofas, and ottomans. Toronto-based Gus Modern style is transitional, classic modern, and contemporary. Inspired by simple forms and honest material, which includes FSC Certified Wood, Gus products are built to last.

What's on Sale you might ask? Too many pieces to mention here, but our favorites include the GT Rocker, Carter Sectional, Rochelle Sofa, Trudeau Sofa, Delano Chair, and James Sleeper Lounge. Which one is your favorite? Stop by our Studio and tell us!

Cool Customers

2010-07-10T18:48:00.009-04:00

Here we have another happy couple enjoying some very nice Smart Furniture pieces in their home. As you can see, Bryan and Ame have created a relaxing space by incorporating natural materials, textures, prints, and accessories. They kept it very simple. The Jane Sofa by Gus* Modern and Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair work well together. Did you know visitors can experience other Gus designs such as the Trudeau Sofa, Carter Sectional, or the Return Bench at our store?

Who wouldn't want this office? The Herman Miller Embody Chair and 3 monitors allow Bryan to properly manage his company, Fowler Films. Notice the SmartShelves in the background.

Here's how it works: Go to www.smartfurniture.com, design your favorite item, and then visit our Studio and see it in person! So, anyone reading this from Atlanta, Knoxville, or Nashville, remember that Smart Furniture is less than 90 minutes away. We offer a complete line of customizable, upholstered sofas and chairs.

By the way, we love customer photos, so send us yours at sales@smartfurniture.com.

Kartell Summer Sale 20% off

2010-07-03T10:51:00.009-04:00

Summer is here and that can only mean one thing, it's time for Kartell's annual sale! We are excited to announce now through July 18th, Kartell is 20% off. Better yet, discontinued items are marked down 30%. Stop by the Studio for details.

Smart Furniture Studio is Chattanooga's exclusive dealer for Kartell. Looking for Kartell in Atlanta, Birmingham, Huntsville, or Nashville? Smart Furniture is the destination for those seeking modern design in Atlanta, Birmingham, or the surrounding area. Stop by our showroom and try out the Louis Ghost Chair, Mr. Impossible, Bubble Club Chair, or several other Kartell designs.

Collaborating with Kartell are world famous designers including Ron Arad, Ronand and Erwan Bouroullec, Anna Castelli Ferrieri, and Philippe Starck. Kartell tables and chairs, such as the Four Table crafted by Ferruccio Laviani, come in multiple finishes, sizes, and materials, giving shoppers the ability to choose what's just right for them.

If you have questions we're open 7 days a week, so give us a call 423-643-0025 or email us sales@smartfurniture.com. Don't forget to follow us on twitter @SmartFurniture, and "friend us" on Facebook. Can you tell we like to stay in touch?

Need a Sectional? We have Bisectionals.

2010-06-24T14:47:00.000-04:00

We understand that you need options when it comes to your living space. That's why we offer customizable options at Smart Furniture Studio! We have new items available every week, so we encourage you to stop by to see them and let us know what you think. Today we are highlighting a new sofa, very similar to the Gus Jane Bisectional (by the way, Jane is in-stock in Totem Storm). The new Richmond Bisectional offers the same clean lines, a great price and amazing quality. Watch our demo, below, to see how easy it is to change things up a bit!

Show your Dad some Love

2010-06-18T18:04:00.011-04:00

Father's Day is this Sunday, June 20th. Show Pop some appreciation with a cool gift from Smart Furniture Studio. The following are three gift ideas for the greatest father in the world:

The High Power Z-Bar Desk Lamp by Koncept, $169

This is the next generation of the award-winning Z-Bar Desk Lamp, a super sleek lamp about as wide as your finger, longer than your arm, and ultra-adjustable. This new version retains the design of the original Z-Bar but consumes less electricity and gives the user a range of brightness to choose from with a 4-setting dimming feature. How long is the lifespan? 40,000 hours!

The Sanctuary Charging Station by Bluelounge, $129.95

The Sanctuary is a beautiful, simple solution to a real everyday problem: where to put the multitude of personal items we all carry around so they are easily located again when later needed and, always fully charged.

The simple and compact design conceals a universal charger compatible with over 1500 electronic devices from most major brands and a USB port allowing hundreds more electronic devices to be charged using just The Sanctuary. Users can from now on charge their cell phone, PDA, Blackberry, iPod, MP3 player, and bluetooth headset simultaneously in one location.

The Gents Business Card Holder by Blomus, $15.00

The Blomus Gents Flip Business Card Case protects business cards from damage while adding a smart, contemporary note to business networking events. The Gents Flip Business Card Case features stainless steel construction and classic style. Don't let you Dad carry around a bent business card again!

Stop in and see our one of a kind gift ideas. We're open Friday and Saturday 10a-8p and Sunday 12p-6p. Call us anytime, 423-643-0025 or email sales@smartfurniture.com.

Two Sisters, One Art Show

2010-06-11T15:32:00.012-04:00

Smart Furniture Studio hosts the smART.show June 24^th from 5p-8p, featuring Tilda Ross and Erika Gerber Halter.

Erika Gerber Halter is a native of Cape Town, South Africa and has lived in the United States for much of her adult life. She comes from a very artistic family. Professionally trained in the United States, Erika’s work is epitomized by unique renderings of African animals and multi-cultural faces. Her work is characterized by a blend of bright colors from her South African heritage combined with contemporary American influences. Much of the inspiration for her work comes from her extensive travels throughout the continent of Africa and her passion for her homeland.

Erika writes, " I enjoy the personalities of animals and the depths of the human mind. The aspect of painting that I find irresistible is when the character of the animal or person appears without warning on the canvas as if the painting truly seems to be painting itself. I enjoy experimenting with colors and shapes to accentuate the personality traits of beings."

Tilda Ross was also born in South Africa, where she married and had 3 children. In 1992 she and her family moved to Chattanooga. Later in her life, Tilda was faced with the "empty-nest syndrome" and decided to go back to school, complete her third degree, and purchase her first canvas.

Tilda writes, "I look at a clean canvas and enjoy the freedom to express myself in any way I please. I am inspired by earthy colors and tactile experiences. I don't plan, but always have materials like fabric, twine, seeds, and tools (some from my kitchen) handy! I take pleasure in the viewer finding in my art what he/she sees or feels (I love when my work is touched), and am inspired by their interpretations."

Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Please call the Studio (423) 643-0025 or email sales@smartfurniture.com for more info. See you there!

The Herman Miller Sale, 15% off now through June 14th

2010-06-04T11:19:00.003-04:00

Herman Miller Sale, June 4th-14th

2010-06-04T11:07:00.007-04:00

The Semi Annual Herman Miller Sale starts today! Are you excited? Have you been putting off purchasing the Aeron Chair or the Eames Lounge Chair? Now is the time to act, June 4th-14th all Herman Miller products are 15% off! We at Smart Furniture love Herman Miller and you will too. We're so sure that we offer a 365 day satisfaction guarantee. What other furniture store offers satisfaction guarantee on special order products? Stop in the Studio today to test out the Molded Plywood Eames Lounge Chair or the Mirra Chair. Maybe you need to see a chair or table in your space to see if it fits, no problem. Customers of the Studio can "test" out a chair for 24 hours before they make their decision. Come "test" out your favorite Herman Miller chair today.

Smart Furniture Studio is open Monday-Saturday 10a-8p and Sunday 12p-6p.

Try A Chair...Yes, you!

2010-05-28T14:50:00.003-04:00

Sign up your business or Organization for Smart Furniture's innovative Try A Chair program. Come to the Studio for more details!

Happy Customer Pictures and Designs

2010-05-27T14:27:00.010-04:00

Here are some more customer photos! We wanted to show you how the Complimentary Design Assistance works. It's like this, you send us a floor plan, or we come over and measure. Next, Smart Furniture Rendering Specialists will magically create your space in 3d. They use a program called Google Sketchup, it's basically a user friendly CAD program. Smart Furniture has dozens of products available to download at the Google 3d Warehouse.

This customer had a beautiful space on Signal Mountain. The home was designed by a well-known Architect and City Planner here in Chattanooga. The problem was a large white wall in the living room which over powered the space. We decided to use glass floating shelves in a somewhat asymmetrical pattern. This would take up much of the wall space and allow the owner to display her accessories. We also went with BDI Stream Coffee Table and End Table which tied in with the glass shelves.

This small purchase motivated the owners to paint and refinish the floor. It's amazing how something small like a floating shelve can do wonders for a space!

Send us your pics, become a fan of our Facebook Page, or follow @SmartFurniture on Twitter

Smart Furniture in 3d

2010-05-23T16:15:00.009-04:00

Ever heard of Smart Furniture's Complimentary Design Assistance? It's easy, send us dimensions and a brief description of your space and we'll take care of the rest. Everything is to scale and the rendering helps you visualize the potential of your space. We design condos, retail stores, lofts, homes, offices, restaurants, etc, etc..

This couple wanted to see their new loft in 3d. It was an open floor plan and they needed to know how everything would fit (and look). We think it looks great! Of course, the Eames Lounge Chair and Noguchi Coffee Table always help. Some pieces in this design include: LAX Entertainment Stand, Eames Molded Plastic Side Chair, Platner Side Table by Knoll, Timber Table and Jane Sofa by Gus* Designs.

Send us your floor plans and a picture and we'll create your space in 3d!

We Love Photos

2010-05-22T17:12:00.005-04:00

It's always great to see Smart Furniture in it's natural environment: our customer's home! We love pictures from happy customers and these come from Smart Furniture Studio's coolest couple. They live downtown in their first home and are creating a style of their own (with our help of course). They discuss, ponder, and purchase one piece at a time. We love the lemongrass in the Gus* Fruit Trough and the Boxer wearing a shirt.

Here's the rundown: Big Animal Sofa by Blu Dot, Madison Media Table by Euro, Custom Shelving Design by Smartshelves, Eames Lounge Chair by Herman Miller, Metal Fruit Trough by Gus*. Send us your photos of your space, show Smart Furniture some love.

Studio Trends May: Try A Chair Has Begun

2010-05-19T10:16:00.001-04:00

And the Winner is...

2010-05-13T17:35:00.009-04:00

And the winner is, drum roll please, . . . Pete C! Congratulations to Pete C. of Atlanta who won last months drawing. He will be sitting pretty (and comfortable) in his Loll Adirondack Chair.

Loll Designs manufactures recycled outdoor furniture for the modern lollygagger. For more cool, outdoor furniture options follow this link.

Become a Fan on Facebook, Follow us @SmartFurniture on Twitter, and stop by the Studio to stay in the know with current events and giveaways.

Introducing Try A Chair for Chattanooga Businesses

2010-05-13T17:08:00.008-04:00

Try a Chair is an innovative program that will provide local business professionals with the opportunity to experience the best of ergonomic seating in their own work space. For one week, participants will enjoy the rewards of ergonomic seating. Statistics show these rewards include a decrease in work related injuries, increased productivity, and dramatically enhanced comfort. As an additional benefit, each participating organization will be featured on various media outlets (blogs, social media, etc.) as part of Smart Furniture’s Try a Chair program.

Smart Furniture Studio’s trained professionals will deliver an assortment of ergonomic chairs, provide personalized on-site adjustments, and educate participants about the relationship between ergonomic seating and a productive working environment. Exclusive seating options featured through Try a Chair include the Herman Miller Embody Chair and Aeron Chair, the Steelcase Leap and Amia Chair, the Humanscale Freedom Chair, the Knoll Generation Chair.

Smart Furniture Studio offers a complete portfolio of small business solutions, including ergonomic seating, desks, and office accessories. We focus on great design and superior quality. The Try a Chair program offers community members the opportunity to experience the benefits of our focus.

Please call 423-643-0025 or email tryachair@smartfurniture.com if you would like to participate.

New: Cherner Chairs

2010-05-01T11:05:00.003-04:00

Last Friday we welcomed three very special chairs by Cherner at Smart Furniture Studio!

A midcentury icon found in design collections worldwide, the 1958 molded plywood armchair by Norman Cherner is now available to a new generation of furniture collectors. Reissued in exacting detail from the original drawings and molds, the armchair combines the best of both molded plywood and solid bent wood construction. Like the original, Cherner products are made entirely in the U.S.A. At our Studio, we will be featuring the Cherner Armchair, Cherner Stool , and Cherner Side Chair. We are thrilled to offer Cherner, one of the most exciting new lines offered at Smart Furniture Studio.

Welcome to Chattanooga Vitra...

2010-04-29T16:38:00.011-04:00

Chattanooga now has a Vitra retailer! It's Smart Furniture of course. Vitra has manufactured furniture designs by Charles & Ray Eames and George Nelson since 1957. Building on this institution over the years, the company has developed a wide range of furnishings for the home, for the office and for public spaces in a partnership with progressive designers.

Along with adding Vitra we will be adding NEW designs to the showroom floor! Here's a little sneak peek...

Panton Chair
The Panton Chair is timeless classic. Verner Panton created it back in 1960, and with the assistance of Vitra developed a version ready for series production in 1967. It was the very first fully plastic chair made from a single section. The Panton Chair has won various design prizes world wide and graces the collections of numerous renowned museums. Its expressive shape makes it a true 20th-century design icon.

Vegetal Chair
Its plant-like structure made of polyamide dyed plastic, goes to the limits of the technically feasible. This wonderful chair is available in five different colors, emphasizing its link to nature. Vegetal is stackable and suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

Ball Clock
George Nelson's Ball Clock is an iconic example of mid-century modern design.

First shipment to arrive May 7th.

From Herman Miller's Blog Post "The Gifted Eye"

2010-04-29T16:18:00.010-04:00

We think of Charles Eames as a great designer but the exhibition that opened February 4th showed us another side to this talented man - that of photographer. Hosted by Smart Furniture in our Chattanooga, TN studio a show of 100 photographs by Charles ran until March 4.

It was a rather cold evening on February 4th but over 200 design enthusiasts showed up to hear Eames Demetrios talk about Charles and Ray’s design philosophy and enjoy the images. Many of the shots covered Charles’ work and his travels and life with Ray. We were very excited to present the collection to the world because it was the first time Charles Eames’ photography had been truly celebrated on its own. These rarely seen photos feature the many facets of Charles and Ray’s life, work and travels.

Celebrate Earth Month

2010-04-23T17:35:00.004-04:00

This month marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Join more than one billion people in the commitment to sustainability. Let's build a healthier, prosperous clean energy economy now for our future. You can take action through Education, Recycling, Conservation, Sustainable Development and Green Building. Learn more about LEED Certification – an internationally recognized green building certification system (both residential and commercial) recognizing strategies in energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in these key areas.

You can support the green movement through eco-friendly furniture. Smart Furniture believes in sustainability and we support the efforts of our partners in reducing their carbon footprint – most notably Herman Miller, Steelcase, Emeco, Loll Designs, MASH studios, Gus Design Group and Ecotots.

Night Out on the North Shore, Thursday, April 22

2010-04-20T19:02:00.005-04:00

Click to view our newsletter full size. Come see us this Thursday!

Take Table Lamp Contest Winner!

2010-04-14T17:51:00.007-04:00

Smart Furniture Studio would like to congratulate Richard, from East Brainerd, who recently won this one-of-a-kind industrial table lamp!!

The Take Table Lamp resembles the shape of a traditional lamp but has been revisited by Kartell Technology and Ferruccio Laviani. Viewed from the side, Take appears to have a classical silhouette, but viewed from the front, its true form is revealed. Formed by two symmetric pieces, each a half-lamp and a rectangular plane, this Kartell item's unique form includes an internal pleating that creates a playful combination of light when in use.

Take comes in numerous chromatic tones and is made of transparent or color injected polycarbonate.

Don't forget to visit Smart Furniture Studio and enter to win a 4-Slat Adirondack Chair by Loll Design!

Night Out on the Northshore

2010-04-09T14:22:00.008-04:00

April 22, 5p-8p

Smart Furniture Studio will join the North Shore Merchants Collective for a special evening to benefit the Northside Neighborhood House. On Thursday, April 22nd, shops on the Northshore will stay open late and offer food, special promotions, wine, and much more. Join us for a great cause! 10% of all sales between 5-8pm will be donated to The NorthSide Neighborhood House.

Here at the Studio, all accessories will be 10% off and you can enter to win a Loll Adirondack Chair, a $500 value! We will also be serving wine and hors d'oeuvres.

It's a great time to enjoy the warm weather, refresh your space and support the North Shore!

Studio Trends: April

2010-04-07T23:32:00.002-04:00

Click to view our newsletter full size. Happy April!

Smart Furniture Studio - Local Art Collection 2010

2010-04-05T12:27:00.006-04:00

Immerse yourself in good design...

Smart Furniture Studio is proud to be your source for modern. We're also honored to share with you the works of local modern artists, sculptors and craftsmen. You're invited to visit us anytime to review our wide array of modern and contemporary product offerings, and peruse our NEW

Smart Furniture Studio Local Art Collection, 2010:

Brent Sanders - Painter
Sandra Paynter Washburn - Painter
Denice Bizot - Sculptor
Kerrick Johnson - Sculptor
Rondell Crier - Mixed Media Artist
Aaron Cabeen - Craftsman
Stephen Sloan - Craftsman

Sneak Preview:

"Flight"
47.5" w x 47.5" h aluminum wall sculpture
. . .

"Lou"
10" w x 13.5" h Fine Art Print

Earth Day's 40th Anniversary!

2010-03-30T18:04:00.005-04:00

Can you believe Earth Day was founded in 1970, by Senator Gaylord Nelson? So that makes April 22, 2010 Earth Day's 40th Anniversary! 2 North Shore's 3rd annual Earth Day Celebration's goal is to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. This year, the Chattanooga Zoo will join in by teaching people ways to help protect endangered species.
Children are invited to share their creativity by interpreting the contest topic and drawing their ideas on a 100% recycled brown paper shopping bag. From the contest one grand prize winner, as well as first and second prize winners will be chosen.

Smart Furniture Studio will join in 2 North Shore's Earth Day celebration by giving away Silly Bandz Zoo Animal Rubber Bands to all the children. So, parents, bring your kids to color with us at Smart Furniture Studio - enjoy a glass of wine, hors d'oeuvres, and conversation about our wide array of green products while your kids are having fun!

Old vs. new - timesfreepress.com

2010-02-18T18:14:00.000-05:00

Old vs. new - timesfreepress.com

Smart Furniture Studio mixes Old and New

2010-02-18T18:11:00.002-05:00

By: Anne Braly, Times Free Press

Furniture trends change with the generations, so what do you do with your grandparents' treasures when they pass down to you? Antiques are not only valuable; they carry memories. But what if your taste runs more toward modern designs, such as straight lines versus fanciful details.

Incorporating the two can offer rooms a dynamic look, said Karen Liwanpo, creative director at Smart Furniture on the North Shore.

"The two really work well together," she said, provided there's some coordination between the two.

Joy Devlin, manager at Smart Furniture, explained that "modern" furniture appeared in the 1920s with the Art Deco movement. By the 1940s and 1950s, it became mainstream alongside traditional pieces. The designs remain popular and continue to be used by many of today's furniture designers.

And, Ms. Liwanpo added, the modern furnishings from the early and mid-20th century now are considered antiques of great value.

If you prefer furnishings with a modern edge, use your antique pieces as an accent. Or visa versa.

"Balance the two," Ms. Liwanpo said. "Don't just mash them together. It would look like a Bohemian dorm room."

The focus should be on unifying the elements.

"It's a good marriage of fashion and function that allows you to hang on to your roots but give your home a more modern look," Ms. Devlin said.

Here are their tips for fusing the two.

* Match colors and textures. Put modern cushions on an old sofa using your accent colors. Or add throw pillows to highlight accents.

* Try different arrangements. Move pieces around to create symmetry.

* Strive for balance. If you have an older, traditional table, you can add a clear, polypropylene chair that will add no visual weight.

* Don't be afraid to experiment. To try out the look, place a contemporary lamp on your heirloom table. Like it? This is a good place to begin outfitting your home or office with a new look.

Announcing the Winners of Smart Furniture Studio's "The Gifted Eye of Charles Eames" Drawing

2010-02-09T17:06:00.012-05:00

"The Gifted Eye of Charles Eames" - A Portfolio of 100 Images - Opening Reception Feb. 4, 2010, brought to you by Smart Furniture at our Studio on Chattanooga's North Shore. A BIG thanks to Eames Demetrios, Charles Eames' gifted eye, Smart Furniture Studio, Greenlife Grocery for the wonderful hors d'oeuvres, and for all our guests who came to the event. We had a great time!

Smart Furniture Studio is proud to announce the winners of "The Gifted Eye of Charles Eames" Grand Prize Drawing:

Jesse Watlington, a manager at Greenlife Chattanooga, grand prize winner of the Eames Hang It All from Smart Furniture Studio. Congratulations, Jesse!

Local student of Interior Design, Evonne Connally, grand prize winner of the Herman Miller Walnut Spinning Tops from Smart Furniture Studio. Congratulations, Evonne!

The Gifted Eye of Charles Eames: A portfolio of 100 images

2010-01-12T15:25:00.001-05:00

Monday, January 11, 2010

CHATTANOOGA, TN – SmartFurniture.com® is proud to announce that it will host The Gifted Eye of Charles Eames, a traveling exhibition of Charles Eames’ personal photography, published by the Eames Office and commissioned by Herman Miller to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.

The Gifted Eye of Charles Eames Exhibit will open at the Smart Furniture Studio in Chattanooga, Tennessee on February 4th. Smart Furniture will host a reception for the exhibit which will feature a presentation by Eames Demetrios, principal of the Eames Office and grandson of Charles and Ray Eames.

Charles Eames, together with his wife and design partner, Ray Eames, are among the most influential American designers of the 20th Century. They are best known for their groundbreaking contributions to furniture design, architecture, industrial design and manufacturing, textiles, and the photographic arts. For the Eameses, and particularly Charles, photography was not merely a way to record things; it was a part of the process of design. Charles had an incredible eye for detail and this is evident in his photography. This exhibition represents the first time Charles Eames’ photography has been truly celebrated on its own. These rarely seen photos feature the many facets of Charles and Ray’s life, work and travels. To choose a mere 100 images from such a massive body of work was a daunting task. All are archival images; most have not been published. In combination, each gives a taste of all: furniture, house, projects, travel, and people.

What: The Gifted Eye of Charles Eames: A Portfolio of 100 Images
When: Beginning February 4th at 6pm (EST)
Where: Smart Furniture Studio, 313 Manufacturers Road, Suite 107, Chattanooga, TN 37405
More Information: Contact Karen Liwanpo (423) 822-2266

About Smart Furniture, Inc.
Smart Furniture® brings custom design to a whole new market -- everyone. As the industry leader in “Design-on-Demand®” furniture and interiors, Smart Furniture empowers customers to customize furniture and spaces, quickly and easily. Promoting personalization through product design, technology, and a passion for customer service, Smart Furniture continues to earn industry-wide acclaim and dramatic customer growth. For product or showroom information, call 888-GO-SMART or visit www.SmartFurniture.com.

Contacts
Smart Furniture, Inc.
Karen Liwanpo, (423) 822-2266
marketing@smartfurniture.com

2009-12-01T15:41:00.004-05:00

THE NORTH SHORE ART WALK

Thursday, Dec. 5th

5-8p.m.

Get out on the town and be inspired!

"Convergence"
Series Collection
by: Kerrick Johnson
Local Master Glass Sculptor
now showing at Smart Furniture Studio

NINE participating Galleries on Frazier Ave. and Manufacturers Rd., will be featuring works by LOCAL ARTISTS during The North Shore Gallery Walk this Thursday, Dec. 5th from 5-8p.m..

JOIN US at SMART FURNITURE STUDIO for wine, hors douevres and LOCAL CONTEMPORARY ART! We are honored to feature Kerrick Johnson, local master glass sculptor, and his stunning hand-blown-glass sculptures during The North Shore Art Walk - and thrilled to announce Johnson's exceptional work will become a part of our permanent collection!

Hope to see you there!

Tis the Season

2009-11-22T20:19:00.007-05:00

Give the Gift of SmART Design

Smart Furniture Studio

313 Manufacturers Rd, Ste. 107

Chattanooga, TN 37405

(423)-643-0025

Sophia Levins, of Sacramento, California,

designs stunning art installations
during her internship at Smart Furniture Studio.

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Our flagship retail store, Smart Furniture Studio, is located in the vibrant North Shore shopping center in downtown Chattanooga. Smart Furniture Studio embodies our philosophy and commitment to promoting personalization through innovative product design, intelligent technology, and a passion for customer service. The Studio offers an interactive and customizable experience for its customers by incorporating our website, multiple kiosk web-based visualization tools and on-site 3D rendering services.

Visitors can experience the modular design of Smart Furniture's signature line of Smart Shelves™ while shopping for home furnishings with a focus on high design and superior quality, from leading design companies such as: Knoll®Herman Miller®Kartell®Blu Dot®BDI®Steelcase®Calligaris®Gus Modern®LAXseries by Mash Studios®Dwell Studio®Cubitec & Smart Cubes.

Keeping with Chattanooga's vibrant and creative community, the Smart Furniture Studio regularly hosts speaking series, presents design forums and displays local modern art. The Smart Furniture Studio is located in the 2 North Shore shopping center, Tennessee's only LEED-certified retail space. Stop by the Studio and work with one of our staff to design your own furniture, or enjoy our selection of modern classics and contemporary furniture.

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SMART FURNITURE STUDIO

EVENT CALENDAR

11.01 - 11.30 Chattanooga Buy Local Month
11.17 - 12.30 10% Off everything in our Holiday Gift Guide
11.27 - 11.28 Holiday Open House

11.27 - 11.28 $150 Gift Card Giveaway
12.01 - 12.3 Northshore Window Display Contest
11.17 - 12.31 Knoll Saarinen Womb Chair & Ottoman Holiday Sale

Smart Furniture Studio

313 Manufacturers Rd., Ste. 107

Chattanooga, TN 37405

(423)-643-0025

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Good Design Rain or Shine

2009-10-15T11:26:00.007-04:00

An appropriate title given the recent weather! This month, as we move closer to Autumn, is the perfect time to experience Pure Design. We have two new and exclusive lines that exemplify Smart Design, Bluelounge (previous blog post) and Blomus (pictured). Blomus is a innovative German company who creates designs for the Pure Life--Accessories that combine simplicity of function with the beauty of Stainless Steel. Blomus accessories are the perfect gift for the hard to please friend or family member, unique with a great price. Their design philosophy is simple, "to soften the cold and sterile material stainless steel and combine it with other materials without losing sight of our overall aim."

I personally invite you to our Studio this month for a preview of Blomus and Bluelounge accessories. Don't forget, Thursday the 22nd from 6pm-8pm, the Studio will host an Art Show featuring one of Chattanooga's most talented and versatile artists: Linda Kerlin. We call it smART.show. I cannot think of a better way to spend my Thursday evening, sipping wine, discussing abstract art and good design. Did I mention its free?

Bluelounge designs at Smart Furniture Studio

2009-10-02T16:40:00.004-04:00

Stop by the Studio in October and check out the functional designs by Bluelounge. Bluelounge was founded by designers Dominic Symons and Melissa Sunjaya as a multidisciplinary design studio. The partnership creates a true synergy of product, graphic, and interactive design, as well as original illustration. Winner of 11 design awards in 2008, Smart Furniture is proud to team up with Bluelounge and offer their innovative products. Products such as the Studio Desk, a traditional workspace with a modern twist. “Made from a mix of solid mahogany and laminate, its minimal design is sure to look good in any space.” --Uncrate
Whether your hooking up your iPhone to the sweet charging docks or controlling your nest of wires behind your laptop, Bluelounge accessories are simple, functional, and just plain cool. Stop by the Studio, Chattanooga's exclusive source for Bluelounge designs.

a September to Remember

2009-09-21T19:12:00.007-04:00

"Create form out of the nature of our tasks
with the methods of our time."

—Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Nothing is more classic, more timeless, than modern design. Presenting Knoll Space — featuring furniture by Harry Bertoia, Frank Gehry, Maya Lin, Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen, manufactured to the designers' exacting standards.

Smart Furniture Studio is pleased to introduce Knoll! Come browse our catalog of modern classics, available for pre-order. Visit Smart Furniture Studio and join us in a conversation inspired by Knoll — What is Space? Keep your eye out for our "Knoll in Chattanooga" event!

Bourgie, meet 24 Karat. Baroque, meet Revolutionary.

2009-09-15T13:16:00.010-04:00

The revisiting of a classic: the baroque table lamp. Smart Furniture Studio introduces The Bourgie, designed by Ferruccio Laviani, manufactured by Kartell. Infused with a playful sense of irony, the Bourgie merges high-baroque styling and modern materials. On the one hand, it is classical, rich and traditional; on the other, it is innovative and revolutionary. The Bourgie's revolutionary feature is that it is made entirely of transparent or batch-dyed polycarbonate. And in this case, ABS plated with 24 karat gold with galvanic coating. Ba-Da-Bling! The baroque style base is composed of three decorated layers that interconnect, and the large lampshade has a softly pleated texture that creates a myriad play of reflections once the lamp is turned on. Yes, I admit, I'm starry eyed for gold plated plastic. Aren't you?! Come see for yourself, at Smart Furniture Studio!

Keel’s Simple Diary

2009-09-10T19:02:00.009-04:00

Philipp Keel, artist and writer brings a new twist on the diary. Guided by the notion that life rushes us by and we are not able to find time to reflect on the days as they pass, Keel came up with a quirky, imaginative and sometimes very humorous way to journal your day to day life. Keel’s diary is more of a multiple choice test than endless blank pages…except unlike a test you are left feeling uplifted and renewed. This Journal is a perfect gift for a friend or loved one. Its incites are endless….Just a small example…

Did I mention they come in great colors. Orange. Brown. Red. Green.

Come browse Smart Furniture Studio’s full selection of Taschen books. Taschen books are always a unique addition to any book collection…not to mention they make for great bed side accessories. Grab one for inspiration or stack 10-15 to make readable side tables. The company is known for their ability to capture the world of art, architecture and design. How could you go wrong with titles like Architecture Now! Green, Classic Cars of the 1950’s, and 1000 Chairs.

Downtown Chattanooga Gallery Hop

2009-09-05T15:25:00.003-04:00

It's that time of year again, when art lovers from around the region flock to downtown Chattanooga, exploring our cities wealth of art galleries. Join Smart Furniture Studio, along with 19 other galleries and 10 artists studios, for Chattanooga's annual Gallery Hop. This festive event takes place Saturday, September 12th, 2pm-9pm. Smart Furniture Studio features modern to contemporary works of local and regional artists, sculptors, and craftsmen. We will be serving wine and food throughout the day. We currently have 4 artists on display: Brent Sanders, Sandra Washburn, Linda Kerlin, and Denice Bizot. We also have two hand crafted furniture pieces on display, a beautiful Foyer Table built by Aaron Cabeen and a contemporary Entertainment Stand by Steven Sloan from GT Industrial Design School. We at Smart Furniture are proud to be a part of Chattanooga's thriving art scene. You rock Chattanooga!

Son Of A Bench!

2009-08-31T17:53:00.004-04:00

Son Of A Bench...simultaneously: function, sculpture, and colorful conversational interjection. Interlocking loops of hot-rolled steel create an intriguing form of mass and space. A glossy black rubber-dipped skin positively drips with attitude. Repeat after me: Son Of A Bench! Now, you want one.

Come and get it! At Smart Furniture Studio - Shop the BluDot Annual 20/20 Annual Sales Event and save 20% off BluDot's entire selection of home furnishings and accessories until Sept. 8th!

Alessi. Did you know...?

2009-08-29T16:17:00.008-04:00

The name Alessi is synonymous with influential and challenging design. Collaboration between the company and 20th Century star designers and architects has produced an array of classics, from the elegant condiment set of Ettore Sottsass to the anachnoid simplicity of Phillipe Starck's lemon squeezer.

“a true work of design must be able to move people, to convey feelings, to trigger memories, to surprise, to go against the grain... We work on expressive languages and on the expressive potential of the items... From this point of view, design intended... to conjure up images in people's minds, which makes them a bit happier, still has tremendous potential ”. - Alberto Alessi

In our humble Smart Furniture Studio opinion, Alessi = cool. Visit our Studio on Chattanooga's North Shore...

Meet Cobi

2009-08-28T16:48:00.004-04:00

Next time you drive by the Studio, take a look in the window and "Meet Cobi." Cobi is the fabulous new desk chair from Steelcase. Beautiful, comfortable, and affordable. This chair is available in a variety of fun colors that will liven up any work space. Stop in the Studio and try one out. Also, checkout Smart Furniture's "3-Minute Cobi" and design your own.

Better yet, Smart Furniture is giving away 5 Cobi Chairs. The 5 most compelling stories submitted will win. We're also giving away an ipod Shuffle with every Cobi Chair purchase. We even have a blog about this chair! Can you tell we like this chair?

Introducing smART.show at the Studio

2009-08-06T16:47:00.006-04:00

smART.show

Smart Furniture Studio

Join us Thursday Aug 27th from 6pm-8pm for Smart Furniture Studio’s inaugural smART.show. Keeping with Chattanooga's vibrant and creative community, Smart Furniture Studio regularly presents speaking series, displays local art, and now hosts a monthly art show . We are pleased to exhibit the best in modern and contemporary art by local artists. “Chattanooga is a vibrant and creative community, and the Smart Furniture Studio will honor that tradition.” Stop by the Studio every 4^th Thursday for Wine, hors d'oeuvres, good friends, and great art.

This month’s Studio Spotlight features local artist Sandra Payne Washburn. Sandra has studied under several nationally noted painters and sculptors in a variety of media. Her works are represented in private and public collections nationally and internationally. She has earned signature memberships in the National Watercolor Society, Southern Watercolor Society and Tennessee Watercolor Society. Furthermore, Sandra is an authority on watermedia and mixed media techniques. Smart Furniture Studio is proud to host its inaugural smART.show

Culture in the Courtyard. Live music every Saturday at 2 North Shore

2009-07-17T19:19:00.004-04:00

We are proud to announce a weekly concert series in the courtyard here at 2 North Shore. Every week will feature a new musician. Performances start around 12 and last for a couple of hours. We encourage people to bring their own comfort (chairs, lunch). Although, Smart Furniture will provide some cool outdoor seating. Bring your friends, kids, and pets and make your own atmosphere. This is entertainment for all ages. Stop by the Studio for more information or look for "Culture in the Courtyard" on Facebook.

Last week Smart Furniture's own Joy Devlin performed a beautiful and upbeat set of Jazz standards for spectators. We are proud of our multi talented employees here at Smart Furniture.

Bling Event at Smart Furniture Studio

2009-07-09T12:12:00.006-04:00

Last Month Smart Furniture Studio hosted "Bling" which was an exclusive luncheon specifically for Architects and Interior Designers. Guests enjoyed a wonderful light lunch by Foodworks, while previewing the newest products and services available in the industry. The party was a huge success with over 70 guests. Prizes were given away and invitees were introduced to Smart Furniture's Trade Program. Smart Furniture Studio is quickly becoming a destination for local and regional interior designers and architects. We have exclusive lines, services, and designs that no one else comes close to. In addition to our exclusive product lines, we offer the Trade special services such as free delivery or complimentary 3d renderings for their clients. If you know someone who is an architect or interior designer, they should know about this wonderful program courtesy of Smart Furniture.

Smart Furniture Warehouse Sale

2009-06-04T14:12:00.004-04:00

Saturday, June 13th at 9am Smart Furniture will have its first ever Warehouse Sale. This is going to be an exciting event and you will not want to miss it. Please come early to our warehouse on the Southside of Chattanooga, located at 1861 Polk St. This is a one day only, first come, first serve event. Items up for sale include floor samples, Smartshelves, classics, clearance items, returns, cubitech, lighting, accessories, etc... We will have most items at or below cost. Imagine: selling online for 8 years + 20,000 sq. ft warehouse= time to have a sale. Come with your truck and an open mind (you never know what you may need). Please call the Studio, 423-643-0025, if you have any questions or need directions. See you there!

Earth Day Festival in Chattanooga

2009-04-26T13:56:00.004-04:00

The 2nd annual Earth Day Festival at 2 Northshore Complex was this weekend, had a blast! Groups such as Greener Chattanooga, Scenic City Recycling, Cabeen Orginal woodworking, and several others setup booths and represented. There were earth friendly crafts for kids and games. Of course, you can not use the term festival without an inflatable, carnival-like Moonwalk and Giant Slide. Greenlife also had its children's art contest. There were arts, crafts, and music as well. 2 Northshore is trying to make this annual festival their signature event. I think they are well on their way. It was a beautiful day and this type of event is perfect for such a cool city. You rock Chattanooga!

Smart Furniture Studio wins Herman Miller display contest

2009-03-29T17:22:00.005-04:00

The Studio's Lifework Portfolio display won Herman Miller for the home display contest. Lifework Portfolio is a new line of furniture designed for the home office. There are some beautiful new designs by Blu Dot, Korb + Korb, and Kaiju Studios. Functional and beautiful lines. The Airia Desk is my personal favorite with curved, metal legs and solid walnut construction. This is the desk featured in our display. The secret to such a lovely display: set it up on $2k worth of Light Cubes. Fortunately, I've been given liberty to use whatever is in our warehouse.Consequently, this display is illuminated and raised, two birds with one stone.

Artist Spotlight: Brent Sanders

2009-02-21T11:13:00.002-05:00

We're going to be spotlighting some of the artists we currently have on display at Smart Furniture Studio. Brent Sanders is SF Studio's first artist to kindly showcase his work in our space. Brent's works are nothing short of amazing and captivating. Vibrant, colorful, and larger than life; his pieces are a perfect compliment to the modern classics we display. With concrete floors and white walls, his paintings provide a nice pop of color to the Studio. We've had a great response to his paintings. His works are some of the most recognizable in the Chattanooga art scene. Check out Brent Sanders website for more info. Come by our store to see his works of art!

Smart Furniture Studio's Next Exhibit

2009-02-05T18:10:00.005-05:00

Smart Furniture Studio's next exhibit is a big one! Feb. 27th-March 18th. Spotlighting the architecture of TVA. This exhibit will Spotlight: "The Tennessee Valley Authority: Design and Persuasion" by Tim Culvahouse. We will display 25 larger than life photographs of TVA by Richard Barnes. This exhibit will travel around the region, starting at Smart Furniture Studio! More info coming soon.

Public Architecture and International Influence: The TVA Legacy"
Curated by Tim Culvahouse, FAIA, editor of The Tennessee Valley
Authority: Design and Persuasion, (New York: Princeton Architectural Press,
2007), the most in-depth scholarly examination of TVA's architectural impact
ever assembled, with essays by experts in the fields of architecture,
landscape architecture, graphic design, industrial design, and the fine
arts, and photographs by Richard Barnes.

To open in Chattanooga late February 2008 in the new design studio
of Smart Furniture Studio at Two North Shore (LEED-certified)
This exhibit will travel to Nashville, Memphis, Alabama, Kentucky and Tri-Cities for 2 to 3 weeks in each city. It will conclude in Knoxville late July 2009 at the AIA Tennessee convention, with a lecture by Tim Culvahouse. Exhibits in each city would be hosted and coordinated by the local AIA chapter, with an accompanying reception and community publicity.

Metropolis, August 2007
The Tennessee Valley Authority is recognized for building the dams and power plants that rehabilitated a large swath of the American South after the Depression, and for being one of the most comprehensive, well organized, and successful of FDR's New Deal programs. But less well known is its role in applying international Modernist ideas to the rural landscape of the South. An influx of European architects and engineers steered the agency toward an ornament-free industrial aesthetic, manifested in everything from the monumental raw-concrete dams to compact, efficient home-appliances. Six essays frame the TVA's output as a surprisingly cohesive body of work.

Introducing Smart Furniture Studio

2009-01-23T14:15:00.006-05:00

Smart Furniture recently launched its flagship location in downtown Chattanooga. Here, customers can experience a completely different kind of store. With exclusive product lines unavailable anywhere else, the Studio will also offer a multimedia interactive environment, including video, web-based visualization tools, local modern art, and even the ability to design your own products or spaces. “Chattanooga is a vibrant and creative community, and the Smart Furniture Studio will honor that tradition.”

Introducing Smart Furniture Studio, an exciting new boutique focused on bringing furniture for modern living to Chattanooga. Smart Furniture, Inc. began as a Chattanooga-based online retailer and has emerged as the industry leader in “Design-on-Demand” furniture and interiors. Smart Furniture empowers individuals to transform ordinary rooms into extraordinary spaces— from living rooms to lofts to home offices— quickly and easily. Promoting personalization through innovative product design, smart technology, and a passion for customer service, Chattanooga-based Smart Furniture continues to earn industry-wide acclaim and experience dramatic customer growth.

Smart Furniture Studio’s modern furniture collection features a commitment to high-end design, white-glove customer service and exclusive items. From transitional to contemporary, we offer a selection that no other company in Chattanooga comes close to. We represent some of the leading design companies in the business including: Herman Miller, Kartell, Steelcase, Blu-Dot, Gus* Design Group, and of course our own, signature Smart Furniture line.

We personally invite you to come to our Studio, located at 313 Manufacturers Rd. in the Greenlife Shopping Center, for an individual tour!