---
title: "Walter E. Smithe — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/walter-e-smithe-pfvwus-pf~630144021
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~630144021.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Walter E. Smithe"
category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/33939d5c0393914d_9918-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "1775 West Rand Road, Arlington Heights 60004, United States"
latitude: 42.112
longitude: -87.9792
phone: "(630) 285-8015"
website: http://smithe.com
rating: 0
review_count: 0
followers: 9
last_updated: 2026-09-04
---

# Walter E. Smithe

Original Houzz profile: [Walter E. Smithe](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/walter-e-smithe-pfvwus-pf~630144021)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators
- **Location:** Arlington Heights
- **Serves:** Northwest Chicago (Barrington, Woodstock, Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Bull Valley, Cary) suburbs and Chicago.
- **Houzz rating:** 0.0 out of 5 (0 reviews)

## About

### Houzz Badges

- 5 Ideabook Saves

Furniture, home decor, and interior design services.

### Services Provided

- Furniture selection
- custom built furniture (fabric
- trim
- finish
- and detail selections)
- in home consultation
- floor plan
- color
- textile
- wood species
- wood finish consultation
- area rugs
- project budget consultation
- and more.

### Areas Served

- Northwest Chicago (Barrington
- Woodstock
- Crystal Lake
- Algonquin
- Bull Valley
- Cary) suburbs and Chicago.

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Walter E. Smithe |
| Address | 1775 West Rand Road, Arlington Heights 60004, United States |
| Phone | (630) 285-8015 |
| Website | http://smithe.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 9 |

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Walter E. Smithe](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/walter-e-smithe-pfvwus-pf~630144021)
- **Website:** http://smithe.com
- **Phone:** (630) 285-8015

## Ideabooks

- [Great Interiors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29352193/list/great-interiors) — 6 ideas
- [Custom Ottoman Designs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29290989/list/custom-ottoman-designs) — 2 ideas
- [Custom Sofa Designs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29145258/list/custom-sofa-designs) — 2 ideas
- [Custom Arm Chair Designs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29144691/list/custom-arm-chair-designs) — 2 ideas

[See all 4 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/erikhoff)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Halway space** *(in Design Dilemma)*

I'm in process of adding paint and then furniture to my home.  This hallway needs something in it.  To the right is the door to my bedroom and to the left is the entryway to the garage. Hubby doesn't want to add a table for fear of it being a dumping ground but I think the space warrants so,etching big in it and not just a big mirror on the  wall. Also having trouble finding a console table or cabinet that would fill the space.  Small furniture won't do.  Thoughts? Btw! I'm amazed at how the paint darkened as I walked further back.

A: Put a bench and mirror there. You'll have a place to sit while you put your shoes on off, and mirror to check your hairdo before your out into the world. Sketch attached for reference.

**Q: How many area rugs?** *(in Design Dilemma)*

I have a fairly large family room, and I am not sure if I should use more then one area rug.  Any comments would be appreciated.

A: I can see the dilemma-tricky! Try breaking up the area where the sofa and arm chairs are and add some stools to that bar area. Then add a smaller area rug near the bar area with another arm chair and end table. I attached a sketch to give you an idea.

**Q: Recliner or King size chair** *(in Design Dilemma)*

I am refurnshing my room which consist of grey wallpaper and darkest brownish shade of furniture and I am going to accentuate it with funky pink accesorise.My room consist of my bed,cupboard and a chest.I am confused whether i should place a chair recliner couch or a king size heritage chair(as shown in figure) beside my bed.please suggest

A: The chair has way more character, go with that. Put a recliner where you watch tv, you don't need one where you already have a mega recliner (bed).

**Q: I'm stuck, can't figure out how to decorate this room!** *(in Design Dilemma)*

Looking for rug, curtain, table suggestions for this living room.

A: You have beautiful floors, which I wouldn't hide too much of. A 6' in diameter round rug would look good with the arm chairs, and a copper top cocktail table. These items could help create a central area of importance in the room. I attached a sketch to give you an idea of the room plan with these items

**Q: Family room - yes or no** *(in Design Dilemma)*

What can I do to spruce up this family room.  I know the fireplace is hideous but it will have to work until we reface it.

A: The room looks a a bit full. Try placing the rug under the first two feet of the sectional, about six inches in. It will make the room feel a little larger and show off more of the hardwood floors.

**Q: Do you DIY in your home?** *(in Design Dilemma)*

I'm hopeless when it comes to doing-it-myself, I'm not to be trusted with a drill or a saw, however I can do a decent job of painting if need be.   Are you a confident DIY-er? What do you leave to the professionals?

A: Break up a DIY project into two parts. Do the parts you feel most comfortable with yourself and outsource the rest to a friend or professional with the tools and expertise you don't have. Professional designers and craftsman do this all the time, there is no rule that says DIY folks can't do the same. Attached is a photo of some benches I designed and built doing things this way, to great success.

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*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-04.*