The World's Coolest Home Office...Make Yours Too

If you need inspiration for design, this should help. This is one of the coolest home office setups I've seen. This is a glorious fusion of Victorian wood, 19th century organ parts, computers, creativity, and a whole lot of free time.

Yes, that is his webcam...get out.

And USB Jump Drive?!...I know right.

The proud owner and his workstation.

Now, although we can't ship you one of these- we do have a load of incredible products to help you create your office or workspace into something a little more pleasing. Our designers can also do a custom layout and offer guidance for you at anytime. Check out our newest secret, yes it's true- enter Smart Office here.

Fun Stuff for Friday - 10 Work Excuses for Mondays

1. When I got up this morning I accidentally took two Ex-Lax in addition to my Prozac. I can't get off the john but I feel good about it.
2. The voices told me to clean all the guns today.
3. I threw my back out bowling.
4. My stigmata is acting up again.
5. I will be stalking my previous boss who fired for not showing up for work.
6. I am stuck in the blood pressure machine down at the local pharmacy.
7. Yes, I seem to have contracted some attention-deficit disorder and..hey, how about those Dodgers, huh? So I won’t be able to..yes, could I help you? No, no, I'll be sticking with Sprint but thanks for calling!
8. I just found out that I was switched at birth. Legally, I shouldn't come to work knowing my employee records may now contain false information.
9. I prefer to remain an enigma.
10. The dog ate my car keys. We're going to hitchhike to the vet.

Herman Miller At-a-Glance Chair Comparison Chart

We Are So Proud of Our Latest and Greatest CSR - Adam Litchfield

Don't ever let Adam Litchfield get away --- He is the best in customer sevice -- I have worked in the industry for many years and WON'T say how many -- but he is definately a keeper -- I will be a return customer just from my experience yesterday morning - Thanks again for all your excellent help

-Steve V. Key West FL

Excellent Job Adam - Well Done!

Customer Service Fails...(Things We Try to Avoid)

Here are things we try to avoid at Smart Furniture. Maybe you can identify with some of these. The following images inspire us in many ways, please enjoy...

If you can't tell this is a customer service help desk.

I'm not even mad...I'm impressed.

Bottom.

Quality.

The world's dorkiest shirt.

PS- we like Rainforests.

So now you know where we get our inspiration for greatness. If you have any other funny pictures from your life, your work, or your existence, please share with us at customerservice@smartfurniture.com

Up in the Eero with Design

I am in the midst of reading a very interesting fiction novel titled The Rift by Walter J. Williams, which describes the aftermath of an 8.9 earthquake striking the New Madrid fault line which runs from Memphis, TN to Cape Girardeau, MO. One of the most harrowing sequences of the novel is told from the viewpoint of a tour guide who narrates her struggles to rescue the terrified sight seers with whom she is unfortunately trapped at the top of the St. Louis Arch when the earthquake strikes.

I grew up not far from Cape Girardeau, MO and often traveled with my family to St. Louis to visit my great-grandmother. I remember the Arch reflecting the brilliance of the sun as we drove by and loving its sleek, curved and yet seemingly fragile structure. I still marvel at its simple beauty and majestic design. My curiosity spurred by the events described in the book and childhood recollections, I researched additional information about the “Gateway to the West” and was astonished to discover it had been designed by Eero Saarinen, a finnish American architect and industrial designer of the 20th century.

Why was I so astonished? The reason was this designer had also created my favorite table, the Saarinen Dining Table. I love the table’s fluid and flowing form. There are no hard-edges and I am amazed at how it appears to be constructed of one single curving line. Like the Arch, it is also a brilliant creation of simplicity and I can see the sweeping curves of the St. Louis Arch reflected in the pattern made of the table’s underside, column and base. Along with its appealing form, the table’s surface can also be optioned with a plain top or marble. In all honesty, the table is absolutely exquisite and the photographs on our website do not do its beauty justice.

Wanting to know more about the architect, Eero Saarinen, who sculpted these pieces I found some very interesting faq’s about him:

• He had a close relationship with fellow students Charles and Ray Eames (yes, of Herman Miller fame), and became good friends with Florence Knoll.

• Saarinen was assigned to draw illustrations for bomb disassembly manuals and to provide designs for the Situation Room in the White House.

• His other important works include the TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and the main terminal of Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C..

• Eero Saarinen’s "Tulip Chair" became the basis of the seating used on the original Star Trek television series.
  

The Arch memorializes Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the western part of the North American continent as they started out from St. Louis. Courageous like those earlier adventurers, Eero Saarinen ventured forth and became famous for innovative and sculptural forms whether he was designing furniture, airports, or grand monuments. You can still see his vision and art at SmartFurniture.com.