Smart Furniture Team

It's Halloween!

2011-10-31T14:31:00.001-07:00

Just a few super spooky shots from our most festive employees! Look through them at length...if you dare...

The mythical unicorn (Lori) in the nefarious clutches of a roving Luchadore (Adam). Below, our resident G-Man (Luke) communicates with his trusty wrestling horse, Dexter.

This year, Kona went as chagrined.

You know, it turns out witches (Catharine), luchadores, the fuzz, small horses, unicorns, and embarrassed dogs really can get along! More pictorial goodness, below. Happy Halloween!

Team Building Bowling Outing

2011-10-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

We at SmartFurniture.com are very competitive. As you can clearly see.
We want to be the best at everything. Customer satisfaction, web presence, and bowling.
Take our Customer service guru Adam.

He doesn't mess around. He'll get your delivery scheduled and put you in a whirlwind with his efficiency and freindliness. But it doesn't end there. His 7-10 split is awe inspiring.
And Mark, well, he's... such a great person.

I can't even fluff up his gutterball-every-time scores. It would wreck my moral compass and throw off my sales mojo. Sorry Mark. Nice bowling ball baby you got there. He is a master Google SketchUp-er and resident marketing whiz though. Did I mention brilliant writer and keen wit? Bowling just isn't his strong suit.
And then there's me. Yes, I use a pink kids ball that weighs 9 pounds. But don't let that fool you. I can't tell you how many bowling leagues I've had to turn down. And I'll sell you that ball. You may not need a bowling ball but it would make a great holiday gift. Tis the season soon enough.

I love animals, and turkeys are no different. 3 strikes in a row is par for the course.
If you're not intimidated by now, you're probably smarter than the average person. We're terrible at bowling. But we love hanging out together and are truly like a family. "I coulda used a little more cowbell." Go team!

2011-04-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Dr. Wood

2010-12-08T07:23:00.000-08:00

Where I get my style from -MW

Stressless Customer Service

2010-11-03T15:27:00.000-07:00

A letter we received from one of our customers praising our own Natalie Bigger.

Hi Natalie,

I just wanted to thank you for all of your help, and patience in answering my questions. The Ekornes furniture arrived yesterday and we love it! You provide great service and I am glad I chose Smartfurniture from all the options out there. Truly, your responsiveness and friendliness in answering all my initial questions made all the difference - I was a bit reluctant to make such a large purchase from afar, but have no regrets. Am lounging in my Stressless chair as I type this....

We love our customers!

Leo, Chillin'

2010-09-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

Leo, proud owner of a new Cognita Bench.

Smart Furniture Goes Rafting

2010-08-24T14:58:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone!

We just got back from an awesome trip to the Middle Ocoee River. There was rafting, a cabin, great food, and a lot of fun with our Smart Furniture family.

(You may be asking yourselves why the company decided to take us rafting over the weekend - because we’re worth it.)

The trip started Friday after work. The hour-long drive was capped off by a trip to the grocery store:

Where Matt, Rico, and James got to load up on meat, potatoes, and of course, Idaho Spuds.

The cabin itself was pretty amazing. Three stories, with a wraparound porch giving us panoramic views of the Tennessee hills, and it came with a hot tub, a creek out back, pool and poker tables, and even a hammock (Andrew got the “privilege” of sleeping outside the first night!).

That night we grilled, swam and talked to the wee hours. But the best was yet to come; whitewater rafting in one of the most popular stretches of water in America: The Middle Ocoee River.

Okay, I’ll admit it; I was pretty scared at first. I’ve rafted once before, and it was pretty harrowing. But this time we got a fantastic guide (Justus) who’d been down the river more than 3,000 times. Needless to say, he knew what he was doing. The trip itself lasted about two hours, and it was really thrilling. Every rapid, bump and splash was just enough to get the adrenaline pumping, but never enough to be really scary. Confession: I’m definitely going to go back. They should have put a warning label on the side of the boat, “Warning: Whitewater Rafting May Become Addicting.”

Basically, it was awesome, and I can’t recommend it enough. Rafting down the same stretch of river that hosted the whitewater events of the 1996 Olympics? How can it get better than that?

So we got a great ride, grilled to our hearts content, slept in a huge, tricked-out cabin; yeah, I’d say it was a pretty great weekend.

My early Birthday

2010-08-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

When I walked into work this morning, I had a surprise on my desk. My great co-workers had given me an early birthday present ... or played a joke! They had wrapped my Dell computer monitor in birthday paper! It was a good laugh!!!
We love to play jokes on each other. I come back from lunch on a daily basis to have different pictures on my home screen, and one day my entire desk was turned around facing the wall. Smart Furniture is always a great place to work and an adventure to come back to the office!

A Great Difference to ...Customers

2010-08-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

t's few and far between that I'm able to write letters such as this: I just wanted to write briefly to share how impressed I am with one of your employees, Natalie Bigger. Today she not only reminded me that the sale I'd hoped to take advantage of was about to end (helping me to avoid kicking myself later), but proactively followed-up with me thereafter when she noticed an issue with the fabric selections noted on my purchase order. She is incredibly thorough, helpful, and perceptive. It's rare these days to encounter service professionals with such a combination. Please know that Natalie makes a great difference to your customers, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been lucky enough to have dealt with her. I have purchased from Smart Furniture previously and can guarantee I will continue to do so not only because of your quality products, but your quality employees. Thank you for maintaining such a high degree of service excellence. It doesn't go unnoticed.

-Jessica R., FL

Fraggle Rock...I miss that show

2010-08-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

Fraggle Rock used to be my FAVORITE show of all time! I wanted to be an architect doozer and build cool structures. I used to sit and watch this show for hours! I would have friends spend the night and we would order pizza and watch TGIF. We watched Family Matters, Perfect Strangers (remember cousin Balki?), Full House, Step by Step......man, those were the best! Also, I always had a Magic Middles Cookie for dessert. Do you remember those? They were shortbread cookies with chocolate deliciousness in the middle. On Saturday mornings, we would eat Jimmy Dean frozen sausage biscuits, and watch Fraggle Rock. Those were some fun times!

Wanted: Outlaw Cowbells

2010-06-29T07:25:00.000-07:00

Jammie Campbell (pan left) throws 100 mph fastballs underhanded, lifts prodigious weights in feats of strength, and runs our warehouse with MacArthur-style efficiency. Melanie Silva (pan right) is a humanitarian, a generous philanderer, and could sell you the shirt off your back. Be afraid.

Our New CSR is a WINNER!

2010-06-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

"Just a note of thanks and kudos for Jennifer and her help with me about a return...helpful, efficient, good solution.. thanks Jennifer!"

-Kenny S.

Top 10 Things to Do at the IRCE

2010-06-11T11:58:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Things to Do at the Internet Retailer Conference

by Smart Furniture

Attending the 2010 Internet Retailer Conference was a first for me. I was fortunate enough to go with 2 of my co-workers from Smart Furniture, and we had a great time in this year's host city of Chicago. With that said, I wish I knew a week ago what I know now so I could have gotten the absolute most out of the IRCE. So, thoughtful fellow that I am, I made a list of the top 10 things to do at the Internet Retailer Conference for next year's attendees. It's from an attendee's point of view, but I'm sure this years' exhibitors and speakers can gain something from it too. So without further ado, here is:

The Top 10 Things to Do at the Internet Retailer Conference

10. After fighting for a spot in line for the Q & A session, ask keynote speakers what measures their organization has taken to prevent duplicate content from appearing in alt tags on product landing pages.

9. Expand every acronym when conversing with others, eg: "I specialize in Search Engine Optimization for Customer Relationship Management and Enterprise Resource Planning providers." Look confused when, in response, the person you're talking to uses terms like "CMS" and "PPC".

8. Try like hell to sell your company's products to exhibitors. Bring catalogs and point emphatically at them whenever you bring the conversation back around to what you can provide them.

7. When someone asks if you currently do something in-house, laugh and reply: "No, we do it all in the out-house!" Give them a hearty slap on the back to really drive home the humor.

6. Whenever someone new sits down at your lunch table, grab their nametag and hold it up to your face, squinting. Look them in the eye and ask them in your most nasal voice possible if they're here for the computer conference.

5. Refer to any non-smart phone as "ghetto".

4. Ask Verisign if they provide SSL solutions every time you pass their booth.

3. Festoon the perimeters of random power outlets with gold streamers and place a "Reserved for VIP Gold Members" sign next to them.

2. In the middle of a session, methodically enunciate the words "COCKER -- SPANIEL -- PUPPIES" into your smart phone. Express audible and visual frustration with the device. Repeat.

1. Whenever an exhibitor brings up the prospect of a higher conversion rate, lean in close, lower your voice, and tell them, "Personally, my conversion rate's already pretty high." Wink knowingly.

Happy Happy Joy Joy...from our beloved customers

2010-06-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks very much for the extra details and clarifying. I'm consistently impressed by your customer service. Very much looking forward to receiving the chair!

-Nathan C.

Google Enterprise Blog: A week to celebrate Small Business

2010-05-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 12:29 PM

This week we’re joining others throughout the country to celebrate National Small Business Week, declared by the President of the United States to recognize the impact of small businesses on America’s economic well-being.

We hear great stories every day about how Google Apps is helping small businesses compete and grow. So, to honor the millions of small businesses across America, we’re kicking off a week-long blog series to share their stories. We’ll highlight some of the outstanding entrepreneurs and small businesses that we’ve worked with over the past few years, how Google Apps has helped them grow, and examples of ways small businesses are using tools in the Google Apps suite.

To start, we’d like to share a story showcasing Stephen Culp, Founder and Chairman of Smart Furniture and CEO of Delegator. Read Stephen's post on the Official Google Blog to see how his business is using Google Apps – and stay tuned for more small business news throughout the week.

Posted by Michelle Lisowski, the Google Apps team

Permalink

Google Apps Features Smart Furniture Founder

2010-05-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/hello-google-apps-hello-real.html
Hello Google Apps, hello real collaboration

5/12/2010 02:53:00 PM

This is the latest post in an ongoing series about Small Business and resources for entrepreneurs. Previous posts have covered how Google AdWords and Google Places can help business owners use technology to drive success. -Ed.

I’ve talked to a lot of small businesses that don’t have the budget or the resources to invest in and maintain technology. That’s why I love telling them about Google Apps — a suite of web-based office tools — and how it can help move their businesses forward.

I always find that it’s easier for small businesses to understand the benefits of Google Apps when one of our customers tells the story for us. So I’ve asked Stephen Culp, Founder and Chairman of Chattanooga, TN-based Smart Furniture and CEO of Delegator, to share his experiences with Google Apps, and how he took a company that started out in a Stanford professor’s garage and made it a success. (Sound familiar?) We’ll continue the conversation with Stephen and other Google Apps customers at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce America’s Small Business Summit next week in Washington, D.C.

As the founder of three companies, an attorney, Naval Reserve Officer and former Peace Corps volunteer, I’m a believer in an entrepreneurial approach to virtually everything. Smart Furniture, for example, started back in 1998 in a Stanford professor’s garage, with a new business model called “Design on Demand®” that allows furniture and interiors for homes and offices to be customized for you, and more importantly, by you, all on the web.

Smart Furniture began as a small and growing company with phenomenal people, but limited budget (and time) for technology, especially the wrong kind. We tried for years to scale efficiently without pouring money into the “standard” infrastructure to run our business. We considered the idea of Microsoft® Exchange, and while the idea was great, in practice it got a lot more complicated — and expensive.

Then, in 2008, we discovered Google Apps. We liked the general virtues of SaaSapplications that were inherent in Google Apps, and the fact that the applications improved over time without any effort from our team. Plus, the collaborative benefits were game-changing. Google Apps took that idea of efficient, company-wide collaboration and — unlike the alternatives — made it real.

In other words, for us, Google Apps does just what technology should. It frees up resources to focus on our actual business. It offers tools we didn’t have — or hadn’t integrated — before, including third-party apps from the Google Apps Marketplace. It replaces unnecessary layers of tech silliness with a simple, intuitive, integrated platform that actually serves us — our team and our goals.

Google Calendar alone increases our efficiency exponentially. Everyone can look at the same calendars, create new ones for events, projects or work groups, and share them, without having to master a byzantine instruction manual. Then there are the collaboration benefits. Before Google Apps, we’d constantly lose information as people changed roles or moved on to new projects. With Google Sites, we’ve eliminated the need for shared servers and their little air-conditioned server rooms, and replaced our entire intranet with one comfortably situated in the cloud. We use Google Sites to store company files and team members’ bios, and support our project groups. Meanwhile, Google Docs allows everyone to contribute to projects and idea creation — a key part of our company culture. We create documents to solicit feedback, track ideas, keep common agendas, take notes, prepare for meetings, manage inventory and even organize our company’s softball league. It’s part of almost everything we do.

Yes, our IT guys freaked out at first. Some thought that eliminating the maintenance of our previous system, a.k.a. Frankenstein, would make them no longer necessary. What they didn’t realize was how much better their jobs would get. Now they have the time to work on interesting projects — building, creating and innovating, rather than constantly rebuilding, patching and defragmenting. Our team is amazing, and we’re glad to have them back out of that air-conditioned server room.

At Smart Furniture, Google Apps helps build and support our culture, an important part of the secret sauce that has helped us succeed. Our culture keeps all of us working together, enjoying our days, not peering out the window wondering when we can clock out. As any company grows, it’s hard to maintain the sense of close collaboration that a small business has. Google Apps keeps us chatting (we all use chat in Gmail), collaborating, learning and growing together, as if we were still in the one-room office where we began — which was, incidentally, about the same size as the server room we were planning to build for Exchange.

In our experience, as a small business, the wrong technology can distract your team and drain resources, while the right technology can seamlessly support your goals. Both Smart Furniture and Delegator are on pace for greater than 100 percent growth in 2010. Customer satisfaction rates are at record levels, and we love where we work. For us, Google Apps is the right technology.

Stephen in the flagship Smart Furniture Studio

Posted by Tom Oliveri, Director, Google Apps and Enterprise

Celebrate Earth Month

2010-04-23T14:36:00.001-07:00

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.

The Red House / High Point Furniture Market

2010-04-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, a few of us headed to North Carolina to attend the well known High Point Market - one of the largest home furnishings shows. We saw some great furniture, admired newly launched products and met with both current and prospective vendors. It was a great show!

One of our most interesting visits, however, was not at the Market. The famous Red House, only a mile from the market, was a noteworthy event, and we have the t-shirts to prove it. In case you have not heard of this furniture store, I highly suggest you watch this video.

Meeting "10 Gauge" was one of the main highlights of the trip.

The Street of Eames

2010-04-20T14:16:00.001-07:00

Today is Saturday, the 17th of April, and my husband, Jason, our friend, Lisa, from Herman Miller, and I have all piled into our friend Caroline's car. Caroline is one of the dedicated co-directors who has helped make the Street of Eames such a successful annual event. Our car makes its last of many turns, winding through a typical dated suburban community in Portland. It is still early, only 9am on a Saturday, and there are already plenty of cars lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the architectural gems scattered around the neighborhood. One particular home is located at the end of an unabiding court. It is referred to as a 'Rummer', meaning it was built by Robert Rummer, who has now been retired from residential home building for nearly two decades. Built between 1960 and the mid-'70s, these stylish post-and-beam homes gained much inspiration from the Joseph Eichler homes built in California during the late 1940's. These homes are spread all over Portland's West Hills and Beaverton, with small pockets in other communities. Known for their geometric lines, deep overhands and inner courtyards the Rummer homes nestle into the lush northwest background with the same fit as a villa fits into the landscape of Italy. A bright, peachy-red door leads us into an inner courtyard and we easily adjust to the peaceful earthen tones and large window scapes that highlight the homeowner's fine collection of vintage modern furnishings. Our mouths communally drop at the sight of the floating fireorb that intersects the main living area, each piece of furniture equally complimenting the other. This is just classic good design. We leave the home refreshed, and are off to explore seven other homes, each equally inspiring in their own way. This home turns out to be our favorite stop along the Street of Eames home tour. With Caroline supplying us with architectural knowledge and an amazing insider's perspective, we gain an even greater appreciation of the uniqueness each design brings. These homes are a mix of contemporary and mid-century modern design, reflecting each owner's individual personality by emulating the rich architectural history of the city. What makes this tour really special, is that all money raised goes directly to support after-school programs for homeless children in the Portland area. Each volunteer, homeowner, director and vendor does such a fantastic job of keeping this objective at the heart of the event. Sadly, this was the last Street of Eames home tour, as alternate sources of funding will support these after-school programs. However, I have a feeling this group of mid-century modern lovers will find a way to continue their contributions to the community.

From left, Lisa Hubbs and Sophia Levens at the Street of Eames Home Tour

The Rummer House

Street of Eames Auction Winners

2010-04-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

A pair of LCW in Red Stain. Gorgeous!

Smart Furniture Visits The Street of Eames

2010-04-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

On Saturday April 17, 2010, Portland, Oregon will host the 5th (and final) Street of Eames home tour. When one of our employees recently relocated to Portland, we could not pass up the opportunity to get an insiders view of what this fantastic event is all about.

Street of Eames began as fundraiser for homeless students in Portland, particularly at Chapman Elementary School. More than half a million dollars later, the home tour has reach its goals of funding and can now pass the torch of raising money to a social service agency. For Oregonians this is a chance to give back to the community and take a sneak peek into some of the city's most coveted dwellings. This year's tour will feature eight homes in the Portland area, including homes by Ben Waechter, Path Architecture, Seed Architecture Studio, and renowned Portland architects, John Yeon and John Storrs. The tour takes you from mid-century modern to contemporary homes and is sure to inspire for those lucky enough to attend.

Stay posted for a first hand account of the tour from our very own, Sophia Levens.

Storrs House, photo by David Papazian

Yeon House, photograph by Kim Blau

Rummer House, photo by David Papazian

Oringdulph House, photo by David Papazian

Z-Haus, photograph by Stephen Miller

Park Box, photograph by Ty Milford

14 House, photo by Jeff Beck

Chair Trick

2010-04-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

This dude is cool.

Celebrate the Earth

2010-04-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

April 22 is 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.

Breaking Boards!

2010-03-10T10:18:00.000-08:00

I shared this video with some of my coworkers and they told me I should put it up here. This is a short video of me doing board breaks for my a practice testing to receive my 4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon-do. Enjoy!

OK Go!

2010-03-02T15:03:00.001-08:00

I've always been a big fan of Rube Goldberg Machines. This is one of the best ones I've ever seen. Ok Go!

Old vs New

2010-02-06T19:31:00.001-08:00

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.

Bubble Club Sofa, with Female

2010-01-22T14:26:00.000-08:00

This had to go somewhere.

~MW

Putting the Scenic City on the (virtual) map

2009-12-01T06:51:00.000-08:00

Chattanooga's downtown may have undergone a major revitalization in recent years, but on the Google Earth virtual globe, it's still a barren flatland.

Chattanooga 3D, a volunteer-based collaborative effort of area businesses, architects and computer modelers, is determined to change that. They've been working since the project's launch as part of the STAND 48Hour Launch event on Nov. 13 to "push up" the virtual Chattanooga by populating it with models of actual buildings.

Karen Liwanpo, the creative director at Smart Furniture, came up with the idea for Chattanooga 3D just before 48Hour Launch. At first, she thought the idea would stand out in the crowd of the event's more traditionally minded concepts but was concerned by its scope.

"I e-mailed (Google) and said, 'Is this crazy? I want to do this in a week and a half and put Chattanooga on the map. It's next weekend; what do we do?'" Ms. Liwanpo said.

In response, Google put Ms. Liwanpo in contact with Chris Wilson as a project consultant. Mr. Wilson led a similar effort in 2007 to populate Google Earth's virtual representation of McMinnville, Tenn.

Thanks to Mr. Wilson's and Ms. Liwanpo's familiarity with Google's SketchUp 3D modeling software, their team of about 25 volunteers so far have created 14 models, some of multiple buildings.

Partners like RiverCity and local independent architects and architectural firms have offered the team computer-aided design schematics for many downtown buildings to speed up the modeling process.

The show of support has been encouraging, Ms. Liwanpo said.

"This is such a great project, and it's people thinking 'big picture' for Chattanooga," Ms. Liwanpo said. "This is something large-scale, not for profit for us, but for Chattanooga, it could be really beneficial."

The models are now awaiting final approval for inclusion into Google Earth, but Google representatives' interest in the project should accelerate that process.

"We're excited to see the Chattanooga community working together," said Bruce Polderman, Google's senior business project manager, in an e-mailed statement. "Whether you're a resident or have never visited Chattanooga, being able to explore the town virtually ... is a great way to learn more about it, no matter where you are."

Aside from the appeal of seeing a city represented in 3D, there are many applications to efforts like Chattanooga 3D, said Stephen Culp, who co-founded the project.

Google Earth's ability to integrate contact information, Web sites and other data into the maps makes a vibrant presence on the service of obvious use to tourists, city planners and event organizers, Mr. Culp said.

"This project can make Chattanooga more accessible to all kinds of people and organizations," Mr. Culp said. "Eventually, folks everywhere will be able to explore Chattanooga in Google Earth, create presentations, plan events, conduct research, showcase art, promote their business or neighborhood -- you name it."

Ms. Liwanpo said she hopes to attract more volunteer support for Chattanooga 3D and involve other groups like university courses in the process.

The project so far has focused on buildings downtown, between the riverfront and Main Street. Within a year, given sufficient support, Ms. Liwanpo said she would like to have modeled all the landmark buildings and pieces of art on display throughout the city.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

* Visit www.chattanooga3D.com to sign up as a volunteer, view a list of buildings that need to be photographed or modeled.
* Download Google Earth and Google SketchUp for free at earth.google.com and sketchup.google.com, respectively.

THE WORK SO FAR

Many Chattanooga buildings already have been modeled and are awaiting approval from Google before being uploaded, including:

* Big River Brewing Company (2001 Riverside Drive)
* The Bijou Theatre (215 Broad St.)
* The DoubleTree Hotel (407 Chestnut St.)
* Smart Furniture (413 Market St.)

DIGITAL SIGHT SEEING

Chattanooga 3D is a work-in-progress, but many cities' virtual counterparts are almost fully digitized. Download Google Earth for free at earth.google.com, check the "3D Buildings" box and you can be virtually walking the streets of any of the following cities in minutes:

* Seattle
* Dublin
* Tokyo
* Valencia, Spain
* New York City
* Sydney
* Miami

STEP-BY-STEP

1. With appropriate photos of each side of the building being created, the modeler uses the Google Earth satellite image to select the building's location and surrounding area. This image also will be used to texture the roof of the model.

2. Using a tool in Google SketchUp, the modeler creates a basic 3D blueprint of the building. At this point, the model is gray and featureless.

3. The modeler now applies the photos to each side of the building as textures. The photos must be adjusted to cover the model exactly and avoid perspective "pinching."

4. With the building model complete, the modeler must "geo locate" the building by adjusting its orientation and scale to match the Google Earth satellite imagery. At this point, the model must be reviewed by Google before being included in the program.

SmartFurniture.com Adds Knoll Generation Chair to its Smart Designer Platform

2009-11-19T07:30:00.000-08:00

November 18, 2009
Smart Furniture announced today that the Generation by Knoll is now available, and fully customizable in 3 minutes at SmartFurniture.com.

The Generation chair by Knoll (NYSE: KNL) is the first chair of it's kind to offer "elastic design," a product of years of research and innovation. The result is a highly adaptable, flexible, and functional chair that breaks down the barriers of conventional wisdom in office chair design. The Knoll Generation chair allows people to sit in the chair backwards, sideways, or slouched--all while remaining comfortable.

The Generation chair is "smart" furniture in more ways than one, including environmental sustainability. Rated Sustainable Platinum under the SMaRT© Consensus Sustainable Product Standards, and consistent with Knoll's holistic approach to sustainability which considers all three criteria of the sustainability triple bottom line: environmental, social and economic impacts. Smart Furniture CEO T. J. Gentle: "The Knoll Generation chair sets a bar for office chair design. Nothing about this chair is derivative or uninspired, and it's flexibility lends itself well to our "Smart Designer" platform, where customers can customize their Generation chair online, on the spot." Founder and Chairman Stephen Culp added: "Knoll's approach to the Generation chair is consistent with Smart Furniture's core belief about furniture design. It liberates movement rather than restricting it. It embraces different workstyles rather than dictating one. It focuses on the uniqueness of each customer." Culp added, "Knoll has created an office chair that uniquely serves its human companion by adapting to his or her individual style, rather than the other way around."

More information about the Knoll Generation chair is available at SmartFurniture.com at http://www.smartfurniture.com/products/Knoll-Generation-Chair.html 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.

Smart Furniture, Inc.
Karen Liwanpo

423-822-2266

marketing@smartfurniture.com

Eco-Friendly Products

2009-11-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

Gus Modern has announced that they are now manufacturing all upholstered seating with 100% FSC-certified wood, sourced from responsibly managed forests. Nice work!

Gus Design Group offers sleek pieces that meld industrial influences with elegant finishes. Well proportioned sofas and sectionals inspired by mid-century modernism have been gaining attention across the country and internationally.

Ron Arad Eco-Political Post

2009-10-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

So how many of you knew Ron Arad is the designer of the Kartell Bookworm? Raise your hand. Me, me, me! Check out what this United Kingdom based, Israeli designer has come up with most recently. He calls it "Oh, the Farmer and the Cowman Should be Friends." You have to sing the song in your head to get it. You know the song, its from Oklahoma! My brother Adam was in this production in grade school. It talks about the farmers' desire to protect their crops with fences while the cowmen prefer the freedom to move cattle over a wide open range. SO. Is Arad's states of the union bookshelf a peace plea? Is it a general statement encouraging cooperation? Is it supposed to remind us of the days when cows roamed grassy fields and ate grass? I like the latter of the three.

Coalesse

2009-10-26T18:55:00.000-07:00

We are proud to introduce Coalesse! Please call 1-888-467-6278 for questions, sample materials or to place an order.

Gone are the harsh lines and glaring surfaces that have long characterized the workplace. Coalesse has replaced them with softened, contoured shapes that represent the new sensibilities of the modern way we work. A new brand of premium furnishings for ideas people. The coming together of Brayton, Metro and Vecta to create an exciting new category of solutions for inspired work. Live/Work is productivity’s new aesthetic. And Coalesse is defining the genre. Bring more life to work.

Steelcase Sale Haiku

2009-10-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

Steelcase Sale Ends Soon
Buy Seating, Storage and Desks
Save 15 Percent!

Work Place Haikus

2009-09-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

We at Smart Furniture have been 'courting the muse' lately, and communications by email have been in Haiku form.
So here are a few
to be shared with visitors
hope you enjoy them!

On this Tuesday Morn
The Silver Kia Outside
Please, do not tow it.

people talk of smell
tis probably mildew but
maybe its my feet

Autumn is in the air
Whether rain or weather shine
Smart Furniture rocks.

I was just joking.
Ignore my former email.
I figured it out.

logging in is cool
never can tell what i'll find
on my google mail

Commercial can feel Residential

2009-08-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

I designed this lobby and offices to have a relaxed, comfortable setting. It has a residential feel, which is warm and inviting. For a dentist's office, this type of environment is usually unheard of. I think I would like spending time here!

If you are interested in seeing what I can do for your space, please feel free to contact me at 1-888-949-9042 or send an email to kliwanpo@smartfixtures.com.

Gizmodo Reviews Smart Furniture's 3 Minute Cobi Chair

2009-07-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

Gizmodo: Steelcase Cobi Designer Puts Your Design Skills Where Your Ass Is
By Jason Chen, Gizmodo

The Steelcase Cobi, starting at $400, is unique in that it's a higher-end office chair that you get to customize quite a bit of how it looks--avoiding the late '90s dotcom sea of chairs that look exactly alike.

Here's what you do. Go to the site, then go through the "3 minute" process of choosing the frame color, whether or not you want a stool bit for your feet, whether you want arms, the upholstry color (lots of colors available) and you're done. Depending on what you chose you could be looking at a reasonable $400 chair or a slightly pricier $720.

Steelcase, like Herman Miller, makes fantastic office chairs that prop you up in such a way that you can actually sit for eight hours and not feel pain. Hit the gallery for more shots. [Smart Furniture]

I Like This Guy

2009-07-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

This guy is pretty amazing. He just sits down and basically improves all his music. My favorite thing, however, is how much he really enjoys what he's doing. That's the cool part.

Music Video Created in Google Sketchup

2009-07-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

Music video for the Roche Limit song "My Friend Ship". For more info on the band visit www.rochelimit.ca

Why SmartFurniture.com Is Different.

2009-07-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

After 10+ years of helping customers design, customize, and purchase furniture to suit their unique needs, we realized that we haven't really told folks who have not heard SmartFurniture.com who we are and why they should want to buy something from us. We decided it was time to think about this, and here are a few reasons:

We have a soul.
We will win your loyalty with world-class customer service.
Unlike many other online retailers, we actually make stuff. We even have a real store in real life.
You can actualy design your own products and your own spaces, on demand.
We do all the other stuff too (best prices, free shipping...)

1. We have a soul.

We are real people. If you ever happen to call, email or chat with us, you will speak with an actual person who works at Smart Furniture in Chattanooga. Call us at (888)467-6278 and see.
We don't outsource your calls to a different company, country or planet.
We will actually do everything we can to help you. Everyone has had to deal with apathetic companies, and we are here to right their wrongs to you. We are small enough to actually care, and have a team of design specialists and customer service people who know a lot of stuff and really like helping people -- and are pretty good at it. Here are some of our people:

Karen Mark Natalie Matt
Melanie Stephen Dustin Cyndi

We live and work in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Yes, you may detect an accent, but it's because we're from the South, and everybody here talks funny.

Our company has an actual story. Read about how Smart Furniture came about, and take a look at a few things we're doing now:

Twitter Updates
Facebook Fan Page
Smart Furniture Staff Blog
Smart Furniture Blog
Smart Furniture Studio Blog
Smart Trade Program

Finally, we really love what we do:

We are like you. We love design, we hate recessions. We appreciate great personal service, not "your call is important to us." We appreciate Charles Eames, not knockoffs. We like honest advice, we don't like being "sold to." We loved the last episode of *M*A*S*H*, but the last Seinfeld? We love guaranteed best pricing, and we hate, well... recessions. We love the internet, but it can't beat a worn-out paperback. We love timeless innovation, not fads. We love great selection, personalized attention and custom design, not one size fits all.

Because you are different. You may like a lot of other stuff we like. But maybe not in the same color, fabric, size, shape or space. Like you, Smart Furniture folks are diverse in our tastes and talents. And we make it easy for you to be different, with an utterly unique selection of products (some found nowhere else), unlimited custom designs, and a unique approach we call Design on Demand®. Like you, we appreciate great design and great service. But at Smart Furniture, what we really appreciate is who makes us different: you.

2. We will win your loyalty with world-class customer service.

We strive to provide the best customer service in the world, which sounds cliché, but we're very serious about it -- read this whitepaper for more. We admit that we're not always perfect, but we really try hard to make you happy. We've won lots of awards for this, but until you experience how hard we try to make you happy, you will have no idea. So give us a chance -- call us, ask us a question, request a custom design, order.
We care about ethics and integrity. Our team here is small, but dedicated, and we strive to be honest as the day is long. We think you'll appreciate how we do things. If you'd like to learn more, our team wrote an a whitepaper on ethics.
Our customers love what we do for them. Read just a sample of the feedback we've received.

3. Unlike many online retailers, we actually make stuff. We even have a real store in real life.

We actually invented Smart Furniture, -- with 3 patents and counting, designed it ourselves from scratch, manufacture it locally (in the USA), and ship it to you directly. We're not just middlemen.
For the products we don't make, unlike many online retailers, we've actually seen the stuff we're selling. In fact, we have an actual store where we talk to customers face to face everyday about our products, what they like and don't like. This store has real products, real people, and sometimes even real cookies.
If you can imagine a time when most companies made things, there are a lot of things people learn about product design, materials, quality, durability, and customer satisfaction that you can only learn by doing.
We have been making Smart Shelves® for over 10 years, and what we've learned helps us to evaluate other people's products for you. We tinker and test a lot of other people's products we sell -- just so we can tell you what we think, and hear what you think.

4. You can actually design your own products and your own spaces, on demand.

We call it Design on Demand®. We started Smart Furniture to give people like you a place to go online, easily personalize a product or space that suits your needs, and have that product shipped to you really fast.
It started with Smart Shelves®, our flagship product line. Now, we sell a number of brands, carefully chosen because: it's good stuff, it's great design, and/or it's versatile enough for you to design it from scratch, or personalize it (thus "Design on Demand").
We invented the one-of-a-kind Smart Designer® for you, where you can design (and order) products and spaces online. We've been doing this for 10 years (here's our first design tool based on our 1997 Smart Shelves concept).
We make it all easy. For those who don't like messing around with web-based design tools, just give us a call at (888) 467-6278 and we'll take care of you.

5. We do all the other stuff too (best prices, free shipping...).

You know those lists of things that most companies have that say "this is why we are different" but the lists are all the same? We do all that stuff too, but we lump it all into #5 on our list because we work so hard on the first part of the list too. So here is our list of stuff that does not make us special:

Best prices anywhere. Really? Here's the truth: almost every company that sells products made by Herman Miller, Blu Dot, Steelcase, Kartell, Knoll, etc. all sell products at the same price -- the only exception is Design Within Reach who generally sells stuff at a higher price because people keep buying stuff from them. We sell the exact same stuff and it is almost always less expensive here. If it doesn't seem like it, give us a call.
Like all authorized retailers of these leading furniture manufacturers, we are restricted by a little thing called "MAP" -- "Minimum Advertised Pricing". The only thing you need to know to get the best price is whether the company is charging MAP. If someone is selling below MAP, that means it is either a fake, used, no warranty, or unauthorized (which usually means fake or used and no warranty). We charge MAP.
Free shipping. Similar to MAP, most companies give away shipping when the authorized retailer rules permit it. We do this for as many products as allowed. For all the companies that think this makes them special, it doesn't.
No sales tax. Wow, really? Unless you are in Tennessee, yes. We would not charge it in Tennessee, but they make us. To make it up to Tennesseans, we will give you a hug or a cookie if you buy from us.
Fully-authorized products. Our Herman Miller products are Herman Miller products, our Kartell is Kartell, our Smart Furniture is Smart Furniture, unlike many places on the wild internet frontier. There are many reasons why we're a safer, more economical, and overall better choice.
24 x 7 x 365 Easy Secure Ordering (yada yada). Since the creation of the transactable internet, this has been available. We will accept your order every second of every day of the year, and we spend a lot of money to make sure that your order is secure.

At Smart Furniture, we satisfy ALL customers

2009-07-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

This pug is really enjoying his Herman Miller® Eames® Lounge Chair w/Ottoman

10 Ways to Go Green

2009-07-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

From ASID - Sustainable/Green Design

Conserve energy by purchasing major appliances with an Energy Start rating and by adding timers and automated thermostats to control usage. Also, consider switching to fluorescent light bulbs and adding more natural lighting with additional windows or skylights.
Repair leaky fixtures and install low-flow showerheads and faucets.
Use water-based paints, finishes and sealants. Some milk-based paints are available, also.
Look for wall coverings that are made of paper or natural fiber, rather than synthetic materials, and printed with natural inks.
Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, that are untreated and free of toxins, such as pesticides or chemical cleaners.
Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo or linoleum.
Select solid woods, when possible, for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that may be toxic.
Reuse materials, such as brick, stone, glass, tile or metal, in new and interesting ways. Old wood also can be safely treated and used for accents.
Consider the “lifecycle” of furnishings and accessories before purchasing: Are they made of materials that can be reused or recycled when the item eventually wears out or is not longer needed?
Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers whose contents could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply.

You will laugh, I promise

2009-07-06T11:39:00.000-07:00

A cowboy named Bud was overseeing his herd in a remote mountainous pasture in California when suddenly a brand-new BMW advanced out of a dust cloud towards him..

The driver, a young man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, RayBan sunglasses and YSL tie, leans out the window and asks the cowboy, 'If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, will you give me a calf?'

Bud looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers; 'Sure, Why not?'

The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects it to his Cingular RAZR V3 cell phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite to get an exact fix on his location which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo.

The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg , Germany ....

Within mere seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data is stored. He then accesses a MS-SQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response.

Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-tech, miniaturized HP LaserJet printer and finally turns to the cowboy and says, 'You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves.'

'That's right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves,' says Bud.

He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on amused as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car.

Then Bud says to the young man, 'Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?'

! The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, 'Okay, why not?'

'You're a Congressman for the U.S. Government', says Bud.

'Wow! That's correct,' says the yuppie, 'but how did you guess that?'

'No guessing required.', answered the cowboy. 'You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You tried to show me how much smarter than me you are; and you don't know a thing about cows...this is a herd of sheep. . . .Now give me back my dog.

Wasabi

2009-07-03T13:42:00.001-07:00

George Nelson on the Marshmallow Sofa

2009-07-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

“I cooked up this model out of a checkers set, and I stuck the checkers disks on a metal frame, and it looked good to me. So I drew it up, brought it in, and that was the birth of it.”
—Irving Harper on the genesis of the Marshmallow sofa, from an oral history of George Nelson’s office, in the June issue of Metropolis (photo courtesy of Herman Miller)

"As seen on TV"- Icons of Modern Design

2009-06-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

You've seen them on TV and have fallen in love with their classic lines. These stunning furniture pieces from famous designers can also grace your home's interior. Better yet, they are all on sale 15% off with free shipping and available at http://www.smartfurniture.com/!

1. The Louis Ghost Chair. Designed by Phillipe Starck for Kartell, the Louis Ghost is a comfortable armchair in transparent and colored polycarbonate in the Louis XV style. It is the quintessence of baroque revisited for today's modern aesthetics. It's great charm and striking appeal was seen on Sex in the City. (I guess those ladies did know a thing or two!)

2. The FL/Y Hanging Lamp. Ferruccio Laviani designed the fl/y hanging lamp for Kartell. It's made of lightweight methacrylate and it's available in all these pretty colors. As seen on House, this hanging lamp is truly "fly"!

3. The Componibili Storage System. Offered in both round and square shapes, these flexible, functional and practical storage solutions have been in production for more than thirty years and have received much achievement and recognition for their preeminent and innovative design. Designed by Anna Castelli Ferrieri, they are displayed at the Modern Museum of Art in NY, the George Pompidou Centre in Paris and have been seen on Big Brother.

4. Prince AHA Stools. Thought up as a colorful game of building blocks, the Prince AHA stool is composed of two cones to resemble the shape of an hourglass. Another innovative and creative design by Philippe Starck, the are an entertaining and colorful accessory. Characters living in the worlds of The Apprentice and Las Vegas would think so as well.

5. The Dr. No Chair. Phillipe Starck wows us again with his whimsical Dr. No chairs. Famous for its perfect combination of functionality and beauty, the chair is made of polypropylene on stainless steel. The chairs are stackable and perfect for indoor and outdoor use, specially seen as in Las Vegas.

In lieu of July 4th coming up soon

2009-06-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

Might wanna brush up on the lyrics.

2009-06-25T11:29:00.001-07:00

A man in France has found an interesting Easter Egg in the new Mac Book Pros. Check it out:

Smart Furniture Personal Workspace Ad

2009-06-22T12:00:00.001-07:00

Brilliant

2009-06-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Compliments of Luke Golden

Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, attempting to get the troops all fired up about something (this is embarassing)

2009-06-22T07:39:00.000-07:00

Warehouse Sale Starts @ 9 a.m.

2009-06-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

For the very first time, Smart Furniture is having a warehouse sale on June 13th from 9AM to 5PM. It's a one-day-only, first-come first-serve sale so come in early for the best selection and deals on classics, clearance items, samples, Smart Shelves and much more.

Smart Furniture Warehouse

1861 Polk Street

Chattanooga, TN 37408

View Larger Map

Nightmares and Dreamscapes

2009-06-12T08:25:00.001-07:00

True story: Last night I dreamt that I was being chased down the middle of the street by a pack of embody chairs with needle-like, razor sharp teeth. They came in all the available fabric colors and some even had fully adjustable arms.

I think I need a vacation.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Cubitec

2009-06-09T05:37:00.001-07:00

I am having a baby boy in October and my husband and I wanted to do his nursery in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme, since he'll be appropriately named Leonardo (my husband's favorite turtle). My husband is a bit of a pack rat--or, as he would say, collector--and he has a ton of action figures and toys that he's been collecting over the years--some original TMNT toys, and some of the newer variety. He has decided to actually let our son take the toys OUT of the boxes (a big step, as all you collectors/fanboys out there know) when he is old enough instead of selling the toys on Ebay. We originally had this cubitec kit in our bedroom holding our overflowing supply of DVDs, but it goes so well with the TMNT theme that we decided to move it into Leo's room. I thought I'd share with the public the way that we decided to use our cubitec.

Womper, I'm sorry I don't have your photography skills. ;)

Re-Blogged--Best Ad Never Published

2009-06-05T14:53:00.001-07:00

Look closely at the copy:
ass meet couch, couch ass

Something to be proud of!

2009-06-05T09:32:00.001-07:00

A true collaborative effort between the customer and us to deliver a great organized space.

Will O3D Get Google Back Into Virtual Worlds?

2009-06-02T14:56:00.000-07:00

When Google launched its O3D browser plug-in for displaying rich 3D graphics last month, I was dubious that the virtual world industry would eagerly embrace it as a platform for future MMOs. Most of the larger casual virtual worlds, like Habbo and Gaia Online, run on Flash;Mozilla and the Khronos Group are already developing their own 3D graphics API for Firefox. There’s also a lot of insider buzz aboutUnity 3D’s web plug-in, which already has an install base of 10 million, a company representative recently told me, and is the chosen platform for several major MMOs in development. What’s more, the weak launch and hasty execution of Google’s own virtual world, Lively, suggested the company had given up on the space.

O3D To Be Fully Integrated Into Google Chrome This Year

Vangelis Kokkevis, O3D’s tech lead, spoke at the Metaverse U conference in Stanford, making his API’s case to the virtual world developers in attendance. While it’s still just a plug-in for IE, Firefox, Safari, Chrome and Camino, Kokkevis said the “next goal” for the team is to fully integrate it into Google’s browser by the end of 2009. Since launching last September, Chrome has gained a slightly bigger slice of the browser market, and an aggressive marketing campaign could help it build momentum. If O3D is integrated on schedule, virtual world developers would gain a potential audience of Chrome users who can launch their products without having to pre-install a plug-in.

COLLADA Converter Makes O3D Compatible With Leading 3D Graphics Formats

At Metaverse U, Kokkevis emphasized O3D’s COLLADA converter, which translates graphic files made with industry-standard graphics software like Maya, Max, and Google’s own Sketchup. That makes O3D much more attractive to studios already working with these tools; by way of demonstration, he showed off a graphically rich platform video game built in Max and converted to O3D, he told us, within a couple weeks. COLLADA’s code is managed by the Khronos Group, which the O3D team is also participating in; Kokkevis even suggested that O3D’s efforts could be merged with Khronos. As he put it, “We want a 3D API for the web browser, whatever the flavor.”

See Full Article Here
by: Wagner James Au
http://gigaom.com/

Warehouse Sale Starts @ 9 a.m.

2009-06-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

Smart Furniture Warehouse

1861 Polk Street

Chattanooga, TN 37408

View Larger Map

What we think about Think

2009-06-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

Because of our continuing curiosity about what it’s like to use the great chairs we sell, we here at Smart Furniture have prevailed upon two of our fine employees to test the Steelcase Think chair. Mark Rico (our resident rendering specialist) and Cyndi Brackett (our accountant extraordinaire), have graciously accepted the opportunity to share the Think for one week and write about their experience.

Mark, in addition to his superb SketchUp and facial-hair-growing skills, is glad to spend life with his wife and two daughters. He hopes to one day hike the Appalachian Trail with his family and is currently reading about insects and spiders because they’re amazing.

Cyndi works out of our office three days a week and is at home the remaining four. She is very blessed to have a wonderful husband and two amazing kids. Her son is entering middle school next year and her daughter will be entering Kindergarten next year. Yes, she drives a minivan and hauls kids around all day but loves every minute of it. She hopes to go to Europe on vacation at some point in the future. On those days when she doesn’t have a minute to herself she looks forward to being an empty nester!

Day One with Mark

Today I started a week-long test of the Steelcase Think chair. Steelcase isn’t really the first brand many people think of when they’re considering modern furniture, or even seating for their home offices. However, the Think pretty well demonstrates that Steelcase doesn’t just make conventional office furniture; it’s beautiful to look at (especially the one I’m sitting in – white seat, white mesh back – stunning) and super comfortable. The real question at this point is how it performs every day.

The first thing I did was read the little how-to-adjust-the-chair tag that came with the Think. It’s only a one-page diagram that tells you what the knobs do, and it’s really all that’s necessary. Think is a very intuitive chair to adjust. The lever thing (there’s only one – simple) is for adjusting the height. The knob thing (there’s only one – again, very simple) is for setting the tilt limit, and there are 4 settings. Under the front of the seat, there’s a bar very similar to the bar you’d find under the front seat of your car, and you lift it and scoot the seat forwards or backwards to increase or decrease the seat depth. There are about 2 inches of adjustability for the depth which turns out to be enough for me, and I’m 6’1”.

The armrests are by far the most fun function. They move in/out in front and back, independently, so that you can find the best position without pressing buttons or being confined to a preset location. Throughout the day, as I’ve gotten used to sitting here, I’ve gotten comfortable enough to just move the armrests with my elbows as I change position.

More tomorrow, but my first impression is that I like the way it feels almost as much as I like the way it looks, and it looks incredible. This is the kind of chair that I want to have in my home office and just “happen” to leave the door open, hoping my guests will see it as I purposefully lead them past the doorway …

Project Natal--Looks amazing

2009-06-01T15:10:00.001-07:00

Diagonal Smart Cube Recycle Center

2009-05-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

So my only purchase EVER from DWR were these great terrapin recycle bags. They work well in Cubitec and Smart Cubes. You can set them up in a standard grid pattern or give them a little flair by assembling them as shown. I just thought I would share Smart Furniture in use at my house.

Gannon the Cat & a T-Table

2009-05-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

My cat and I visited my parents last weekend. We saw Star Trek while my cat climbed on everything in sight, including the new T-Table. He also fetches better than any dog I've ever seen.

Tennessee Aquarium Penguins Paulie and Chaos are Parents

2009-05-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga held a contest last year to help name the penguins. Our very own Smart Furniture Founder, Stephen Culp, was one of the winners, although he never imagined the name "Chaos" would prevail. Below is a video of the first penguin egg at the Tennessee Aquarium. Macaroni Penguins Paulie and Chaos are being very diligent parents. They each take turns sitting on the egg. Paulie has been observed on the nest for over six hours at a time. This video shows a shift change as Paulie gets off of the egg and the mother, Chaos, settles in over the egg.

Steelcase's Vision for an Eco-Friendly Future: 'Radical Evolution'

2009-05-20T08:38:00.000-07:00

By Leslie Guevarra, GreenerDesign

Angela Nahikian is the director of Global Environmental Sustainability for Steelcase Inc. The key to the company's sustainability practices -- and its design strategy -- lies in its approach, she says. And that approach may come as a surprise to some people who have tracked of this industry leader and its nearly 100-year history of innovation. Angela joins us to today to talk about her company and the concept of "radical evolution."

Leslie Guevarra: Angela, thank you so much for being with us today.
Angela Nahikian: Thank you, Leslie. Happy to be here.

LG: Would you talk to us about sustainability practices in business? It's a huge issue and Steelcase has long been an innovator in this area and in fact an industry leader. Tell us, what are the big things? What should we be keeping in mind?

AN: Well, I think when it comes to sustainable business practices, it begins with a curiosity, and I think the insatiable appetite for more information and more understanding. We like to consider ourselves as students, curious students of sustainability, and I think that if you keep that mindset and hold on to that mindset, there are just endless opportunities from a business and a business model perspective.

Approaching it from that direction, we really are very focused on not only the environmental sustainability aspects of our products, which have been a significant investment for us and a significant focus over the years but particularly in the past five to 10 years, and understanding the chemistry of our products, which is a significant learning and an ongoing learning for us. So, we begin there, and invest in understanding the lifecycle impacts of our products and then (in) ways that we can ensure that our products have a second life through either recycling or reuse.

With those three platforms in mind, that's the beginning of all of the thinking that we do around our product development side around sustainability. But I think more and more, we're interested in -- what are the innovation opportunities and how do we start truly braiding and integrating the social, environmental and business model aspects into total design solutions?

We're thinking about sustainability as being the ultimate systems design problem: How do we weave these three elements together to really innovate? Because I think that's where we believe the future of sustainability opportunities will be -- as the innovation opportunities provided by thinking about it differently.

Read more >>>

ISRI Honors Herman Miller with Design For Recycling® Award

2009-05-18T16:05:00.001-07:00

April 30, 2009

ISRI today honored the furniture manufacturer Herman Miller with its 2009 Design for Recycling® Award, at ceremonies held during ISRI's 2009 Convention and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nev. Accepting the award on behalf of Herman Miller was Paul Murray.

"Herman Miller is an exemplary company that personifies the Design for Recycling® concept," stated ISRI Chair George Adams, Jr., president of SA Recycling LLC of Anaheim, Calif. "This is a company that has embraced the concept of environmental stewardship for more than 85 years…with the company's principals promoting recycling as a design point since the early 1970's. Throughout the past forty years, Herman Miller has made it a mission to improve recyclability and reduce waste in the design and manufacture of its products. And it is one of the few manufacturing companies that recognize the value of recycling over cost as they do not allow a potential cost to recycle to weigh into their environmental decision-making process."

A detailed profile of the company Herman Miller is available on the ISRI Web site at www.isri.org/dfr/hermanmiller.

For more than two decades, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. has promoted Design for Recycling®, a voluntary program that encourages manufacturers to fully consider end-of-life recyclability in the earliest stages of product design. ISRI established the Design for Recycling® award, to honor a program, company or individual whose product or program design has incorporated one or more of the following:

A reduction in the number of different recyclable materials
A reduction or elimination of hazardous constituents
An increased yield of the product's recyclables
An improvement in the safety of recycling
A design that allows for easy disassembly for recycling

This is the third Design for Recycling® award given by ISRI. The Environmental Protection Agency was honored in 2006 for its overall leadership in creating innovative design partnerships, and its dedication to empower businesses and industry sectors to incorporate environmental considerations, along with performance and cost considerations, into decision-making processes. Computer manufacturer Hewlett-Packard was honored in 2005 for its documented efforts to reduce the use of hazardous substances, to simplify component design, and to build computers and printing products for easy disassembly and recycling. More information on ISRI's Design for Recycling® is available at www.isri.org/dfr.

The Conclusion of a Week with the Embody Chair.

2009-05-15T13:21:00.001-07:00

Embody Test, Day 6

2009-05-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

This morning I discovered a lever on the Embody that I had previously ignored. It’s the lever that controls how far back you can lean, and it’s located on the back left beneath the seat. So I experimented with different recline positions today. There are 4 in all. The committee’s findings were that I like the most recline possible, a conclusion foreshadowed by my writing on how to look like a slacker and still get work done (Day 2).

(Read about how my 6th day with the Embody went here.)

Embody Test, Day 4

2009-05-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

It is a well-documented fact that workers need to get up, stretch their legs, and look at something besides their computer screens every so often. Today I found one limitation of the Embody chair. It is so comfortable to sit in that I forgot to get up every so often. As a result, my posterior finally told me that it didn't want to be sat upon any longer, and would I please get up for a bit. That's more my memory's fault than a fault of the Embody chair I was using, but the Embody did facilitate that mental lapse.

You can read about the rest of Day 4 here.

RIP - Neutrogena After-Sun Treatment

2009-05-11T15:09:00.000-07:00

This is a sad day.....they have discontinued this product!! I LOVE this After-Sun lotion. I used it all the time - it had such a nice, clean smell, and it really helped turn my red into tan! If I had known this was going away forever..I would have bought a case. I have looked all over the internet, and NOWHERE can you find this item! Reviewers said you could buy in Canada, but now all their stock is gone - I am very sad. So.....if you see me out and I'm red and sunburn - stop and have a moment of silence for me and the Neutrogena After-Sun Treatment!

Embody Test, Day 3

2009-05-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you a little bit about my weekend. Friday night: 8 hours of driving. Saturday: 5 hours of driving. Sunday: 6 and a half hours of driving. I have a sore back. The funny thing is that when I got to work and sat down, I realized that I also have a sore neck. The reason this is funny is that I don't have a sore back while sitting in the Embody. It's the end of the day now and I'm quite relaxed.

(Read about how my third day with the Embody went here.)

Rico's Embody Chair Review

2009-05-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

Mark's review of the Embody Chair is informative; but the picture slide show alone is worth watching.

Embody Test, Day 1

2009-05-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

Today I exchanged my standard, run-of-the-mill office chair for an Embody, Herman Miller's newest, snazziest office chair. I have a sore back and neck and can't wait to see how the Embody deals with the issue. Actually, I'm not so much interested in how the Embody deals with it as much as I am interested to see how ANY OTHER CHAIR deals with it. (In the interest of full disclosure, I have to note that even though my back isn't messed up because of my old chair, the old chair certainly wasnt helping it.)

(Read about how my first day with the Embody went here.)

Coworkers leaving their dirty dishes in the sink? Maybe this will help!

2009-05-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

This says it better than I ever could

2009-05-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film As 'Fun, Watchable'

HM Select

2009-05-06T08:48:00.001-07:00

There are still chairs available from the inaugural edition of the Herman Miller Select program! This year's selection is the Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair with walnut veneer and upholstered with refined cowhide. It is a limited edition of 500, so remind your customers that no orders will be accepted beyond the 500th chair. This early interpretation by the Eameses is a bold and stylish statement of mid-century modern design.

Upper Shelving with Lower Storage

2009-05-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

In the past this configuration was quite a challenge for us. However, with the addition of the Steelcase line we can easily accomplish finished upper display with lower storage. Give us a call we can set you up too.

Steelcase Think Chair

2009-04-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

By Reena Jana for Business Week

The $729 office chair is a bit of a luxury right now, but it's got superb functionality and ergonomic comfort

Editor's Rating: 4 out of 5 star rating
The Good: Comfortable, beautiful, and easy to adjust
The Bad: So comfortable it's hard to get up; pricey
The Bottom Line: A functional and lovely chair, worth the price

During a recession, it's hard to justify purchasing new office furniture, especially of the sleek and stylish variety. Sure, it was one thing to shell out $1,000 for an Aeron Chair back in the dot-com bubble days. Or even during the more recent mid-2000s boom. But spending upwards of $729 on a chic seat like Steelcase's (SCS) Think chair now?

While it seems like an extreme expenditure, it could just be worth it.

This is the conclusion I come to after trying out a Think chair in "Coconut" (white vinyl) at work for four months—the whole first quarter of 2009. If white vinyl sounds impractical, think again: Its surface was as soft as real leather, and you can wipe away spilled coffee without guilt.

The chair design features two trade-marked mechanisms created by Steelcase after consulting health experts at institutions such as the University of Vermont's Back Research Center. Flexible metal bands in the seat back support and move with your back, while the reclining apparatus underneath the seat leverages body weight to provide a smooth transition from sitting upright to leaning backward. Gone are the jarring or jerky position switches that can occur with other office chairs. And you can adjust the arm rests, covered with a cushiony plastic, so they can slide closer to the body. Move them backward and forward by nudging them with your elbows—wonderful when typing and then abruptly moving toward the phone to answer a call. There aren't any complicated levers, though you can "program" your favorite chair positions via an analog, manual knob.

Troubles Vanish

In the months I tried the chair, I saw some writing-related injuries disappear. (Full disclosure: I usually sit in an Aeron Chair.) I'm not sure this is coincidence. A small cyst in my left wrist disappeared during this time. The wrist aches I used to have from typing too much went away—although I was in fact typing more than before.

Which brings me to a caveat: When I was using the Think chair, I took fewer breaks to get up and walk around. While I certainly was productive during the first quarter of 2009, I had to wonder about how healthy these hour-long spells of sitting really were.

Another "warning": The Think chair is good-looking. Colleagues who usually don't walk past my cubicle made detours because they had heard I had a cool new seat. Invariably, they commented on the chair's striking appearance. I don't think it's a coincidence that the features added to the latest version of the Think chair (the first version was launched nearly five years ago) are new fabrics and colors. In March, Steelcase announced bright new shades that essentially, and unofficially, match the vibrant hues of the current Apple (AAPL) iPod Nano music players. On the chairs, the colors are featured in a soft, knit fabric. Sure, this is a cosmetic upgrade, but the fact that no other upgrades were announced also speaks to the effectiveness of the chair's original design and engineering.

While its price tag suggests it's a bit of a luxury right now, the real reason to buy the chair is its functionality—its ergonomic comfort and simplicity of use. But the new Think chair's jewel-toned fabrics provide a bit of a mood boost, too. And these days, who couldn't use a mood boost as well?

BB Video: Top Chair? Joel Reviews The Herman Miller Embody and Steelcase Leap

2009-04-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

Could you live in just 100 SQFT?

2009-04-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

Smart Furniture Performs Chairscapades

2009-04-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

Here at Smart Furniture we are not afraid to attempt perfection. We aim to please and do our very best not only to meet, but exceed the expectations of our clients. Because of this we are all working weekends through March 2010 practicing the choreography to recreate the Filipino Prisoner Thriller performance shown above. The only difference being we will perform the entire number while seated in our vast array of office seating. Yes, we really are. The hype is mounting folks, this is sure to be the event that sets us apart from the rest. As if we weren't already.

"Trying to Get to Point Where I Do Not Have To Do Anything...Ever"

2009-04-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

More American Workers Outsourcing Own Jobs Overseas

2009-04-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day!

Two North Shore to be First LEED Certified Retail Development in Chattanooga

2009-04-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.—Wednesday, April 8, 2009—

The local shopping center Two North Shore has officially been approved to be Chattanooga’s first LEED Certified retail development. The consultant team from Energy Ace noted that Two North Shore is even one of the first developments of it’s kind in the entire state of Tennessee.

This historic accomplishment basically means that Two North Shore has been created from the ground up with the goal of making our community environment more sustainable, pure and enjoyable. Based on each particular sustainable and renewable element of the development, the United States Green Building Council is now finalizing how high a level Two North Shore’s certification will reach.

Rock/Creek’s Mark McKnight explains the local significance: “Rock/Creek wants to look back at a practical history of commitment, a legacy of conservation and community development, and we believe that Two North Shore fits in with those principles. It's built on what used to be an industrial wasteland, and the interventions that have been done actually reduce the property's environmental impact. We're collecting rainwater instead of creating more runoff and we're re-using materials instead of relying on all virgin materials.”

In keeping with Two North Shore’s commitment to take care of and enjoy the earth’s resources, they are celebrating their Second Annual Earth Day Festival Saturday, April 25. The day will include free blow-up games, artisans displaying and working on art created from recycled materials, awards for a children’s art competition about taking care of the earth, outdoor yoga classes, many wonderful green (earth-friendly or sustainable) products, opportunities to learn about green groups improving the community, the chance to learn about Two North Shore’s cutting edge environmentally friendly LEED certified building, lots of yummy organic and locally grown food, education on Village Wolkswagon’s low emission vehicles, and more.

“I’m very proud of the shopping center we’ve created, not only because it is the first LEED certified shopping center in Chattanooga, but because it’s so unique,” noted Two North Shore property manager Krista Steere. “Shopping at 2 North Shore is an experience like nothing else you’ll find in Chattanooga.

Two North Shore is located on the north side of the river on Manufacturers Road just over the Market Street or highway 27 bridges from downtown. For more info, check out www.twonorthshore.com.

Bluetooth Remedy

2009-04-17T14:54:00.001-07:00

Crispin Porter Ad--VW

2009-04-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

What happened to these ads? I miss them.

Smart Furniture - a HONEY of a solution!

2009-04-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

"I finally got the unit assembled several weeks ago and it has improved my life considerably. I've discovered a reason that honeybees put their honey into compartments -- it's a more flexible, manageable system in many different ways.

It has helped me reframe and reorganize a lot of things besides just my book and beyond just the space that it occupies :)"

-P.T., Arlington TX

Steelcase Amia Design Story

2009-04-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

Beneath the Amia chair’s upholstery, inside its sleek backrest, there’s a form of our unique comfort system called LiveLumbar™ technology. You may not see it, but you’ll certainly feel it. As you sit in the chair, an adjustable LiveLumbar™ zone flexes with your every move, for consistent ergonomic support for your lower back. Hour after hour, day after day. With additional comfort features like 4-way adjustable arms, adjustable seat depth and a flexible front seat edge, Amia keeps you feeling good 24/7. It’s a chair for every day, that’s not your everyday chair.

Available at SmartFurniture.com

Amia 3D Model--Download it here at the Google 3D Warehouse.

Priorities

2009-04-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

And that's it and that's the only thing I need, is this. I don't need this or this. Just this ashtray. And this paddle game, the ashtray and the paddle game and that's all I need. And this remote control. The ashtray, the paddle game, and the remote control, and that's all I need. And these matches. The ashtray, and these matches, and the remote control and the paddle ball. And this lamp. The ashtray, this paddle game and the remote control and the lamp and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one - I need this. The paddle game, and the chair, and the remote control, and the matches, for sure. And this. And that's all I need. The ashtray, the remote control, the paddle game, this magazine and the chair.

We're picking out a Thermos for you. Not an ordinary Thermos for you. But the extra best Thermos that you can buy.http://tinyurl.com/38yo4z

Randomness

2009-04-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

Browsing in 3D?

2009-04-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

Mozilla, Google Back New Plan for Open-Source Web Graphics

By Michael Calore

A new initiative by some of the web's giants is threatening the dominance of Flash, the near-ubiquitous technology for displaying graphics in the browser.

Mozilla and Google are teaming up with software companyKhronos to develop new technologies for rendering 3D graphics in browsers. Their methods involve using the popular OpenGL graphics engine, JavaScript and some experimental code within HTML called Canvas. The companies have started a working group to meet these ends and hope to have a stable working demo within a year.

Earth Changing News

2009-04-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

Twittering and watching YouTube videos 'makes workers more productive'

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:25 AM on 02nd April 2009

Have you been caught Twittering or on Facebook at work? Well now you can tell your manager it actually makes you a harder worker.

An Australian study found surfing the internet for fun during office hours actually increased employees productivity by nine per cent.

Study author Mr Coker said surfing the net helps workers to rest their brains

Study author Brent Coker, from the University of Melbourne said 'workplace internet leisure browsing,' or WILB, helped to sharpen workers' concentration.

'People need to zone out for a bit to get back their concentration,' he said.

'Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the internet, enables the mind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a days' work, and as a result, increased productivity.'

According to the study of 300 workers, 70 per cent of people who go online at work engage in WILB.

Among the most popular activities are reading online news website, playing online games and watching videos on YouTube.

'Firms spend millions on software to block their employees from watching videos, using social networking sites or shopping online under the pretence that it costs millions in lost productivity,' said Mr Coker.

'That's not always the case.'

However, Coker said the study looked at people who browsed in moderation, or were online for less than 20 per cent of their total time in the office.

'Those who behave with Internet addiction tendencies will have a lower productivity than those without,' he said.

A Gathering of Elephants

2009-04-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

Earth Day...Plant a Tree

2009-03-31T15:35:00.000-07:00

Think™ about the difference you’ll make.
Plant a tree for Earth Day without even leaving your chair. Just order any new Think chair during the month of April, and Steelcase will plant a tree to help reforest areas devastated by the recent wildfires in southern California.

Think is comfortable—It tracks the body’s natural movement and responds intuitively. And very sustainable—Think contains up to 37% recycled content, is 98% recyclable by weight, and only takes five minutes to disassemble.

Think™ – Innovative, Comfortable, Responsible.

Green Drinks

2009-03-26T08:26:00.002-07:00

Lights Out. Earth Hour 2009.

2009-03-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

Another Thing Rico Can't Do But Wishes He Could

2009-03-24T15:22:00.001-07:00

Smart People Doodle

2009-03-24T13:10:00.000-07:00

Ha! I told all of you.

Want a Better Memory? Doodle!
Caught yourself daydreaming during a boring conference call or long meeting?

Are you a doodler?

Far from being a waste of time, doodling can make a boring phone call, presentation or speech easier to memorise, according to recent research at Plymouth University in the UK.

Many of us start to daydream when bored. A simple task, like doodling, while on a conference call is sufficient to stop daydreaming without affecting performance. Volunteers were given a doodling task while listening to a dull phone message. The doodlers were 29 percent better at remembering details than non-doodlers.

I would say that there are at least four categories of doodlers:

Creating borders around text.
Recurring shapes of squares, swirls, flowers, buildings, etc.
Specific images related to the conversation.
Creating structures and connecting thinking — as sort of Mind Mapping (an acceptable form of doodling in meetings as it is considered as “Note-Taking”).
I even doodle during my own PowerPoint presentations! To make my presentations more memorable I doodle, highlight and interactively capture information on the screen during presentations. I use a Tablet PC with a pen. You can do the same with your mouse (when in Slide Show mode, click on the options in the bottom left-hand corner and you can turn on the feature to highlight text or draw shapes) or small USB Drawing Tablet.

What doodles do you do? Are you a square or flower person? I would be interested to find out if you draw the same shape every time or not.

One of the things I can't do that I wish I could

2009-03-24T10:16:00.001-07:00

Innovation

2009-03-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

Most business processes are about making choices from a set of existing alternatives. Clearly, if all your competition is doing the same, then differentiation is tough. In order to innovate, we have to have new alternatives and new solutions to problems, and that is what design can do.
- Tim Brown, IDEO

Get The Ball Rolling

2009-03-24T06:36:00.000-07:00

One Year. One Billion Bags.
Last year, Americans used over 100 billion plastic bags. Fortunately, thousands of enlightened shoppers are changing the way they shop (for good), by pledging to get off the plastic. Join the movement and get the ball rolling. Together we can keep 1 billion plastic bags off our street this year.

2009-03-23T15:13:00.000-07:00

New shoes, meet old shoes...

Old shoes, meet new shoes...