This summer, Chicago custom home furnishing pioneer Walter E. Smithe launched a new line of furniture designed by fashion icon Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture. I was invited to the launch event and had a chance to interview the iconic Cynthia Rowley.
It’s one of those occasions when you’ve just purchased furniture for your home, see the most gorgeous Cynthia Rowley collection and now have buyer’s remorse. Walking through Walter E Smithe, all I wanted to do was bring home pieces like this fabulous chair and desk. Who wouldn’t die to have this in a home office?
I had the honor of sitting down and chatting with #momboss and renowned fashion designer, Cynthia Rowley when she was in Chicago.
SCL: What time do you typically get up in the morning?
CR: I do not sleep very much. At the risk at sounding like an insane person I usually get up by 5:00 am. Usually no later than 7 am.
SCL: What is your best piece of advice for getting sh*& done?
CR: Clearly it’s no sleep. It’s almost like a video game shooting that’s non stop. You how they how they say if you want something done? I’m always on that pace. When I go into work I’m totally focused on work. Rarely take personal calls unless it’s my kids. I have a really good team. Everyone is focused.
SCL: Do you have any morning rituals that make for a productive day – like meditate?
CR: The opposite of meditate. I get up, get the coffee, workout at my little gym at the house 15-20 mins just to get me going.
SCL: Do you check our email first thing in the morning?
SCL: How do you feel about Walter E Smithe featuring your line exclusively in Chicago?
CR: I am super proud. First of all Walter E Smithe is the premier furniture store in the Midwest. They have a really big representation – they have almost everything. It’s a big collection and to be in my hometown it’s amazing.
SCL: How may pieces are in the collection?
CR: 160 pieces
SCL: How long did it take you to pull together?
CR: It was a year in the making and now we added some new pieces 30-40 new items to add to your assortment. The purpose was for people who many want to purchase a few pieces now, they can come back and find something to freshen that up later.
SCL: What made you decide to go into furniture when you’ve always been a fashion designer?
CR: It was kinda like a dream come true. I went to the Art Institute and I studied Fine Arts, I was in painting and always liked making things and sewing. In a way I feel like I could have just done furniture – I’m not saying I’m good at it – but to me it’s all very similar. I really enjoy it.
I wasn’t a fashion person that needed to do fashion with models, I just liked making things it could have been furniture, maybe it could have been architecture, who knows.
SCL: The pieces are beautiful so congratulations. It’s really a lot of work. Are you designing all aspects like the hardware, paint and finishes?
CR: Yes I am, starting next April we have rugs coming out to complete the entire collection.
SCL: What piece surprised you the most when creating the furniture collection?
CR: I knew what I liked – fabric and color, I love that part of it but there were so many things I didn’t know what case goods(things that are not upholstered) were and I had to learn which is an obvious thing that everyone in the furniture world knows. I had to learn about a lot of things. That was the most surprising thing. It’s way more complicated than you think it is – way more than a garment and fashion. Way more!
Thank you Cynthia for being so honest and candid and REAL!
Cynthia Rowley fans will be excited to see her signature bold prints, fun and spirited aesthetic, translated to home décor. Pieces will be available at all 11 Chicago area Walter E. Smithe showrooms and on smithe.com.
Thanks to my friend Nicole for the great photos and hanging with me!
