[huge_it_share]Atteeeeeennnnnnnnnnntion!! General Smithers is back and upgrading to a newer, bigger, swanky pants type office. At the other end of the house I might add. Time, sales, space, and two too many noisy kids have dictated to Mr S pulling rank and I’m taking Willy with me!
My original office in the centre of Smithers HQ just ain’t cutting the mustard anymore,
so we’ve infiltrated the West Wing and the Willys Jeep Desk is the main feature of our amazing new space.
This upcycled Retro desk is one of our very best conversation pieces and never fails to raise a smile from all and sundry. Salvaged from an old 1940’s jeep front end, the army green desk has been sympathetically restored and comes complete with hand painted patina decals for a truly American WWII retro flavour.
What I can tell you after moving Willy around a fair bit, is he’s bloody robust and weighs a sodding ton! Me and my toes have learnt their lesson though from the Drum Furniture, so
there’ll be no trips to A and E for General Smithers this week.
Long gone are the days of a Five O’clock finish for Mr S – I spend many nights working away into the wee small hours. Well you know what they say – “The devil makes work for idle hands” and me and that Demon have spent far too many hours together in the past. 
The stress of running our own business may have aged me like a president, but I honestly don’t mind the long hours and even I had to smile to myself when the dark nights set in this week and I flicked Willy’s working headlamps into action for a drop of extra lighting. I can safely say, a work space has never made me so happy!
Dare I say, the only thing that might improve Willy’s capabilities would be weapons and booby traps. One day, they’ll come as standard. Moving around our new HQ, you’ll spy the wall behind Willy is adorned with one of our World Maps. The tapestry style wall hangings make for an excellent back drop.
They also showcase Smithers world domination rather well too! I’ve removed the successful target pins for the sake of the shot. I’ve always been fascinated by maps. Even as a child I remember being transfixed by them, tracing imaginary journeys through exotic, foreign lands with my finger.
If you’re interested in learning about home office organizing tips check out this blog: Creating a Professional Home Office: Top Design and Organisation Tips
Satisfying to know I’ve now visited a fair few of those inspiring places. There’s something very humbling about having a world map in your home – a gentle reminder there’s an awful lot to experience outside your own front door.
If you prefer to stand by the best of British, I’m pleased to say we also have an eye catching Union Jack Flags Hanging and intricate Map Of Cruchley’s New Plan of London.
A slightly more interesting way to plan your trip to the capital if nothing else. These old map canvas prints hang from bamboo poles, fix with an industrial chain and guarantee to bring a touch of classic vintage charm to any home or office. They’re a Smithers favourite too.
I don’t always rely on Willy’s headlamps so my other source of ambient lighting comes in the shape of our Tripod Lamp. Matte black, cool chrome and glorious gold leaf with a twist of the industrial – what more could you want from a lamp?!
I love the drama this floor light adds to any space. At times, I feel compelled to flash the lamp in people’s faces (usually the kids) and subject them to brutal questioning over who stole the last Haribo. With help, I’ve managed to overcome these urges.
Regardless of my own warped imagination, the Tripod Floor Lamps are awesome pieces that offer great illumination and bucket loads of vintage style. Did I mention they’re also on offer? Yes my friend, now super cool, ambient lighting can be yours for just a fraction of the original cost.
Don’t dilly-dally over these bobby-dazzlers though – once they’re gone, they’re proper gone.
And what office would be complete without a Gas Pump stood by the desk?! Well we all need storage, and we don’t exactly do things by halves at Smithers, so our storage unit takes pride of place in the form of our Petrol Pump Cabinet. It’s a bit special isn’t it? Makes mincemeat of the dullard, flat pack crap that’s sadly so readily available nowadays.
In pillar box red and handmade from solid iron, the pump demands attention (puts me in mind of beautiful, feisty daughter) and stands a whopping 1.8 metres tall. Even the Esso sign lights up! This office is all about quirky illumination.
The cabinets been hugely popular with retro car and motorcycle enthusiasts and it’s not difficult to see why, but it’s also a perfect piece from fans in search of quirky, vintage decor or Americana styling. Either way, we love it.
Filing has never been so much fun! All in all, and I’m pretty sure you’ll agree, this is one rather cool office.It’s given us the space we all so desperately needed, my important phone calls are no longer interrupted by my son Teddie wanting to play Spider-Man (that’s what tea breaks are for) and its still a hugely enjoyable and inspiring place to work in.
I have always believed that good furniture should contribute something to its surroundings and the people that use it. Seeing as I still very much consider this as my ‘Happy Place’ I’m convinced that is exactly what our furniture has achieved.
Back to work for the General.
At ease my friends,
Mr Smithers.