Interior Designer to the White House, Michael S. Smith

While it might seem futile to try and define America’s ultimate home style, the fact that our country’s style is so diverse is the very thing that defines it. Both contemporary and traditional, with hints of other cultural styles, the American style of home decor can be seen in many a home throughout this country. While many contemporary designers certainly work to create this form, there is one who is setting the standards. Michael S. Smith, interior designer to the stars, and now, interior designer to the White house, has the sort of style that makes you want to hire him to transform your home.


Now in the height of his career with a long series of successful projects behind him, Smith has spent years developing his own distinct design style, which many describe as a blend of traditional European details with hints of American modernism. It’s not his gorgeous style that has made him famous; it’s his ability to translate the needs and wants of a client to a beautiful space. It’s his talent for helping a client figure out what they truly love that has made this designer successful enough to be chosen as the new White House designer!


Born in California, Smith began his interior design education at the famed Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. After finishing up at Otis College, he moved on to The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, continuing to learn the craft of interior design. In 1985, he found himself back in the US, and gained even more education and experience while working with the antiques dealer Gep Durenberger. Not long after his stint in antiques, he moved to New York City to get even more interior design experience working with designer John Saladino. No one will ever be able to say Smith jumped into this business before he was ready! After spending three years working with Saladino, Smith finally returned to California and started a home furnishings store. In 1990, he officially launched his very own design firm. Though he had amazing talent in interior design from the start, Smith also gained a lot of business early on from the creation of his own furniture line Jasper, which is still sold in showrooms across the United States and United Kingdom.


Along with the gorgeous furniture, lighting and accessories he sells through his own line Jasper, Smith also collaborates with a number of other home decor manufacturers, like the fabric and leather collection he created in 1997 for Cowtan and Tout and the tile and plumbing hardware lines he developed in 1999 for Kohler, who he still works with. He’s also designed items for Visual Comfort Lighting, Mansour Modern Rugs, Patterson, Flynn and Martin Carpeting, Samuel and Sons Passementrie and Agaria Home Fragrances.


Smith’s decorating projects are characterized by both an attention to detail and also the graceful and lovely room as a whole. Often combining many styles seamlessly to create unique combinations, it’s also his attention to function and comfort that make his spaces so popular, and the reason the Obamas’ have chosen him to decorate their private residence in the White House. While they are certainly craving gorgeous spaces, with two young daughters they also need a space that is comfortable enough to function as a home. If Smith’s previous projects are any indication, he will be able deliver all of these needs in a perfect combination that suits the Obamas’ tastes nicely. And while he often does work for high-end clients on costly projects, he isn’t above tailoring his choices to the needs of any budget. In fact, rumor is that he has shopped at many affordable retailers for the Obamas’ residence.

Source URL: http://interior-designeducation.blogspot.com/2011/12/interior-designer-to-white-house.html
Visit Interior Design Education for Daily Updated Interior Design Education Collection