First Decorator
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 10:04 AM We all know about the West Wing of the White House from the fabled television series, but the East Wing of the White House is the First Family's private quarters. Therefore, it is off-limits to photographers, except when a new First Family moves in. Then one shot of the remodeled family sitting room is released to the public.
Recently we saw the Bush sitting room, with the current First Lady and the future one when Mrs. O went calling on Laura Bush after the election. That room, along with the other private rooms, will be transformed on January 20th. The transformation takes place during the swearing in ceremony and the parade, while the First Family is otherwise occupied, and now we know who will be in charge of the new look. According to the Presidential Transition Office, Mrs. O has chosen her White House decorator: Michael S. Smith, a Los Angeles-based decorator who is known for mixing his English country house style with contemporary furnishings.
"Michael shares my vision for creating a family-friendly feel to our new home and incorporating some new perspectives from some of America's greatest artists and designers," said Mrs. O. Smith himself has talked about the family's "casual style, their interest in bringing 20th century American artists to the forefront, and [their interest in] utilizing affordable brands and products." He has been known to combine luxury custom work with both antiques and items from Anthropologie, Target, Urban Outfitters, and Williams-Sonoma Home.
Smith's style can be seen in his two books, published by Rizzoli -- Houses and Michael Smith Elements of Style -- and he has decorated homes for such celebrities as Steven Spielberg, Cindy Crawford, Rob Reiner, and Michelle Pfeiffer. He has also styled the interiors of two hotels, Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica and the Lowell Hotel in New York City. He has designed rugs for Mansour Modern and he is also known for his work in Montecito, California-an exclusive and charming town outside of Santa Barbara that is filled with glorious estates.
Oprah Winfrey's home, "Promised Land," which was the site of a star-filled fundraiser for the Obama campaign, is located in Montecito. Photos of some of Smith's work can be seen in Domino magazine, where he said in the April 2008 issue that he "would love to decorate the White House." and we think it is fun to browse through his rooms while imagining which design elements Mrs. O and her family will be using. We know we will eventually see a photo of the sitting room, but the rest will be left to our imaginations. However, we couldn't help but notice that he often includes dog beds in his designs. Some new puppy will be very comfortable.
Michael S. Smith in Designers
Reader Comments (13)
Oh wow, I had no idea they redecorated every four (or eight) years! I hope they donate or do something else good with the old stuff...
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
Yes, every new First Family gets to redecorate their private rooms (the public rooms of the White House are overseen by a committee that maintains their historic authenticity.) However, there is a warehouse of White House furniture--some of it antiques--that the family can choose from, so it's not that they are re-doing from scratch the entire 12 private rooms. Furniture from the warehouse is often reupholstered and re-used. (And every President choses his desk for the Oval Office from one of 4 historic desks.) Also, they get to hang art work borrowed from the national museums. Imagine how great it would be to have, for example, an original Georgia O'Keefe hanging in your living room!
Slight correction: the East Wing is home to the First Lady's office and staff. The family living quarters are in the main building on the second and third floors. There are nice floor plans at http://whitehouse.c-span.org/ByRoomPage.aspx.
Speaking of decorating..I for one cannot wait for the 2009 HGTV special on the holiday decorations at the White House. I'm sure Mrs. Obama will have something special planned.
Interesting that only last week the Bush's White House china (two separate patterns/sets!) and two custom rugs - one for the family quarters and one for the Oval office - were unveiled. Laura cited significant delays in their completion. Now there's an understatement! They're supposedly paid for with private contributions. Wondered about the disposition of the rugs with the Obamas' imminent arrival. Think I would have skipped any pr in this situation.
I think she made a great choice for a White House decorator from what I have seen of his work. He seems to respect the old but gives it a modern edge.
I guess I'm the only one who is not too crazy about his home designs
IDK, his style is just not Obama-esqu to me
Yay - a designer from hometown LA.
I'm stoked. He will bring some Cali ease to staid DC.
Good choice Mrs O.
I like that the designer mixes high end and low, exactly reflects Mrs. O's style
anyone know when his work will be complete? can't wait to see it!
Remember, a designer works in tandem with his client as a team. So even though we've seen his work for other clients, I'm sure Mrs. O will do something different and refreshing with his skills. And even Jackie's impeccable style would be wrong-ola for today. Count on Mrs O to get it right, no doubt there!
i think that she should have chosen daryl carter, a black interior designer who lives in dc and went to georgetown law school. this choice is not a man of the people rather a man of the rich and fabulous in hollywood! daryl carter designs for the rich and fab, but in a more east coast manner. this is her first bad choice.
Regarding the china - it's custom for second term first ladies to design and order a set of china. The last china ordered was by Nancy Reagan. The china is for formal state dinners and for private dinners hosted in the residence. The china was all handmade and took over two years. It's not meant for a specific president's use - but for the use of the White House. As for the rugs - they are replacing worn rugs and are not the official "Oval Office" rug, which each president designs; Bush's was done in 2001. Obama will use Bush's rug until he has his own at which time the rug will be shipped off to Bush for use at his presidential museum, as is customary of all Presidents. The china was paid for from donations and is selected in conjunction with the White House Museum organization - a non-profit. The two new rugs were probably paid for out of the annual maintenance budget for the White House. They won't go off with the Bush's. Hope this helps and I love your blog!