Obamas choose interior designer for White House

[babylonsister]

http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2009/01/13/D95MHGKG0_obamas_designer/index.html

Obamas choose interior designer for White House



Jan 13th, 2009 | WASHINGTON -- The White House private quarters will be getting a makeover from an interior designer to the stars.

Transition officials confirmed on Tuesday that the Obamas have chosen Los Angeles-based interior designer Michael Smith to decorate the private quarters of the executive mansion.

Smith has designed the homes of Steven Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Domino magazine editor Deborah Needleman said Smith is known for arranging antiques in a modern way that feels airy and family friendly.

[Neshanic]

1. This one is right over the plate, but I am gonna let go by.

[Cha]

2. Ooooouuh..I like this..

"Domino magazine editor Deborah Needleman said Smith is known for arranging antiques in a modern way that feels airy and family friendly"

This is the best description of how antiques look good in one's home.

[Uzybone]

3. Great

no stuffed moose heads or any of that rustic shit.

[Cleita]

I guess they need new drapes after Laura had all her

dresses made from them.

[EraOfResponsibility]

4. WHOOOO!!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[LakeSamish706]

5. Sure hope they have some serious tricks in their bag to get the stench out! n/t

[FrenchieCat]

6. Furniture made out of Febreeze! LOL!

What is fascinating is how the White House has these catalogues full of a whole bunch of oustanding furniture just waiting to be used; just sitting in storage. That's gonna be a fun job. I love decorating!

[Cleita]

14. That will take holy water and sage smudging.

Can't be too careful.

[beaglelover]

7. Who pays for this?

Do the Obama's pay with their own personal money for his interior design services and any new furniture that is purchased or is it the US taxpayers? Anyone know?

[Clio the Leo]

9. A privately funded organization. NT

[beaglelover]

10. Good!

Cause nows not the time to be using taxpayer money for redecorating the private quarters. I'm sure they are quite liveable as they are today.

[Clio the Leo]

11. And you'll never have to worry about that....

.... that's the main that Jackie did in the White House. Establish a foundation that helps pay for all of that. Incidentally, the First Family pays for their own food that they eat in the residence.

[EmilyAnne]

17. Wait, so I pulled out my hair and set myself on fire for NOTHING?

Damn it!

[Clio the Leo]

8. " their interest in bringing 20th century American artists to the forefront"

That's RIGHT!!! It's about time we threw some Charles Eames,

Eames


Noguchi.


or George Nelson....


... up in that mug!

Here's LBJ sitting in one of Saarinen's Womb chairs...

... that thing has GOT to be in storage somewhere. Find it and reupholster it!

[Sannum]

16. Yeah Baby!

I love my Eames Chair and ottoman! It's about time that we have one in the WH!!! It is already in the Smithsonian and the MOMA!

[EmilyAnne]

18. A blatant SLAP in the face to 19th century American artists if ever there was one!!!

Oh noes!!

[FreeState]

12. Here is the designers website... with portfolio

http://www.michaelsmithinc.com/j/i/19520/HomePage.html

His work is not my style - that being said either his website has not been updated in a while or his style is circa 1998. It looks like california modern meets the eastern rip off market :)

[rasputin1952]

13. WOW! Wish I had that room!

:D

on edit...numerous pics by going thorough reload...I saw an antique filled room, then some others...too bad the link had a code that didn't allow me to post the pic I liked.

[CTyankee]

15. Ugh, it looks so Pottery Barn!

Oh, well...

[FreeState]

22. LOL - those are the exact words my partner used to describe it...

and he is an Interior Designer :)

[Hieronymus]

23. Michael Smith has an exquisite sense of style...thanks.

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

19. you go, glenn coco!

i mean... thats great!

from his portfolio:

http://www.michaelsmithinc.com/j/i/29480/Portfolio-BirnbaumMalibuBeachHouse.html?menuref=153074&mid=2

[Maven]

20. OMG, danny devito, i love your work!

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

21. OMG Karen, you can't just ask somebody why they're white!

[BootinUp]

24. Hope they show us pics of the transformation! :-)

Maybe I'll get some ideas from it, lol.

[Bucky]

25. "antiques in a modern way that feels airy and family friendly"

My first thought is of a president with such a young family... as a parent I'm programmed to worry about Malia & Sasha running around like normal kids and knocking over the Ming vases.

Of course, then I remember that the priceless treasures have managed to survive Bush bumbling through the halls for the last 8 years.