Interiors

Inside the Obama White House. By Jessica Doyle

Only when the residents move out can their private quarters be revealed. Now, for the first time, interior designer Michael S Smith tells Jessica Doyle how he worked with the Obamas – streamlining the decor, toning down the wallpaper and mixing ‘high-end with humble’

THE PUBLIC SPACES of the White House – the Oval Office and state rooms – are so well documented as to feel almost familiar. But the private quarters, only photographed when the President moves out, are an insight into what life inside the building is like, and the tastes of those living there.

In a new book published on Tuesday, the American interior designer Michael S Smith (far right) talks for the first time about his work at the White House during Barack Obama’s presidency.

Speaking over the phone from LA, Smith recalls that the Obamas were focused on maintaining a private life: their family spaces were just that. They were also keen to preserve a sense of continuity with the decor. ‘So many decisions were based on how it would be for the families in the future,’ he says. ‘It’s not like we said, “I like this colour, so we’ll paint a room this colour.” We were asking, “How does this fit in with the history of the White House? How does it push the needle forward in a way that will help other families?” They were conscious of leaving the house in good order.’

As for how the private quarters of the White House might look today, he is diplomatically tight-lipped, pointing out, ‘That’s the kind of thing we would never know, until it’s photographed.’ However, he adds, ‘The Obamas gave such lustre to the building. Every day there was some kind of reaching out; it really functioned as the people’s house, and always there were the girls playing on the lawn, and dogs running around… That’s not really a part of the White House now.’

And as to how he feels about the temporary nature of some of the spaces he creates: ‘Do I care what happens after? Of course I do. But is it something that I feel emotional about? Not really. It’s just furniture.’

Barack and Michelle Obama with their daughters Malia (left) and Sasha in the White House in 2011