Decorating A‘ merica’s house’
Obama White House decorator pens book about the experience
Interior designer Michael S. Smith spent eight years decorating the most famous house in America — the one at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. — and chronicles the experience in his new book, “Designing History: The Extraordinary Art & Style of the Obama White House.”
Filled with photos of the living quarters of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Malia and Sasha, during the Obama administration, Smith’s book takes readers on a journey through the White House’s history, with interesting facts from decades past and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Obamas.
When President Obama was elected, Smith found himself on the phone with client/friend Katherine Chez Malkin who lives in Chicago and was friends with Desiree Rogers, another Chicagoan, who’d been named the White House social secretary. Malkin called Rogers and, eventually, Smith was hired by the Obamas
to decorate their living quarters.
“It was a profoundly interesting period for many reasons. Not only was he the first African American president but also the first time in a long time that a young family would be living in the White House,” Smith said. “You’re aware of history and that you’re the custodian of history. The Bushes left the house in beautiful shape and were gracious about the transition and were super, super helpful.” He decorated bedrooms and a family room and other rooms the Obamas would use on a daily basis, but it was always with the caveat that it was America’s house and anything that would be done had to be usable for the next family.
Student of history
Not only is Smith one of the country’s best-known interior designers — his clients include Cindy Crawford, Steven Spielberg, Michelle Pfeiffer and Dustin Hoffman — he also is a history buff, so taking on a client that allowed him
to peruse the National Archives for art, government warehouses for precious antiques and to delve into the long story of the building itself was a joy.
If you’re of like mind, you’ll enjoy learning about the structure’s many changes since it was first conceived in the late 18th century. Many of those who built it were African American, some enslaved and some freed, and it began its life in controversy, considered by some to be inappropriately grand for the leader of a fledgling democracy.
John Adams was the first president to live in the White House, though the building was far from finished. Abigail Adams had to hang laundry to dry in what is now the East Room. The Adamses stay was brief, with Thomas Jefferson — the third president — actually using the White House for his full term in office.
Jefferson added service wings and early versions of bathrooms to replace outdoor privies. He also created a museum devoted to Lewis and Clark’s western expedition.
You’ll see photos of furniture purchased and used by George Washington, an Empire-style mahogany sofa that once belonged to Dolley Madison. Limoges porcelain state dinnerware ordered by Mary Todd Lincoln and sterling silverware chosen by Grace Coolidge.
You might even be shocked to see photos from a massive White House restoration undertaken during the Truman administration that gutted the structure’s interior. (Seriously, the photo shows a dump truck and bulldozer on a dirt floor inside it.)
Smith has some fun with Jackie Kennedy’s restoration project, giving the first lady her due — a 31-year-old mother diving head first into decorative arts and diplomatic history. She first hired famed decorator Sister Parish as White House decorator, but the collaboration was short-lived, as Parish was fired, likely for kicking young Caroline. He even writes that one newspaper, reporting on the hiring of Parish, didn’t know who she was and said that the Kennedys had hired a nun to decorate their home.
You’ll see photos of the Kennedys, Johnsons and Nixons. One of Betty Ford dancing with singer Tony Orlando — they may or may not be doing “the bump” — and the Reagans meeting with Prince Charles and Princess Diana during their 1985 trip to America.
The Obamas
By tradition, neither a new president nor his interior designer have access to the White House and its living quarters until after the inauguration.
So on a very chilly Jan. 20, 2009, as Barack Obama was being sworn in as our 44th president, Smith and his crew spent five fast hours doing what they could to get the White House read for the new first family.
To prepare himself for the challenge, he had long phone conversations with former first lady Nancy Reagan, whom he’d met earlier. She gave great pointers on the organization of the rooms and the best places to put things — such as where the piano could go.
White House curator Bill Allman, who has since retired, was essentially the keeper of the home, knowledgeable about every thing in it, what was in storage and what art was available.
“There was a lot of pressure, though it was mostly self-imposed. I didn’t want to do anything wrong,” Smith said. “There were stories from the