Podcast appearances and mentions of Michael S Smith

We are thrilled to kick off 2025 by welcoming the legendary Obama White House interior designer Michael S. Smith to the show. With nearly 35 years in the industry, Michael has an incredible wealth of knowledge when it comes to creating beautiful spaces that blend traditional charm with modern elegance. During our conversation, he shares insights from his latest book, "Classic by Design," offering a peek into his unique design approach that celebrates personal taste while respecting the historical and cultural context of each home. Michael also opens up about his remarkable experience redesigning the Obama White House, discussing how he balanced personal flair with the expectations of a public space. Plus, we dive into practical tips on selecting cherished antiques and the artful use of color to create harmonious, inviting environments that feel like home. Whether you're looking to refresh your space or simply gain inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable design wisdom and charming anecdotes that you'll want to soak up. ***Watch this week's episode as recorded in video form on the Ballard Designs YouTube Channel*** What You'll Hear On This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to the How to Decorate Podcast 00:34 Welcoming Michael S. Smith 02:46 Michael's Design Philosophy and Process 06:15 Photographing and Evolving Design Projects 09:43 Blending Styles and Antiques 16:28 Shonda Rhimes' New York Apartment 22:33 Historic East River Apartment 29:42 Decorating Public Spaces: The Obama White House 33:32 Living with History: White House Furnishings 35:32 Curating the White House Art Collection 37:00 Designing for the Future: Personalization and Adaptability 38:50 Reflecting on Past Projects and Future Aspirations 40:41 Vacation Homes: Embracing Local Culture 43:28 Mountain and Mallorca Homes: Sense of Place 50:05 Material Choices: Craftsmanship and Texture 58:31 The Role of Color in Design 01:04:09 Final Thoughts Also Mentioned: 'Classic by Design' | Order Your Copy Now! Michael S. Smith | Website @jaspershowroom | Instagram Ballard Designs Watch the Full Episode w/ Images: Ballard Designs YouTube

A fourth generation Los Angeles native, Oliver Furth worked for some of the city's biggest names—including Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Michael S. Smith—before going out on his own. Two decades into running his own firm, Oliver's vibrant work has earned him a spot on both Elle Decor's A-List and the AD100. Now he's releasing his debut book, Op! Optimistic Interiors, a celebration of his upbeat approach to design.On this episode of the podcast, Furth speaks with host Dennis Scully about how writing a book helped him define his style, why he's not interested in product licensing, and why being a designer is like conducting a symphony.This episode is sponsored by The Shade Store and Hartmann&ForbesLINKSOliver FurthOp! Optimistic InteriorsDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

Today, you will hear from Individuals who has been blessed by this ministry. Dr. Carl Baugh, Marvin McElvany, Danny Phillips, Dr. Rob Lindsted, Michael S. Smith, Pastor Michael Hoggard, and Pastor Larry Spargimino. Learn how you can support SWRC by visiting HERE www.supportswrc.com

Michael S. Smith began his career in interior design in his 20s, and quickly rose to prominence with projects including the White House residential quarters for Barack and Michelle Obama and Shonda Rhimes' stunning  NYC apartment. He has been named to Architectural Digest's “A-D 100” seven times. Here he talks with Martha about how the home has evolved through pandemic changes and beyond, the things to do - and not do - when embarking on design projects, and the building project Martha was scared to take on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode we meet Clayton Apgar and Billy Clark, two of the most sought-after career experts in the world and recent Amazon bestselling authors of The Little Book to Land Your Dream Job. In our conversation, they share their philosophy that discovering your professional identity is the key to finding a career that is a good fit for you. They share some practical ideas on how to do that and outline a basic framework to make your professional dreams come true. Sit back and listen in as Billy and Clayton share their stories.   -------------------------   About Billy Clark and Clayton Apgar   Billy Clark and Clayton Apgar are amongst the most sought-after career experts in the world, having counseled over 5,000 professionals on job search. Billy Clark is the Founder of Billy Clark Creative Management (BCCM). Prior to BCCM, he spent eleven years building the recruiting firm Jack Kelly & Partners after starting his career in investor relations at Taylor Rafferty. A graduate of Boston College, where he majored in Marketing at the Carroll School of Management and received a minor in French from the School of Arts & Sciences, he divides his time between New York and Los Angeles, with sojourns in Europe. Clayton Apgar is a Partner at BCCM. He began his career in public relations at Enterprise Community Partners and for seven years was an actor, working on Broadway, on television and in films. For two years he was on the design team at Michael S Smith and previously led an eponymous interior design practice. He received an MFA in Acting from the Graduate Acting Program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and an AB in History from Princeton University. He lives with his wife, the actress Kate Morgan Chadwick, and their son in Southern California. You can find Billy and Clayton at their website (https://littlebookproductions.com) or on Instagram (@LittleBookProductions).      

Pastor Larry Spargimino and Michael S. Smith discuss the many pre-9/11 warnings of an Islamic terrorist attack that were ignored, either deliberately or by negligence. The current fiasco in Afghanistan will place Europe and America in the crosshairs of those who have the means and motive to destroy the western world.

Pastor Larry Spargimino and Michael S. Smith discuss the many pre-9/11 warnings of an Islamic terrorist attack that were ignored, either deliberately or by negligence. The current fiasco in Afghanistan will place Europe and America in the crosshairs of those who have the means and motive to destroy the western world.

Dr. Larry Spargimino and Staff evangelist James Collins, preview our upcoming Virtual Conference. Our Conference will begin on July 30, and end on August 7. Speakers include Larry Spargimino, James Collins, Kenneth Hill, Greg Patton, Todd Friel, Michael S. Smith, Rabbi Kirt Schneider, Bill Federer, Robert Cornuke, and Billy Crone.

Marc Szafran is the president of Holly Hunt. Szafran took on the role in a strange moment—just weeks before the pandemic turned the world on its head. Now, as life returns to normal, he's steering the iconic company through a busy time, with a massive new showroom in LA, and a big push on e-commerce in the works. On this episode of the show, Szafran tells host Dennis Scully about his past experience running business operations for Thom Filicia and Michael S. Smith, why Holly Hunt won't be exploring retail, and what it's like to take over for a legend of the industry.This episode is sponsored by House of Rohl and Future of HomeLINKSHolly HuntDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

Sharon Lee is a Korean-American fine artist and interior designer native to Los Angeles. Groomed as an artist from a young age to continue her grandfather's and mother's legacy, she has a B.A. from UCLA art school, a Masters of Interior Architecture from UCLA/Cal Poly, and worked as an interior designer at Michael S. Smith. In 2012, she founded Krane Home to share her modernized interpretation of Korean Art with the Interior design world. Her art and decor are beloved by homeowners and designers worldwide and her work has been featured in every major design magazine. https://www.kranehome.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kranehome/?hl=en

Michael S. Smith, one of America’s most high-profile interior designers, whose clientele includes the Obamas, Hollywood stars, A-listers, and financial titans, shares the backstories on redecorating the White House and the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Spain with Melissa Biggs Bradley. Plus, Some of his favorite resources and top cities for shopping, how art can make space come to life, how design is like fashion, and more.

When AD100 interior designer Michael S. Smith was tapped to decorate the private quarters of the Obama White House, he found himself pondering heady questions such as, How do you get the leader of the free world to agree to red curtains? In his new book, Designing History: The Extraordinary Art & Style of the Obama White House (Rizzoli), Smith offers design enthusiasts and historians alike a close look at his masterful transformation. Today, he joins me to talk about the Obamas' personal style and what it was like to work with the thoughtful couple on the project of a lifetime.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the show, host Dennis Scully speaks to Joe Lucas, interior designer and founder of the beloved showroom Harbinger. Lucas began his career working for Michael S. Smith, but quickly built his own business, which has evolved to include multi line showrooms in New York and Los Angeles. On either coast, Joe has his finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the design world. He chats about the tension between street level shops and the design center in LA, the prevalence of lookalikes and knockoffs in the industry today, and why he believes that multiline showrooms will always have a role to play. This episode is sponsored by The Shade Store and Universal Furniture.  

Every administration brings their own personality to the White House, particularly when it comes to the look and feel of the upstairs family quarters. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Michael S. Smith, the “Decorator-in-Chief” for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, about his new book, “Designing History, the Extraordinary Art and Style of the Obama White House.”

Michael S. Smith is one of the most sought-after talents in the design industry today. With an international roster of high-profile residential, hospitality, and commercial clients, he is known for an effortless blend of all-American modernism and European classicism—always fresh, always surprising, always evolving. A California native, Smith studied interior architecture at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, followed by graduate work at the Victoria and Albert Museum Study Centre in London. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including being continuously named to the AD100 and Elle Decor’s A-List, and he was honored by the Hispanic Society of America with his partner, James Costos, the former ambassador to Spain and Andorra; they received the organization’s 2016 Sorolla Medal in recognition of their extraordinary support of Spanish art and culture. Smith was also the 2018 recipient of the distinguished Arthur Ross Award for Excellence in the Field of Interior Design from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. From 2008 through 2016, Smith worked with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on the design of the private quarters of the White House, as well as the refurbishment of some of its State Rooms, and their focus on showcasing works by a diverse group of artists and artisans was both groundbreaking and highly acclaimed. In 2010 Smith was appointed by President Obama to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House and he now serves on the Design Advisory Team for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Smith’s extensive Jasper collection of fabric, wall coverings, furniture, and accessories and his Templeton line of fabrics are available at his showrooms in L.A. and Madrid and in multiline showrooms across America. The designer has published five books with Rizzoli: Elements of Style (2007), Houses (2008), Kitchens and Baths (2011), Building Beauty (2013), and The Curated House: Creating Style, Beauty, and Balance (2015). His latest book, Designing History: The Extraordinary Art & Style of the Obama White House, will be released this September. It documents Smith’s extraordinary collaboration with the Obamas through extensive photography, behind-the-scenes stories, and rich archival material. The book places the Obama White House within the context of the building's storied past and its evolution over the past two centuries, chronicling the process of updating the country's most symbolic residence and revealing how Smith's collaboration on the decoration, showcasing of art, and style of entertaining reflected the youthful spirit of the first family and their vision of a more progressive, inclusive American society.

There are dream clients, and then there’s the young family that interior designer Michael S. Smith helped settle in at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue back in 2008. As the official decorator of the Obama White House, he not only had a front row seat to history, but became a part of it—an experience Smith recounts in a new book coming out this Fall. In this episode of The Business of Home podcast, he chats with host Dennis Scully about how he landed the president as a client, the secret code he used to refer to the Obamas, and the unique challenges that come with designing America’s most famous house. This episode is sponsored by High Point Market and Paintzen. 

What's it like to follow ISIS through social media? My interview with Michael S. Smith.