Design icon and AD100 Hall of Fame member Smith’s highly anticipated book of interiors—the first in nearly a decade—featuring extraordinary projects across the world.
One of the most original and respected talents in design, Smith is revered for his impeccable taste and style. Informed by a deep understanding of design history and the art world, Smith’s work is the ultimate in elegance and luxury, reflecting an uncommon sense of scale and drama and a deft use of craftsmanship and materials. His interiors have earned him enduring accolades throughout the industry, as well as a devoted following of notable clients, from Hollywood mega talents such as Shonda Rhimes to former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
This book is a celebration of Smith’s design aesthetic, a flawless blend of European classicism and American modernism. The projects range from a contemporary beach house in East Hampton to a Moroccan-influenced Mallorca escape, as well as two of Michael’s own homes, including his extraordinary apartment in a nineteenth-century palace in Madrid. Smith shares his inspirations and design process, and explores what makes a room truly comfortable: Can people relax on the seating? Is the furniture arranged to encourage conversation? Is there enough light, and is it flattering?
The book is both an inspiration and an education, from a virtuoso of design.
"Michael S. Smith’s seventh book, Classic by Design, is a feast for the eyes and mind. From his own pied-à-terre in Madrid to George Lucas’s château in Provence, every project in the book has been decorated with careful consideration and elegant beauty." — Elle Decor
"Michael S. Smith, a storied AD100 Hall of Famer, has a résumé that most of us can only dream of. After designing interiors for Michelle Obama and Shonda Rhimes—the latter wrote the foreword to this book—he was appointed by President Obama to serve on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House in 2010. Needless to say, Smith understands classic American design, and we find ourselves flipping through his diplomatic and residential work time and time again. So before the ballot boxes open, we’re electing Classic by Design to our reading list." — Architectural Digest
"...a celebration of his design aesthetic — a flawless blend of European classicism and American modernism, illustrating his vast range of style." — New York Social Diary
"This book is a celebration of Smith’s design aesthetic, a flawless blend of European classicism and American modernism." — Cafe Designs
"I could never live without all the Michael S. Smith books!" — Mallory Mathison of Mallory Mathison, Inc. (Veranda)
Michael S. Smith is one of the most talented interior designers of our time, continuously named to the AD100 since early in his career and regularly recognized for his contributions to international culture and the arts. In 2010, Smith was appointed by President Obama to serve on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House.
Design icon and AD100 Hall of Fame member Smith’s highly anticipated book of interiors—the first in nearly a decade—featuring extraordinary projects across the world.
One of the most original and respected talents in design, Smith is revered for his impeccable taste and style. Informed by a deep understanding of design history and the art world, Smith’s work is the ultimate in elegance and luxury, reflecting an uncommon sense of scale and drama and a deft use of craftsmanship and materials. His interiors have earned him enduring accolades throughout the industry, as well as a devoted following of notable clients, from Hollywood mega talents such as Shonda Rhimes to former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
This book is a celebration of Smith’s design aesthetic, a flawless blend of European classicism and American modernism. The projects range from a contemporary beach house in East Hampton to a Moroccan-influenced Mallorca escape, as well as two of Michael’s own homes, including his extraordinary apartment in a nineteenth-century palace in Madrid. Smith shares his inspirations and design process, and explores what makes a room truly comfortable: Can people relax on the seating? Is the furniture arranged to encourage conversation? Is there enough light, and is it flattering?
The book is both an inspiration and an education, from a virtuoso of design.
Reviews
"Michael S. Smith’s seventh book, Classic by Design, is a feast for the eyes and mind. From his own pied-à-terre in Madrid to George Lucas’s château in Provence, every project in the book has been decorated with careful consideration and elegant beauty." — Elle Decor
"Michael S. Smith, a storied AD100 Hall of Famer, has a résumé that most of us can only dream of. After designing interiors for Michelle Obama and Shonda Rhimes—the latter wrote the foreword to this book—he was appointed by President Obama to serve on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House in 2010. Needless to say, Smith understands classic American design, and we find ourselves flipping through his diplomatic and residential work time and time again. So before the ballot boxes open, we’re electing Classic by Design to our reading list." — Architectural Digest
"...a celebration of his design aesthetic — a flawless blend of European classicism and American modernism, illustrating his vast range of style." — New York Social Diary
"This book is a celebration of Smith’s design aesthetic, a flawless blend of European classicism and American modernism." — Cafe Designs
"I could never live without all the Michael S. Smith books!" — Mallory Mathison of Mallory Mathison, Inc. (Veranda)
Author
Michael S. Smith is one of the most talented interior designers of our time, continuously named to the AD100 since early in his career and regularly recognized for his contributions to international culture and the arts. In 2010, Smith was appointed by President Obama to serve on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House.
