Obama Selects a Decorator

http://www.washingtonspaces.com/blog/articles/2009/01/14/hollywood-comes-to-washington ^ | January 30, 2009

[Steelfish]

Obama Selects a Decorator

Posted by Jennifer Sergent Wednesday January 14, 2009

Designer to the stars Michael S. Smith is coming to decorate the White House. With clients such as Steven Spielberg, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Cindy Crawford – and a host of royals and international tycoons – one might think it odd at first glance that the Obamas chose such a hoity-toity designer during such an economically bleak time.

Actually, it’s not odd at all. “He is equally at home at the most revered Parisian antiquaries as he is at Target,” says a press release that came out with his first book, Elements of Style (Rizzoli New York).

For example, Smith designed a sumptuous estate on eight acres in Montecito, CA (some of which is featured in Elements of Style). In the guest house, he used Indian-print cotton bedspreads from Urban Outfitters as drapes – “very inexpensive,” notes Diane Dorrans Saeks, Smith’s co-author on the book.

Likewise, in Cindy Crawford’s house, he used child-friendly denim for a sofa. “It’s cheap and hard-working,” Saeks says. “He’s looking for the best, at whatever price.”

[anniegetyourgun]

Yeah - just a regular man for all seasons....

[Tarpon]

First class snob. Would you expect any less?

[LiberConservative]

"YO! GOTSTA HAVE THE BEST FOR THE PRESIDEN CRIB! SHEEIT!"

[stayathomemom]

I keep wanting to read the title as “Obama selects Dictator”. I have no idea why.;)

[RepublitarianRoger2]

“Honey, I think the Che Guevara wall banner clashes with the sofa...”

[fortunecookie]

Yep, nothing says ‘regular guy’ like hiring a posh designer to the stars and royalty. Why, I’m just waiting for my new glam home interior makeover to be finished as we speak. What financial crisis? /sarc
So, a giant, ultra glam inaugural fete, and a high priced White House makeover, during the biggest financial crisis our nation has had in decades. Who remembers the criticisms of Bush and his vacations? And little here. Yes, just ‘regular guy’ stuff here...

[keepitreal]

Can’t wait to see the White House with drapes made out of sheets and denim couches.

[GatorGirl]

Interestingly, Michael Smith also decorated the CEO of Merrill Lynch’s office. You know, the one that everyone is so up at arms over?

[GatorGirl]

He’s doing it for “only” $100,000.00. Are the Obamas paying for it?

[prairiebreeze]

They’ll be redeocrating the Oval Office in African prints soon.

Or maybe the WH will turn out looking like Saddam Hussein’s palace.

[Irish Eyes]

This Michael Smith is the same guy that did the Merrill Lynch CEO Thain’s $1.2m office decorations with the $14,000 trash can, don’tcha know. Engage willing suspension of disbelief...

This is a joke ...right?

[penelopesire]

We already met the ‘decorator’ of the White House..his name is Robert Gibbs....or is he the social director? It’s hard to tell from the questions he is getting from the MSM.

Just today..he had to face some hard hitting questions from the MSM about what Obama was serving at the big ‘bi-partisan’ Super Bowl Party..who was invited...and who Obama was cheering on to win.

Gibbs is ‘decorating’ something on 1600 Penn Ave. and so far he sucks....whether he is Decorator in Chief or Obama’s Social Secretary...he won’t be able to hide the dirty laundry on the back fence of a lapdog press for long. Something tells me..he will be washing it himself pretty soon.

LOL

[SERKIT]

Architectural Needs Assessment:

Changing the lay of the rugs to the east? Check
Add ceremonial foot bath? Check
Piped in call for prayers five times a day? Check
Space for meeting with Islamofascists with no precondition? Check
Extra wide cushy chair for Secretary of State? Check
Trap door to get rid of Slow Joe during awkward photo-ops? Check

[John W]

Well, and just by coincidence he designed our metal Sears shed before we advanced to the garage in ‘98. Quite a man.

[LibFreeOrDie]

"IKEA has also extended a free offer to the First Family and Michael Smith to furnish any rooms in the White House using IKEA furniture and accessories free of charge." (http://newsblaze.com/story/2009011612230200001.pnw/topstory.html)

Looks like they took IKEA's offer. Gubmint limo in D.C. on January 16:

[Freedom56v2]

Is this even legal to offer free merchandise? This would fall under gifting? So nice that we have such a man of the people in the White House—

[LibFreeOrDie]

The Obamas bought an antique bed for themselves:

http://wbztv.com/local/Obama.bed.seekonk.2.911058.html

[Freedom56v2]

“The Obamas bought an antique bed for themselves”

<<<Interesting...I did not think “King-sized” beds existed prior to the 20th century except perhaps for Kings...fitting I guess for our “man of the people.”