THE JOURNAL


pattern comes from his skilful mixing of fabrics and wallcoverings sourced at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. “I dislike any surface that is too plain,” he says, “and the Design Centre offers endless possibilities.” Namay Samay’s bold yellow ‘Gamcha’ check fabric frames the windows in Château Margüi, George Lucas’ Provencal wine estate; Lee Jofa upholstery brings subtle texture to a pared-down LA garden house, while the multi-layered 1930s Spanish Revival home he created in Beverly Hills is an exuberant homage to design house Pierre Frey. But it is Smith’s extraordinary ability to create spaces


that reflect, nurture and delight the people who inhabit them that keeps so many of his clients coming back for more. As Shonda Rhimes, the television producer and screenwriter behind hits such as Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton for whom he has made several homes, writes in the forward to his new book, Classic by Design published by Rizzoli, “[Michael] translated the essence of me into a physical home.” His clients may regard this ability as a form of


alchemy but for Smith, it is simply what he is employed to do. “Interior decoration is a craft, not an art,” he explains. “My job is to listen to the client and then make houses and spaces that are a fusion between my desire to do something, their desire to have themselves represented and their need to feel good in the space.” Craft it may be, but Smith is master craftsman and spaces he makes are magical.


Michael S Smith: Classic By Design by Michael S Smith with Andrew Ferren and foreword by Shonda Rhimes is published by Rizzoli.


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© Ricardo Labougle


© Michael Mundy


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