Originally from Los Angeles, Michael S. Smith is a globally renowned American interior designer, celebrated for his seamless blend of European classicism and American modernism. With an international portfolio spanning residential, hospitality and commercial projects, his work is united by a deep appreciation for history, craftsmanship and the individual stories behind the spaces he creates.
Michael’s passion for design was evident from an early age. He studied interior design at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles before continuing his education in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum. His time in England, exploring its museums, period properties and historic interiors, had a profound influence on his understanding of design and the importance of looking to the past. His professional education continued through working alongside some of the most respected names in the industry. Michael began designing for family and friends from the age of 17, and the idea of creating spaces around the people who inhabit them remains central to his work today.
For Michael, an interior is never simply about how it looks. It is about bringing together the personal history of the client, the history of the house and the objects they love to create something that feels entirely individual. "I think it’s a wonderful thing to make a house not just feel personal but also homey and enveloping to the people who live there, and all the people who visit you,” says Michael.
Growing up around the movie business in Los Angeles also shaped the way Michael approaches design. Had interior design not called, he might have become a film director. Instead, he brings the same interest in storytelling and atmosphere to his interiors, creating narratives in three dimensions that allow people to immerse themselves in a space.
This idea of storytelling is particularly important to Michael’s approach. He sees the designer’s role as collaborative, working with clients to understand their histories, passions and collections before translating them into a cohesive environment. “Being flexible is a big part of the process,” explains Michael. “This is craft, not art. This is collaboration, not a singular vision.”
Michael’s extensive knowledge of history and antiques has been fundamental to his career. His ability to look at traditional design through a contemporary lens has resulted in interiors that feel layered and collected rather than overly formal or prescriptive. He is equally interested in the unexpected detail - the object, colour or piece of furniture that introduces a sense of personality and intrigue. “You want an eccentricity, an unexpected note that brings you in and makes you more interested than seeing things in a harmonious or flat way,” Michael says.
His career reached an extraordinary milestone when he was appointed by President Barack Obama to redecorate the private family quarters of the White House for the President, First Lady Michelle Obama and their two daughters. He subsequently served on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House from 2008 to 2016.
Alongside his design practice, Michael has developed his own collection of furniture and fabrics, allowing his distinctive approach to be translated into pieces for homes around the world. His work has been recognised with numerous industry accolades, including being named seven times to Architectural Digest’s AD100 and being named Designer of the Year by Elle Décor.
Now, through his Create Academy course, Michael offers insight into the thinking behind his work, sharing the knowledge gathered throughout a remarkable career as he takes you around his Los Angeles and Mallorcan homes. From understanding history and creating a sense of narrative to working collaboratively and making a home feel deeply personal, his approach demonstrates how timeless design can be brought to life with a distinctly modern perspective.