Looks Like An Antique Redo For The White House...
LOS ANGELES – It looks as if the White House may get a “new” antique makeover along with its new guests. Not that it’s a house in short supply when it comes to fine art and antiques, but it may get a slightly more contemporary antique look thanks to interior designer for the stars, Michael Smith.
Smith, who is based out of Los Angeles, has been selected to help redesign the private quarters of the east wing of the White House for President Obama and his wife Michelle. Smith’s antique background includes some extensive study at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, along with an apprenticeship from famed antiques dealer Gep Durenberger.
His style has often been referred to as a sort of European classic - mixed with some new world flavor – including items such as antique textiles, mingled with upholstered beds and check-chaise lounges.
The Obamas' choice of Smith has garnered some major interest, as searches on the Internet for information on Smith and his plans for a slightly updated antique makeover of the White House have skyrocketed recently. Fueled by an online rush to find out what kind of antiques the First Family might be interested in, one high-end antique dealer said, “I think this might be the start of something beautiful...”
Other antique dealers seemed to mirror the sentiment, adding that the Obamas’ could possibly add some real “stimulus” to the antique market, simply by having chosen a designer who thinks antiques are “cool” again… One antiques dealer in California even noted that since the Presidents inauguration, enrollment in their local "antique association" had jumped dramatically, "with new businesses joining faster than ever before," said Jed Dalen, the associations director. "If I was going to do it all over again," said Dalen, "this would be the time I'd jump into the antique business... with both feet!"
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