The Etceterist | 01/14/2009 9:00 am

Power Decorator Mario Buatta on Obama's Choice of Michael Smith

By Billy Norwich

ETCETERIST: Good morning, Mario! So the Obamas picked Michael Smith to decorate the White House. What do you think?

MARIO BUATTA: I think it is great for the Obamas and great for Michael Smith, whom I am telephoning as soon as I think he is awake to congratulate. He is known for his young, clean look, giving his Hollywood clients and Rupert Murdoch great stage settings for their big lives. But I think it is important, at least for press accuracy, to note that he is hired to do the Obamas’ private family rooms in the White House, not decorate the White House per se. The White House is a government landmark overseen by a committee.

ETC: There must be a line of decorators, including Oprah’s Chicago man Nate Berkus, beside themselves this morning because they didn’t get the Obama job after working overtime campaigning for it. I wonder who is paying for Michael’s services. Maybe his clients the Spielbergs … Is he even charging anything or just doing it for PR? I think Domino magazine, which broke the story, expects to publish photographs someday of the finished Obama family White House rooms.

MARIO: I think it is much simpler than that. Michael is published in shelter magazines all the time, and he has published two very handsome books of his work. Most anyone else trying for the job hasn’t had these books or so much magazine exposure. Michael’s style — young, clean, doing antiques in a modern way, which means uncluttered — would have been transparent and easy for the Obamas to judge because of his books.

ETC: So this choice is good for American decorating. As opposed to the Obamas picking someone no one ever heard of, as the Clintons did, they have chosen someone from the pantheon, one of America’s top 20 decorators.

MARIO: A great choice. A great day for American decorating.

ETC: You did Blair House with Mark Hampton. Have you heard from the Obamas about making any changes there?

MARIO: People are talking about Blair House, for sure, but the work I did there with Mark Hampton is still OK. I just occasionally refresh things — like wallpaper, maybe a chair cushion. But like the White House, Blair House is overseen by a nonprofit committee. It is a landmark and the president and his family can suggest changes — but they cannot commission them.

35 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Like so far I’ve pretty much liked Obama. But I don’t get this one. Right now our economy is in the toilet, so to speak. Our soon to be president has hired someone to redecorate the White House? Why? Was it not decorated before? OK I’m lost on this one.

By Grande Camper on 01/14/2009 9:19 am

e-mail alert

Hi Debra, i do agree with you, when we cant even afford food for our families and people taking there animal to be euthanasia. what wrong with this picture?

By shirley adams on 01/14/2009 9:44 am

e-mail alert

They all do this, every new family coming in. $100,000 is set aside for it… if they do more it is through their own money and fundraisers.

By DeBúrca obj on 01/14/2009 11:23 am

e-mail alert

Debra and Shirley…..read the article….it is to do their family quarters not the White House. All First Families have their own family quarters done…they receive a modest budget and often services are donated or paid for by their supporters. First Families don’t have time to shelp around decorating their living quarters themselves. As to the choice I think he’s great. And re Mario’s mention of Mark Hampton…loved him. Loved his style and his wonderful drawings/watercolor renderings. My own style was similiar and when in design school Hampton was an inspiration for my own renderings. Got to meet him when he and Paige Rense, the editor of Architectural Digest, gave a talk to our group. He could not have been more charming and spoke a bit about his work with Jackie and about Blair House too. And Mario Buatta…one of the greats. A friend worked with him long ago when she lived in WDC and chaired the Design House….that would have been a thrill! Thanks for the info. Hadn’t read this and will be interesting to see the finished work.

By %$#@* !@&*^!! on 01/14/2009 9:55 am

e-mail alert

debra and shirley, michael’s not decorating the white house, just the obamas’ living quarters. look, all women like to decorate their new place where they will live and the obamas’ will receive $100,000 to decorate their new living quarters. let michelle decorate, she will need a place to rest her head, obama’s head after his 45 second commute home dealing with the presidency. now when was the last time the both of you bought something for your residence whatever it was.

By frankie bru on 01/14/2009 9:58 am

e-mail alert

If you were moving into the White House, after the current administration, wouldn’t you want to redecorate it, fumigate it, and more. I would. To those of you who question how the Obamas can justify this in light of our current economic state, I say B.S. You want to get mad about something - - Get mad over the no bid contracts to Halliburton. Get mad over the billions and billions of dollars that are unaccounted for - that just vanished in Iraq. I say - tell Michael Smith to bring on the paint!

By N P on 01/14/2009 10:07 am

e-mail alert

I agree 100% with you on this one, all that money and jobs, healthcare gone and no one is saying boo about it except giving bush a pat on the back bring on the paint, brushes, wallpaper, and a huge fan don’t evev leave a scent. L.L

By Lillie Lindsay on 01/17/2009 9:05 am

e-mail alert

Thanks Carmel~by~the~Sea Pebble Beach and frankie bru. No I didn’t know it was just the family quarters not the White House. Like I said before I was lost on this one not mad.

By Grande Camper on 01/14/2009 10:34 am

e-mail alert

I think after 8 years of previous tenants there should be a change. I understand that Mrs. Bush just purchased china for the White House itself they did cost a pretty penny too. So let the Obamas at least decorate where they will be for the next 8 years(hope).

By Jeannot Kensinger on 01/14/2009 10:37 am

e-mail alert

You mean Nancy Reagan’s $100,000 china wasn’t good enough for Laura?

By Babette dYveine on 01/15/2009 7:24 am

e-mail alert

Perhaps someone has been throwing dishes at each other and they needed new ones. Who knows what goes on in the White House.

By Jeannot Kensinger on 01/15/2009 8:27 am

e-mail alert

Babette, I hit the submit button too soon. I was going to drop down this link about the china that Laura Bush just purchased to leave behind. $493K….. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2009/01/15/the_china_s…

By Diana T on 01/15/2009 11:17 pm

e-mail alert

Jeannot, Mrs. Bush’s new china cost $493K. Of course, the china has to be available to serve up to 140 people. It’s not like our customary 10-12 place settings at home. I happened to see her showing the china, along with other patterns last week on CSpan, and it was really interesting about the history of these pieces. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2009/01/15/the_china_s… Of course, like any historical home, all the money is raised privately. I had the occasion to be at Mt. Vernon this past October for the first time in years. As you know, it was closed for several years and went through a thorough renovation/repair. They’ve added a huge museum, archives, and teaching center, and now it looks so fresh and lovely.

By Diana T on 01/15/2009 11:22 pm

e-mail alert

Contrary to popular opinion, the Obamas aren’t any different than any other incoming president and first lady. They should redecorate to suit their personal tastes. It is important to have your private space…just that…your private space surrounding yourselves with the things that will make it comfortable for every member of the family. I’m an interior designer so I can relate! I say “bring on the wallpaper.”

By deber B on 01/14/2009 10:42 am