Exploring the Unparalleled Style and Art of the Obama White House: A Look at Designing History

Sally: Love reading & looking through this book! So interesting.

Canada on Sep 05, 2023

Elaine Griffin: Designing History takes us on the ultimate behind-the-scenes tour of the redecorated -- renovated is probably a better word! -- Obama White House upstairs private residence by interior design icon, Michael S. Smith. Each image is incredible and filled with inspiration that you can use for your home, too. Smith is known for his detailed, period-mixing and elegant spaces, highly refined but equally warm, comfortable and above all, livable. Accompanied by texts giving the inside scoop on who, what, where, why and when, this beauty is more than just a coffee table book -- it's a master class in sophisticated residential design.

United States on Dec 29, 2022

Airedale Lover: Fine historical to current look (Obama period) on the White House construction, reconstructions and remodels over the years. Intricate details. Highlights of past decorating phases through Presidential history. Rich photography. An insider's look at the careful, thoughtful decorating for the Obama family. Includes intricate planning of how-to redecorate in the hours between the current Presidential family leaving and when the new President's swearing-in and festivities end. Fascinating stories you will read and refer to with interest.

United States on Dec 20, 2022

ilene: Love this book. I'm an interior design student and this book was one of my resources for a research project. Beautifully written and the historical details of the white design history I enjoyed very much. Michael is a brilliant designer.

United States on Aug 21, 2022

mateus: A beautiful book detailing the history of the White House and the Obama’s decoration of it. Really great on the coffee table!

United Kingdom on May 30, 2022

One Man Writes: Quite enjoyable, but repetitive and sycophantic, and the designs only quite interesting. Don't regret buying it, but it does not earn a permanent place on my bookshelf.

United Kingdom on Jan 29, 2022

Katharine Brown: Beautiful coffee table book, well worth the money.

United Kingdom on Nov 29, 2020

Amazon Customer: Everything that Michael S. Smith touches is gold! Breathtaking book - not just for design but for the history of it, the secrecy of this process normally! Loved every bit.

Canada on Oct 07, 2020

Steven Louis Brawley: "Michael S. Smith's new book - Designing History: The Extraordinary Art & Style of the Obama White House provides an important addition to the academic study of the White House. Through his role as personal decorator to the Obama's, Smith gained rare access to our nation's most important architectural symbol.

The book not only gives intimate details on how Smith partnered with the Obamas to create a personal space that balanced raising a family and governing a nation, it reinforces the strategic role of interior design.

Smith provides an initial overview on the history of the White House and then delves deep into the detail of how the Obama state floor and second/third floor family spaces were designed." - Steven Louis Brawley

United States on Sep 06, 2020

Mrs. Marley: I bought this because I am a fan of Mr. Smith's work and I had been very curious to see how he had applied his magic touch to the White House. Of course he delivered beautiful, relatable interiors that were reflective of his clients' taste and personalities and had the special addition of amazing works or art. I respect his choices so much. As expected, the book was full of beautiful large photos of the interiors, but renderings and fabric choices were also shown. There are many interesting details about the process of designing within many restrictions, not the least of which was time. I appreciated the sections of the book that dealt with the history of the house. I can't recommend this book enough. It was a real treat.

United States on Sep 03, 2020