Behind the Scenes with Michael Smith

The Editor's Circle: Cabana's new online talks are a space for inspiration and connection, inviting our audience into the soul of Cabana, one conversation at a time. Read on for an insight into this year's final talk with Cabana's Editor-in-Chief, Martina Mondadori and internationally renowned decorator, Michael Smith.

BY LUCREZIA LUCAS | THE EDITOR'S CIRCLE  | 12 DECEMBER 2024

On a cozy winter’s eve, Martina Mondadori and internationally renowned interior designer, Michael Smith, sat down for Cabana’s final Editor’s Circle of the year. Separated by time zones and the Atlantic, with Michael in his Californian office and Martina in her Milan home, the two shared stories and lessons learnt, including the do’s - “measure the elevator before moving the furniture” - and definitely don’ts - “never sleep with your clients” - of decorating, before diving into Michael's work.

Martina started with Michael’s journey to becoming an interior designer. “I guess I was a weird kid, much like everyone in the Big Cabana Family,” he laughed. “I had this desire to understand history – to live in it.” Michael's curiosity for the past has certainly shaped his distinctive approach to design, and throughout the conversation, he shared his on-the-job experiences and philosophies.

A bedroom designed by Michael Smith and published in Classic By Design - just one of the many rooms Martina and Michael discussed during the Editor's Circle.

The discussion took a particularly inspiring turn when Michael spoke about his new book, Classic By Design. “I have to say,” he confessed, “I’m very critical of everything, but I think it’s actually beautiful.” As images of Michael’s work flickered across the screen, he shared stories behind some of the iconic spaces featured, including a home he renovated in Los Angeles. "This house," he explained, "was a series of voluminous spaces, and I wanted to create something contemporary, but with a romantic touch, where the rooms change depending on the time of day."

He spoke passionately about the importance of blending contemporary and classic elements, noting how his Los Angeles dining room’s golden panels by artist Nancy Lorenz were influenced by early Japanese work, adding layers of texture and drama. “It’s all about creating experiences,” Michael said, reflecting on how different pieces of furniture and art contribute to the feeling of a space.

A dining room designed by Michael Smith and published in Classic By Design - just one of the rooms Martina and Michael discussed during the Editor's Circle.

The conversation also explored Michael’s love for craftsmanship, especially his admiration for artisans like Patrice Dengalle, whose work can be found throughout his projects. "It’s this constant obsession with craftsmanship,” he said, “and the joy of collaborating with artisans to create something custom and unique." He even shared how Instagram has helped connect him with hidden gems, such as a craftsman in Jaipur who creates stunning tents and parasols. “It’s amazing,” he said, “how you can now find people doing incredible work anywhere in the world.”

As the conversation wrapped, Martina reminded the design-loving audience that Michael’s book, Classic By Design, is available on the Cabana website and is “a perfect Christmas gift”. Michael agreed, adding: “It’s a book that reflects my passion for blending history, craftsmanship, and timeless design, and I hope it resonates with anyone who shares that same love for beauty and tradition.”

A screenshot taken from the live talk, with Michael guiding Martina and the audience through his various projects, shown on screen.

Highlights: Audience Q&A 

As with every Editor’s Circle, the audience was invited to join the conversation, posing their questions to Michael, which Martina read aloud to him. 

Do you consider yourself a perfectionist?

Michael: "I'm sure I am, but I try to pretend like I'm not. I don't know when the best time to stop being obsessive is, and I think that you are somewhat limited by time and economics, but I don't know if I ever really give up on a project.

"I think doing the book was a bit cathartic because I think that I can kind of photograph them and kind of let them go a little bit."

Can you describe how you work with color?

Michael: "There's always an inspiration. It can be the client, for example I often factor in what colors my clients look good in. And I'm also hyper aware of what I think makes people comfortable, so a bright red room is tough, right, it's not necessarily going to make you as calm and serene as a celadon room and so there are colors that I tend to steer away from in big quantities.

"You see so many lacquer blue green rooms, which once in a while are beautiful for a room you use periodically, but it can feel kind of oppressive. So I think people get fixated on a visual on an Instagram idea but it's not always practical or pleasant for long periods of time, where the house is right, and how the light works."

The elephant in the room... You worked on the White House for the Obamas. Do you have any anecdotes?

Michael: "I was alone in the upstairs of the White House for a period of time and it was so surreal because I could see the crowds but I couldn’t hear them— the White House is essentially pretty soundproof. It was such a strange moment. They wanted me to sleep in the basement while the Bushes were upstairs, for security reasons. The idea of sleeping on a cot in the basement was so terrifying – what if I sleepwalk or get shot? It was just a lot of stuff you don’t normally think about.”

“People always ask me if that was the peak of my career, but I’m more interested in what’s happening now. It was amazing, but I’m not someone who’s particularly interested in the past. I’m more excited about what’s next.”