Designing History: The Extraordinary Art & Style of the Obama White House

About this book

The long-awaited insiders look at one of the design milestones of the twenty-first century: Michael S Smiths celebrated decoration of the Obama White House featuring a foreword by Michelle Obama. 2020 HONORABLE MENTION FOR THE FOREWORD INDIES AWARD IN HOBBIES/HOME Created for design enthusiasts political aficionados and students of Americana Designing History documents Michael Smiths extraordinary collaboration with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Not since Jacqueline Kennedys iconic work on the White House has a designer of Michael Smiths stature been commissioned to bring a new design spirit to the mansion. Through extensive photography behind-the-scenes stories and rich archival material the book places the Obama White House within the context of the buildings storied past and its evolution over the past two centuries. The book beautifully documents the process of updating the countrys most symbolic residence revealing how Smiths collaboration on the decoration showcasing of artworks and style of entertaining reflected the youthful spirit of the First Family and their vision of a more progressive inclusive American society. Ultimately this book will serve as both a historical document and a voyeurs delight capturing a specific moment in time for the White House the Obamas and the American experience.