
Presented by the White House Historical Association
The Decorator-In-Chief
- Host
- Stewart McLaurin
- Guest
- Michael S. Smith, Interior Designer for the Obama White House
- Date
- 9/9/20
- Duration
- 52 minutes
Every administration brings their own personality to the White House, particularly when it comes to the look and feel of the upstairs family quarters. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Michael S. Smith, the “Decorator-in-Chief” for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, about his new book, “Designing History, the Extraordinary Art and Style of the Obama White House.” Buy the Book.
Episodes
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Conversations from History Happy Hour
Featuring Various Guests from Previous History Happy Hour Episodes
-
A Tour of White House History with Michael Beschloss
Featuring Historian Michael Beschloss
-
St. John’s, the Church of the Presidents
Featuring Rev. Robert Fisher, Rector at St. John’s Church
-
Special Episode: Reflections on the First 49 Episodes
Featuring Various Guests from Previous Episodes
-
Wine and the White House
Featuring Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., Chairman of the White House Historical Association
-
White House Transitions
Featuring Dr. Martha Kumar, Director, White House Transition Project, Tina Tchen, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement

President of the White House Historical Association
As President of the White House Historical Association Stewart McLaurin leads the nonpartisan, nonprofit in its mission to preserve, protect, and provide access to White House history. As a lifelong student of history, Stewart is an avid reader and storyteller. His first book, White House Miscellany was published this past year and he authors a quarterly column in the White House History Journal. Drawing on his own experiences, relationships, and knowledge he provides listeners with a front row seat to history at the White House.