California native Michael Smith has a long roster of residential, hospitality and commercial clients, but arguably his most famous of all was former President Barack Obama. Mr. Smith designed the private Obama family residences in the White House.
In addition to his private clients, Mr. Smith has a line of fine furniture and fabrics called Jasper, sold exclusively in showrooms around the world.
His signature style blends American modernism with European classicism.
And Mr. Smith, who has been named to the Architectural Digest AD 100 list five times and named designer of the year by Elle Decor,"spoke to us about the loss of attention to detail in modern design, how he thinks technology will impact real estate and much more.
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Mansion Global: Describe your dream property.
Michael Smith: It’s incredible to have a beautiful garden and a view of the sea. I love the ability to have indoor and outdoor rooms, have a vista, but also a beautiful garden.
MG: Do you have a real estate property that got away?
MS: I can’t really think of any. I have a vision, and I obsess over it and will it to happen. I have no regrets.
MG: What does luxury mean to you?
MS: It’s something that’s intangible. If your bed is super comfortable or your sheets are amazing, or you take a nice hot shower, or you have your first glass of orange juice or coffee in the morning. Luxury is something you’re stopped in your tracks by and by the value of it. I went on a hike yesterday in the hills of Santa Monica and took a hot shower after—that’s incredible luxury.
It’s something that you make a mental note of being better than you expected.
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MG: What area do you think is the next hub for luxury properties?
MS: Clearly there will be certain areas that become important in terms of prestige, but I think overall, people are going to want homes that have a distinctive and different feel. I have a house in the desert, and it’s very distinctive.
It’s all about experience. People want something that’s a different feel from where they are most of the time. If you live in New York or L.A., within an hour you can be at a rural house that overlooks the Hudson, or in Ojai. People who live outside cities buy pied-àterres, which is just the reverse.
MG: What’s the biggest surprise in the luxury real estate market now?
MS: There’s so much stuff that’s underdeveloped. There’s no level of detail. And a lot of these very modern places, which feel more like office spaces, can feel very cold. They don’t have a distinctive point of view.
Also, there’s this idea of fake luxury: Giant garages, multi-tiered wine cellars, they’re very specific, and not necessarily attractive.
More:Chicago-Based Interior Designer Says Nothing Beats a ‘Killer View’
MG: Where are the best luxury homes in the world and why?
MS: Places that are physically beautiful—that can be Montecito, California, or Litchfield, Connecticut; places that have a tradition of pretty architecture, too. If you can hit everything—have a house with character and history built in a beautiful place with a beautiful garden, that’s the most incredible of all.
MG: What’s your favorite part of your home?
MS: Probaby my dining room—because I love to entertain and bring people together. But I also love my bathroom, because I have a chaise and a television, and I love to take baths. And it’s a great way to change my mood. Being able to retreat is just so incredibly great.
MG: Most valuable thing in your home?
MS: My dogs.
More:Click to Read More Luxury Real Estate Professionals Share Their Insights
MG: What’s the most valuable amenity to have in a home right now?
MS: Really good systems—heating and A/C, lighting, audiovisual and WiFi. I’m about to remodel my house in L.A. (others have been remodeled), and you realize that fundamental things working well really make a difference in your day-to-day life.
MG: What’s your best piece of real estate advice?
MS: People tend to think bigger houses are better, or more fancy is better. But I think it’s important to have a house that relates to where you are in your life. Sometimes there’s something really wonderful about having a smaller house that’s really beautiful.
MG: What’s going on in the news that will have the biggest impact on the luxury real estate market?
MS: Technology. People are becoming highly sophisticated about what they need in a house and how it should perform.
MG: If you had a choice of living in a new development or a prime resale property, which would you choose and why?
MS: Prime resale. I want something that has an established vibe to it; I understand what I’m getting, and it’s had a chance to settle in.