Michael S. Smith’s House in Newport Beach, CA (Listed for $6.35 Million)
Michael S. Smith, LA’s “emperor of interior decoration,” has decorated homes for presidents and move stars. The sale of the Newport Beach, California beach house he owned with his husband Ambassador James Costos gave the world a rare look into how applied his formidable talents for interior design to his own home.
Michael S. Smith is one of the world’s most respected interior designers. A native of California, he pursued specialized studies at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London before acquiring an impressive list of residential, commercial, and hospitality clients.
This living room has a couple of beige cushioned sofas and a coffee table across from the beige fireplace topped with a beautiful painting and flanked with built-in cabinetry. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This other view of the gorgeous living room showcases the large open wall that leads to the backyard patio deck. This large open wall brings in an abundance of natural lighting as well as provide a beautiful background for the living room. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The kitchen has a large kitchen island in the middle of the hardwood flooring that complements the light tone of the cabinetry that matches well with the surrounding walls and ceiling. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This dining area has a homey and charming vibe to its long wooden dining table paired with a built-in cushioned bench and chairs. These are then armed by the fireplace at the head of the table. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The primary bedroom has a large wooden four-poster bed with a sitting area across from it. On the side is a wide-open wall that leads to the balcony. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This other view of the primary bedroom shows more of the sitting area at the foot of the bed that has a lovely fireplace. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This bedroom has a wooden sleigh bed complemented by the charming reading nook across from it under the window with a built-in cushioned seat. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is a simple yet charming bathroom with wainscoting to its beige walls that complement the white porcelain sink and toilet. On the far side is the glass door of the walk-in shower area. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This bathroom is complemented by the beautiful fish designs on the gray walls. These serve as a nice background for the beige floating vanity, the beige frame of the mirror and the white porcelain toilet. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the homey and charming home office with a built-in wooden beige structure with cabinets, drawers, and a desk made of wood to match the hardwood flooring adorned with an L-shaped sofa on the other side of the room. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the gorgeous view of the beach from the vantage of the second-floor balcony. You can see here that there is a glass railing for safety and to maximize the view of the beach. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the backyard patio with a wooden deck floor. It has an L-shaped built-in cushioned bench beside the modern firepit. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is a closer look at the wooden deck patio area at the back of the house. You can see here the stainless steel outdoor kitchen next to an outdoor dining area. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
Michael S. Smith is legendary for his ability to combine classical European with modern American style in interior décor. He combines deep respect for tradition with an eye for modern innovation that makes his work in demand around the world. Michael S. Smith has been an interior decorator for the White House, and he has also designed interiors for George Clooney, Steven Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman, Harrison Ford, and Cindy Crawford. So, when Smith decided to sell his own beach house in Newport Beach, California, the world got a rare look into his personal lifestyle and taste.
This California beach house was built by famed architects Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner in 1988. It has 2,814 square feet in two stories that encompass four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The primary suite opens to a sun deck with panoramic views across the eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean to Catalina Island. There is a glass railing for safety and to enhance the view.
The first floor has an open floor plan with glass doors that open to the beach and a well-equipped outdoor kitchen. The indoor kitchen has a large island. The living room has soaring ceilings and a fireplace. The dining room has another fireplace and a coffee and wine bar.
Smith’s design for his own homemade abundant use of beige to keep the focus on natural light. The living room has beige sofas across from a beige fireplace flanked by built-in cabinets in dark brown wood. One of the walls of the living room can open to a backyard patio deck and a view down the coastline.
Kitchen cabinets are done in white with beige undertones around a kitchen island in white marble. The beige hardwood kitchen floors compliment the appliances in stainless steel.
The dining area makes use of darker browns and beige. There is a built-in dining bench with cushions and cushioned dining room chairs. Another fireplace flanks the head of the dining table to give the room a homey vibe.
The sitting area in the primary bedroom incorporates reds and blues with beige. It has a wall of glass that opens to the beach. And across from the foot of the bed is yet another fireplace.
One guest bathroom uses wainscoting to accent its beige walls and porcelain fixtures. Even the walk-in shower has a view of the sea, through a window placed high to ensure privacy. Another bathroom incorporates fish designs into its gray walls.
Even the home office is relaxing and homey. Cabinets, desk, and drawers are made from wood to match the hardwood floors, and a huge L-shaped couch stretches behind them.
The Orange County Register tells us that Michael S. Smith sold this beach house for $6.35 million. We can only imagine that the new buyer made relatively changes to its fabulous décor.
