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"Next month, Michael S. Smith\u2014decorator to the Obamas, Cindy Crawford, and Steven Spielberg\u2014releases his third book, Michael S. Smith Kitchens and Baths. The topic this time: the two most-renovated rooms in any house. We asked the California native about the book and his strategies for designing these high-function spaces. ELLE DECOR: You&amp;#039;ve decorated some of the world&amp;#039;s most glamorous homes. Why focus your book on these more utilitarian spaces? MICHAEL S. SMITH: Kitchens and bathrooms are super challenging. Not to overstate it, but I think designing a kitchen cabinet is as difficult as designing a skyscraper. There are so many choices, it can become overwhelming.  ED: Where does one start? MS: Look at projects by the best designers and architects who ever worked in the vernacular of your home. If you have a Georgian-style house, look at David Adler. A modern condo? Le Corbusier. Use this design vocabulary to create rooms that connect to your architecture.  ED: What trends are you seeing in kitchen and bathroom design? MS: They&amp;#039;re finally getting smaller. They&amp;#039;re very efficiently designed and beautiful; I&amp;#039;m no longer seeing 16-foot, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills\u2013size kitchen islands. When something is too big, you lose the coziness. The idea of bathroom as spa has stayed\u2014it&amp;#039;s a private space that should be special and personal. Good lighting is key, as is being fitted out with drawers for your stuff, like makeup.  ED: How do you warm up a functional space? MS: Texture and color are the easiest ways. I love anything jewel-like or special, used in a sparing way. Anything that isn&amp;#039;t attached\u2014like kitchen cabinets or bath fixtures\u2014is fair game. ED: What are some of your favorite elements in a kitchen and bathroom?  MS: In a kitchen, I love appliances\u2014BlueStar ranges, Sub-Zero glass-door refrigerators. In a bathroom, the tub is a huge thing for me. I take baths all the time, and when people call me while I&amp;#039;m bathing I often get busted. Do you think it&amp;#039;s too racy to take calls in the tub?  Click here to see the gallery for the kitchen and baths. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elledecor.com/home-remodeling-renovating/home-renovation/advice/a3410/smith-on-kitchens-baths-a-70602/>