James Harris/CNNUnderscored
Lovable, charming, funny, talented — these are the adjectives HGTV fans use to describe Michelle Smith Boyd, who has appeared on a number of the home improvement network's franchise shows over the years, including “Rock the Block,” “Luxe for Less” and the upcoming “100-Day Hotel Challenge,” which premieres later this summer.
While viewers know him as a maximalist who favors explosions of color and texture, the Atlanta-based interior designer has officially entered the minimalist era. Just don't call him a minimalist, though, okay? “These days, I work from minimalist principles,” he tells CNN Underscored. “But I can't be a minimalist. It's not possible. It's not in my DNA. Today, I edit a lot, and my perspective is more refined. I feel I can tell the story of my designs and create these amazing interior stories with much less. In fact, I call myself a moody minimalist, which means that when I feel like adding more, I add more.” For one thing, he leans toward white walls (his top two paint colors are Sherwin Williams' Alabaster and Shoji) and designs spaces with fewer, more unique pieces.
Although Smith Boyd had to relinquish his title as reigning champion as a judge on Season 5 of “Rock the Block” (he and partner Anthony El won the show's fourth season), he has built a TV career on eschewing highbrow design while keeping costs in mind.
“I've never met a client who didn't have a budget,” he says. “Even if the budget is huge, people want to know where their money is going. When you're embarking on a project yourself, the key is to prioritize: what are the things you absolutely need, what is most important to your family, and what will add the most value to the home? And as I'm telling you right now, that's always the kitchen and master bathroom.”
Below, Smith Boyd shares some of her favorite design details from her home, from her own branded candles to the chicest ice bucket we've ever seen.
‘One of my favourite elements of minimalist interiors is that everything is practical, strategically placed and well hidden,” says Smith Boyd. ‘These bins can hold everything from remote controls to candle lighters, batteries and all your mail – making tidying up super easy and quick.'Available in four sizes and three colours, the lightweight bins are made from paulownia wood and are easy to transport thanks to their integrated handles.
A quality rug is key to creating a focal point for a room, and Smith Boyd's go-to brand is Faisey. “What's great about Faisey is that they have gorgeous contemporary rugs that are super affordable and accessible to everyone,” he says. “And if you're looking for collectibles or antiques, they have that too. I love the idea that luxury is available to everyone in the same place.” Handmade in India and available in six sizes, Fenner rugs' linear designs also feature 3D textures.
Interior designer Sheila Bridges has collaborated with Williams-Sonoma to create her Harlem Toile home goods line, and Smith Boyd is obsessed. “I love this collection because it feels like a modern-day heirloom,” he says. “I find joy in each piece every time I use it.” In addition to the ice bucket, the collection includes glassware, coasters, bar towels, and more, all in a Harlem-inspired toile de jouy pattern designed by Bridges herself.
Colorful glassware is all the rage right now, and Smith Boyd is a fan of Estelle. “Hosting dinner parties for friends is one of my greatest joys,” he says. “It seems so simple, but coordinating glassware is exactly the kind of thought that I consider luxurious.” Estelle glassware comes in a rainbow of hues, set in solid or mixed-color combinations, and in 12 different shapes, from champagne flutes to decanters.
An avid fan of Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum, Smith Boyd says, “I wear the same perfume every day, so I'm becoming known for my scent. So I thought to myself, 'What if I created a luxury candle to bring my signature fragrance into everyone's home?'” And so the MSB Signature Candle was born. The candle contains the scent of Smith Boyd's own favorite perfume, packaged in a sleek, ribbed container that can be reused after use.
“Planters are the heroes of creating a next-level outdoor experience,” says Smith Boyd. “A sophisticated planter, or a set of three, is my go-to for expressing personal style in an outdoor space.” Designed by Studio Anansi, this sculptural set includes one wide, one medium, and one tall planter, all suitable for outdoor use and equipped with drainage holes.