Meet Interior Designer, Michel Smith Boyd

Welcome to Tile Trends x Tile Club, the podcast where we explore the latest trends and innovations in the world of tile and design. In this episode, we are joined by special guest Michel Smith Boyd, the interior designer and HGTV personality who recently won Rock The Block Season 4.

Michel shares with us his experience in the show and the strategies he used to create stunning designs with his tile choices. We delve into his thought process when it comes to selecting the perfect tiles for his design renovations and how he incorporates them into his overall vision.

We also learn more about Michel's journey towards becoming an interior designer and HGTV personality. From his childhood inspirations to his early struggles and triumphs in the industry, Michel shares with us his insights and tips for aspiring designers.

Whether you're a design enthusiast or a professional in the industry, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to stay on top of the latest trends and innovations in tile and design. So join us for this exciting conversation with Michel Smith Boyd, only on Tile Trends x Tile Club.

LINKS:

• How To Luxury- https://www.howtoluxury.com/
• Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/michelboyd/
• HGTV- https://www.hgtv.com/profiles/talent/michel-smith-boyd
• Watch Michel- https://www.howtoluxury.com/michel-on-tv

Transcript

Lindsay Fluckiger  0:00  
Hi, welcome to tile trends by tile club. This week, we are honored to have a very special guest interior designer in season four winner of HGTV is Rock The Block the one and only Michelle Smith Boyd, I can barely celebrate, I can tell, we are so excited to chat with you about your recent win. This is an extra special treat for me to actually be able to sit face to face and hear a little bit more about what inspires you as a designer.  So I just love your aesthetic. And of course, your creativity when it comes to bringing attainable luxury to home design, that kind of idea of leveling the playing ground for everybody and that nothing is out of reach.

Michel Smith Boyd  0:44  
I didn't imagine that I would land here, where that would be the hill I stand on but I'm proud to do it.

Lindsay Fluckiger  0:51  
It just I think brings a lot of hope to people who might think that they you know, will never ever have what they see in magazines, or what we see on HGTV. But the truth is it is possible and it is attainable.

Michel Smith Boyd  1:02  
You know, calling yourself a luxury designer is is a thing, right? I like this little crown. It's almost like a disclaimer to clients like this is what I do, this is what I like. But along the way, early on, I discovered that education about what we do is happening the same time as we're doing it, a lot of our clients, we were working with the dentist for the first time. So getting them to understand what we did was the first part. And then we have to get them to understand that they actually deserve the luxury that they're attracted to. And so it was a whole other thing. And that's why my hashtag is how to luxury because you know it's subjective. It's a case by case situation. It doesn't have to be inherited. It doesn't have to be your mom's version of luxury, or even what you saw on television or what you think it is, you know, maybe it's, maybe it's not gilded for you. Maybe it's more experiential. And so my team and I are always on a mission to help our clients figure out what their version of luxury is how they want to see it in their homes, and have their guest experience it.

Lindsay Fluckiger  2:09  
That's amazing. So, of course, congratulations on your recent win. And we just want to know, how did it feel to take first place on the season of rocket block.

Michel Smith Boyd  2:19  
First of all, it's an honor to be asked to do Rock The Block, that's 135 shows on this network. And we'd film Love for less. And it was in the can and it's gonna air December one. But we started filming Rock The Block in October. So the idea of being asked to do the biggest show on the network, before my show even aired, was insane. And so the honor was being invited. And I was clear on that. And I was sure that Anthony and I made a pact that we were going to do our best to impress ourselves and each other like we sleeve it all on the floor, right? We're here we have something to prove with the newbies. Nobody knows who we are. So we really had to turn out great work. And so winning just it just really didn't occur to me that we could win. You know, there's it's so full of six other veterans on the show. I don't know, we were just so focused on making those weekly challenges. And making that point of view really clear. You know, designing for television is so different from designing in real life, you know, it has to be good for the camera, because people aren't there to touch it and feel it and smell it and sit and you know, have that tactile experience or encounter with the pieces when we won. That surprise was authentic. It was so genuine. I was like, because I don't know why. I don't know why. But I thought no, those fireworks are just fake. That's not That's not our house. Like that's gotta be somebody's house. When those fireworks went off. I couldn't hear Ty say Michelle and Anthony. We didn't hear it. And so because all of our cast mates were clapping at us, like oh my god. Like it was authentic. And last week when I watch the show for the first time. I experienced it all over again. Because it was such a surprise. An incredible blessing inside I was weeping about I was trying to keep my TV face together but it was it was in on a really wonderful

Lindsay Fluckiger  4:19  
Thank you for sharing that with us. Let's talk about what tiles you use for your projects on the show. Tile club had the amazing opportunity of supplying tiles to all four teams this season. What made you choose those particular tiles?

Michel Smith Boyd  4:34  
I wanted to keep it really classic. I'm going through this phase right now I'm having my bout with minimalism. I've never been a minimalist design. I've always been quite maximalist. Somewhere between Tony Duquette and Vincent will have been, you know, just properly placed and I love a good edit. But I am having this bout with minimalism and I think it's post pandemic I want to tell stories with less stuff right to leave room for life. For our clients to add their, their touches and so forth, and I brought it to Rock The Block. But again for television, minimalism doesn't exactly. And so the tile especially needed to do a lot of the work for me. And in that kitchen, specifically, the 10, molded black subway tiles, that's something you can see, you can see from the camera that these aren't exactly perfect and smooth, like you see all the time, the new take on this thing is that it doesn't have to be perfect. And that, you know, there's differentiation between the two that's creating this texture that becomes really interesting, like art. And that's what I felt about the backlash of that kitchen. And not only it looking artful, but going all the way up to the ceiling to making a big statement. And I gotta tell you, Oh, my God, and we did it around the arch doors, too. That was a that's something that I figured out in the field. I was like, I think I want to go around the doors. Let's treat the whole wall in the room just ends up feeling more expensive and more substantial. And oh, man, I it was such an impact. I was so proud of that. So, so proud.

Lindsay Fluckiger  6:13  
We were blown away. When we saw images from that kitchen and everything you said, like I'm like, you're checking the boxes, forming some like, all the way up to the ceiling. And you went over the arch. And like it was extraordinary. It was just beautifully artfully done. And we couldn't be more proud. As I think our tiles showcased in that capacity.

Michel Smith Boyd  6:35  
I mean, no pressure, right, like, appeal to the network audience appeal to the network, please ourselves, but also do you guys proud? I mean, you know, it's an honor to work with companies like you and I always want to represent well. And I mean, when I saw them in person, and I got to place a few of them right now on television, it looked like I installed them all that didn't happen. Told, but I got to place a few of them and just watching. I could literally sit and watch Masons just do tile all day. I could just sit and watch and just watch it transform. Because it's drywall behind there. Right. But you forget, once that tile goes up, it feels solid. It feels man like you really have something valuable.

Lindsay Fluckiger  7:22  
Yeah, definitely. It's been educational for me. For those of us who work in digital media, see what all goes into the art of tiling.

Michel Smith Boyd  7:30  
I think that's a part of the romance that I love about interior design, I really do is watching people who are experts at what they do. Our part of our job is compiling experts, right, that are going to be able to fully execute on vision. I mean, I can come up with the best ideas, but I don't know how to do all of these things. And so we've got to seek out these experts that actually make us look like rock stars. And you know, tile people are like between Tyler's and wallpaper installers.

Lindsay Fluckiger  8:01  
Yeah, yes, those coverings I love it. Well, let's move on into interior design trends. I love that you highlighted minimalism, you know, there's been this shift from the pandemic, what do you think will continue to be popular in 2023?

Michel Smith Boyd  8:15  
I think one of the things that's gonna continue to be popular, especially if I have anything to say about it is going to be what I love about that hand molded feel about that tile, is that it's, it's like beautifully imperfect. Somehow, for me visually, it adds texture. And so plaster is one of those things that I just love. We did a lot of in the pandemic, as opposed to just white walls, which I have in the studio. We did a lot of Venetian plaster. I love something that's matte. I love matte to something that's matte with movement, and just this repetition of pattern. I just love that. And I think we will continue to see more plaster, find its way into interiors, in larger scale and so forth. I think it used to be relegated for urns, right? Things like that only like vessels. But now more chandeliers, more tile. There's a couple of coffee tables in here. Even the artwork behind me have that plaster feel it's like a pumice in there. And so I'm incorporated into my personal collections as much as possible, but just the texture. It does a lot of the work for you, especially with new construction. I think one of the things that we struggle with is making new construction feel interesting, right? It's very pretty and fresh, and we love that. And then it's like a little boring. And that kitchen that we saw that we did on Rock The Block, adding that tile made that room have a personality and almost a sense of history in pairing that with those antique doors. It's like the kitchen already had a story and you get to add to it as opposed to waiting for the greatest things to hit the wall. You know I mean, I love the idea of just that something that was created by hand, at least the look of that. I think that's a trend that's really gonna continue. And it's just one more way that a client can have that feeling of something really customized.

Lindsay Fluckiger  10:17  
That's brilliant. Can you tell us a little bit more about what inspired you to become an interior designer a little bit about your history, and how your career is grown and continues to impress and dazzle us all.

Michel Smith Boyd  10:32  
You know, that's a strange thing that the career thing because you know, when you're in it, you're not really aware of it, it's very, it's, it's really seldom that I understand the gravity of what's happening right now, especially with television, just because you really have to be fully present, I personally have to be fully present in order to deliver in that space, which makes it really tough, you know, for the firm, because that means I'm not as attentive to clients and so forth, which is very difficult, because that's the only reason I'm here. And it's still the bulk of our business. I became, I don't know, I became an interior designer. You don't have to wrap those little nuggets, I got a brick, I actually met a designer. And he took me to the Design Center in New York. And honestly, I've said the story 100 times, but that's when my life changed. I want to be an architect when I was a kid I fell in love with fashion as an adult and interior design is perfect, romantic merger between the two. Later I discovered that needs to be really good at business and social media and organization and budgeting and all those other things. But at the core interior design really answers in clinches all of my design curiosities. It really allows me to be all the things I love to be. And so I was really grateful to discover it. And when I did, I felt like I was behind. I graduated from design school at like 3031. So it was a second career. And so I've been racing against the clock ever since. And I really just recently gave myself permission to you know what, let's let this evolve naturally, you know, I thought I was done with television I didn't want to do anymore. When we started filming Lux before we started filming Lux for less. I, I had a show on Bravo a few years ago, and I thought, I think I can build this brand and tell these stories without television. And boy, was I wrong, right? So the idea of watching it grow and evolve. And being a part of that and driving it. It has been really interesting. But I will attribute it to relationships, understanding your call, and just trying to do things daily, take projects that move you closer to that calling, and reach more people who would benefit. You know, when you figure out how to serve other people with your gift and or call, then I think you're on the right path. I love that. And I don't and I want to be clear that I don't judge success on visibility. Because I know incredibly talented designers way beyond you know, people that whose whose names we know, right? That just don't want this part of it. And this is a beast all its own, you know, the visibility part, I'm making television or building a brand and so forth. That doesn't equate to talent, but I think it's a part of my story. In a part of my journey. I think that's just how it's supposed to go in order to be that that voice that reminds you know, everyone, you know, inclusion doesn't just work for, you know, race or weight or you know, you name and I think it works for the having a great life at home. Also, I don't think anybody's excluded from that. And I just happen to be one of the people yelling at from the mountains. 

Lindsay Fluckiger  13:52  
Yes for sure. And inspiration. And speaking of that, what advice would you offer aspiring designers,

Michel Smith Boyd  13:59  
okay, you know, 100 things pop like floods and towards me, right? I think that the first step, we could talk about the business and all that stuff like that, but let's just keep it romantic. But also Paramount is your point of view. You have to figure out what your point of view is. And you have to ask yourself that really, really tough question, which everybody hates, it's hard to answer. But what's special about you? What's unique about your story, why you and not him? Or why you and not her, and that's the first and only time you should ever compare. But in that place, it's important because it helps you figure out your point of view and what is unique about what you're going to deliver to the marketplace in once you figure that out. Then what really becomes important is how that thing, that unique thing makes everybody else feel you know, figuring out what your voice is and what your point of view is and how you can bring your new unique experience to design is your Your first job? That's wonderful.

Lindsay Fluckiger  15:01  
Thank you so much for that. Are there any unique challenges that you face? with clients?

Michel Smith Boyd  15:09  
That's the question everybody's looking at me like. I will say, I will say this, and I'm gonna say it really carefully. But I think that the clients are now inundated with ideas inundated more than ever. And it makes it a little tougher for us to do our jobs. And so it requires more patience, I can't think of what else but I start with patients. And then, and then, because, you know, I don't ever want our clients that feel like they're not heard, right. But you did hire an expert. And I need you to allow us to be that as many ideas as you saved on Pinterest, or pinned on Pinterest, or as many things have you saved and screenshot on Instagram, and they send constantly, I'm actually the designer that you've hired, I promise you that our firm is capable of delivering what you need, I think that it's really overwhelming. It's kind of like, you don't have to take your clients shopping with you anymore, for them to get inundated with ideas and confused about what they want, they can just grow, it's a very easy thing to do. So you know, reeling them back in and taking charge of the of the conversation and in the direction of the project has become a bit of bigger of a task, you know, as excited as I am about design moving towards the forefront, and people everyone believing that they are part of this. And understanding how design affects everything. I love all of that. The double edged sword part of it is they feel more empowered to get involved in conversation and kind of lead. And we got to share that. We got to share that. But we the design firm has to be the leader. Yeah, there is a language that is necessary. And I think I think good communication can really save the relationship and also establish that respect, you know, and that expertise. I love your idea. That sounds really cool. I think we might be able to use that application here. Because in this space, this will be much more effective. Because I always share reason why I don't just say this, is it done. Other than that I'm not I don't, I don't think I'll ever get to be that kind of designer. That's just not who I am. But I don't mind sharing a reason in some logic, because I want our clients to understand our point of view in why we make the decisions we make on their behalf in which are in their best interest. Right. And that's the kind of thing that kind of Institute's that trust and mutual respect.

Lindsay Fluckiger  17:43  
Absolutely. I would love to ask you what was the most rewarding interior design project that you've ever worked on? Is there one that just really stands out as kind of a masterpiece for you,

Michel Smith Boyd  17:54  
this is tough. Okay, during the pandemic, um, you know, a lot of restaurants closed, a lot of businesses closed restaurants in particular, which is a hard job, the hard business to have anyway, I partnered with Crate and Barrel during the pandemic, to design and do all the interior design and all the exterior to actually for a restaurant in upstate New York that serves this community. It's such a sweet community so beautiful. It was very Storybrooke it was just just really beautiful. In Red Hook, New York, there's something about the way what that bond is historic, right, with that barn represents in the community, and how it's an orchard and how even during the pandemic, you know, people would come there to get fresh fruit, fresh veggies, and so forth and so on being able to help bring the restaurant part to fruition to where they could come inside and enjoy the space. The fellowship was kind of it was kind of magical. It felt it felt really magical. And that's that's that romance that I love about design. And you know how music does that right music, food. I think design is one of those third thing that unites people. And you don't even realize it right? A space just feels good. You don't know why. That was a good designer. There was a designer involved that had a vision that understood what you were trying to achieve. And in that particular space, we were the team that got to add that value, the budget they were going to spend on furniture they had to use on the exteriors, so people could have somewhere to go, but that's how much they cared about their community, the restaurant owners. And so the idea of bringing that love inside to with create was invaluable.

Lindsay Fluckiger  19:49  
Well, it was amazing talking with you today. Michelle, I have that another minute for one more question for you. And I've just really enjoyed getting to know more about you and you Your career and even seen you know some of your hearts and really where your love for design and for people comes into play. So thank you for being so vulnerable and open with us today. So my last question for you is what are some of your future plans? And are there any projects that are you are excited that are on the horizon for you this year?

Michel Smith Boyd  20:22  
You know, I only ever got into this business to build a brand like that part. I knew it was like a trendy word at the time and so forth. And I was like, you know, who am I? But I started to figure out that and we started with home fragrance, I have some licensed collections. I'm a painter and, and so forth. And I love those things. I'm launching some new things that I'd Highpoint this spring with left bank art. But I started out in the home fragrance category and we launched exactly one week ago today. I even have a pop up shop over at Curry on the 22nd I think this weekend so I'm really excited about that I want to I can't just tell you that you deserve luxury and not be a resource for it. So you know we have a budding ECOMM site. I'm really excited about that right now. It's just home fragrance. And also the artwork however, there's so much more to come. I'm really excited about

Lindsay Fluckiger  21:20  
it is amazing. I love high point market I'm going to try to pop by and see in Korean CO is amazing. So thank you so much for sharing that and we'll of course link all of this information for our listeners so that they can jump in and check it out as well. So

Michel Smith Boyd  21:39  
you also mind linking Lux for less Lux is is my show on HGTV and I have an amazing cast Anthony Kai and Laura. I have my friends that I love and you can see this kind of authenticity between us once we won Rock The Block last Monday. Loves to last our show came right back. And so we are now on Monday nights at 10pm on HGTV 10pm Eastern that is and look out for the show that I just wrapped last week. Barbie Dreamhouse challenge in July.

Lindsay Fluckiger  22:10  
Amazing. We have a few Barbie Dreamhouse things going on ourselves with Tyler. Oh yeah, all things Barbie coming up. So exciting. We will definitely be sure to link all of that information in the description so everybody can check it out and follow along your amazing journey and designs as well. Thanks so much for joining us today. Michelle and epi titling.

Michel Smith Boyd  22:33  
Thank you. It's been a pleasure.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai