LAURIE SMITH

DESIGNER, AUTHOR, SPEAKER

Laurie Smith was one of the first designers to hit the airwaves on TLC’s breakout hit show Trading Spaces in 1999. For ten seasons, and an Emmy nomination, fans were able to see Laurie’s modern classic design each week as she remade a space in just 48 hours.  

In 2018, Trading Spaces rebooted on TLC and was recently nominated for an E! People’s Choice Award. Laurie and cast completed a second season Spring 2019.

After receiving her Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Journalism from SMU in Dallas, she worked in Marketing at Turner Network Television (TNT) in Atlanta before moving to Manhattan to attend the New York School of Interior Design.

For over two decades, Laurie has launched various lines of products in addition to lecturing and public speaking. Laurie currently lectures for numerous Home and Garden Shows nationwide. 

In 2004 Laurie began a relationship with Lane Home Furnishings appearing as their spokesperson through national commercials and in-store appearances to launch Lane’s independent furniture stores across the country.  Other commercial work involves Zaxby’s in 2007. 

In 2005, the Laurie Smith fabric line was unveiled selling exclusively through Hancock Fabrics and included 40 different patterns.

Additionally, in November of 2005, Laurie released her first book, Discovering Home – Find Your Personal Style, which takes the reader through her personal, documented journey of renovation and design of her mid-century home. The book was recognized by The Library of Congress in 2006 with a National Book Award nomination, making it a “how to” manual for anyone wanting to plan, shape and redefine a space in their house.  

January 2009 marked the release of Laurie’s lighting line with the Charleston manufacturer Quoizel Lighting.  Laurie’s collection, Illuminations, classic design for a modern life, is currently available through retailers nationwide, including Lowes.  Laurie also served as the on camera spokesperson for the American Lighting Association in 2011.

In 2019 Laurie partnered with Atlas-Concorde USA, a tile company based in Italy, to develop their MOOD campaign, teaching consumers how to place tile with creative intension in their home. In 2020, Atlas-Concorde launched a design blog with Laurie as well.

In 2022, Laurie served as a brand ambassador for vipHomeLink, a U.S. technology company that provides a digital home management solution to help homeowners maintain, organize and improve their homes.

Laurie recently created DesignSmith Interiors based in Atlanta where she offers interior design consultations and virtual design.

Laurie has appeared on The View, several times on The Today Show, where she decorated Katie Couric’s office, and has been featured in numerous magazines, such as House Beautiful, House & Garden, Metropolitan Home, Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, Woman’s Day, Guidepost, O Magazine and People.   Laurie currently resides in Atlanta, GA with India, 17 and is the proud TCU mom of Gibson, 21.