apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I wonder if Michelle Obama would modernize it a lil when she gets in the white house. I just can't picture her living in a completely traditional environment.

After catching up with the West-Wing Marathon Style (We're halfway through Season 4) this is very interesting to me. LOVE the screen and the vanity in the Jackie O shot.



http://embritadesign.blogspot.com

"Below is the Green Drawing Room by John Quincy Adams"

Huh?
John Quincy Adams may have been our 6th President, and his Portrait may be in the Green Room...
..but he certainly didn't design the room or it's decor.

It was his predecessor Thomas Jefferson who first put a green floorcloth in this room, James Madison who purchased the first formal suite of furniture intended for the Green Room - and it was the McKim, Mead and White renovation of 1902-1904 during Theodore Roosevelt's administration when the room received it's first green silk wallcoverings.

If I were the first lady, I'd have Candice Olson come and help me re-decorate, and that guy from Dress My Nest.

All of these rooms look beautiful. It is nice to see how each administration has respected the traditional style while adding their own sense of style and flair.

Nickel--

The entire White House as well as all of it's furnishings in the State Rooms of the White House are property of the US Government, and ever since the Kennedy Administration it's decoration and any renovations must be approved by the Committee for the Preservation of the White House - So you're never going to see Eero Saarinen Womb Chairs in the Red Room, Heywood-Wakefield tables and chairs in the State Dining Room, Swarovski Chandeliers in the East Room, or Italian leather sectional sofas in the Oval Office...

The First Lady may, however, decorate specific rooms in the private quarters of the White House as she sees fit. Each new administration receives a moving and decorating allowance to furnish the private quarters as they deem appropriate, and she is free to use furnishings from the White House collection as well as artwork and furnishings on loan from the Smithsonian and National Gallery in addition to her own personal artwork and furnishings.

Of course, excess costs for decorating, refurbishing or renovating the White House must either be borne by the President, come from private donations, or receive special funding approved by the US Congress - but all furnishings that are purchased with any government-funded or charitable allowance then becomes the property of the White House and the US Government.

Sheesh, if it's well done, I don't understand why the private quarters need to be redone for each administration. I can see basic maintenance (recovering certain things if needed), but it seems wasteful to completely redo...

And thanks for the background, bepsf - very interesting!

ha ha! @ Nephthys- Candice Olson's husband for president! oh, wait! She's Canadian. I keep forgetting what the important requirements are for holding this office.

I'm sure Michelle would add some attitude to the place. God knows she has enough of it personality wise....

Oh, is attitude the new cracker dumb*ss euphemism for uppity? Silly me - I thought elitist was the new euphemism for uppity.

I guess using elitist to describe the Obamas didn't fly anymore after everyone found out McCain has so many houses even he can't keep track of them.

No..... she's a woman who seems to have a grudge against the world and Sunspot, you are apparently a pretty angry and touchy person yourself. Get a life. It was a joke. You'd better come up for air if your going to be deep in that tank for Obama.

Whoa!

Back to the White House, I would LOVE to see what Michelle Obama is going to do to the design. I love her personality and outlook on life, I've loved every television appearance I've seen by her, and I love that she comes across as real instead of some robo-tronic automaton like Cindy McCain.

I also love that Jackie O sitting room....the blue is a bit dated for me, but the overall 'sense' of the place, I like it. I'd love a modern version of that traditional french style....

"Sheesh, if it's well done, I don't understand why the private quarters need to be redone for each administration. I can see basic maintenance (recovering certain things if needed), but it seems wasteful to completely redo..."

Lily--

No Problem - But just as your family's needs and tastes are different from mine or the next person's, our President's families have different needs and tastes - so the decor and use of rooms in the Private Quarters change from Family to Family.

As an example - the Kennedy's used the top-floor Solarium as a playroom for their two children, and the Clinton's and Carters (I believe) used it as a retreat for their daughters, and I would not be surprised to see Mrs Obama do the same for her young daughters - but obviously the Johnsons, Nixons, Reagans and Bushes (1 and 2) had no need for a children's playroom and used the Solarium for other purposes.

Many Presidents and First Ladies kept separate bedrooms such as the Roosevelts, Eisenhowers and Nixons - but since the Fords, Presidents and First Ladies have shared their bedroom.

For more information -- look here:

http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/index.htm

That first room with Jacqueline Kennedy is amazing. There's something "more" about it, so WOW! in powder blue that just does it. The other rooms are well-executed but don't give me the same reaction. Maybe it's the leopard throw or the screen, the little bows on the chair pads... it's like, we've gone all-out and then pretend we just threw it together at the last minute, because we're just that good. It's reduced to about 4 colors, it's very soothing and cool, but not sleepy or dull. The details are just what makes it not just a powder blue fuddy-duddy room, 'cause it certainly could be if it wanted to.

No..... she's a woman who seems to have a grudge against the world

Oh really, Volvoguy? And the evidence for this would be what, exactly? Her sterling academic record? Her successful career as a lawyer? Her two lovely daughters?

you are apparently a pretty angry and touchy person yourself.

I simply have a low tolerance for B.S. and for people who are full of it.

So, is attitude the new codeword for uppity or isn't it? I mean, since you seem to be the expert in driveby smears and everything, I'd expect you'd be the one to know.

You love your "codewords" dont you? "Oh, is attitude the new cracker dumb*ss euphemism for uppity? Silly me - I thought elitist was the new euphemism for uppity. " ....Seems like you threw the first punch ya loser. You liberals are always the first to start the fight then blame everyone else for it when you all started it. The Liberal double edge sword is great. Call someone a name and thats okay. They shoot back and all hell breaks loose. And since I'm a "cracker dumbass", I'm assuming your black, correct? If so, then I dont think it's too hard to get why you're in love with Obama. I'm starting to feel my intelligence level dropping dangerously close to your own. I'm out. Arguing on the internet, especially over someone as trivial as Obama is a waste of time. Enjoy your Homeboy Obama and make sure you represent, Yo!

BEPSF - if I may ask, why aren't you one of these bloggers? I usually learn more about the post from you than from them!

You love your "codewords" dont you?

Hey, you're the one that came in here spewing the latest wingnut codeword, sweetheart. "Attitude". Must have gotten that one directly from drug-addled Viagra addict Rush Limpballs herself. Don't have a fit and soil your diaper when someone calls you out for it.

How's that deregulated free market economy working out for you conservatives, anyhow? Is $700 billion worth of taxpayer cash gonna be enough to fill in the smoking crater it's made of itself, or are we gonna be called upon to provide more welfare for billionaire CEO idiots who couldn't run a successful taco stand?

Back to your corners, boys.

Every four years there is a knock-down, drag-out fight and the only person who ever seems to win is Jim Laher.

AH this is so perfect...I'm going on a West Wing tour of the White House next weekend!! I know it's not the same as the President's private quarters, but this got me excited all the same!

Thank you bepsf for your input.