apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

This is kind of a silly question.

When you consider that the entire collection of furnishings and artwork that belong to the US Government for the White House are Traditional and include dozens of priceless antiques - and that the family has only a $100,000 budget private donations to refurbish the entire mansion, including the State Rooms which are under the supervision of the White House Historical Society - it's highly doubtful that the Obamas or anyone other First Family could or would clear out all of the rooms in the private quarters and replace them with contemporary or MCM furnishings.

However if the new First Family have furniture that they'd like to bring with them from their home in Chicago for use in the White House they're welcome to do so - and given Michelle's style, I suspect she may have a pair of Barcelona chairs or a Donghia sofa in there somewhere...

They could get Ty Pennington to come and do over-the-top theme rooms for the girls.

I think i'd make every room different. That house needs CHANGE!!

Well, first of all, put that stuffy old furniture on Craigslist,.....

I agree with bepsf's post-- there are so many antiques already there it seems a slightly silly question. I'm sure the first family has more say over their bedrooms though...

I'm more interested in knowing what artwork they choose to display because the White House has a great collection. Laura Bush was bold enough to have pulled a Monet painting that had always been housed on the first floor (and was a visitor favorite) to display in the residential area of the house when she and W moved in. I was lucky enough to have been in the residential area once-- yes, it was amazing-- and I can't even begin to imagine how cool/crazy it would be to live with museum quality artwork (and antiques too) on a daily basis.

If I were Michelle, I'd definitely hire AphroChic to hook up the white house in an ethnic way that it has NEVER EVER seen before. That would be super interesting.

i agree with bepsf. a complete redo is silly and impractical. but they should bring some personal pieces and make it feel like their home.

I would make it as comfortable (while remaining luxurious) as possible.

Emily

There are some impactful things that I think would work in there. Kyra Walker's black-and-silhouettes have a mural-like scale which could make some impact, and they have a traditional feel and a modernity all in one, while giving some historical perspective with an African-American perspective. I think some of her work might be incorporated into the White House without breaking the bank. She'd probably have to donate it to make it affordable on the scale that I'm talking about, though.

That's just the first thing that comes to mind. But... kind of like the fact that the girls may not necessarily like pink just because they're girls, the Obamas may not be Kyra Walker fans, just because they're black; also they might feel that it's a little too charged to live with day-in-and-day-out on the scale that I'm imagining.

I think the days are over where the first lady is concerned about redecorating. I see Michelle taking a lead in social issues, not decorating issues. Paint it Black!!

Susie Mendive of SUM wallpaper already said she'd like to paper the Obama White House walls...I say let her have a go at it!

The actual main living area is very sleek and modern with an amazing view. The rooms off of this room take on traditional to a mix of styles. Given the minimal budget, they might mix in items from their home in Chicago. With children around, they might opt to leave the treasures in the basement.

Curtis ... do you mean Kara Walker???

I was thinking Nate Berkus Ophra's ...... would go and do a make over.

Somehow I don't see the Obamas having a penchant for over the top afro-centric decorating...that would be extremely polarizing and that is not what he is about. It's not Jesse Jackson in the White House. I have seen their home in Hyde Park and I think they will appreciate the traditional style that is currently there.

I would do Black and White, some Red and Tan..with and smattering of Asian.. Now that's the colors/design and THE PEOPLE!!!

Don't change the inside... paint the outside black!
:D :D :D

THAT would be a statement and a half!

I think this is another weird question. How would I decorate their home. Well I would ask them how they would like me to decorate their home. I don't really have an opinion about it, see?

Umm...we, as a country, are in a state of economic crisis. Last I checked, the White House looked more than inhabitable. I am sure the decor is the least of the president elect's concerns.

Seaside, that's true, and they probably aren't half as concerned as we are. It's just fun to think about.

I hope they give it a slightly edgy African feel, nothing too over the top. I bet they could get some lovely Kenyan artifacts to display. Or maybe a few paintings? I bet they have an excellent sense of style, and will be able to blend the traditionalism of the Big House with a little character of their own.

A "slightly edgy African feel?"

Interesting.

How do you figure that such an aesthetic is their style?

Even if they decorate in the worse possible 'taste' let's hope he does a better job than your last President.

"We, as a country, are in a state of economic crisis..."

And if we ALL stop spending, then guess what? It's gonna get worse.

I say hire Darryl Carter. And also make the White House a place that reflects some of the amazingly beautiful Folk Art and American-made furniture, and not just have the pseudo-Federal style that has been the norm for who knows how long. Well, since it wasn't "pseudo."

I'd love to see a Gee Bend quilt in there, juxtaposed against some really formal furniture.

The Guardian asked several architects to sketch their ideas for the oval office:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2008/nov/14/barack-obama-architecture?picture=339650771

Whoops... GeeS Bend.

And if Darryl Carter is busy, then Mitchell Gold.

No offense to anyone but I would have to get rid of all the portraits of old white men watching my every move...just put them ins torage for the next first family who might not mind. Really I wouldnt want a bunch of portraits of people I dont know staring at me... regardless of their color

use what the government already owns, use low vol or milk paint, reupholster to update with eco friendly fabrics or remnants, seek donations from craftspeople and independent furniture designers. and please please....no new china/silver/crystal, there's already a warehouse full of prior vanity. mix it up.

I agree with going eco, but what message does it send to the world that the leader of the world's most wealthy country is pinching pennies?

I know it sends a nice message to Americans, but...

I guess the designer would have to be American, huh?

I'm fairly certain Terrance Conran could achieve the look I'd like to see.

If not Mr. Conran, I'd have to say Darryl Carter as well.

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