Rather elegant and quite befitting of a modern Presidency.

I particularly love the selection of those slope-armed sofas, the neutral carpet and those navy lamps - I just wish there were a few more navy pillows...

And that pair of leather chairs by the fireplace - Lolling Chairs/Gainsborough Chairs - I've been looking for a pair like those for my place to replace the Danish Modern pieces I currently have.

I don't like the coffee table too much but i love that yellow/mustard stripe wall paper.
sofa tables behind the sofa would be nice.

Sorry to say I thought it bland. The newspapers aren't showing a "before" version so it's hard to compare. But I don't think the Obama adaptations are wholly successful. Too much beige. Rather mid-market motel looking. I don't like those sofas or the leather chairs--too generic for me. They seem to fight with the formal style of the draperies and pelmet. While the room doesn't have to be a museum period piece, I would be more in favor of a decor in tune with the style and period of the house, with some strong accept pieces for updates; and those should be of some distinction, rather than commonplace. Obviously the comfort of the occupant and the quality of work is the paramount consideration.

Wow, it's just one of those rooms, where you look at it, and it just fits the person inside of it. Very tastefully done, but too beige for my personality. I love the navy color pops though; they should have brought it down onto the rug as well. The floor is what really turns me off.

Ehh, looks like my grandmother's house.

It's the couches, they look like they have slip covers and just look ugly.

Personally, I just love the stealth doors hiding beneath the wallpaper & wainscoting- I remember an AT post from a while back that had some fantastic ones (where the bookshelf swings open, or through the back of a wardrobe... *sigh* :)

Bland is the word! Too much brown, nauseating wall paper. Furniture looks like this week's bargain. Depressing. what's wrong with a bit of colour? A piece of modern art? Maybe even a bit of Bauhaus? The coffe table leaves me speechless. Yuk!

There are actually four other photos on the NY Times site including photos from the Bush and Clinton administrations. You may be able to see them at this link: http://www.nytimes.com/politics/

Let the man have the room he is comfortable in.

Headsign, Erik the Red- you are not running this country, thank heaven.

I knew people would take cheap and easy potshots at this.

So predictable.

Gotta agree with the above--way too much beige. Maybe it's because he has small kids, I can see where you'd be on color overload and want your working space to be very plain and adult. But there's no excuse for those beige velvet sofas; we had sofas like that when I was a kid in the 70's and...no. They look like he picked them up at a garage sale or as curb trash, and he never got around to re-covering them. Which is too bad, because their shape is pretty cool. And I hate the wicker backs of the small chairs.

Almost enough to make a person defect to Canada.

the velvetish brown sofas with the stripped cushions are giving me weird vibes too, it looks a lot like something my parents had when i was growing up.

I think what bothers me most about the sofas is the skirt things on the bottom. I think a cleaner base/simple sturdy looking legs would make all the difference to me.

but as long as he likes it, nothing worse than being stuck in a space you dont like all day for work!

My problem with it is that the art is waaaaay too small. The pieces are dwarfed by the giant walls they are hung on.

Grannie chic. Those sofas!

Well, as long as he's comfortable in it. Seriously, I thought the above picture was going to be a "before" pic, only to find out this triple B threat (bland, brown, and beige) is actually the reveal. His wife seems to have a comfortable taste in colors, should have let her choose the carpet.

I love it. Looks like Sheila Bridges' work.

Ooh! Fabulous post... I went looking for an image of George W. Bush's office and found this - http://www.rugrag.com/post/Presidential-Oval-Office-Rugs-and-Carpets-Through-the-Ages.aspx -- Oval offices from years' past.

Oval Office To-Do List:
1.Dig out of Great Recession.
2.Cure health care.
3.Secure national security.
4.Finish up war in two countries.
5.Plug budget deficit.
6.Repair economy.
7.Clean up Gulf oil spill.
...

18,764. Choose upholstery swatches.

I'm sort of glad the powers that be got the couches wrong. Shows that this administration's priorities are in the right place.

Although, those couches look like they could absorb a few coffee stains and pen marks without notice. The people visiting and working there might feel more at ease and might be more willing to open up, compromise and get things done if they are not intimidated by possibly staining the furniture.

Perhaps folks should have a look at the "Before" - then tell us what you think:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/08/obamas-oval-office-gets-a-makeover-/1

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/west-wing/oval-office-bush2-2005.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/west-wing/oval-office-old.htm&h=403&w=600&sz=87&tbnid=3KhmZqj7lD2HCM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbush%2Boval%2Boffice&zoom=1&hl=en&usg=__Pn0_BTuXtH5iJ5qwvOddt2edqjU=&sa=X&ei=N1d9TOHIBYnEsAPI5cmCBw&ved=0CBQQ9QEwAw

The color of the couches look better in some other pics and they do look comfy. The upholstery job on them looks a bit sloppy though.

http://freedomslighthouse.net/2010/08/31/president-obama-does-major-redecoration-to-the-oval-office-photos/

Overall, I'm underwhelmed with the look. It's just a bit too neutral.

On a side note, I was in DC last month and in the West Wing. We couldn't peek in the Oval Office because Obama was playing poker. So maybe he was wanting an office that felt cozy enough to kick back on the weekends.

Sorry - This is a better link:

http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/west-wing/oval-office-old.htm

The room doesn't excite me, but then, it's not supposed to.

So long as the room is dignified, allows him to do the important work he does and he's comfortable there, what does it matter what it looks like? It looks like the office of someone who intends to do a lot of hard work in it. It's a working office, not a showpiece, and I like that.

And at least it's better than that hideous sunburst rug that W had in there.

RoseCampion

You said it best!

if it was too lavish or on point with what people might think is "appropriate", you'd all be complaining that the administration is focusing too much attention on aesthetics. Obama can't win, either way with most folks.

The room is dignified, like OUR President.

Gee ComfortSeeker,

If only he had the time to find a green designer. Oh drat! He really missed the boat on this one, focusing instead on a major recession, Iraq, Afghanistan, banking failures and not to mention an oil spill.

What's a President to do?

Kahlil19107
Good points.

All politics aside... this office is terribly boring and uninspiring. It looks they transported the office from the 70s. This should be Nixon's office, not Obama's.

The room is not ostentatious, like previous decorating jobs, but it is not quite successful.

The room is too monochrome, and as such, suffers from a lack of energy. It's too much like a cocoon, and too nest-like. And those sofas... I keep being reminded of Mary Tyler Moore (I know, hers were a wide wale corduroy, but there is still something...).

I can't believe I am saying this, but I actually liked Bush II's wall color, as well as the drapes (not the rug or anything else though). The wall color served as a good contrast, and the drapes were an interesting and unusual shade.

It's awful and sends the wrong message to the American people. It matters none that it was done with private funds. What was so wrong with the previous space? The President should be setting an example. This smacks of do what I say and not as I do.

It's a WH tradition that the new president makes some changes to the Oval Office. As an American, I actually value some of the traditions of the presidency.

Everything was made in the USA, meaning that some American worker's JOB was to re-upholster the furniture, screen print and hang the wallpaper, re-cycle the 25% wool in the carpet, make the carpet, transport it, and intall everything.

Geez, people. And consider going to the WSJ interactive site. The room (cool coffee table) is pretty nice.

Does anyone know where the old furniture goes? Is it donated, sold, etc?

"Does anyone know where the old furniture goes? Is it donated, sold, etc?"

All furnishings, china, and other non-personal property used in the White House becomes the property of the US Government - so it all goes into a warehouse for storage when it's no longer in use.

"This should be Nixon's office, not Obama's"

Perhaps you should look at photos of Nixon's office: Gold Draperies w/ a heavy formal cornice, Royal Blue Carpet with Gold Stars and a Gold Presidential Seal, Gold upholstery fabrics on all the furniture...
...Nixon's office was much more indicative of Royalty than Mrs Obama's selections (The President rarely if ever chooses his own furnishings other than some general colors and his chair - the job is typically left to the President's Wife and their Decorator.)

"I'm ready to see an Oval Office outfitted with ... "green" designs..."

How do you know that the furniture isn't "Green"? All the wood-framed chairs in the room have been used for decades and were reupholstered (again), the carpet is wool, the sofa fabric is cotton, the wallpaper is hand-made...

Glad he got rid of that tacky carpet Laura Bush had designed.

I created an account just to post in this thread! (And I will stick around, because I frequently lurk this site...)

It drives me crazy when people redecorate a historic home and pay little or no attention to the home's architectural style. If the Obamas wish to decorate their private quarters in blah 1980's style, I don't care. But the Oval Office? Please. The hideous "modern" coffee table, 80's sofas, and ugly striped pillows are eyesores. The new rug is hardly different from the old rug, thus a huge waste of money. Jackie O would shudder.

By the way, I'd like to add that I'm really tired of people constantly defending all criticisms of anything having to do with the Obamas as if they are racial or political attacks. We're discussing the Oval Office here, who knows if the Obama's selected the decorations or if they hired someone, and frankly it doesn't really matter. IMO it's in poor taste.

tamara...don't be naive.....many of the criticisms are racially and/or politically motivated...it's one thing to not like someone's design choices, but you and folks like you are behaving as if someone smacked you in the face....get a grip on reality people...it's just some bleeping furniture....

It looks like my parents' house.

Various other manifestations of the room have been more colorful. I think whoever is the President should have what s/he likes. It's a horrible job, they might as well like the office space. I was NO supporter of Mr. Bush but I thought it was nice he had his wife design a rug for the room. I like that President Obama has meaningful quotes on his rugs.

Does anyone else remember all of the fuss AT made 18 months ago about how the Obamas were going to bring a fresh new funky vibe to White House interior design? Modern art! Designer furniture! Out with stale tradition and in with excitement and change!

And yet here we are, 18 months later, with AT praising the Oval Office's "dignified, calm and quiet" Symphony in Brown.

Where's the "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster?

Some of these comments show what a diet of American Idol can do to people.

lol tdubb - right on. Not every room in America should be intended to "wow" you, including this one. It's a 200 year old home, and it's okay to decorate it as such.

Personally, I'm more offended at the disclaimers everywhere that quickly reassure us our tax dollars didn't pay for their date, vacation or new sofas. Overly politically correct scaredy cats.

We're the greatest, most prosperous nation on earth, I think we can afford to give pay for the guy to have a weekend off now and then. Let's quit reading into every dollar spent; it's myopic, partisan nit-picking.

OMG, too many "professional" decorators here.

I had a look at the Times photos did GWB 2 have a mirror on the ceiling?

Well, it's the oval office. It's where the President meets hostile politicians and foriegn dignitaries. I don't think it's really appropriate for it to be too 'funky'.

It's not ringing my bells particularly, but to say that there is 'no excuse' for those sofas or, on the other hand, that it's irresponsible (I thought spending was the way to get out of a recesion? But then what does my double politics/economics degree know?) is just daft.

However: @rexrayfan LOL

Where's the "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster?

Genuine LOL, rexrayfan.

Bredlo - fairly off topic, but I just want to dispute the idea of the US being the 'greatest ... nation on earth'. Let's not forget that non-Americans read this site, and it's in part arrogance like that that encourages all the anti-US sentiment you see in the rest of the world. Plus, it's kind of not the greatest nation on earth. Just sayin'.

Thanks Ansela for that insight. Just FYI, I am American.

And by any objective measure, it's not the greatest country on earth.

If you new furniture and decor "really disgusting," Ansela, why do you hang around on a design site?

One of the few times the global office has looked personal instead of sterile.

Oh, I hate it. Too much beige, too much brown. It all looks vaguely dirty.

Agree with Ansela. And don't non-Americans have their own non-American design sites that they visit as well? This reminds me abit of how foreigners go crazy happy when their actors or films win an award at the Oscars despite having their own award show in their own country. And my rare experience with the anti-Americanism abroad taught me the anti's are going to hate America no matter what, that is until natural/man-made disaster strikes and who do they ask help from first?

And by any historical measure, America is the greatest country on earth.

I'd love it if it was 1968! It's so dated. Bleh.

I love the wallpaper, but the furniture is so awful.

Is anyone else a little worried that his desk has nothing on it??

Mmmm! I have to say I really love the mix of old and new. I understand why some of my previous posters found it a bit drab, but too much punch really wouldn't have done justice to the old pieces.

I actually think the coffee table looks really great in the space. Certainly an interesting choice with the mica. I think this piece is by the NYC company Roman Thomas. Can anyone confirm?

Does anyone know what the sofas were recovered in?

Why are people criticizing Obama for spending money on the Oval Office? At least he gave work to Americans by supporting American businesses!

It's hideous!!!

@dakini123

iHeadsign, Erik the Red- you are not running this country, thank heaven.

Umm, ok. Not exactly sure what style has to do with running a country (and please, let's not let this turn into a political discussion).

I'm allowed to disagree with how they look. The couches look like they're out of the 70s, especially with the slipcover look. I like the leather chairs a lot. But the couches just look bland.

I would have expected the couches (mainly them because they take up so much room) to be a little more "stately" looking, intead of ripped out of the Ikea catalog.

Really Elenkat?? Really?? I think if what you say were TRUE, then he would be playing it in private quarters, NOT in the Oval Office.

I like it. But it doesn't matter. As long as our President is comfortable and the new decor can do what it has to (make people comfortable and productive) then i'm all for it.

Thank you, bepsf, for the link. That was very fun. And it did give me some perspective. The bottom line is, over the years, it's all been bad. Some years better than others, but nothing stands out. Reagan's oval office was probably the best because it was so Eighties-appropriate: elegant, regal, traditional. But these are different times, and it's a hard room to get right. You want to modernize, but you can't go too modern. You want to keep it a bit traditional, but you don't want to be offensively over-the-top in this economic climate. With that in mind, I guess they did an okay job. But design-wise (forget that it's the oval office), it's just sort of blah. And that wallpaper (sorry) is just really, really bad. All that gold and rust is my worst 1980s "fall festive" nightmare. I think they need to get rid of the wallpaper and repaint those walls a nice, soft gray. What an improvement that would be. (And maybe some new throw pillows). Does anyone at the White House read AT?

kahlil19107, dont morons like you ever get tired of playing the race card?

The first few photos I saw made the new Oval Office seem like a snooze fest to me as I'm not a lover of beige and it does not make a huge statement. After looking back at past Oval Offices I came to understand the room better in terms of its history and I can now say that I like the new look very much. It honors the past while embracing the future.

Although the new sofas are not a style I would gravitate to I think they inject a very subtle sense of modernity with their overall shapes and lines. They lend a casual look to the room and I have a feeling that if any of us were to take a seat on one of these sofas, we would fall in love with their undeniable comfort - helpful when negotiating peace treaties or trying to work with representatives of the Republican party.

The new coffee table is a simple modern piece which appears to be handcrafted using traditional techniques. The mica surface is unique and unexpected, yet it is subtle at the same time, easily blending with the more traditional, historical pieces in the room. The new lamps are also in this vein and add a much needed hit of color. The new desk chair is also very simple and modern, yet with some subtle traditional details - the curves of the arms, the use of leather.

The rug - although not bold, it's something that I think most people could easily live with. It is subtle and understated yet the designer recognized its symbolic importance. I thought the use of the quotes was a nice touch. I have to give Obama credit for working in an office for about 2 years on a rug designed by Laura Bush, inspired by Reagan's rug, and described by G.W. as being symbolic of his "optimism" - more like blind optimism if you ask me. That thing would give me the creeps!! In fact, G.W.'s entire office seemed to be inspired by Reagan's - CREEPY!!

I think the biggest change of all is the wallpaper. Looking back at past Oval Offices it seems that this is the first to use pattern on the wall and I think it works great. Being a subtle pattern and a medium tone it really brings out the detailed white painted molding throughout the room and it seems to have a very subtle sheen.

I also really love the selection of accessories and artwork from what I assume are the White House's archives. The Native American pottery on the shelves the paintings that are on either side of his desk, even the new bowl of apples on the coffee table, I think they really reflect who Obama is and what his beliefs are.

I think overall it is room of subtle features that if any of us were fortunate to visit we would find undeniably inspiring. It's definitely not cutting edge, avant-garde, over the top, or in your face, nor should it be - especially during a period of hard economic times. If it was all gold leaf and aristocratic bling, it would be unbelievably off key and if it was super-modern or even mid-century modern it would alienate a lot of Americans. Let's face it most of America is pretty traditional in terms of home furnishings.

As for all of the comments that suggest that spending money on this sends the wrong message, I think it would be worse not to spend the money, leaving it sitting around. This is donated money that is set aside for this purpose, it cannot be used to pay off the deficit (nor would it make much of a dent). Almost every president that has occupied the oval office has redecorated it to reflect who they are and the direction that they want to lead the country. All of the money that was spent was spent on products made in the US and in some cases older pieces were refinished. And everything will remain property of the White House for future generations to look back on.

I agree with many posters that is a little blah. But the biggest issue I had with it was the choice of covering the arm chairs with leather. There are many photo ops/press conferences in the Oval with the President and a visiting dignitary/diplomat/head of state seated in those chairs. Leather chairs can make funny noises when you adjust your seat in them. Diplomacy is hard enough without the extra challenge of trying to avoid making farting noises. I can see Obama's catch phrase, "let me be clear" replaced by "that wasn't me, that was the chair."

OK!

Phychi, well done.

Do realize that decorators, painters, upholsterers, rug makers etc. got paid to do this- American workers and probably damn fine craftsmen.

People in the decorative and fine arts are suffering through this recession as well.

Do you think becaue this seems frivolous in a recession they should starve and go out of business- I have news for you, many have.

The rug was made by an American rug company- the wool was 25% recycled.

I do not care WHAT party he is- good people in a fragile industry got work!

Here is the NPR article about the making of the rug.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129584565

I think creative license has it exactly right. Paint the walls gray, a soothing, brightening gray that manages at once to reflect the gravity of the times, be modern and yet harken comfortably back to tradition, and enliven what is now an undeniably dull space. The white woodwork would pop and the blue accents would look great against it. MCM sofas, with beautiful wooden legs to match the wonderful existing end tables would have looked great, but were never gonna happen. In light of that, I kind of like the coffee table. (I wouldn't, otherwise). But I think the leather armchairs were a drab mistake. Better to have picked up the rust (red?) in the sidechairs and gone with a slightly different, lively print in the same tone. He's young and energetic, I don't mind (especially since this reno was financed by private donations, for those who care) if the Oval Office reflects a bit of that.

Drab-o-rama. Except for the rug- that is very classy indeed.