Washington White House Christmas

The First  family opened the Christmas season this week with festivities at Presidential Park and the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a tour of the decorated White House.  More than 80 volunteers from 26 states worked on the decorations.... I wonder how you get on that decorating committee... .If you missed it I'll share some of it with you here....

The annual White House Christmas Tree Delivery... This year an 18 foot Douglas fir is delivered to the Blue Room which is the official location of the White House tree. 

Lions tigers and bears....Oh my!

 

This is a beautiful LED tree....Yep it works Mr. President.

Wednesday was the official lighting of the national Christmas Tree in Presidents Park.

The Douglas Fir decorated in the Blue Room.

 

I absolutely love the decorated Red Room.

A nod to Christmas past Former First Lady Laura Bush...East Room, Christmas 2008

 

Then First Lady Hillary Clinton, Christmas 1993.

  The Reagans in the Blue Room... Christmas mid 1980's

 The Kennedy's, Christmas 1961

 

The last time we had young kids in the White House... Christmas, 1962

Obama Style

President Obama and Michelle Obama have made a most unprecedented decorating decision to date. They've decided to pay for the decorating of the White House private residence and the Oval Office themselves! They'll forego the $100,000 budget of public funds set aside to redecorate their quarters. Nor are they accepting gifts for the project either.
When Mr. Obama promised change...he really meant it. At a time when everyday Americans are loosing jobs and homes at an accelerated rate they're sending a much appreciated message.
I just hope those who have responsibility for corporate treasuries, pension funds, and boards of directors get it... It's a new day. Greed and self indulgence are out. Integrity and prudence are in. The pendulum had swung too far and now it's correcting itself. I've always believed good leadership leads by example, it seeks to elevate... and in our new first family the example on how leadership should respond toward the public trust is more than a breath of fresh air... in spite of the economy and the slow down in my decorating business... I'm breathing a little better.

White House Style

Now that Michael S. Smith is in charge of decorating the residential quarters of the White House for the Obama's we expect to see some changes....Personally I can't wait! I absolutely love change especially when it comes to beautiful rooms. Based on his work Mr. Smith coming to Washington is a good thing! His style is often heaped in tradition but with a lighter more modern touch. I've never seen one of his rooms I didn't absolutely love. Refreshing, light, serene, modern are a few words that describe the feel of his work. I like the term modern
traditional. I want to know what his plans will be for the Yellow Oval Room on the second floor of the residential quarters. This room dates back to before the Roosevelt days... not Franklin, but Teddy. I'd love to see it come more fashion forward... It may be hard, but I can wait.

Yellow Oval Room: 1909

Yellow Oval Room: 2006

This Michael S. Smith room is heaped in traditional
style yet it isn't heavy. The color pallet is light and sophisticated.

Laura Bush host a guest in the Yellow Oval Room
on the 2nd floor of the residential quarters. This room has evolved
over administrations.

President Obama isn't changing the Oval office decor...at least
not now...stay tuned

Outgoing First Lady Laura Bush invites incoming First Lady Michelle Obama
to tour the White House. The fan window makes a beautiful focal point but the feel of
the west hall sitting room could use an update....2008


The Regan's host Prince Charles and Princess Diana in the
Yellow Oval Room: 1985

The Kennedy's in the Yellow Oval Room: 1963