WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
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JEWEL SAMAD/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES REFRESHED:The Oval Office, redecorated by Los Angeles designer Michael S. Smith while the Obamas were on vacation last week, has a new rug, couches and wallpaper.
A sense of neutrality in the seat of power
oval office from C1
recent presidents, remains the place where President Obama will ponder his briefing books. The mahogany armchairs from the previous administration were reupholstered in caramel- colored leather. But there is a strikingly modern walnut and mica coffee table and two new azure ceramic table lamps that add a welcome pop of color. And for those who like to com- pare the Obamas to the Clintons, designer Kaki Hockersmith said that she, too, installed the Oval Office decor for the Clintons while they were on vacation in the Vineyard. “I remember that day when they landed in the heli- copter and immediately swung on over to see the room,” Hock- ersmith said. “I would not be sur- prised if going over there was also one of the first things the Obamas did when they came back home.” Here’s some rapid response from others in the design world, as online images of the new Oval Office became available Tuesday morning (with no advance warn- ing): Michael Boodro, newly minted editor in chief of Elle Decor: “It looks much more comfortable and less intimidating. The coffee table looks sturdy and seems like you could put your feet up on it. The rug is certainly impressive and as understated as it can be with that presidential seal on it.” Mario Buatta, New York interi- or designer and a designer of Blair House: “It’s trying to be contemporary in a federal build- ing. With the stained floors and modern coffee table, it’s sort of an everything mix, but I guess that is what the president likes. The sofas are beautiful but they are casual and not the formal style for that room. If this is what our president is happy in, then that is what he should have. There is not much regard for the past in a country that is steeped in history and tradition.” Frank Babb Randolph, Wash-
ington interior designer and de- signer of the vice president’s resi- dence for the Cheneys: “It’s beau- tiful. When you go in to see the world leader, you want not to be overwhelmed. This room puts you at ease. The sofas look com-
fortable. I am shocked at the neu- trality. Your eyes go to the flags and the oval windows and out- doors. You don’t walk in the room and salute red, white and blue.”
William Seale, historian and author of “The President’s House: A History”: “I bet Betty Ford loves it. She hated the walls in that room because she said they looked like they were going to fall in on you or walk away with you. He solved it with the striation on the wallpaper. . . . It’s a more modern approach to tra- ditional. But I wouldn’t go to town with that coffee table.” Margaret Russell, newly ap- pointed editor in chief of Archi- tectural Digest: “It feels very American and very appropriate. I look at him as a modern-day president with one foot in the past and one foot in the future. . . . It feels like a warm and wel- coming space. Knowing Michael, I am sure that he gravitated toward very artisanal American firms.”
Stiles Colwill, a Baltimore in- terior designer who has worked on the Maryland governor’s man- sion: “You are dealing with a room that can’t have a lot of change. Each president seems to come and change the rug, which puts their stamp on it. You keep George Washington and the clock by the door. It’s sort of a hard thing to change.” Miles Redd, a New York interi- or designer who also works on the Oscar de la Renta home col- lection: “The room is a big suc- cess. It’s very difficult to decorate an oval room. This is not a pri- vate office — it’s a public space that reflects the taste of the country. The stripe is handsome, the modern mica table has a bit of Jean-Michel Frank style, the rug for me is a little bit official. . . . Just like our country, I think the room is stylish, modern and a bit conservative.” Sheila Bridges, New York in- terior designer and designer of Bill Clinton’s Harlem office: “It doesn’t look like any type of ex- treme makeover. It looks tasteful and not over the top. It’s appro- priate for where we are in the country right now. I can’t imag- ine spending a tremendous amount of money on it when we have been in a recession and two
JONATHAN ERNST/REUTERS
Sheila Bridges, New York interior designer and designer of Bill Clinton’s Harlem office: “It looks tasteful and not over the top.” Mario Buatta, New York interior designer and a designer of Blair House: “It’s trying to be contemporary in a federal building.”
DESK SET: Presidents usually keep a line-up of family photos and mementos behind their desks.
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wars. If you are going to confer with dignitaries and heads of state, I would want for that room to be represented in a way that is not ostentatious or over the top.” Celerie Kemble, New York and
Palm Beach interior designer: “The new design strikes me as tasteful and played very safe. I wonder if the treacherous politi- cal climate has caused the Oba- mas to become more aesthetical- ly conservative. It seems cable commentators and bloggers will grasp at the most innocuous ‘symbol’ to score points, so may- be the president’s staff and Mi- chael Smith decided it is best not to give anyone any material to misinterpret. As a designer, I’d rather see a little more person- ality, but then I don’t have to get an immigration bill through Congress next session!”
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The Kennedy Center’s Open House Arts Festival celebrates Mexico with more than 20 free performances and activities for the whole family. Enjoy the colorful dancers of Ballet Folklorico de Veracruz, the enchanting songs of Eugenia Léon, and more. The arts of Mexico will come alive! Plus, meet favorite authors and shop for books at the Multicultural Children’s Book Festival. It’s a day full of fun and fiesta!
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JEWEL SAMAD/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES CLEAN LINES: The new coffee table was made of American walnut and mica by a New York company.
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