The newly redecorated Oval Office - pics

[Kadie]

The Oval Office of US President Barack Obama has new carpeting, wallpaper and sofas at the White House in Washington, August 31, 2010.


The Oval Office of US President Barack Obama, seen from behind his desk, has new carpeting, wallpaper and sofas at the White House in Washington August 31, 2010.


The newly redecorated Oval Office of the White House with new carpet, couches and wallpaper, is pictured on August 31, 2010 in Washington, DC. The work was done while the First Family was vacationing in Martha's Vineyard.


Obama family photos are displayed at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington August 31, 2010.

[uncommon]

1. It's beautiful --

all politics aside, the Oval Office never ceases to impress me.

[wtmusic]

2. Nice.

Ya think Barack would let me crash on one of those sofas when I come to DC? :shrug:

[FBaggins]

3. Something of a 60s/70s feel to it... but I like it.

I question the wisdom of publicizing the change at this point, but that's another conversation.

[FSogol]

6. 60s/70s? I see no dark paneling or shag carpeting. Has more of a 1930s vibe.

:shrug:

[Mimosa]

39. Agree. Clean, modern. But warm enough. ;) n/t

[KittyWampus]

7. Obama paid for it on his own dime.

[FBaggins]

11. And I certainly wouldn't insist that he do so.

The head of the free world certainly should have an appropriate office (and jet... and vacations... etc). I'm just saying it might be unwise to draw attention to it when people are struggling.

On edit - No... it was paid for by the WH Historical Association with contributions from the inaugural committee. All very standard stuff.

[Recursion]

23. Stupid question: does the President pay rent? Or is he taxed for the housing benefit?

That just randomly occurred to me.

[Mimosa]

40. FBaggins, tossing out furnishings removed bad mojo!

I'm not kidding. The previous furnishings including rug and sofas carried energy from the past, iykwim.

[KittyWampus]

4. No tv?

JUST KIDDING!

[AngryAmish]

5. Are the colors the dame as before?

I haven't been to the OVal Office in a while...like never.

[zipplewrath]

8. All a matter of taste

But man that's alot of "harvest gold" or whatever they're calling that color. Touch-o-blue wouldn't a hurt here. And that carpet is gonna stain easy.

[ensho]

20. actually gold colored rugs don't show the dirt as much

nt

[hedgehog]

9. Boy, that light colored carpet makes me nervous! A speckled

carpet would be best for hiding the dirt, but if you're going for a solid color, at least go for something dark!


If you look really closely, you'll see that at least they put a protective sheet under the wheels of the Presidents chair!

[Bunny]

10. That's very nicely done. I really like it.

How'd you like to sit in that chair to the right of Obama's desk? Pretty up close and personal, isn't it?

[surrealAmerican]

12. It looks pretty good ...

... except for that wallpaper, and that's just a personal dislike of mine.

[Mojorabbit]

32. I am with you on the wallpaper

Way to busy for me. Not fond of the coffee table either. Each to his own I guess.

[alfredo]

13. The right wing lie machine is saying it costs over $2 billion

to redecorate his office.

[madokie]

14. Now that is one classy oval office

unlike the last one.

[ensho]

15. nice, looks ready for business but not rigid - comfy couches

a cool color to keep minds on track

[Arkansas Granny]

16. I find it much more attractive than the decor of the last resident.

This overhead shot shows the rug Bush was so proud of.

Obama's office has a calm, uncluttered look.

You can see pictures of the Oval Office decor of several past Presidents here:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/west-wing/oval-office-old.htm&usg=__i4E-j9J0j_xpzm1S10N91zauinA=&h=682&w=425&sz=89&hl=en&start=12&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=Xkga4KeEJSvHBM:&tbnh=139&tbnw=87&prev=/images%3Fq%3Doval%2Boffice%2Bgeorge%2Bw%2Bbush%26hl%3Den%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1

[jaxx]

21. That's a great site, thanks.

I remember reading about JFK's office being redecorated when he was killed. I never saw it before these pics.

[Hoopla Phil]

17. Doesn't reallly look that much different.

[UndertheOcean]

18. No Desktop PC for the President ?

[uncommon]

24. The Oval Office is about

elegance and intimidation, like much of the general area around the White House. I'm sure the President has a computer or 12 somewhere.

[Snazzy]

34. implanted? n/t

[jaxx]

19. It has a warmth to it that was lacking before.

I like it.

contrast old decor: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/4724127989/

[uncommon]

25. That looked nice too but it is colder. It looks more old fashioned now.

[leeroysphitz]

22. If you look closely at the picture of the desk you may be able to spot

the hidden latch that opens up a secret drawer. It is rumored that the drawer contains an old book of off-color stories once owned by LBJ.

[snooper2]

26. That phone he has sucks ass...for a nice sum I'll do an upgrade for them

Some Polycom HD videophones, a fully tricked out IP PBX...

Then he would be stylin!

[jberryhill]

27. That Swedish Ivy on the mantle is never going to go, is it.

It's been there since 1961.

[kenmcbride85]

28. Swanky

Beautifully done - a great office for a great man.

[LeftinOH]

29. The curtains and upholstery are done in muslin fabric, right?

[Morning Dew]

30. compare with

http://www.palinaspresident.us/

[Patsy Stone]

31. I'm so glad he got rid of that nasty rug from *.

:thumbsup:

[liberalla]

33. I hope we can find out what the other four phrases are around the

edge of the rug. President Obama selected them himself. One is "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

(Heard this on the ABC nightly news)

I agree with mojorabbit up-thread - don't like that coffee table at all.

[proteus_lives]

35. Looks nice. Very bright.

:thumbsup:

[EmeraldCityGrl]

36. Given the economic plight of so many Americans

I'm personally sick of hearing about vacations in Martha's Vineyard and opulent redecorating projects of Obama's inner sanctum.
It just seems very inappropriate at this time when many Americans are living in their cars, filthy motels and on the streets.

[lonestarnot]

37. Is that the left over yellow pissy rug?

[JI7]

38. It has a more warmer , comfortable family home type feeling to it

i wonder if part of the influence is from having young kids. if they ever want to do hw or read or whatever while he is working in there this would be far better for them than what was previous.