Let's not forget his birthday, next week, February 12.
There's an interesting diagram in Seale's "The President's House" that shows the Monroe/Treaty Room during Lincoln's time. Apparently he had a wall put up between the fireplace and the windows so he could pass from his office to the Oval Room without being seen. This way he could leave the White House undetected, especially when he wanted to go over to the War Department for dispatches.
What seems a bit odd about this is that any photo or drawing of the office shows a desk/bookcase sitting up against the door that would be the one used.
The Lincoln Room was completely renovated about 3 years ago by Laura Bush and is not more like the Clinton Lincoln Sitting Room...very authentic high Victorian. The only photos I have seen of this is in one of the WH Historical Association Journals from about a year ago.
I think it's strange there are no other published photos of the renovated Lincoln Bedroom. Like Nick said, the only ones are in the WHHA Journal from about a year ago. I wonder why? It's not necessarily a bad looking room (although I did like it better before) plus Mrs. Bush had the gold coronet remade for the bed drapes.
I agree about the Queen's Bedroom--definitly time for a redo. Wonder if Mrs. Bush will take it on?
There is a Hotel in Plains, Georgia and the Presidential suite there is very reminiscent of the Queen's Bedroom. The room was actually decorated at the request of President and Mrs. Carter (they came up with the idea of the hotel in the first place). I haven't stayed there, but have taken a tour of it last summer.
Been out of pocket for a while due to a stomach malaise... good to be back among the living!
Dennis, I had wondered that very same thing - about the desk up against the door to Lincoln's "escape hatch". Curious, hunh?
I have that same "White House History" journal that shows the redecorated Lincoln Bedroom. They mentioned a new mantle - I wonder if it's a marble one, with a typical mid 19th. century round-top firebox opening?
And as long as we're talking about redocorating tired rooms - I , for one, would love to see the Yellow Oval Room redecorated with appropriate American furniture... This room had a freshness and elegance, when it was first done back in 1962, that's just sort-of overdone and stilted now.
Because of my Daytimer/calendar reminds me of holidays and such, I too noticed Lincolns B-Day is coming up. And I agree with Dennis about not forgetting.
Maybe do something special on a page for that once a year?
I only bring up Lincoln because as Seale has said, the White House may not even be around today (because back in the day it was not that special a place) had it not been for the fact that it was where Lincoln had lived. His life and his death has led to the preservation of the home we've all come to enjoy.
Guess what everybody. I went to the White House. I toured the whole place. I couldn't believe my luck. They let me check out all of the odd places I've always wondered about. The grounds, the West Wing, the White House roof, you name it. I'd find myself in different moments where I'd catch myself "hey! Wow! There it is! There's that thing I've always seen in books" and other moments. I was so proud and couldn't wait to get back to you guys with pictures. PICTURES . . I FORGOT MY CAMERA. I was sooooooooooooooooo upset at myself when I realized I didn't have my camera. . .
And then I woke-up from my dream.
Yup. That was me last night . . .totally convinced that I was at the White House. It was very real. And I was VERY MAD at myself for forgetting my camera.
And as long as we're dreaming... Here's what mine would be...
First we take down the crystal chandelier in the State Floor Entrance Hall and put it safely in storage (or use it in another room, upstairs). Then we find the original 1902 McKim, Mead and White lantern and re-install it in the Entrance Hall, as God intended.
Next we install some wonderful crimson silk damask curtains in the East Room - much like the ones McKim originally intended for the East Room. Edith Roosevelt pulled rank on McKim and selected yellowish gold curtains, but eventually FDR did install red curtains - as are shown (in color) on an image on Derek's East Room page (chapter?).
Finally, we take the chandelier currently in the Green Room and put it in the Blue Room - and then take the current Blue Room chandelier and run it down the hall to the Green Room. Just swap them.
I know everyone has their own opinion, but I've always thought the current Green Room chandelier overwhelms the room - takes the eye away from the world-class Duncan Phyfe furniture.
And - the big, bold and very elegant Green Room chandelier not only is too much like the East Room chandeliers to be in the room right next door, but it suits so wonderfully the hefty, robust Bellange furniture in the Blue Room.
And that's pretty much all I'd do, except to collect some really good AMERICAN furniture for the Yellow Oval Room.
Well as long as we are dreaming about how to redecorate, first I would start with the ground floor.
I would completly redo the library, by restoring it to its original wood color, maybe stain it golden. I would bring in a dark green carpet and the table that Boudin put in there. I would also furnish it with some overstuffed chairs, making it a perfect place to relax and read after a stressfull day. Then I would restore the ground floor corridor to how it looked in Truman's day.
For the State floor, I would put red curtains in the east room to give it a more elegant feel. Then I would put those two giant planting pots that ford Had in the entrance hall and put them there. I would also replace the benches in the cross hall with backless benches. I would consider switching the carpets in the red and green room to those ones from the early 1900s with the presidential seals on them. And sorry furniture enthusiasts, but that torture device known as the red room sofa is gone.
My most dramatic changes would be on the secnond floor. I would paint the east hall white and put in white carpet, giving it a unique feel. I would restore the treaty room to how it looked in Clinton's term. Both the center and west sitting halls would get painted white as well. I would restore the wallpaper in the dining room, and make it look as it did during Nixon's term. I would give the living room a makeover with green paint and dark sofas. The west and center sitting hall would get all new, deep blue carpet.
And in my most drmatic change, I would consider knocking out the walls of the first ladies sitting room and the bedroom hallway to make one giant bedroom, fit for a president.
I agree with John, return the original Mckim lantern to the entrance hall (it is pictured in a 1963 guidebook--so it may be in storage somewhere). But, I would say keep the East room gold and on that same note someone should reproduce the chandeliers that were in the East room at the time of Lincoln (I beleive those dated back to Andrew Jackson) and put those up. Swapping the Green Room and Blue Room chandeliers would work as well. I too really liked the treaty room under the Clintons as well as the President's Dining Room on the Second Floor--I was not a big fan of the "scenic" wallpaper (looks good in the Diplomatic Reception Room, but not in the dining room).
I like anonymous'es Library - it sounds very comfortable and cozy - and the deep blue rugs in the West and Center Sitting halls. That sounds very elegant.
I would also change the filter in the return air thing in the Air Conditioner system. Antique filters are not a Good Thing. : )
Let's not forget his birthday, next week, February 12.
ReplyDeleteThere's an interesting diagram in Seale's "The President's House" that shows the Monroe/Treaty Room during Lincoln's time. Apparently he had a wall put up between the fireplace and the windows so he could pass from his office to the Oval Room without being seen. This way he could leave the White House undetected, especially when he wanted to go over to the War Department for dispatches.
What seems a bit odd about this is that any photo or drawing of the office shows a desk/bookcase sitting up against the door that would be the one used.
The Lincoln Room was completely renovated about 3 years ago by Laura Bush and is not more like the Clinton Lincoln Sitting Room...very authentic high Victorian. The only photos I have seen of this is in one of the WH Historical Association Journals from about a year ago.
ReplyDeleteI think it's strange there are no other published photos of the renovated Lincoln Bedroom. Like Nick said, the only ones are in the WHHA Journal from about a year ago. I wonder why? It's not necessarily a bad looking room (although I did like it better before) plus Mrs. Bush had the gold coronet remade for the bed drapes.
ReplyDeleteI like it better now than ever actually. I don't like Victoriana as a rule, but it's appropriate for these rooms and well done.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see the Queen's Bedroom done in 1960s English mod.
I agree about the Queen's Bedroom--definitly time for a redo. Wonder if Mrs. Bush will take it on?
ReplyDeleteThere is a Hotel in Plains, Georgia and the Presidential suite there is very reminiscent of the Queen's Bedroom. The room was actually decorated at the request of President and Mrs. Carter (they came up with the idea of the hotel in the first place). I haven't stayed there, but have taken a tour of it last summer.
Thanks Derek - it seems to be working again!
ReplyDeleteBeen out of pocket for a while due to a stomach malaise... good to be back among the living!
Dennis, I had wondered that very same thing - about the desk up against the door to Lincoln's "escape hatch". Curious, hunh?
I have that same "White House History" journal that shows the redecorated Lincoln Bedroom. They mentioned a new mantle - I wonder if it's a marble one, with a typical mid 19th. century round-top firebox opening?
And as long as we're talking about redocorating tired rooms - I , for one, would love to see the Yellow Oval Room redecorated with appropriate American furniture... This room had a freshness and elegance, when it was first done back in 1962, that's just sort-of overdone and stilted now.
Sorry about posting problems. It's nothing you're doing wrong, I'm sure. It's pure Blogger crankiness.
ReplyDeleteDerek,
ReplyDeleteBecause of my Daytimer/calendar reminds me of holidays and such, I too noticed Lincolns B-Day is coming up. And I agree with Dennis about not forgetting.
Maybe do something special on a page for that once a year?
Just a thought.
Thanks for the reminder Dennis!
Pete
I only bring up Lincoln because as Seale has said, the White House may not even be around today (because back in the day it was not that special a place) had it not been for the fact that it was where Lincoln had lived. His life and his death has led to the preservation of the home we've all come to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteGuess what everybody. I went to the White House. I toured the whole place. I couldn't believe my luck. They let me check out all of the odd places I've always wondered about. The grounds, the West Wing, the White House roof, you name it. I'd find myself in different moments where I'd catch myself "hey! Wow! There it is! There's that thing I've always seen in books" and other moments. I was so proud and couldn't wait to get back to you guys with pictures. PICTURES . . I FORGOT MY CAMERA. I was sooooooooooooooooo upset at myself when I realized I didn't have my camera. . .
ReplyDeleteAnd then I woke-up from my dream.
Yup. That was me last night . . .totally convinced that I was at the White House. It was very real. And I was VERY MAD at myself for forgetting my camera.
And as long as we're dreaming... Here's what mine would be...
ReplyDeleteFirst we take down the crystal chandelier in the State Floor Entrance Hall and put it safely in storage (or use it in another room, upstairs). Then we find the original 1902 McKim, Mead and White lantern and re-install it in the Entrance Hall, as God intended.
Next we install some wonderful crimson silk damask curtains in the East Room - much like the ones McKim originally intended for the East Room. Edith Roosevelt pulled rank on McKim and selected yellowish gold curtains, but eventually FDR did install red curtains - as are shown (in color) on an image on Derek's East Room page (chapter?).
Finally, we take the chandelier currently in the Green Room and put it in the Blue Room - and then take the current Blue Room chandelier and run it down the hall to the Green Room. Just swap them.
I know everyone has their own opinion, but I've always thought the current Green Room chandelier overwhelms the room - takes the eye away from the world-class Duncan Phyfe furniture.
And - the big, bold and very elegant Green Room chandelier not only is too much like the East Room chandeliers to be in the room right next door, but it suits so wonderfully the hefty, robust Bellange furniture in the Blue Room.
And that's pretty much all I'd do, except to collect some really good AMERICAN furniture for the Yellow Oval Room.
What would you guys do with the place?
Well as long as we are dreaming about how to redecorate, first I would start with the ground floor.
ReplyDeleteI would completly redo the library, by restoring it to its original wood color, maybe stain it golden. I would bring in a dark green carpet and the table that Boudin put in there. I would also furnish it with some overstuffed chairs, making it a perfect place to relax and read after a stressfull day. Then I would restore the ground floor corridor to how it looked in Truman's day.
For the State floor, I would put red curtains in the east room to give it a more elegant feel. Then I would put those two giant planting pots that ford Had in the entrance hall and put them there. I would also replace the benches in the cross hall with backless benches. I would consider switching the carpets in the red and green room to those ones from the early 1900s with the presidential seals on them. And sorry furniture enthusiasts, but that torture device known as the red room sofa is gone.
My most dramatic changes would be on the secnond floor. I would paint the east hall white and put in white carpet, giving it a unique feel. I would restore the treaty room to how it looked in Clinton's term. Both the center and west sitting halls would get painted white as well. I would restore the wallpaper in the dining room, and make it look as it did during Nixon's term. I would give the living room a makeover with green paint and dark sofas. The west and center sitting hall would get all new, deep blue carpet.
And in my most drmatic change, I would consider knocking out the walls of the first ladies sitting room and the bedroom hallway to make one giant bedroom, fit for a president.
I agree with John, return the original Mckim lantern to the entrance hall (it is pictured in a 1963 guidebook--so it may be in storage somewhere). But, I would say keep the East room gold and on that same note someone should reproduce the chandeliers that were in the East room at the time of Lincoln (I beleive those dated back to Andrew Jackson) and put those up. Swapping the Green Room and Blue Room chandeliers would work as well. I too really liked the treaty room under the Clintons as well as the President's Dining Room on the Second Floor--I was not a big fan of the "scenic" wallpaper (looks good in the Diplomatic Reception Room, but not in the dining room).
ReplyDeleteI like anonymous'es Library - it sounds very comfortable and cozy - and the deep blue rugs in the West and Center Sitting halls. That sounds very elegant.
ReplyDeleteI would also change the filter in the return air thing in the Air Conditioner system. Antique filters are not a Good Thing. : )
Abraham Lincoln was born on this day in 1809. He was born in Kentucky, lived in Indiana, and came to manhood and prominence in Illinois.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Abe! (even though my people did fight for the Confederacy...)
ReplyDelete