I was able to tour the White House Friday night. It was very beautiful, with the national parks theme. There were wonderful singers and a string quartet.
But one wonders, is it overdone? The House isn't that big in the first place and to fill it with trees takes up a lot of space. Sometimes less is more.
It could be worse. If my brother was president, we'd see a giant inflatable Homer Simpson Santa on the north lawn. I expect the Bushes' last Christmas in the WH to be bigger still, tho I don't know how.
It would be interesting to know when the White House decorations really took on their current scope. Was it with Hillary or before her? I think I remember hearing once that when the Bushes arrived they actually decided to scale it down somewhat.
The House did look nice, and the new Green Room looks refreshed. But, since the styles are still there, even with the drapes, one really couldn't tell, I don't think, that anything had been changed. Instead of the coral, there is more red, of course, but it really didn't look that different to me.
Yes, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!
Hello! Lovely site you have here. Perfect for architectural enthusiasts like me.
Anyways, I was wondering if you had ever seen this subpage of the White House Historical Association site?
It features a small reproduction of an aerial-view drawing commissioned by first lady Caroline Harrison when she was thinking about expanding the building.
The dimensions of the proposed new wings are a bit different than shown in the south-elevation diagram she had made, already housed on your site.
If you look at Hillary Clinton's book Invitation to the White House, you will see the Clinton's Christmas decorations were much more elaborate than what is there now (especially for the millennium celebration). Of course I rather like the fact that the WH goes all out with the decorations for Christmas.
White House History, Number 21, is now available. The theme is on the Eisenhower White House. It casts a bit of a different light, I think, on Mamie Eisenhower's commitment to the White House and the views of J.B. West, before the JBK restoration. Perhaps it should have its own posting.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!
I was able to tour the White House Friday night. It was very beautiful, with the national parks theme. There were wonderful singers and a string quartet.
ReplyDeleteBut one wonders, is it overdone? The House isn't that big in the first place and to fill it with trees takes up a lot of space. Sometimes less is more.
Yes, the White House certainly appears to be overdone at Christmas in recent years - *is* more Dennis, I totally agree with you!
ReplyDeleteStill I'm sure it was nice to see the house at Christmas - how does the new Green Room look?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
John
*Less* is more - I meant to say. Too much eggnog... : )
ReplyDeleteIt could be worse. If my brother was president, we'd see a giant inflatable Homer Simpson Santa on the north lawn. I expect the Bushes' last Christmas in the WH to be bigger still, tho I don't know how.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to know when the White House decorations really took on their current scope. Was it with Hillary or before her? I think I remember hearing once that when the Bushes arrived they actually decided to scale it down somewhat.
ReplyDeleteThe House did look nice, and the new Green Room looks refreshed. But, since the styles are still there, even with the drapes, one really couldn't tell, I don't think, that anything had been changed. Instead of the coral, there is more red, of course, but it really didn't look that different to me.
Yes, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!
From photos that I've seen of the Clinton's Christmases, I think the Bushes have gradually scaled down the holiday decor.
ReplyDeleteHello! Lovely site you have here. Perfect for architectural enthusiasts like me.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I was wondering if you had ever seen this subpage of the White House Historical Association site?
It features a small reproduction of an aerial-view drawing commissioned by first lady Caroline Harrison when she was thinking about expanding the building.
The dimensions of the proposed new wings are a bit different than shown in the south-elevation diagram she had made, already housed on your site.
Thanks for your time,
ATM
If you look at Hillary Clinton's book Invitation to the White House, you will see the Clinton's Christmas decorations were much more elaborate than what is there now (especially for the millennium celebration). Of course I rather like the fact that the WH goes all out with the decorations for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWhite House History, Number 21, is now available. The theme is on the Eisenhower White House. It casts a bit of a different light, I think, on Mamie Eisenhower's commitment to the White House and the views of J.B. West, before the JBK restoration. Perhaps it should have its own posting.
ReplyDelete