As we anxiously await Election Day and the whole fate of the country seems to hang in the balance (and hopefully not the chads), it’s important to shine a thousand points of light on a neglected figure in the race – Joé the Designer. (Note: the stylishly placed accent over the e.) Historically, when a new president moves into the White House, his first lady can consult with her style advisors (a.k.a. Joé the Designer) and take on the traditional role of adding her own decorative taste to the commander-in-chief’s abode…or not.

I found some fun decorating factoids at the National First Ladies Library. Like did you know that politically minded Eleanor Roosevelt had no interest in White House keeping and visitors often commented on how dingy the décor look? She obviously had better things to do with her time.   

So if Eleanor was Oscar Madison, Mamie Eisenhower was definitely Felix. Mamie ordered that carpets and rugs be kept meticulously clean. She also loved playing hostess with the mostess, and infused her favorite color – pink – into the private quarters, as well as her wardrobe, making Mamie Pink one of the most popular hues of the ‘50s.

 

Mamie Eisenhower and the China Room at the White House during her first ladyship. 

 

Most famously, style icon Jackie Kennedy brought a breath of fashionable air to the presidential digs, redecorating the family quarters with some help from fellow icon Sister Parish. Jackie also historically restored the public rooms with help from a committee of experts.

 

Under Jackie Kennedy’s eye, the Yellow Oval Room was converted to a sitting room, circa 1962. (White Historical Association)

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The Kennedys in the Yellow Oval Room in 1963, looking south (NARA - Cecil Stoughton)

And, of course, there was Nancy Reagan and her notorious china – “Queen Nancy” got a bad rap for being high falutin’ during the 1981 economic recession, but she actually used private rather than government funds to redecorate and make the White House more of a home for her and Ronny.

Reagan China

So now is your chance to weigh in on the design fate of the White House: Who will bring more style to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue – Michelle Obama or Cindy McCain? And, for extra credit: if Todd Palin becomes the First Dude, what personal touches – perhaps, mantiques and mounted moose heads – will he bring to the veep’s mansion?

 

Tags: Cindy McCain, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Mamie Eisenhower, Michelle Obama, Sister Parish, Todd Palin, White House

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 30th, 2008 at 7:40 am and is filed under Spotlight. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.