Eric Draper / The White House
November 10, 2008, President George W. Bush and President-elect Barack Obama meet in the Oval Office. Obama inherited the Bush décor.
Susan Walsh / AP
December 29, 2009, President Barack Obama's Oval Office after he made some changes to the decorations.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
August 31, 2010, after more extensive renovations to the Oval Office, including a new carpet, drapes, wallpaper and furniture. The famous Resolute Desk remains.
In January of 2010, Obama did some redecorating in the Oval office, choosing new art objects, paintings and adding a few personal items. While he was away over the weekend, a more extensive redecorating of the office took place. New couches, chairs, drapes, and a carpet. What do you think of the new decor?
More photos from the January changes.
Interactive map of Inside the White House including a 360 degree view of the Oval Office.
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Hate it. Sorry.
Looking at the top two photos, not much different. the furniture is all the same. But for the paintings on the wall, every other piece of furniture looks the same.
The newest incarnation is just blah. The brown chairs are hideous and the table? Ew. I like the wallpaper though. Nice touch.
Disgusting!!!! I can't get a job, unemplpyment running out and Obama spends money for his wife to go to Spain and then redecorates the oval office???????? He better pay for all of this "personal stuff" out of his salary, not taxpayer money. He and family have had 6 vacations, he does not work, why does he need a vacation??????
Just wait until the Novembert elections............out the Democrats go........
Why is it that critics like you never seem to know the truth of things - all you seem to know how to do is grip and point fingers. Pres. Obama has taken less vacation time than Bush at this point in the presidency and the redecorating was paid by donations, not tax payers - can you read? Also, not work?????? How can you say that when this administration has done more in a year to help move this country forward than Bush did in 8! Since you have some time with your unemployment, why don't you read a book instead of watching Fox News. Try to think - get a clue. Know your history, understand the facts and stop pointing fingers as if all of your problems are not of your own making. Take some responsibility and do something for the country besides dissing the president and the Democrats. Without them we are all lost - start understanding this before the election instead of after when all is lost to the rich and greedy - who are put into power by the ignorant.
Hmmm...just trying to figure out what RN for 53 years' gripe is:
"Disgusting" - don't like the style? the color?
"I can't get a job" - RN for 53 Years, doesn't that make you well past retirement age? Why not? How many places have you applied? Perhaps spelling and grammar errors on applications and resumes are a problem?
"Obama spends money for his wife to go to Spain" - jealous because no one thinks you are worth spending on to take a vacation? He earned the $$ she earned the trip. Big deal! Happens every day.
"He better pay for all of this personal stuff out of his salary, not taxpayer money" - there are restrictions on how personal money can be used as President, but read the article, listen to the video reports - the redecorating did not cost the taxpayer a dime. BTW, ignoring part of what was said, any possibility that impacts the job search?
"He and family have had 6 vacations" - gee, we have a President who actually spends and enjoys family time...no problems there!
"He does not work" - again, maybe a reflection of the problem in finding a job, not knowing what work actually is?
"Just wait until the November elections" - you like how the economy tanked before Obama took office and want more of the same?
I think it looks comfortable and elegant at the same time. The new carpet is beautiful and the more casual style of the furniture looks more inviting. It looks less cluttered, more spacious. Yet you still don't lose the sense you're in the oval.
I like it. I hope they replace those ugly drapes.
Can't anybody say anything NICE anymore? "IF YOU AIN'T GOT SOMETHING NICE TO SAY DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL" The words of Thumper
I have couch like that...Give or take a few beer stains.
Where's the Futon for those "All Nighters"?
The drapes are the same and need to be changed,the furniture is all the same except for the ugly new brown couches and chairs,ugly new lamps, the new rug is nice though,not so busy.
Ugly Drapes! I think they came from Gone with the Wind movie props.
The Oval Office looks great. I'm impressed they found such great craftsmanship in American products and made the effort to showcase American products in the change.
No matter who paid for it, whether it be from his personal funds, taxpayers, or donations. I feel it is in bad taste for the president to give the Oval Office an overhaul. As the leader of a country that is facing the hardships we are, he should be sympathizing, not redoing. How many Americans can't afford things they need, let alone new furniture? As for the Spain trip, I feel the same. Why should the leader of the country spending be frivolously when so many Americans can't?
The new furnishings are much more casual in appearance. - less formal. I prefer the previous decor for the oval office.
The renovation, like others before, was funded entirely by private donations. Unless you wish to control how other people donate their money, I don't understand the gripe. The President waited a year and a half to decide how he used the office first before he made the changes.
I wish the rug was shown more clearly as I understand it's surrounded by quotes from great Americans like Lincoln, Roosevelt, King, etc. I also understand that unlike previous renovations, everything here was made in the USA. For example, from another article, 30 craftsmen in Michigan worked over 570 hours to make that rug. That's a refreshing change. I wonder if the people complaining about the renovation understand that Americans were employed making the furniture, hanging the drapes, wallpaper, etc. That's how much of this country works; people are employed when other people spend money on goods and services.
I believe that the President's attempt to make the Oval Office look more like a comfortable, middle class home office rather than the more imperial, regal model favored by some presidents is one small way that the White House is choosing to communicate its commitment to American simplicity and the very American desire for simple creature comforts in one's personal workspace - even in times of hardship.
American presidents have been criticized for both their opulent stylings and their simplistic, almost monastic tastes. Richard Nixon's attempt to design uniforms for the White House guards in 1969 drew quite a few laughs, and the uniforms themselves eventually went to a local High School Band. In contrast, Jimmy Carter's cardigan sweaters, his walk to the White House from his inauguration and his wish to carry his own luggage onboard Air Force One eventually weakened his perception in voters minds that he actually could be presidential when he needed to be. Of course, we all remember the howls of criticism at Nancy Reagan's purchase of new China in 1982 (also during a recession period), and to be honest, I can never look at Bill Clinton's Oval Office again without remembering what went on in there during his affair with Monica Lewinsky from 1995-97. I don't think Georgw W. Bush could stand to think about it either, which is why decorators were pulling up the carpet and replacing the drapes within hours of his own inauguration in 2001.
It is true that presidential redecorations of private/public rooms such as the Oval Office must be funded by private donation; art and statuary are donated from American collections that are the propoerty of the American people first, and are on loan to the president only. The job and the right to live and work in the People's House is fleeting as well, which is why a president's style goes out of fashion just as quickly as their administrations do.
Bottom line - considering what he has to endure in that office, and knowing what the job has done to the 42 predecessors in that office, it's a blue-eyed wonder that there aren't bars and locks on the doors and windows - to keep him from running out screaming into the night!
I don't have to live and work there - he does. Whatever helps him be a better leader, let him (and those who come after) have it - for the good of the country!
Ditch the drapes...leather chairs look uncomfortable but nice. Wallpaper - great! Give the guy a break - it's only the Oval Office! Could be your home he wants to control.