The election is over and the American people have spoken.  “Change has come to America.”  It’s out with the old and in with the new; a time for change and a time for renewal. In this same spirit, Los Angeles-based interior designer Lara Fishman of Storm Interiors (www.storminteriors.com) and Designers Call (www.designerscall.com) offers up a few good design tips on how our new President (and his First Lady) might update the Oval Office to reflect the same inspiring ideals of hope, optimism, confidence and unity.

Presidents before have remodeled the Oval Office in their taste; from flooring to furnishings to paint.  When President Obama gets to Washington, Fishman suggests that he and his first lady put their own personal stamp on the Oval Office, bringing to it a new level of contemporary sophistication, the likes of which it has not yet seen.  Goodbye to the white pine and oak wagon-wheel pattern that was installed by Reagan in 1982 and more recently re-installed by George W.  So long to the washed out rugs and overly dramatic valences and heavy drapery.  It’s the dawning of a new era, and it’s time for the Oval Office to boldly enter into the 21^st century in modern elegance and timeless style.

Starting with the floor:

While wagon wheel pine and oak doesn’t exactly inspire, rather than chuck it all and send it to the landfill, Fishman would opt for the eco-option.  Keep it.  Strip it.  And go rustic.  High gloss is decidedly passé.  It might also be stylish and symbolic to stain the wood black and white, perhaps sending a subtle message to our newly unified nation.

Every President designs their own oval rug including our country’s great seal.  Fishman suggests calling on a rug company like LA’s Yayla (www.yayla.com) to create a one-of-a-kind rug in muted reds and blues in a stylized “Tree of Life” pattern that incorporates the seal.  Wholesale proceeds from Yayla sales go toward the benefit of the Tibetan refugee community and the children of Nepali weavers as well as projects within Tibet so the new President would be decorating with a conscience.

Moving to the walls

Each President also gets to choose the hue for the walls of the Oval Office.  Since our 44^th President will be inheriting an unprecedented mess and surely be working long, hard hours, he should definitely stay with a neutral, calm, and soothing color.  Fishman suggests the Eco Natura version of White Dove by Benjamin Moore (an American company!).  President Obama can’t afford to get sick from VOCs!

The original Georgian ornamentation is quite gorgeous, so Fishman would opt to give it new life with a coat of high gloss Benjamin Moore white, though if Barack is feeling bold, she might suggest painting them a beautiful shade of marine blue.  She would also pick an accent wall, probably the one behind the Resolute desk, to draw they eye and add drama. 

On this accent wall, Fishman suggests adding Given Campbell’s hot off the press “Obama Victory Paper.”  Printed with water soluble air dry Versatex inks on paper that do not emit harmful or combustible fumes, it’s another great eco-stylin’ option.  If that’s too wild, blue grasscloth wallpaper is a more subtle option and recalls Obama's Chicago's Lake Michigan.  Another interesting option for the accent wall would be to commission an artist, such as Shepard Fairey (who designed the ubiquitous Hope posters for Obama’s campaign) to grace the Oval Office with something unique, timeless, urban, and inspiring.

Movin’ on Up to the Windows

The drapes and valences are straight out of the 1800s.  Fishman suggests tailoring them up into the 21^st century by losing the valences completely and installing triple pleat split panels.  Pattern on pattern would be preferable, but if that might scare some on the President’s team, Fishman suggests white Belgian Linen (a subtle shout out to the UN which meets in Brussels).  For the trim, something subtle by the French company Houles (www.houles.com) - regal and metallic, hip and graphic.  Plus again, a gesture to the French to forever erase any ill will that may have been caused by the whole Freedom Fries debacle.

Shedding Some New Light in the Oval Office

The gorgeous elliptical cove ceiling with the Seal of the President of the United States of America is a stroke of pure baroque genius, but it needs more drama.  Fishman suggests papering it with silver leaf.  To that she would add a modern, organic, sculptural chandelier that would hang above the conference area’s coffee table.  Something gorgeous like an imported Mazzega Murano handblown chandelier.  Another option would be a dynamic red, white and blue glass chandelier from America's foremost international artist, Dale Chihuly.  This fixture symbolizes in artistic terms the values of Obama's presidency: hope, optimism, confidence and unity.

 chihuly chandelier (chihuly.com)
 

Oval Office google.com 

Fine Furnishings

It would probably be considered a crime to lacquer the Resolute desk in white, so in the spirit of tradition, Fishman would leave the desk as is.  It’s rich in history and would not be changed a bit.  The desk chair would be replaced by a vintage Herman Miller Eames Executive Soft Pad Chair with 4-star base or the 5-base which is more stable.  Fishman suggests re-upholstering the chair in the eco-company Innovations' Abilene vinyl in chalk.  This faux-ostrich is stain resistant, should the Pres spill his soy mocha chai latte.

Eames Executive Soft Pad Aluminum Chair by Herman Miller

While the seating area in the Oval Office has been the same for eons, Fishman suggests making it a bit more intimate.  Toss out the gold damask love seats with skirts.  Replace them with bright and colorful blue leather Chesterfields or maybe even a yellow Vladimir Kagan curvy sofa arranged around a vintage coffee table Pictured above).   Add a touch of Americana with an “industrial chic” re-purposed Sydelle and Jay Livingston coffee table.  Flank the fireplace with timeless Hans Wegner Danish Papa Bear chairs and ottomans in vibrant blue (see above) or for a bit more tradition, Storm Custom's Deco Wings pictured below.

Vintage Papa bear chairs from Collage

By Storm Custom 

Accessories and Artwork

Fishman is sure that the White House collection of art offers up some amazing treasures, but if Ron English would be so nice as to offer up his Abraham Lincoln-Barack Obama fusion painting, she is sure there is a place for it in the Oval Office.  Wit and humor are welcome in the new administration, right?

Add vintage lamps with colored glass, clad a wall with Federal Bullseye mirrors, and intermix great glassware on the bookcases with hand blown pieces by Caleb Siemon such as the “Banded Series.”  For the President's reading pleasure, perhaps stock the shelves with nobel laureates: Saul Bellow, an adopted native son of the Windy City, Toni Morrison and Dereck Walcott.  Walcott could come in handy should the President want to read poetry to his two daughters when they come to visit.

picture by Storm Interiors

For the mantel, Fishman suggests a modern candlebra.  Perhaps some large coral or shells to harken back to the President’s somewhat tropical upbringing on an island.  Fishman might also add some Hawaiian inspired art.

For the sofas, add a splash of color with East Meets West American crewel fabric pillows, or maybe a few Mongolian fur pillow for an international twist.  For a quick nap, the sitting area would not be complete without a lovely Kenyan throw .

Fishman also thinks a nice bed is in order for the first family’s new rescue dog.  She likes the Holden dog bed which comes in walnut finish, eco-friendly and is available in one size. Add a sheepskin or "Zensational" cashmere blanket for warmth and ultimate comfort both from Olivegreendog.com.

So on to the Rose Garden - just outside the east door - well, perhaps some things are better left untouched.

In the end, whatever works, may all of our great nations and native citizens be represented through the selected decor of this historic room redesigned to simply inspire the inevitable movement of change.