Obama Redecorates Oval Office

A look at the president's new digs
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 31, 2010 3:41 PM CDT
Obama Redecorates Oval Office
Renovations to the Oval Office, including a new carpet, drapes, wallpaper and furniture, are seen at the White House.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

While President Obama was off vacationing in Martha's Vineyard, his iconic office got its first makeover since George W. Bush left town. Viewers can see the new Oval Office in his speech tonight. Highlights, from USA Today:

  • The rug, donated by a Michigan carpet manufacturer, has historical quotes around the border, including “The Arc of the Moral Universe is Long, But it Bends Towards Justice” from Martin Luther King and “No Problem of Human Destiny is Beyond Human Beings” from John F. Kennedy. (Update: The rug is a little off on the MLK quote. Read here.)
  • The walls were decorated with hand-made striped wallpaper from Amagansett, New York.

  • The couch is made from a custom fabric, woven in Pennsylvania, which appears light brown, but has red, white, and blue threads running through it.
  • The White House won't say how much it cost, only that it's in line with that of previous presidents' makeovers. It was paid for by the nonprofit White House Historical Association and with money left over from Obama’s inaugural committee.
(More White House stories.)

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