making (my) spirits bright

{all images via me}
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
making (my) sprits bright

~ 

  For the last few years my good friends have invited me to The White House to view the holiday decor (I'm one of 50,000 who will pass through this season- so don't get too excited). This year I was delighted to hear that the famed designer, Simon Doonan, was involved in the planning and decorating. I was hoping for the usual high drama decor that Doonan is so well know for in his position as creative director of Barney's New York (remember Andy Warholidays? Genius!). Though the zaniness was at a minimum this year's pared down decorations were elegant and managed to get me into the spirit of the season. 

Here are some highlights:

The White House was decorated with beautiful arrangements the one picture above has festive pepperberries and amaryllis. 

dried hydrangea that were recycled from old floral arrangements and hung on wall sconces

The most obvious bit of recycling was the christmas tree in the blue room- the tree's ornaments made an encore appearance. In true Obama fashion, working across party lines, the glass ornaments from the Bush Administration were a large part of the tree (sans the tinsel that was out in epic proportions last year).

This years holiday decor had subtle style and stayed true to the new american tenor of 'less is more'.  As guests entered The White House there was a recycled cardboard tree where everyone was invited to take a scrap of paper and make a wish. the "Wish Tree" was not only visually stunning, it immediately made the viewer look at the decorations in  a different light. The theme this year was "Reflect, Rejoice, Renew" and although the drama and excess that makes me adore Mr. Doonan was missing, I really enjoyed the overall experience and think it reflected all of the lovely things that this new administration embodies.