Color schemes are often described as ‘classic’ because we associate them with history and historic settings. When it comes to the color red one of the most iconic rooms in America is the Red Room in the White House.
The vivid color scheme and cozy size made it a favorite place for presidents and first ladies. It has also been a favorite of many Americans who have painted their own homes in this striking hue. Below are images through history of this inspiring room.
Nancy Reagan in the Red Room in 1981 (NARA – Reagan Library)
Would you be surprised to learn at this room well known for its color wasn’t always red?
In 1809, Former First Lady Dolley Madison decorated the White House parlor in “sunflower yellow.” Beautiful drapes adorned the walls and yellow silk covered the furniture. It wasn’t until the 1840s that it became the Red Room.
White House State Floor showing location of the Red Room (source)
A stereograph view of the Red Room looking northwest, during the administration of Ulysses S. Grant (source)
The Red Room during the administration of Theodore Roosevelt (source)
The Red Room designed by Stéphane Boudin was Jacqueline Kennedy’s favorite State Floor room, circa 1962 (Kennedy Library)
A watercolor of the room, recently redecorated, adorned the Kennedy’s 1962 Christmas card (source)
The painting of Red Room by Thomas McKnight was the official 1994 William Clinton White House Christmas Card (source)
How HGTV’s Frank Fontana suggested that the Obama’s redecorate The Red Room. (source) According to Frank every President needs a little zebra print in his life. As you can see below the final design was a much ‘tamer.’
President Barack Obama reading notes in the Red Room (source)
Valspar Oatlands Upholstery Red 1008-3A (source)
Painting your living room or family room red is a perfect way to bring this classic color into your own home. Would this iconic color scheme be at home in your place?
PS. See more wonderful post that are part of Rednesday
What a fun post. The last room would definately work for me!
Dawn´s last blog ..REDnesday ~ Head in the Clouds?
Like there will ever be zebra in the white house. I love the last room. very cozy
I love the Kennedy red room, it looks quite glamorous. The Obama red room looks like a room that could be in anyone’s house, which I love too!
Welcome to Rednesday! And what a super post – I love history. The house across the cul-de-sac behind me has a red dining room, and it’s very pretty.
SueLovesCherries´s last blog ..REDNESDAY – HAPPINESS IN SMALL THINGS
This post was so much fun, especially seeing the Christmas cards that were made depicting the red room! That zebra room would have been fun to hang out in, wouldn’t it?!
Happy REDnesday!
Carol
There is a very famous designer (Billy Baldwin, I think) who said that every home should have a red room. A perfect example of how a strong warm color can make a room seem smaller, but so what? A smaller scale room is the perfect place for red because it becomes very jewel like and vibrant. It is a perfect color for a dining room(or maybe not) because it is also said to stimulate the appetite . I did a color consultation for a woman who swore her red kitchen was making her eat too much. And, for Heaven’s sake – no accent walls! If you’re going to use red, go for it!
What a cool post! I loved all the pictures, thanks for sharing.
Sarah´s last blog ..My RED vintage book collection
Great Red Post !All of your info was very fun & interesting.
Happy Rednesday !
~Myrna
Myrna´s last blog ..REDNESDAY & RUBY TUESDAY