Washington Winter Show 2012

45 Diplomatic Reception Room, 2010 Credit: White House Historical Association Scenic America [detail] From woodblock on wallpaper set Jean Zuber and Company, France, 1834–36 Credit: White House Historical Association, 2010 Installed in 1961, this wallpaper design, based on French engravings published in the 1820s, shows scenes of Boston, Niagara Falls, West Point [shown here], the Natural Bridge of Virginia, and New York Harbor. Anticipating the White House’s restoration, Theodore Roosevelt recognized that the building’s functions had grown beyond the capacity of the original structure as altered in 1818. Using every possible existing space for a new purpose, architect McKim converted the old basement into a “ground floor” that incorporated many necessary purposes. One pressing need, in keeping with the United States’ new elevation in rank to a world power, was for the courtesy of a special ceremonial entrance for the diplomatic corps. Rather than standing with crowds on the north portico, as in the past, diplomats were now received in the Diplomatic Reception Room unseen by other guests. McKim was able to revamp the furnace room with decorative plaster and wainscot, a handsome though fake fireplace, and a ring of elegant side chairs, effectively relieving the plainness of the low-ceilinged, windowless room. This page is sponsored by Chip Callaway