It was hard to go online last week without stumbling across an article or blog about the most recent makeover of the Oval Office, which took place while the First Family was on vacation. It involved some custom furniture, wallpaper and a rug that features inspirational quotes from American leaders. The mahogany armchairs from the previous administration were reupholstered in caramel-colored leather. But there is a strikingly modern walnut and mica coffee table and two new azure ceramic table lamps that add a welcome pop of color.

The famous “Resolute” desk remains. It’s a large, nineteenth-century partners’ desk that was a gift from Queen Victoria to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880 and was built from the timbers of the British Arctic Exploration ship Resolute. Used by various Presidents in various corners of the White House, it was restored to the Oval Office by Jackie Kennedy and is the showpiece of what is certainly the most famous office in the country.

The overall look for this latest re-fresh, created by the Obama’s interior decorator Michael Smith, is tastefully subdued – keeping to a conservative taupe theme designed to sidestep the inevitable controversy that seems to be sparked by every decision made in the political arena. It’s modern, friendly and comfortable – not overtly ostentatious (You can get a YouTube tour here).

The hand-painted cafe-au-lait-and-buff wallpaper, complete with three-inch-wide stripes, works perfectly in the Federalist scheme. In fact, we carry a number of very similar designs. The Phillip Jeffries Ltd. Voyage Collection – Wide Stripe carries off a similar look with a bit more textural dash. And Clarke and Clarke has a Bravo design in their Couture Wallcoverings collection that is offered in Taupe and also fills the bill.

It made us wonder, though, given the auspicious assignment, what design we would choose for the Presidential walls. Consider the room’s specific character: distinctive oval shape, 18-foot ceilings, three big south-facing windows and the presidential desk made from a Victorian frigate.

Yeah. We’ll stick with stripes.

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