Merry Christmas!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZPyYacDzb2UMBFBcb-7vUXixTnPCAhPIa9Xh5ljg7xsltLYPzPqgpVS-FnJxVZ9S9-IpCErlG8GSvLPGAujqnz11qn0STQwllrc9DtSKlSvUNwdzFRX5kyEoIzT76sl5ylAuOZCEwAc/s1600/Christmas+foyer.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553940593795438034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZPyYacDzb2UMBFBcb-7vUXixTnPCAhPIa9Xh5ljg7xsltLYPzPqgpVS-FnJxVZ9S9-IpCErlG8GSvLPGAujqnz11qn0STQwllrc9DtSKlSvUNwdzFRX5kyEoIzT76sl5ylAuOZCEwAc/s400/Christmas+foyer.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> To those of you who celebrate, Merry Christmas! I hope you are all enjoying my White House tour, I know I am. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553940588628591266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SwEU2qITWtQ7zhTJ29xM89Bag1UF_sb5XP9ZGx2hG1TBrlwTYqj_Z4eiuR6Ch5blb2lkJD9rOPtqvPisWVPurwAvfxXo713WDhQH4EEkbzLvUJT1d5MsUYxcQNTqfncI4NJTqjUjxOw/s400/White+House+wreath.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Thank you so much for your informative comments. I have to admit I sadly know very little about this important building's history and am enjoying the lesson!

Merry Christmas!

To those of you who celebrate, Merry Christmas! I hope you are all enjoying my White House tour, I know I am. Thank you so much for your in...

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White House: East Room

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553902585918080354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLydrhppYJYKgP4bRYJ3Z8QUqTl-fGHE07lVzoT4w805oIrwUeO660yqbS1csv5YQKyg3DpFG7ckejjsGCs9badDTGkLuVvaBKjvQW6Ewb-9VcQvemLDHuon2A-ByuKrNNNE9UM1Ig-Q/s400/2nd+empire+candelabra.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Probably the most famous room in the White House (at least in my understanding) is the East Room, home to some of the most memorable events in the building's history. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553907685049162082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXJJJP02fjZfZcPCjJIlMVqVUyAPHy_WePO1jiycgnAixauW_n-f_RwV9JqZolD0YVERfVHFTAMH40Lbu3TIyL_hlqpPFPkPA-e903AgL1cO2o0pQRQ6lLjqgiOW9pxaH3O8t687KIis/s400/white-house+first-floor-plan.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The largest room in the house, it was originally refered to as the <em>Public Audience Hall</em> but the name was thought to sound too reminicent of a throne room and so has since been referred to as the more democratic sounding <em>East Room</em>. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553902578986526274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21_H0fyo7Ms4N7DGNDo3af5Q-m4PAVahIEEHEhgQBwlMMuPQ1Fsb8f-CMB06im1e_oGbKy6dAvaVztVz3-fGJ9WlfvJgeg-8pEFJC3CClgOjwQ0zjjy8mOU2YKMqQbJrYfgf9eBuM4Rw/s400/east+room.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The room has changed notably from the 19th century. During Grants administration, the room was highly ridiculed as being 'steamboat Gothic', as seen below in 1873. Thanks heavens curators haven't decided to go back to this version of the room!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553917028691194770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UNVq7aIgYuAAkbF2WYaP1CwQdd2UTfh5rARSn6618O-W3ApDYAKtMCDY3o5MrFdvKbN7SBj7BWwXhwhOVdojKkPtPFaGvIJyiwjdE2WHrSDQdxRu8EL9UiKdyOm2URhEAYgo-QJoR5k/s400/east+room+1873+-+Grant.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 359px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The room's transformation was done most notably by the architectural firm McKim, Meade and White, seen here below in 1904. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553908644733672210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EAgMnD9MzaA0zJybhlt8tZf7kQr_JnNBn4KFZQwvb3h-_AcOkkl5fsJPixnjrSxfxBKAeeMrsMXLLiErPIotKk631RDg48wK_2POv0_jhqu2a_EjYSPFpdp1KTwW_gWx2fR_AFpgoR4/s400/mckim+meade+white.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 321px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />McKim based the Louis XVI design on the famous <em>Salon de famille</em> at the Chateau de Compiegne, seen below. The details were perhaps slightly less refined due to the limited headroom, but notice the same heirarchy of pilasters and paneled chair rail: a notable inspiration.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553910806195750914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YQZeYFxxdS23iVhIUdcrlcdc9ktrHR-Qi4MBnyz0ImzJB3KpfGhbNCs1AKALLgA0i7MvKDSMpnCkOhZ1-uUMXvJ4GahmJVnuQQDomT25xx97i192RFYHAQwtBOrdD67yNwa1bmt4QZ4/s400/salon+de+famille.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Later, from 1949-1952, when the room was dismanteled during the remodeling of the white house, the original paneling was damaged and had to be recreated. The picture below shows a detail of the paneling today (ignore the switchplate cover which I thought was a bit hilarious -thats the best they can do?!). <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553900229376788098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BOUEnKznRvWlsND-2LRrlWh_Xt1kzW-t16O6D99e7fhDYpYTcv0esiJ_IQqGjtlNzpGSkLS7eAULDjbdx2zxOFAFNL-5OoC1Yny6kfqCqbuFHj_0ZpPt74LMfO1gDULeqMz33jeG-Po/s400/east+room+detail.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The paneling was done in a simpler fashion but is perhaps more elegant to my eye. Certainly, at the least the ceiling is preferable if not the paneling. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553905920827826962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVkEFDMZMux6vaXhODpr0FBx5ZLDdCXy1dgkx-rNIWGnUGLsfyDqlhQI21I2v97cZ5eRK6CR3zQqZZiKvehLNPlK8kVQfvwr7mBrGwOPFdHo_6XRWrAMcwq4zRQ3_ekPfZwgNXp4AgbQ/s400/Boudin+version.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 322px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />During the Kennedy administration, Jacqueline Kennedy made her famous bid to save the quality and history of the White House. She hired notable interior designer Stephane Boudin who oversaw a lot of the elegant transformation of the interiors including painting the red marble fireplaces a clean white, seen above (which I wish would be brought back into the room; the Clinton's had the white paint removed). <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553900236911467794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ493rofkptVk-MfG64YAoNk_vmjTiEVlfT4U9Z1QngpjoVASlnIGHlfmb43jEhwehHEMEMLIteY0DSUDHs5HYYDRnwXmPftQUTkgBakAiYTP879edIMU-JD5C-Uj55xym-RU0zwnN1Zs/s400/east+room+curtains.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The curtains are of similar fabric to what Boudin chose although with a more complicated valance, done by Mrs. Bush. The gilded valances are original to the McKim renovation of the room.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553902158779219122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnn_Bt4xO6cHgWEzJoKFs9tZATTeAIwAIYK1aP1eREJQ1tKUp8d324RCcrl4pYlKvIAx5ZTJ9cqwIKjm3vrT5ViehanT9t5oVMbQb4oRfXZf2IqAnVdN54XmZn-so89j4sGS6lH-UxEA/s400/east+room+2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 393px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The Aubusson styled carpets were installed by the Clintons to help preserve the wood floors.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553902153162345874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiOq1hufi3q2d6-icTsdqA-_oaqGaZzKjK0EcE5NH-asT5A2f1y8TbrfklfrnlyewPPThj3wEW-o6hb3EBN-1Cy6KAsmCaPWnNCUErsOg3oO6hNihplLVfOO6w5xQYuilh_aV7qcCcEs/s400/east+room+corner.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />During the holidays, the central window curtains are opened to display a Creche. In most images I've ever seen, these curtains have been closed for whatever reason -is it the view?<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553901299086581682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WUAHGNuo-4QkZDY1BiFVwlxBt-NGQGbpNQgwqGLRzS0fkLqLApayhBIWeuienPYl4AQW2p1XX5Abb-kIBa7F94WKUtX8T7Ji3p5aHmT_AWT2dLCkcMjLEZ2axa3DTVthubBY00MfXvU/s400/east+room+niche.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />In this image from 1920 below, you can see a different window configuration from the McKim renovation which I prefer. I suppose during the Truman administration, when the room was changed and simplified, only the central window made the cut?<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553917034730756914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVhn_ccg6R5Bkt7XrT-oXPuYe_CnLn-_Ymukz8_7qWszYnyCKcW_eYTvDetJjQCOUtEgbws34F84VYatpheCCTnYtYUEoqqLxjXOqKPyP7vQTNUMO6hcdYTSnyOsQtcJR8E-1lJDCK74/s400/east+room+1920.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The beautiful mahogany doors and doorframes, seen below, are original to the room from 1815 when the room was first finished after the burning of the White House. Prior to that it was partitioned into spaces as needed, including Abigail Adams hanging her laundry here! <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553901329944842946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWJqD4ZCM33HV7jkZfSCROwd2gzIHsk1hPP6hVlau4Efu3BtEAuZDKb_s2zS4XdkPukNU5OhBrjNEVc8NPKzfW-05G59CKQEN7sCtmSbLx4fyzFXZpwhpGf6aIyyJFyDm0h40E7VrqbY/s400/east+room+fireplace.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The theme in this years decoration is the peacock, which I think is a lovely color combination with the gold.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhqVrTFgnmdggQ03k9awRaZ2p_XSxA2QyEku86y0bcsxw_-b9JkQWV8-gJM-z-3skeRXx-WP8Q9sQku81hhwyOEWJBs1UekNVoUKk_xSGo-yUtVlCoRmw98p4FnrlMNvxZv1J7Vkuk1Q/s1600/east+room+peacock.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553901322723789058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhqVrTFgnmdggQ03k9awRaZ2p_XSxA2QyEku86y0bcsxw_-b9JkQWV8-gJM-z-3skeRXx-WP8Q9sQku81hhwyOEWJBs1UekNVoUKk_xSGo-yUtVlCoRmw98p4FnrlMNvxZv1J7Vkuk1Q/s400/east+room+peacock.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Join me tomorrow to see the State Dining Room.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

White House: East Room

Probably the most famous room in the White House (at least in my understanding) is the East Room, home to some of the most memorable events ...

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White House entry halls

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCInfmsRXj_LZANW9STS7tNc4IYAiabE1UJjPaGJDsK4cqQYSw2DLZVTDe29uRColLtb1xc0yeApaHq4awpkd0PftDNY0UY2JDAIPF8_kpXatmD-7zMq2LLAAroWLdgGaKWDynfsMnCmU/s1600/cross+hall+ceiling.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552997399640836018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCInfmsRXj_LZANW9STS7tNc4IYAiabE1UJjPaGJDsK4cqQYSw2DLZVTDe29uRColLtb1xc0yeApaHq4awpkd0PftDNY0UY2JDAIPF8_kpXatmD-7zMq2LLAAroWLdgGaKWDynfsMnCmU/s400/cross+hall+ceiling.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Last night I had the opportunity to tour the White House for the first time and see all of the holiday decor.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUtDfWuNuH12bnyPEUenZFiI_TTxDYAEoqkNFYtbWjeAqiGMf1mCqEoDB9g8gFweI5d2ildl4GM9JGesnu_gBESUdQEDm3jHoX_tUcwBP-1b0DBlwYSfu-OZW64jTh4hLRg6GeFV_aXc/s1600/white+house+entrance.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552997389529540354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUtDfWuNuH12bnyPEUenZFiI_TTxDYAEoqkNFYtbWjeAqiGMf1mCqEoDB9g8gFweI5d2ildl4GM9JGesnu_gBESUdQEDm3jHoX_tUcwBP-1b0DBlwYSfu-OZW64jTh4hLRg6GeFV_aXc/s400/white+house+entrance.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Everyone knows this iconic building and the history is taught to school children the country over. I was embaressed to admit I had never visited given that it's a mere 4 blocks from my apartment!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdojTbQ2C9RWQHSJQ_qUhOipLqiF4WqS-4Y8aTf_bFlviu4zc1_0iUymAWblkQG800BVhGJPmPBJZ5yF5tDNRGfEgIaQ3reZV3UyvFI8_IbKwvFfn9pGmYSvUkEq1D7q8t_Gp_HU35vfI/s1600/white+house+front.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552997384103281682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdojTbQ2C9RWQHSJQ_qUhOipLqiF4WqS-4Y8aTf_bFlviu4zc1_0iUymAWblkQG800BVhGJPmPBJZ5yF5tDNRGfEgIaQ3reZV3UyvFI8_IbKwvFfn9pGmYSvUkEq1D7q8t_Gp_HU35vfI/s400/white+house+front.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Everyone says their first impression is that it's small, but that was not mine. It's a BIG house! However, I thought it felt sort of institutional and not residential at all, did anyone else ever get that impression? It could have been the crowds of tourists that led me to feel this.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXROfKXtdHYgTRiIBIOs081wKb6g0ZMmCcvg0QG8EJQW4bjLy4MfQMrHT_p9k65eSRXEibizyhPMZqRsALLOuPmIm1VhaKqjtcN_cYz7Dkr_ksw2pi8YLkJH2S3jCbPzbaQ5P7heBEns/s1600/white-house+first-floor-plan.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552996998376184610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXROfKXtdHYgTRiIBIOs081wKb6g0ZMmCcvg0QG8EJQW4bjLy4MfQMrHT_p9k65eSRXEibizyhPMZqRsALLOuPmIm1VhaKqjtcN_cYz7Dkr_ksw2pi8YLkJH2S3jCbPzbaQ5P7heBEns/s400/white-house+first-floor-plan.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Today I'm going to show some of the details I noticed in the entrance and cross halls - probably my favorite parts of the house; certainly the most elegant that I was able to see.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb9dN8P2b5_HALCf5yVs-PiiaIb7XZODPJ432KPTQylda-SOGENdRe4UKjPJHRYH1GfXenZJfv0dMKM1DPLEGt3z5Ymngj_WIsoJnGPnLjofapyO7dL4O6kGX93miiUKwvxwW3Jag8jc/s1600/entrance+hall.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552997000219003138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb9dN8P2b5_HALCf5yVs-PiiaIb7XZODPJ432KPTQylda-SOGENdRe4UKjPJHRYH1GfXenZJfv0dMKM1DPLEGt3z5Ymngj_WIsoJnGPnLjofapyO7dL4O6kGX93miiUKwvxwW3Jag8jc/s400/entrance+hall.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>The space was dramatically lit, which probably helped my impression! I loved the uplit tree branches in the oversized urns.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS-WWPBgbKE8Vr4XqS6pY17YbLmqnKwjgxmNLInvA5hQbIML8Cb8dVgaxObTGgquJwwD3D_tHbvF59iEIOPzsuWTVfQ-7Tu8z2RRlQg6EJ5tTLNr7UgfGbeFlK_q6CrbdpYL59HZqdWs/s1600/entrance+hall+tree.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552996996075862130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS-WWPBgbKE8Vr4XqS6pY17YbLmqnKwjgxmNLInvA5hQbIML8Cb8dVgaxObTGgquJwwD3D_tHbvF59iEIOPzsuWTVfQ-7Tu8z2RRlQg6EJ5tTLNr7UgfGbeFlK_q6CrbdpYL59HZqdWs/s400/entrance+hall+tree.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> The first of many trees greets you, flanking the colonnade.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z_gy6A62By48S3cIb9t1SfaiV2WjyZ8Ei3kAl0-4xYfJpDuKNb5Pr9X0sZu1B0FGirXXsnM6MeNGckwvL7vGsxKoj4fWivXPHY5pjID5rpPjOkcxcu3A7jN2DORJoNOsLG6lVftDS1M/s1600/entrance+hall+curtain+rod.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552996702391667970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z_gy6A62By48S3cIb9t1SfaiV2WjyZ8Ei3kAl0-4xYfJpDuKNb5Pr9X0sZu1B0FGirXXsnM6MeNGckwvL7vGsxKoj4fWivXPHY5pjID5rpPjOkcxcu3A7jN2DORJoNOsLG6lVftDS1M/s400/entrance+hall+curtain+rod.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>I thought these drapery rods were unusual and interesting!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF3v1FrpDRhqwN4AX9HErhDQBT8PoTyQ8GENlkZohVIcWclQbFWHzC9UnYhyphenhyphenwbPcw662rePc0xvaR3dndxf-D6uB2tlapFgV_3pb5bl3AYauTnvoPg5WJwCEoDbvNOLmZcy3l7drU4EU/s1600/clinton+portrait.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552996697776829474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF3v1FrpDRhqwN4AX9HErhDQBT8PoTyQ8GENlkZohVIcWclQbFWHzC9UnYhyphenhyphenwbPcw662rePc0xvaR3dndxf-D6uB2tlapFgV_3pb5bl3AYauTnvoPg5WJwCEoDbvNOLmZcy3l7drU4EU/s400/clinton+portrait.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>A portrait of Bill Clinton above an empire daybed sits on the right of the entry beside the fireplace -certainly a place of honor?<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFubYqqILtFxnUuMnw6D9hsjZivAH7ZrJoq5VHJeVWXkuA-ehKEY2gj51WM8RTgsZA_KGxsNf34v91zJ5pKUyqBA9beFzY5v7DJxVtYU6MxKJ7ojLPm2pm3thnf0-fbNd7eowB_wEDVkI/s1600/main+staircase.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552996695443316258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFubYqqILtFxnUuMnw6D9hsjZivAH7ZrJoq5VHJeVWXkuA-ehKEY2gj51WM8RTgsZA_KGxsNf34v91zJ5pKUyqBA9beFzY5v7DJxVtYU6MxKJ7ojLPm2pm3thnf0-fbNd7eowB_wEDVkI/s400/main+staircase.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Across the entry hall from the fireplace is the grand staircase where we have all seen pictures of our many presidents before formal occasions, draped in poinsettias for the season.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyCfmXJbNk4IGodzMtB4cbQxi0o5OYEtiEHNdH-y1XEyufdsr1GVhc-8zlK8qjQIaJk_GFjDGEqkx1xXqgoPXkX3E8i51Di-Hl6gCoNECo_wvi8tuiNak3_m4Twdpmbz1OZu47hdvHI4/s1600/president%2527s+seal.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552996363648080418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyCfmXJbNk4IGodzMtB4cbQxi0o5OYEtiEHNdH-y1XEyufdsr1GVhc-8zlK8qjQIaJk_GFjDGEqkx1xXqgoPXkX3E8i51Di-Hl6gCoNECo_wvi8tuiNak3_m4Twdpmbz1OZu47hdvHI4/s400/president%2527s+seal.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Directly across the hall from the front door is the seal of the president over the blue room. As the hall is relatively monochrome, it really makes a statement!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3SyUCSklYULKrkxXur7IElkhxrs1pUtKZ9x12TLP5qhRuLnbnhjn3dyKURSVHl4_qgLlNjZwms8QRVhJSeOg5CJlEBa2OJC_SiC8PDIHj9qSN0Q10I25c3F8fVey003FcnadFEF9lXk/s1600/cross+hall.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552996354413952706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3SyUCSklYULKrkxXur7IElkhxrs1pUtKZ9x12TLP5qhRuLnbnhjn3dyKURSVHl4_qgLlNjZwms8QRVhJSeOg5CJlEBa2OJC_SiC8PDIHj9qSN0Q10I25c3F8fVey003FcnadFEF9lXk/s400/cross+hall.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>The cross hall was probably the most beautiful room in the house. The pink and white marble checkered floor really gleamed in the light. No wonder so many presidential press conferences are held in the East Room with the hall as a backdrop.<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552996348845864418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMSNjU7YHzmHqc_QbXm8j04va6S1rUuL4QksPcWokFeFOiSsSQTexdhERO_OYmL2ZzPj-_28rYnpUkETnuJ6tETdSI9WWjsnAd_eN9QhcKCzueo_dZtdqABUWzS_Frm7QgL_zsMtyHjs/s400/cross+hall+ceiling+3.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />I think these photos say more than a thousand words on how multiple lighting sources create a good effect!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFiH8uoDrxzPzplOAcEOUYJvXO6SDIARTnjxjK2ThF6vA7J65MZNiTkEu61PZ99Cp3PNWKvrouGRCWd_qDYh4XtSXwDIEPDij-aUNQpw5kqNxcn_5CCs2qzJBAmIP9DnDACRs1F-odXs/s1600/cross+hall+urn.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552996015012553410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFiH8uoDrxzPzplOAcEOUYJvXO6SDIARTnjxjK2ThF6vA7J65MZNiTkEu61PZ99Cp3PNWKvrouGRCWd_qDYh4XtSXwDIEPDij-aUNQpw5kqNxcn_5CCs2qzJBAmIP9DnDACRs1F-odXs/s400/cross+hall+urn.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>A detail of the urns.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaHJZep2UZ9uC3dPs8bFjJgs0_ZibsaiL5iPkEIKbu61Cv1812eu7eCW-OPSkIT1pPT2Zf6zXoVYOrsRJ38OlsFypVkLuPMbDbWJS0A1QgL7_8hSGOEjmsc0Vm-8hfReqevA4uIZVP1o/s1600/cross+hall+chandelier.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552996011236182354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaHJZep2UZ9uC3dPs8bFjJgs0_ZibsaiL5iPkEIKbu61Cv1812eu7eCW-OPSkIT1pPT2Zf6zXoVYOrsRJ38OlsFypVkLuPMbDbWJS0A1QgL7_8hSGOEjmsc0Vm-8hfReqevA4uIZVP1o/s400/cross+hall+chandelier.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> These chandeliers which line the cross hall really are stunning!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt-0yRLlfcPO9rh69EUWqetNk3MESoI0139uFDYakN-fPXqdUc-r-d_8aQlwJco48Cx5Lp196hAxTXZKoUc7i6tA2W-Tispnw8gI1PR8siLvMoLzHkt8Nlu1cBnVpJ3rxtEnUW_dw9h4/s1600/cross+hall+garland.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552996005009266994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt-0yRLlfcPO9rh69EUWqetNk3MESoI0139uFDYakN-fPXqdUc-r-d_8aQlwJco48Cx5Lp196hAxTXZKoUc7i6tA2W-Tispnw8gI1PR8siLvMoLzHkt8Nlu1cBnVpJ3rxtEnUW_dw9h4/s400/cross+hall+garland.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>More poinsettias drape the entry to the State Dining room.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlHSpV0EYWylguispzMIlwuEY5VTk9KYQmYwvVfSxKA21yJ1zG5XJACmdW9Av2PzbUBH75NT-AuPoP2tf4AfROKKSCTdATvbRzvPW57TMYKQSbE5i-fb78X8TH8hRQ1BExnspX_Fh8kM/s1600/cross+hall+mouldings.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552992518632341874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlHSpV0EYWylguispzMIlwuEY5VTk9KYQmYwvVfSxKA21yJ1zG5XJACmdW9Av2PzbUBH75NT-AuPoP2tf4AfROKKSCTdATvbRzvPW57TMYKQSbE5i-fb78X8TH8hRQ1BExnspX_Fh8kM/s400/cross+hall+mouldings.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>The mouldings are all intricate and obviously well cared for. They could have been made recently -no gloopy paint in sight!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5yYF_3tcA1l6JqMZZwktUowd5rD0kzuSZz-tpeocoAuTvASKzki-2cjsZ-vbwET4y1FxxYlPQsCaFbKubaJrZCDg3w1Csc4izU-eALatBPvSKw5CP_tt7iZGRiBlcdshuitV08h-PQY/s1600/cross+hall+settee.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552992515881189586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5yYF_3tcA1l6JqMZZwktUowd5rD0kzuSZz-tpeocoAuTvASKzki-2cjsZ-vbwET4y1FxxYlPQsCaFbKubaJrZCDg3w1Csc4izU-eALatBPvSKw5CP_tt7iZGRiBlcdshuitV08h-PQY/s400/cross+hall+settee.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Behind the main staircase was this empire settee. Now, the White House is full of Empire furniture, which I'm not a huge fan of -does anyone know why? A piece or two mixed in is great but a whole house full?<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_YquoSa4XmK-Fqilo_WdBXPvAMGGsfWPCSEbRid6pBYNX6_7WzCVgDH2Fx3G4w9GVTmTo7lFjL5Rcj-2l76X1g0xw9eCco-e_1rtkLMf2VKh7EqIulZheQ7VCkYKlQbvdt_YJQQwy3E/s1600/george+washington+bust.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552990874834035138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_YquoSa4XmK-Fqilo_WdBXPvAMGGsfWPCSEbRid6pBYNX6_7WzCVgDH2Fx3G4w9GVTmTo7lFjL5Rcj-2l76X1g0xw9eCco-e_1rtkLMf2VKh7EqIulZheQ7VCkYKlQbvdt_YJQQwy3E/s400/george+washington+bust.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> A bust of George Washington lies in the niche between the entrance hall and state dining room.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SCp5RUdZ_8UV11wC7HHtWzHu7yIDG90aTolfsr3K1BDYNv5534Yx-3QHzUrq71Dact5Cwt2Wc7v4tNP4yx9OvQCN_Wg0xdtyiwm3RrJtg3twDBFGjrud5VpXT50beuv3frQoX_9JhWI/s1600/lincoln+bust.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552990871655521554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SCp5RUdZ_8UV11wC7HHtWzHu7yIDG90aTolfsr3K1BDYNv5534Yx-3QHzUrq71Dact5Cwt2Wc7v4tNP4yx9OvQCN_Wg0xdtyiwm3RrJtg3twDBFGjrud5VpXT50beuv3frQoX_9JhWI/s400/lincoln+bust.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> On the opposite side of the Cross Hall, Lincoln lies in the niche right before the East Room<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLquZlfSl4ajIKpjPVOVhlcf9T6YFSm9F6gfH5aP48Jetf8AfqL-qSYTNm2IlU-Acxu69v8hyphenhyphenfBNMfCLOFnNu9tnPHiYA5dtcYnyThy-YE263W5OjqC1dLK9L2eeAO1zhRErB8idZ94Hs/s1600/lafayette+bust.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552990865131908786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLquZlfSl4ajIKpjPVOVhlcf9T6YFSm9F6gfH5aP48Jetf8AfqL-qSYTNm2IlU-Acxu69v8hyphenhyphenfBNMfCLOFnNu9tnPHiYA5dtcYnyThy-YE263W5OjqC1dLK9L2eeAO1zhRErB8idZ94Hs/s400/lafayette+bust.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Lafayette is in a niche in the overdoor of the beautiful cherry doors which lead to the back staircase.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7PBr893szDKE2DIH6-Gfm0UvwrnCDaQXrj2Li_dMhMYj1051LAq4A_LUo2yMsl7LLcH6jkdy8_YVytZ-P0pWJ6JA368Uear9DVI5plLry77uukh_J0Tp4XSXQ2YgtzTx60rf2WWDRvc/s1600/white+house+flag.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552990862557705810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7PBr893szDKE2DIH6-Gfm0UvwrnCDaQXrj2Li_dMhMYj1051LAq4A_LUo2yMsl7LLcH6jkdy8_YVytZ-P0pWJ6JA368Uear9DVI5plLry77uukh_J0Tp4XSXQ2YgtzTx60rf2WWDRvc/s400/white+house+flag.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Stay tuned tomorrow for more interiors from the White House!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

White House entry halls

Last night I had the opportunity to tour the White House for the first time and see all of the holiday decor. Everyone knows this iconic bu...

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A foodie holiday

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPQYanrLezR99Kn99bdtiVNczlh1hEDdIx1blifE-eMb2yg08xLYFP3IXXXQqD7P43dHhgTQx2o4Vq_O9r8tR_lt9949NcYab34EZ2MWCUk3nCWGmt4qXkMTREJOHZwDPmEKMsYNclyk/s1600/Martha+Stewart.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550393473450266802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPQYanrLezR99Kn99bdtiVNczlh1hEDdIx1blifE-eMb2yg08xLYFP3IXXXQqD7P43dHhgTQx2o4Vq_O9r8tR_lt9949NcYab34EZ2MWCUk3nCWGmt4qXkMTREJOHZwDPmEKMsYNclyk/s400/Martha+Stewart.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>I just spent an exciting weekend visiting friends in New York. One of my favorite things about the city during the holidays are the window displays. My favorite this year are probably the windows done by the amazing Simon Doonan at Barneys (which just happens to be one of my favorite stores in the city!).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnHymSyFMuOYqrqXTPuuFFPCH-LJK5LtvJALfCpQugpNlqVRQvaBhQJg-AGrM6ricx_3sN4SQiTHG-o_T5k-Zh5Cknk8M0-nMhv7LlRBOBr8Ht0l3XgdeWM7n-mCxwXyAjBi8F6zUqk8/s1600/Paula+Deen.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550393466895620610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnHymSyFMuOYqrqXTPuuFFPCH-LJK5LtvJALfCpQugpNlqVRQvaBhQJg-AGrM6ricx_3sN4SQiTHG-o_T5k-Zh5Cknk8M0-nMhv7LlRBOBr8Ht0l3XgdeWM7n-mCxwXyAjBi8F6zUqk8/s400/Paula+Deen.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>This years theme was <em>a foodie holiday</em>. Hilarious caricatures of everyone's favorite foodie hosts participated: from Martha Stewart and Rachel Ray (grimacing from a clock!) to Paula Deen with her pockets filled with sticks of butter (I loved that one!).<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8O8UDtHTLfcGNXgGZvlgKoHk4zxtJ-jwEHXEwk-DseByKQqMOuElhSbohmvKmn-i50tK6Tt-hKLzuW46hhd7n5hOLzZuBYDffzuxvBJgSf1d4DWXerz3AiWFlfMcW2X-WG0NN7SQSkc/s1600/Mario+Batali.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550393155438789058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8O8UDtHTLfcGNXgGZvlgKoHk4zxtJ-jwEHXEwk-DseByKQqMOuElhSbohmvKmn-i50tK6Tt-hKLzuW46hhd7n5hOLzZuBYDffzuxvBJgSf1d4DWXerz3AiWFlfMcW2X-WG0NN7SQSkc/s400/Mario+Batali.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 388px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Mario Batali was unceremoniously stuffed like a pig on the dinner table in one window while a glamorous evening gown reminicent of <a href="http://www.foxylicious.co.nz/content/binary/WindowsLiveWriter/ToCatchaThief_12516/grace-kelly-to-catch-a-thief-88_thumb.jpg">Grace Kelly </a>in the masked ball of <em>To catch a Thief</em> was created from Illy coffee bags in an adjacent display.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHbyD1tUZy5WDSbzZpBUHKAh5sSw3XpS8TWzCDmF8IzhS9OAvGI-eIVRrxJ8P5MsmngmV_fO7MaUJ1VOOBEdJ2JgBQhDQwGrhZUOIo6XciKc04A2CPw12xi4p7q3ow7nou6x_Hc978as/s1600/Illy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550393150475154994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHbyD1tUZy5WDSbzZpBUHKAh5sSw3XpS8TWzCDmF8IzhS9OAvGI-eIVRrxJ8P5MsmngmV_fO7MaUJ1VOOBEdJ2JgBQhDQwGrhZUOIo6XciKc04A2CPw12xi4p7q3ow7nou6x_Hc978as/s400/Illy.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Nothing beats New York for getting one into the holiday spirit (and spending more money than you mean to!). What do you do to get into the holiday spirit? <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550393143760558210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMFEkSZQmN3SUNRqTOAitn0SIc7t__-lvza7xD_V8rDOEQiyMIi1QNARSs_Lt9SVWiBQiDBo_dl2sqvKyd80Pt7C9hYWvpS1iacUBoP4fDCg6gbnBMI4vBWY1QiXXaX_MDN7Vyvnz-7Q/s400/snowflake.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <div>Did you know Barney's has a blog? It's really fun, check it out <a href="http://bsides.barneys.com/">HERE</a>. </div></div></div></div>

A foodie holiday

I just spent an exciting weekend visiting friends in New York. One of my favorite things about the city during the holidays are the window d...

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A Dog's Rules for Christmas

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiF9WLUAC4zIsFnwp9SiHc39BDq3ZqBzJbI6_CUcRZ8SzuxPkOMdnR8aoFGQmeUB8wtdQgnl1jeogZbrvjbQsLtZ24zjMvzH5G2TsDo_uTKsEU4KNIg6C6k7yBwsKBRVhJBJxY-1oE8Cb/s1600/A+Dogs+Rules+for+Christmas.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549503987192090098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiF9WLUAC4zIsFnwp9SiHc39BDq3ZqBzJbI6_CUcRZ8SzuxPkOMdnR8aoFGQmeUB8wtdQgnl1jeogZbrvjbQsLtZ24zjMvzH5G2TsDo_uTKsEU4KNIg6C6k7yBwsKBRVhJBJxY-1oE8Cb/s200/A+Dogs+Rules+for+Christmas.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; display: block; height: 200px; cursor: hand" /></a> <p align="center"><img alt="Santa Dress" border="0" height="180" src="http://www.barkingbabies.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/f/i/file_14_18.jpg" width="180" /></p> <p>#1 A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM! Believe it or not, he comes bearing gifts.</p> #2 Don't pee on the tree. <p>#3 Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.</p> <p align="center"><span>Wishing you a happy holiday season filled with love and laughter with your dear ones two-legged or four!</span></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span>Courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.barkingbabies.com/" target="_blank"><span>Barking Babies</span></a></span></p> <p align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/"><span>Patricia Gray Inc</span></a><span> is an award winning Interior Design firm in Vancouver who blogs about Lifestyle and WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design. </span><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/"><span>2010 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™</span></a></span></p>

A Dog's Rules for Christmas

#1 A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM! Be...

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Home for the Holidays Christmas Tree

<p align="center"> </p> <b></b> <p align="justify"><b>Patricia Gray Inc is honoured to have participated along with Linda Sale Interior Design in their 3rd Annual “Home for the Holidays” fundraising initiative benefiting Canuck Place Children’s Hospice at Sutton Place Hotel.</b> This festive fundraising initiative partnered with local Vancouver businesses to create signature trees that are showcased in the lobby of The Sutton Place Hotel for the month of December.  Please drop by and feast your eyes on the beautiful trees and cast your vote for your favourite.  Thank-you to everyone who voted for their favourite tree and helped us raise proceeds for this important cause.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeJ0PREYIOqlyT1gPabY8q-D8U3hZqTgSbYrU0DCEIYXiHi-llqYLBydRwLHZkEXzj_lgVNsHMmcLfGt7mx3q2crrfC5P1Zaq5uz4C_c701ARhgMVbD9cminmwfFQvQezVBwB5iwfDudu/s1600-h/2010%20Sutton%20Xmas%20Tree%20003%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="2010 Sutton Xmas Tree 003" border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ct6RcMumpcgPq6jS8JqXJfQk-u_AnvfMLL03NRb8V33_ZIWs2hitnZbHUTlOiAZq1HRytj6D8u3sZMxRgv3o5bcKYkOol-KVzfuPDGTcJQj7eiHCNMiqFJd_TyHyDLS9XWGFRsJrWL3k/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2010 Sutton Xmas Tree 003" width="261" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-7OxrG-V8OAGX4Z1Z64b1d_Y-FF-XD_bKdjwYJvgHWXY3bqobv0azcBgBbI5khXfa7KYwu7dd6zwTGN2A2fxKQnfn3voOfjY1Bj9pYWyELdUGNMiccNyyvKKXAaJm_np2dIZUBhdtm-n/s1600-h/2010%20Sutton%20Xmas%20Tree%20004%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="2010 Sutton Xmas Tree 004" border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNpkVQ-GvZ4exjmJ5Bon3SCWyP1uLV0F6AgVQG0KPKEvRDa9ZDt_Rwt7gMbMVQ8p2jOoisOdr3lfoSK2Lp-YItdDBDMr6U6y6av_44b42SQaoKUoE5_VWh4T_cOtaCTzCgobXPEXw7EFO/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2010 Sutton Xmas Tree 004" width="240" /></a> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tKMocKo491wgBx47rnr5pol_z6XXiD5LQsTCGkMbR3okbe5f4ZzOPLFh01d6sjTuBYrtrgqKgcmZYczpU7v427_rXFoNXw29nlbV1c0rPUJFy5EAsv6HwsMq6uTOpyH8oywodweG03p-/s1600-h/2010%20Sutton%20Xmas%20Tree%20007%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="2010 Sutton Xmas Tree 007" border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0uCEmBRJAPquy0IZ88WFPk7NfXQJl8YL3X87U2s-DT6QP62jRhIOtQO4BAzdEkpCNhL3s5Ye0rRP3Itt6phhRJ5Yeh-tZZjrevOd0sqM7qiGSkVJMGP2diIGgdJ47aIWOj_V5CGK4IUb/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2010 Sutton Xmas Tree 007" width="285" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMl7Qgce5t8SvZY6z4EXG3UZL5eutVAORxXb_SQTHraRWq-r4BdSgucI9Dbh1e_qoWAZFZmObh2W4vSB1vEe7C2ph7OsSOGvy2yukrlbkbCWk8mGpBHs5gpI4NN-dIOBuYPFz5ylTQv2Y/s1600-h/2010%20Sutton%20Xmas%20Tree%20009%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="2010 Sutton Xmas Tree 009" border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjRPTE6jES9QD00ndQJMwrIu0Q-hIsNpUzTIhsVlXtG70-OeAYexLrtfKGaxbpl9D8Jrd6VWGPvpQ_HRrcA_ImnICxEObkvbQKm_wKaedVVMLT2lf1QD2l-D_BA9ZdsnYTCtpkGXBWCfn/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2010 Sutton Xmas Tree 009" width="217" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJftLaTBScBjgrde8OhbhHn0nSjGDDRIGHuZCfFJgXI8eHfsmpiqu0vvxYZ5o_gsDekAZb5IAHYwVI9ebgvS9ehzuxjr66YBR8CHQ99Q9vHVmU42yW1XKUyhp2NjYsxGwRo-GgL0E59KM/s1600-h/2010%20Sutton%20Xmas%20Tree%20013%5B1%5D.jpg"> <img alt="2010 Sutton Xmas Tree 013" border="0" height="680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyDkPwXjAiYnX0RsEahQS-_bys-daeEOVNyXZaSl91hIKnqswx0yNbRWjb53BlPHlA2bsC09egD6HzMrZrQ6Cf6mTX-tE01mNnFxxnYJpVFBD_2pi-FZITxAVLYJ5TIsZfs77XSE4mkfd/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="2010 Sutton Xmas Tree 013" width="509" /></a></p> <p align="justify">The tree is decorated with handmade Canuck Jerseys for each team member, and Gingerbread Cookies to represent the Children of the World dressed in their native costumes with each holding the flag of their Country. Click <a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/search/label/Holiday" target="_blank">here</a> to see more pictures of the decorations. <b>For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.canuckplace.org/" target="_blank">Canuck Place Children’s Hospice</a> or <a href="http://www.vancouver.suttonplace.com/homefortheholidays.htm" target="_blank">Sutton Place Hotel Home for the Holidays.</a></b></p> <p align="justify"><font size="1">Photos top left to right: </font><font size="1">Patricia Gray</font><font size="1"> with clients Arnold & Audrey Armstrong; Patricia Gray with client Linda McGibbon; Patricia Gray with Sara Tye, Creekside Tile; Patricia Gray with Hanan Arabatlian, Aura Interiors.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/" target="_blank"><font size="1">Patricia Gray Inc</font></a><font size="1"> is an award winning Interior Design firm  in Vancouver, Canada who blogs about Lifestyle and WHAT'S HOT  in the world of Interior Design. <br /></font><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><font size="1">2010 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™</font></a></p>

Home for the Holidays Christmas Tree

  Patricia Gray Inc is honoured to have participated along with Linda Sale Interior Design in their 3rd Annual “Home for the Holidays” fu...

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