The First Lady’s White House

The White House. The most famous home in the country. President Obama is dwelling there already but that’s the serious stuff. Let’s see what First Lady Michelle is dealing with at the First Family’s new home in D.C.

No Subprime Problem Here
One thing is for sure is that the First Family will not have to worry about the mortgage. I was curious and did a Zillow estimate of how much the White House would be worth.
At 55,000 square feet, the White House would go for about $308 million. With the housing fallout, the White House has only fallen 10% in value . The high back in 2006 was about $330 million.

Still Worth Something

So the First Family can still focus on helping others while not having to worry about their own mortgage. And get ready for some nice get together’s.

A True Historical Landmark
Many things have happened at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (the address) since the first cornerstone was laid in October of 1792. Throughout history this location has been a symbol of America for the entire world. Serious stuff aside, did you know in 1829 over 20,000 Inaugural Callers forced President Andrew Jackson to flee to a nearby hotel for safety? Aides had to use washtubs filled with orange juice and whiskey in the front lawns to lure the people outside of the house.

Ready for a First Rate Partay
I’m not too sure about tubs full of cocktails to get guests outside of the house, but I do know that the First Lady will be able to host some awesome parties. She will have a staff of 5 full time chefs able to serve dinner to 140 guests and mixers with hors d’oeuvres to more than a 1,000.

Anyone for a Painting Party?
The White House must be kept shining white of course. So be careful if the First Lady invites you over for lunch and asks you to bring a paint brush. You’ll probably be part of a get together to cover the house in 570 gallons of white paint.

Receptions and Small Dinners

No Blues in this Room

Hopefully after painting you can also have dinner. Of course the First Family will not be hosting numbers of guests the size of a rave all the time. Cozy dinners and receptions can be hosted in the Blue Room’s 30 feet by 40 feet area. Although the First Lady has her choice in reflecting her style in the room she will have to keep it in the blue color theme. The room has been decorated in a French Empire Style with original furniture since the 19th century. I think that chandelier will look good in a mix and match situation at home.

Large Dinners

Piano and a Dinner

When the need arises guests can be hosted to a large dinner in the East Room. This room is currently under regularly scheduled refurbishment under White House curator William Allman. And the current first family can give some input into the updated decor of the room. Which means First Lady Michelle may have a say in this one quite soon.

Family Dining Room

Just for the Family

There certainly isn’t going to be a party everyday. So when the Obama’s have time for themselves they may be having dinner in the family dining room. This room has been done in a neo-classical design and installed with a slight overscaled Federal-style sideboard and cabinet.

Be Our Guest

Sleeptight my Royal Friend

Part of a series of guest rooms at the White House, the Queen’s Bedroom is named for the many royal guests it has hosted. This room is decorated with a solid wood canopy bed and matching linens and curtains. It is mostly decorated in a Federal-style interior from the Truman renovation.

A Lot of Rooms to Vacuum
There are a total of 132 rooms in the White House but I didn’t detail all of them. Just the one’s I think the First Lady can have a hand in to host guests, friends and family.

Well, First Lady Michelle has a beautiful home to decorate that is worth quite a lot on the market (both on a dollar and world reputation level). Let’s hope the new First Family can breathe some life into this house and country in the next 4 years.