Tea at Trianon: Taste and Elegance at the White House

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Monday, September 23, 2019

Taste and Elegance at the White House

From BPR:

America’s popular first lady is bringing her impeccable style and elegance to the White House. President Trump and wife Melania are getting ready to host their second state dinner at the White House and will be able to show off some needed improvements and restorations. In keeping with the museum-like quality of the rooms that are accessible to the public, the first lady has had everything from wall fabric to furniture repaired or replaced, Time magazine reported.

“Those rooms should always look their very best and it was just very faded and really, really needed to be done,” Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association told Time. The White House Historical Committee works closely with the Association and typically receives $1 – 1.5 million for restoration projects every year. Mrs. Trump has been working with a team of curators, the Historical Association and Historical Committee, as well as White House staff to determine what restoration projects need priority. “The White House does get a lot of wear and tear,” McLaurin said.

The people’s house sees approximately half a million visitors each year, excluding dignitaries and special guests of the President and first lady. In a thrifty move, Mrs. Trump refreshed the Green Room’s draperies by flipping the material from the backside to the front, Time reported. The fringe on the curtains was the only thing that needed to be added, saving time and money.

Sunlight had reportedly stripped the Red Room of some of its color, fading the wall fabric until it had become “so faded it was almost pink.” She’s also added her own personal touches where appropriate while respecting the history of the famous rooms. A new rug was designed by the first lady for the Diplomatic Reception Room after a path was worn by foot traffic, McLaurin said. The border of the new rug showcases flowers of the 50 states, and is a touch that is all Melania, according to Time. (Read more.)