White House redo

American Presidents have used everything from furnishings and fashion to Christmas cards and dinnerware to set their political stage and to visually communicate their administration's political, social and cultural ideals to the American people. Let's say it's Jan. 21, 2009, and you get a telephone call from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The new president is inviting you to oversee a redecoration of the White House, including a complete makeover of the First Family's private living quarters. Political preferences aside, which candidate would you most like to have as a client, and what would you do? — Susan Dickenson

I think the Obamas would best be suited for a radical (albeit tasteful) redo of the White House. He seems to truly be up for “cleaning house.” I think the First Family would need a break from all of the bright color and antiquity of the public spaces. I see a lot of subtle taupes and grays, pale creamy yellows and blues, with bright white details and trim ... a lot of upholstered, contemporary pieces to soften things up. And as is my own style, I'd definitely mix it up with some iconic vintage pieces. Oh, and modern art! Isn't there a contemporary museum somewhere nearby? — Mark Schomisch

Hillary Clinton was in charge of her domain during the Bill years, but now might be the time to Billify the private quarters for the Hillary years. I think Bill and I would need to make the digs as comfortable as possible since Hillary will undoubtedly have the Secret Service install double-bolted locks on all entry/exit doors to keep Bill out of her Oval Office. I'm seeing lots of La-Z-Boy loungers, footrests and overstuffed sofas so that Bill can be comfortable — locked away. To keep Bill from going stir crazy, we'll fabricate a soundproof room so the saxophone wailing won't trickle down to cabinet meetings and the like. — Doug Wilson

Barack Obama. I love to blur the lines between contemporary and ornate and would begin by painting the rooms to give a warm yet monochromatic feel. The color palette would vary by room — grayish browns, grayish blues and a variety of cream colors. All ornate molding would get a fresh coat of ultra-white enamel paint to provide contrast, keep it contemporary and bring attention to carvings and trimwork. The key is a color palette that will complement a variety of wood tones, as well as the silver and gold embellishments apparent in the antiques and portrait framings throughout the White House. I would further “hip” up the private quarters with antiques reupholstered in slick white liquid leather, acrylic tables, mirrored consoles and chests, and tubular glass chandeliers. — Greg O'Neal

John McCain. Traditional in values, he exhibits a forward-thinking global mindset, so I think he would be open to spicing up traditional interiors with modern elements from around the world. Original pieces of furniture from Lincoln's and Roosevelt's days in office would be a great backdrop. I'd showcase Cindy's love of helping those less fortunate throughout the world with artifacts from her travels. Specific spaces would be personalized with family photo galleries. I'd use soft, inviting colors mixed with earth tones, forest greens, chocolate browns, honey tones and sunny yellow. — Brooke Ziccardi

Hillary Clinton, because she would be the first female president, plus she has a spouse who has already served and lived in the White House (oh the stories that could be told …). It would be great to shake up some of the furnishings with more eclecticism. I'd use handmade artwork, glassware and pieces from around the country, each with a story to tell about the artisans or about our past. The color, texture and materials, mixed with the White House's architecture and historical furnishings, would be the unexpected surprise — like having a strong female president. — Mark Abrams

Hillary Clinton. I love the idea of a white house — interiors that include all shades of white in different textures, from damask to pleats to more contemporary fabrics. I'd take some nonhistoric-with-an-historic-look pieces and paint them white, use some crystal and add some eco-friendly elements. I'd probably use reflective things — add some stainless pieces of furniture in there to recreate what I've been doing in my own work. — Raymond Waites

Visit the Designer Insight blog at homeaccentstoday.com for more commentary from all of our panelists.

Mark Abrams

Mark Schomisch

Greg O'Neal

Raymond Waites

Doug Wilson

Brooke Ziccardi

Dorian Webb