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While Obama vacationed with his family in Martha's Vineyard, the president's office got new wallpaper, a new rug, reupholstered arm chairs and two new couches. White House photographers and camera crews were shown Obama's new digs today, hours before tonight's speech.
Gone is the sunburst rug designed by then-first lady Laura Bush. In its place is a beige floor covering -- oval-shaped, of course -- made from 25 percent recycled wool, with quotes from Americans admired by Obama. Among them is Franklin D. Roosevelt's "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s " The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."
Facelift for the Oval Office
President Barack Obama's office was redecorated while he vacationed with his family. The renovations to the Oval Office include a new rug made from 25 percent recycled wool, new drapes and wallpaper but the famous Resolute Desk, used by John F. Kennedy, remains.
New light-brown couches replaced the ones from the Bush years, a new coffee table is made from American walnut and mica. Obama's new rug includes quotes from Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. It was woven and donated by a Michigan manufacturer.
The Oval Office, here in December, previously had a sunburst rug designed by then-first lady Laura Bush.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said no taxpayer money was spent on the project. Presidents generally update the Oval Office to put their own stamp on it.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told ABC News today that not a dime of taxpayer money was spent. "As many presidents want to put their own little stamp on the office they spend so much time in, the president has done that in his own very modest way," Gibbs said.
The White House says the nonprofit White House Historical Association and a contribution from the Presidential Inaugural Committee helped fund some of the project.
The formerly bare, eggshell walls have been replaced with striped wallpaper. More modern couches, in light brown tones accented by striped throw pillows, replace the beige-and-tan sofas from the George W. Bush years. An updated coffee table, made from American walnut and mica, has been installed, as well as lamps with blue ceramic bases and cream lamp shapes.
The White House's detailed description of the makeover was posted online by USA Today's "The Oval " website.
The iconic Resolute Desk, under which John F. Kennedy Jr. played while his dad worked, stays where it is.
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