George PA Healy's 1869 portrait of Abraham Lincoln has occupied a place of honor over the fireplace for many years The State Dining Room, which now seats as many as 140 guests, was originally much smaller and served at various times as a drawing room, office, and Cabinet room. Not until the Andrew Jackson administration was it called the "State Dining Room," although it had been used for formal dinners by previous presidents. The room is expanded from its original size and is now a little less than 49 feet by 36 feet. During the Eisenhower administration, Mamie Eisenhower regularly decorated the State Dining Room for each holiday, including Halloween skeletons, witches, jack-o'-lanterns, and stalks of corn, and St. Patrick's Day leprechauns, shamrocks, and green ribbon. As the nation grew, so did the invitation list to official functions at the White House. The room that was once Jefferson's library and office became a dining room (and, at times, a billiards room) for state dinners so that the East Room could remain clear for an accompanying reception.

It originally had one fireplace on the east wall, but when the house was rebuilt after the 1814 fire, a second fireplace was added on the west wall, which required that the two west windows be blocked, although new windows were eventually cut to open the space to the conservatories.chairs for sale lazy boy During the renovation of 1902 by architects McKim, Mead, & White, the room size was enlarged after the main stairway from the west end of the Cross Hall was removed. cheap high chairs melbourneThe two Italian marble mantels installed by Monroe were moved to the Red and Green Rooms; bulk buy garden chairsa single larger fireplace was constructed on the west wall and the original window spaces repaired. teak garden chairs sale

The architecture of the room was modeled after that of neoclassical English houses of the late 18th century. Below a new ceiling and a cornice of white plaster, natural oak wall paneling with Corinthian pilasters and a delicately carved frieze was installed. bistro table and chair set saleA silver-plate chandelier and complementing wall sconces were added.bean bag chairs history During the Truman reconstruction, the 1902 mantel was replaced with a green marble mantel. wood chair legs nzThe 1902 mantel was restored during the Kennedy renovation and includes the inscription placed there by Franklin Roosevelt, from a letter by John Adams to his wife written immediately after he first moved into the house in 1800:where to buy chair rail molding

TR's 1902 renovation inspired one cartoonist to poke fun at the State Dining Room's wildlife decor I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. best high chair 2012 consumer reportsMay none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof. When not set for a state dinner, the mahogany dining table, surrounded by Queen Anne-style chairs, displays part of Monroe's gilt service purchased from France in 1817. The ornamental bronze-doré pieces are used today as table decorations. The plateau centerpiece, with seven mirrored sections, measures 14 feet 6 inches in length when fully extended. Standing bacchantes holding wreaths for tiny bowls or candles border the plateau. Three fruit baskets, supported by female figures, may be used to hold flowers. The two rococo-revival candelabra date from the Hayes administration. Three console tables with eagle supports, made by the AH Davenport Co. of Boston, stand against the walls.

From 2012 to 2015, the room underwent a gradual freshening under the Obamas. Buying format see all Number of Pieces see all Item location see all distance 2 km 5 km 10 km 15 km 20 km 50 km 75 km 100 km 150 km 200 km 500 km 750 km 1000 km 1500 km 2000 km Delivery options see allAfter his son went off to college in August, Craig Norberg-Bohm was ready to downsize. In less than two weeks, he sold his five-bedroom home and bought a three-bedroom. But almost a year later, he is still trying to get rid of his extra furniture. Friends have been through to cherry-pick the contents of the 62-year-old's Arlington, Mass., home. He put shelves, a childhood dresser and other furniture in storage. Now, with his moving... French Election: Young, Jewish Parisian Defends Le Pen Macron Wins French Election: Now the Challenge Begins '13 Reasons Why': Sending the Wrong Message? U.S. F-35A Jets Flex Muscle Amid Russia Tensions Stealthy Home Security ‘Sees’ Without Cameras

A question about one of the most common names in antique furniture came to my attention recently. At one of my antiques appraisal shows, I was asked about a Duncan Phyfe dining room set. First, I had to explain the difference between an actual Duncan Phyfe set and a reproduction set in the style of Duncan Phyfe. There is a big difference. You may have heard the word style used after the description of many objects — Tiffany style, Victorian style, etc. For instance, a Duncan Phyfe style dining room set (emphasis on the word style) differs from an original Duncan Phyfe dining room set. Many furniture makers worked in the manner of the late 18th-century craftsman, Duncan Phyfe. Think of it this way — It’s like contemporary singer Michael Buble singing in the style of Frank Sinatra. Buble sings like Sinatra, but he’s not Sinatra! Buble singing Sinatra songs in the 2000s was a revival of Sinatra’s style which was popular in the 1950s. Similarly, this revival of the Duncan Phyfe style is seen in furniture designs in the early decades of the 1900s.

It is common that such pieces have come to be known as simply “Duncan Phyfe”, but they are not authentic Duncan Phyfe pieces. They are merely Duncan Phyfe style. As you probably guessed, there is a big value or monetary difference between authentic Duncan Phyfe furniture and Duncan Phyfe style furniture. Duncan Phyfe (1768-1854) was best known for the straight lines and classical look of his furniture carved in rich hard woods like mahogany and walnut. Values for an original Duncan Phyfe table range from $50,000 to $150,000. That value is based on actual sales record where somebody actually paid cash, swiped a credit card, or wrote a check for that amount. It is not a price or auction estimate. The values that I provide are based on an actual amount that someone paid for an antique or vintage piece. For instance, in 2006, a carved mahogany dining table by Duncan Phyfe dating to 1815 measuring 30 inches tall sold for $132,000. That’s actually what someone paid for it.

That’s the value you need to know when assessing value. If you were to put a retail value on a typical, six piece Duncan Phyfe style dining room set like those your elderly aunts may have used to serve dinner on during the 1940s or 1950s, then the retail value for such a set is significantly different from that of an original Duncan Phyfe set from the late 1800s. Usually such vintage Phyfe style sets in good condition from the mid 1900s are worth $2,000 on the retail market. What do I mean by the retail market? That’s the price you would pay if you went to a retailer and bought a dining room set like your set, with its current condition factored in. Don’t be confused – original means original but “style” may mean that you have a reproduction or something else. Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is the expert appraiser on the hit TV show, Auction Kings on Discovery channel.