A Look Into Presidential Interior Design For President’s Day
Interior design features from Washington and Lincoln that have stood the test of time
A fun fact about me is that I was actually a history major in college and taught high school US History for 2 years. As a historian AND an interior designer, analyzing the interior design changes throughout history is my favorite thing in the world - talk about worlds colliding. Since today is President’s Day, I thought it could be fun to examine the major design aspects of both George Washinton and Abraham Lincoln’s personal homes - after all, the best way to fight decorating your home based on fads and needing to change it again in 10 years is to look at historic homes/buildings and deciding what still works.
gorge washington’s home: mount vernon
Nestled beautifully along the bank of the Potomac River, Mount Vernon is a colonial work of art. I visited here a few years ago with my husband and it immediately became my favorite tourist spot in DC (even though it is not technically in DC). Here are 5 design elements from Mount Vernon that are not going out of style any time soon:
1. Symmetry
No, Washington’s home is not perfectly symmetrical due to his additions to the property, but the intention was to make it look as symmetrical as possible. No matter what new home styles come into play, a classic home that is symmetrical will always draw people’s eyes. It is just natural - we are drawn to things that are balanced. Not only is the main home of Mount Vernon symmetrical, but each side has a carriage house off of it creating an inviting and balanced front landscape.
2. Cupolas
This can be done incorrectly, but the large cupola atop Mount Vernon is timeless and stately. When scaled to fit a home correctly, a cupola can create. a focal point to draw your eye up and again, play into the symmetry mentioned above. Personally, I am dreaming of having a pool house one day with a cupola on top.
A look at a modern cupola, featuring Studio McGee’s pool house.
3. Pediments and Ornate Millwork
While a pediment is timeless, it can only really be done on a colonial/federal-style home. Slapping a pediment on the front of your mid-century ranch is going to get some strange stares and throw everything off. However, when placed on a colonial-inspired home, nothing is more stately. A porch does not fit this era, but without the pediment, the front entrance falls flat along the symmetrical front elevation.
Ornate millwork is another aspect pretty specific to this type of home. It creeps its way into the Victorian style we will talk about shortly as well, but the desire for freshness in home design moved us away from ornate molding and into flat millwork. Both can be done beautifully, but there is just something awe-inspiring about a piece of 10” crown molding that looks fresh out of the American Revolution.
The “teeth” on this molding are a signature piece of crown molding in early American homes.
4. Brass
I think I have already made my love for all things brass pretty well known. And if I haven’t convinced you enough that brass isn’t going away any time soon, just take a look at how much it was used in early American homes.
5. Paneling/Wall Molding
This may be my personal favorite aspect of Mount Vernon. Every single room has some sort of wall paneling, molding, or built-in shelving unit. Features like that in a home create a space that feels intentional and like it was built with love. You walk into Mount Vernon and are immediately struck with the beauty, elegance, and time that went into every single inch of the home. Today, all we see is drywall and that can easily come across as boring and simple. However, wall molding and paneling are very easy to apply right on top of the drywall, so they can easily be added to your home to add that extra special something.
An excellent shot of the brass, the wall molding and the ornate crown molding, all in one!
Abraham Lincoln’s home
When asked about my favorite historical time period to study, I will say the Colonial/American Revolution period 10 times out of 10. But I have to admit, I have a real soft spot in my heart for all things Victorian-style homes have to offer. An easy way to identify a home from the Lincoln era is to remember that the homes are tall and skinny just like President Lincoln was. (So tall and skinny even that I am fairly certain none of them would live up to modern code) Here are 4 elements of Abraham Lincolns Springfield home that will stand the test of time:
1. Wallpaper
President Lincoln’s home, like pretty much every home of the time, is essentially a sea of wallpaper. We are not talking a simple tan grasscloth wallpaper, but loud, patterned wallpapers. And I LOVE it!! Too many people have a bad taste in their mouths toward wallpaper because of how it was used incorrectly in the past (70’s, Im talking to you). BUT, classic wallpaper such as this is so magnificent and makes such a statement in a room that I cannot even fathom a world without wallpaper. If I can’t convince you about the beauty and timelessness of wallpaper, I encourage you to check out Dickinson on Apple TV (a period piece about Emily Dickinson that has modern language and music - 10/10) and tell me their home isn’t one of the most beautiful things you have ever seen. Two words for you: Wallpaper Mural <3
Doesn’t get any louder than red floral wallpaper and green floral curtains.
A glimpse into the dining room on the set of Dickinson.
2. Colored Trim
In today’s homes, people are so scared of the orange/yellow oak trim of the 90s that everyone just uses white trim. (My own home has white trim…. for now) But something that this era (and the colonial era before it) did so well is a colored trim paired with white (or mainly white wallpapered) walls. Flipping the conventional pairing of gray walls with white trim for white walls with gray/taupe trim brings a European classic feel into the home. Instant luxury!
Try painting your trim a complimentary color, even if it is just in an enclosed room. I guarantee it will elevate your space.
3. Curved Mirrors and Frames
While the Colonial Era went all in on harsh, straight lines, the Victorian era brought in softer, more feminine curves into the decor. Picture frames were ovals, mirrors had curved tops, stair rails began curving, furniture got rounded arms…. Think about items you would see in Versailles.
Round frames for everyone!!
4. Fireplaces
Obviously, fireplaces were a necessity in Lincoln’s home living in the Midwest in the winter months. We are talking fireplace in every single room. They did not have to be anything special, just a hearth, legs, header, and mantle - sometimes they had ornate millwork and sometimes they were just there for warmth. Either way, a fireplace gives a natural gathering place/focal point for a space. In today’s world, you can mount a tv above it. Nonetheless, the more fireplaces a home can have, the better - as shown by President Lincoln’s home.
Simple, but does the job. Also more round frames, this time featuring George Washington!
Thank you for going on this journey back in time with me today. I will take any opportunity I can to nerd-out on some American history. Happy President’s Day!
