September 7, 2020

By Steven Louis Brawley

Michael S. Smith's new book - Designing History: The Extraordinary Art & Style of the Obama White House provides an important addition to the academic study of the White House. Through his role as personal decorator to the Obamas, Smith gained rare access to our nation's most significant architectural symbol.

The book not only gives intimate details on how Smith partnered with the Obamas to create a personal space that balanced raising a family and governing a nation, it reinforces the strategic role of interior design.

Smith provides an overview of the history of the White House and delves deep into the detail of how the Obama state and personal spaces were designed, styled, and decorated.

During their tenure, the Obamas completed new designs for both the State Dining Room and the Old Family Dining Room on the state floor.

On the second and third floors, very modern and intimate spaces were created for the Obama family that included the President, Mrs. Obama, their two daughters, and Mrs. Obama's mother.

The book devotes a great deal of attention to the 1961-63 Kennedy restoration and Jackie's efforts. Smith notes he took inspiration for his work, especially in the Yellow Oval Room, from Jackie. He felt a symbolic kinship between the Kennedys and Obamas, with both raising young families in the White House. The Kennedy family (Ted and Caroline) were early supporters of Obama.

Smith gets a few details wrong in his Kennedy overview, most notably that Sister Parish was dismissed and didn't continue work through the assassination. This is not true. She worked for Jackie through the end of the administration and did some early work at the 1040 apartment in New York. But yes, she was politically sidelined through battles with Jackie's other consultants - Boudin and Dupont.

Smith's Obama work includes the continued use and refurbishment of many Kennedy era pieces. Here is an inventory of the Kennedy presence in the Obama White House:

• Treaty Room: 1869 walnut conference table (returned to room in 1962 by Jackie)
• Yellow Oval Room: Pair of Bergère chairs reupholstered in chestnut velvet (acquired for room in 1961); new curtains inspired by Boudin; Frederick P. Victoria hurricane lamps (favored by Jackie);  Retained items that were previously in the room include: 2 bureau plats; 4 LeLarge armchairs and settee; 2 Louis XVI mahogany commodes; 1 Louis XVI bench; pair marble pedestals with Louis XVI candelabra; and chandelier from Kennedy era Blue Room
• Living Room: 18th century Pennsylvania high chest (used when this room was President Kennedy's bedroom)
• Center Hall: Partners desk acquired during Kennedy administration
• West Sitting Hall: Claude Monet's."Morning on the Seine, Good Weather," painting given as a gift to the White House by the Kennedy family in honor of President Kennedy
• Master Bedroom: James Whister's Nocturne painting (donated to White House during Kennedy administration)
• Billiard Room: Pair of Regency side chairs from Kennedy era Library; bouillotte lamp from Kennedy era Green Room
• Queen's Sitting Room: Jackie's decor has principally remained intact since 1963
• Old Family Dining Room and President's Dining Room: Majority of furniture has been retained from the Kennedy era

Image courtesy Rizzoli Publishing. 

September 1, 2020

Interview by Steven Louis Brawley with Paul Brandus, author of Jackie: Her Transformation from First Lady to Jackie O.

Why did you pick this period of Jackie's life to focus on? Most Jackie books focus on other periods of her life, e.g. her White House years, or Jackie through the prism of one of her two marriages. But I think the period in between her marriages - Nov. 1963 to Oct, 1968 - is perhaps the most fascinating and revealing of all. It shows us Jackie on her own. Evolving, grieving, moving forward.

What are a few things that you discovered that have not been reported on before? She once was asked other than JFK, which president she would have liked to have married. Her answer: Jefferson. She was attracted to Jefferson because he was a renaissance man who had so many varied interests. People need to understand that Jackie was a renaissance woman, a woman who had so many interests - and had the intellectual firepower to engage with the country's preeminent artists, writers, thinkers, and more - and do so on their level. She was a woman - First Lady or otherwise - like no other,

Jackie was so very private, did you run into any issues with sources not wanting to talk? Most are gone, but those that are still with us were very helpful.

In recent years, people have discussed the PTSD she must have suffered. Did your research support this? She did indeed suffer from PTSD. It began on Nov. 22, 1963 and stayed with her for the rest of her life. It never went away - never - but she learned to deal with it, suppress it as best she could. Little things - a sudden, sharp noise for example - could bring it all back in an instant.

Many people say Jackie only married Ari for the security and money, Do you think your book sheds more light on the complexity of their relationship? Even before Dallas, Jackie craved - needed - security and privacy. These needs grew after the assassination, and the murder of Robert Kennedy in June 1968 was the final straw. There's no question that Jackie - who was well-off, but not that well off, also enjoyed the security and freedom that money conveyed. And yet her initial attraction to Onassis.- and they had known each other since the early 1950s - was based on other things. Like Jackie, Onassis spoke several languages. He was incredibly charming and attentive. He was a very good listener, and very solicitous of women. This, along with his fantastic wealth, more than compensated for the fact that wasn't as physically attractive as, say, JFK. Women flocked to him like fireflies to light.

After researching and writing the book, what is your main takeaway about Jackie? I think she was utterly brilliant. She blazed her own trail, was comfortable in her own skin. She, to this day, remains a fine example for others.

What's your next book topic? Not sure! But it won't be politically-related.

Image courtesy of Simon & Schuster.

December 21, 2019: This year, PPB has added several amazing Kennedy related artifacts to its archives. This holiday season I am proud to feature a 1948 Auchincloss family Christmas card and a metal Christmas bell. The items are from a recent auction of Auchincloss family items. The metal bell is engraved with a Merry Xmas message. It has a nice ring. Fun to imagine the bell hanging on a tree at Hammersmith Farm or Merrywood. PPB wishes you and yours a happy, safe, and fun holiday. Looking forward to new PPB feature stories in 2020.

Image credit line: From collection of Steven Louis Brawley, www.pinkpillbox.com.

November 27, 2019:  A recent addition to my private collection. This photograph purchased by Steven Louis Brawley from the Auchincloss family archives shows a Thanksgiving at Merrywood in the 1940s. Hugh's back is to the camera. Janet is across from Hugh in front of the sideboard, Hugh's mother is on his left. The young lady to Hugh's right may, or may not, be Jackie, no confirmation. Lee and Janet (Jr.) may also be in the photo, but also not confirmed. I think Gore Vidal is at the far end of the table on the right. More research needed. Pinkpillbox wishes everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday.

Image credit line: From collection of Steven Louis Brawley, www.pinkpillbox.com.