March 5, 2015 Notes: Rendition of Mamie and Ike's White House bedroom by Jake Gariepy. The curtains were by Scalamandré (a glazed chintz in green and rose on a cream background taken from a Louis XVI printed called "The Triumph of Hymen") and were first used in Margaret Truman's bedroom across the hall. The painting over the bed was by Ike and the pink headboard would reappear during the Ford administration. The chest between the windows would also be used by several other First Couples. Although a decor typical of its time (late 1950s), Jackie had other plans and would transform the space to closely resemble her Georgetown bedroom at 3307 N. Street.

Image copyright Jake Gariepy (Dapper and Dreamy).

February 21, 2015 Notes: Rendition of the White House second floor elevator hall in the private residential quarters circa 1962, showing a Lannuier swivel-top card table (circa 1815 sold at the 1996 Sotheby's auction for $107,000), lithographs by W. H. Brown (circa 1830s sold at the 1996 Sotheby's auction for $7,475) and a Chippendale mirror on loan from Mount Vernon attributed to President Washington's "Presidential Palace" in Philadelphia (circa 1790s).

Image copyright Jake Gariepy (Dapper and Dreamy).

February 16, 2015 Notes: Steven L. Brawley, PPB Editor-in-Chief, has recently acquired this rare 1940s era postcard featuring the Hyannis Port home of Joseph and Rose Kennedy. By this time, Joe had served as the controversial U.S. Ambassador to England and had two sons serving in the military (Joe Jr and John).

Source: American Art Post Card Company, Brookline MA (collection of Steven L. Brawley).

February 11, 2015 Notes: Jackie's inaugural year as first lady made her the world's leading fashion icon. She would top the best dressed women's lists for years to come. 

Source: January 1962 wire image stamped The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.