As I mentioned in a previous post on the White House, unless you are on official State business, you will enter through the East Wing, seen above. This allows for the extensive security to be hidden around the side and rear of the building.
The entire house was decorated for the holiday. I loved the red berries and ribbons in these iron urns decorating the porte cochere. 
Inside the vestibule is access to the first ladies' offices. The wood paneling is beautiful and a handful of presidential portraits decorate the space.
In the holiday decorations, I especially liked the use of these magnolia garlands.
From this hallway, you enter into the east colonnade which was originally open when constructed in the 1902 renovation. It was enclosed in 1942 when the east wing was expanded.
These transoms let light into the spaces adjacent to the colonnade which includes the family theater.
In the holiday decorations, I especially liked the use of these magnolia garlands.From this hallway, you enter into the east colonnade which was originally open when constructed in the 1902 renovation. It was enclosed in 1942 when the east wing was expanded.These transoms let light into the spaces adjacent to the colonnade which includes the family theater. The length of the colonnade was decorated with these enormous beautiful wreaths, each made of a different fruit.
The east colonnade leads you though this archway into the Visitors Vestibule, decorated for Christmas with more uplit glittered branches. Centered on the archway is an enormous bronze bust of President Lincoln. 
I liked the playfully decorated trees in this area the best.
These spaces lead you to the ground floor Main Hall in the original block of the White House, off of which are the Library, Vermeil Room and China Room which I discussed last week.
I hope these photographs I've shared over the past weeks have helped you become familiar with the White House. If visiting Washington, I highly recommend trying to get a tour to see this lovely house, rich with so much history!
I liked the playfully decorated trees in this area the best.
These spaces lead you to the ground floor Main Hall in the original block of the White House, off of which are the Library, Vermeil Room and China Room which I discussed last week.
I hope these photographs I've shared over the past weeks have helped you become familiar with the White House. If visiting Washington, I highly recommend trying to get a tour to see this lovely house, rich with so much history!
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11 comments:
Stefan, you've made the White House more interesting than I found it on my visit years ago. Then we were herded through in a peremptory manner and judging by the ease with which you were able to photograph things have changed for the better.
Happy New Year to you, belatedly.
Thanks, Stefan, for the extraordinary tour of the White House. I have been several times, including a special visit during the Reagan tenancy, but photos were forbidden, of course. I have enjoyed seeing the current views.
How inspiring! I am gathering ideas for next Christmas. Love those sparkly uplit branches.
pve
Stefan, thanks for an interesting and thorough tour. There have been many changes since the last time I was there, and I feel as though I've seen the changes in person. Thanks!
Stefan, Thanks for the insider's look inside!
I've love your illustrative educational tour!! Today I love the magnolia garland, fruit wreaths and beautiful lit branches at the archway leading into the Visitors Vestibule (in fact these are my favorite). Thank you!!
Great tour! Thanks!!
interesting tour! happy new year!
Wonderful series. This is the best pictoral tour of the White House that I have ever seen.
wow -thanks everyone -and thanks Magnus!
Oh, I do love that magnolia garland. I really like this year's decorations!!!
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