White House Christmas 2022
I had the pleasure and honor of being selected as a volunteer to participate on the White House Christmas 2022 decorating team last month, and I’m really excited to share some photos of my weekend with you! It was so much fun to meet people from around the country, roll up my sleeves, and get to use my creative side in a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
The White House gingerbread house is a holiday tradition dating back to First Lady Pat Nixon, and this year’s display was even more special for me. It included not only the White House, but also our very own Independence Hall. I often think of how lucky I am to live in Philadelphia with its rich American history all around me, so seeing Philadelphia represented here meant even more.
Traditional gingerbread White House and Independence Hall in the State Dining Room
In the Library, volunteers created these incredible book trees! The decor in here was inspired by a love of shared ideas, exchanges of dialogue, and strong education that reflect what makes “We The People” so wonderful.
Handmade book trees in the Library
Another really cool addition to the Library is this engraved copy of the Declaration of Independence hung above the mantle. It was printed around 1845 and donated to the White House in the 1980s.
Engraving of Declaration of Independence circa 1845
In the China Room, tableware used by past First Families is proudly displayed. The decorations in here include measuring cups, wooden spoons, cookies, and rolling pins to celebrate family recipes and the traditions of sharing food and happy memories with loved ones at the holidays. Each volunteer brought a family recipe, handwritten on an index card, and these are woven throughout in a sweet, personal touch. If you look closely enough, you might be able to spot my family recipe on the mantle!
Family recipes and baking utensils in the China Room
Finally, I worked with the team assigned to decorate the East Colonnade. Our vision was to create a winter wonderland that feels like the first snow of the season. We wrapped tubes in paper painted to look like birch bark and hung sparkling, glittering mirrors and fluffy pom-poms from fishing line for a magical effect!
Winter sparkle in the East Colonnade
Lanterns and candles adding a glow to the East Colonnade
You can see even more photos and spaces from HGTV here, and they also produced a special. Watch it here and see if you can find me!
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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning Philadelphia interior design firm serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding cities. Utilizing her background and training in interior design, architecture, and engineering, Glenna specializes in creating interiors for residential and commercial design settings. We invite you to visit our website, view our portfolio, and catch up on the latest interior design concepts on our blog!
