Resolute from Victoria: symbol of victory and power

One item from the Oval Office’s interior deserves special mention. Its significance is so great that it almost never leaves the walls of its home, where it was delivered last century. Of course, it is the massive desk known as the "Resolute." It was created in 1880 from the remnants of the eponymous frigate and was presented as a gift from British Queen Victoria to then-President Rutherford B. Hayes. Since then, the Resolute has become a legend and a symbol of power in the US.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: renovation after fire

After the 1929 fire, Roosevelt redesigned the space with an emphasis on functionality. The C-shaped desk allowed for a dictaphone to be placed underneath, while the blue rug symbolized the ocean of hope in the "New Deal." The walls in a cream tone, with classic curtains and bronze vases, reflected the era of recovery after the Great Depression. Portraits of Washington and Lincoln served as reminders of unity, while green curtains added freshness, like leaves on the branches of a rejuvenating nation. This effectively became a manifesto of resilience: "We will come back stronger."

John F. Kennedy: Jacqueline's elegant redesign

In 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy transformed the office into a veritable museum masterpiece by inviting French designer Stéphane Boudin. Under Kennedy, the Oval Office bloomed in pastel tones: pale green walls, silk curtains with golden tassels, and a carpet pattern in the shape of ocean waves. Portraits of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson added intellectual charm. Jacqueline removed Victorian elements, replacing them with elegant lamps and crystal vases. This was not just a redesign; it was a manifesto of youth and culture, where every item whispered dreams of the Moon.

Richard Nixon: portraits and personal comfort

In 1969, Nixon transformed the Oval Office into a personal pantheon by adorning the walls with portraits of his revered heroes—Lincoln, Eisenhower, and Churchill. The carpet featuring a golden emblem, designed by the president's wife, lay underfoot. Heavy velvet curtains in gold added theatrical flair, creating a stage for negotiations behind closed doors. The Resolute desk, returning after Reagan, stood as an anchor, surrounded by books and family photos. For the first time in US history, the decoration of the Oval Office became truly personalized.

Ronald Reagan: Hollywood glamour

In 1981, Reagan infused the Oval Office with California charm: cream-colored walls, a blue carpet with a sun at the center, and golden curtains that billowed like a curtain before applause. Bronze statues like the Bronco Buster and Rattlesnake symbolizing the Wild West appeared in the decor, as well as portraits of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Nancy Reagan chose fabrics with floral motifs, adding warmth to the furnishings. The Resolute desk shone under the light of crystal chandeliers, and the entire interior was as bright as a sunrise over a ranch.

Barack Obama: modern minimalism

In 2009, Obama breathed a fresh wind of hope into the Oval Office. The walls were painted in light cream tones, and an oval rug featuring a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. was laid down. Michelle Obama added modern accents: red chairs, a bronze Bronco Buster, along with portraits of Lincoln and Washington. Family photos and books appeared on the Resolute desk. It was an intellectual's interior: clean, like code in Silicon Valley, where neutral-hued curtains filtered light like hope sifting through doubts. Obama's minimalism reflects simplicity infused with depth.

Donald Trump: golden triumph

In 2017, Trump transformed the Oval Office into a golden palace reminiscent of Trump Tower. The golden curtains from the Clinton era returned, Reagan's carpet was reinstated, wallpapers with marine motifs were added, and the walls were adorned with numerous portraits in gold frames. Washington, Lincoln, Jackson, Jefferson, Hamilton, and Franklin remind us of a gallery of winners in golden frames. This was complemented by busts of Churchill and the Bronco Buster. By 2025, golden cherubs, pedestals, and medallions were added. Here, every golden accent shouts triumph, primarily of Donald Trump himself.