Major Gifts

&

Redecorations

As the President’s Guest House, Blair House is an immediate and significant symbol of the nation to our foreign visitors. While Congress ensures its architectural and structural integrity, the interior décor and gardens depend on the generosity of citizens.

PRINCIPAL SUITE

The redecoration of the Principal Suite at Blair House in 2016 was generously underwritten by Sarah and Ross Perot, Jr.

PRINCIPAL SUITE PRIMARY BATHROOM

In 2009, the Blair House Foundation renovated the Principal Suite Primary Bathroom with in-kind participation from the following benefactors:

  • Carolyn Thomas, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath: Design

  • The Kohler Company: Fixtures

  • Betty Sullivan, Architectural Ceramics: Floor and wall design and marble tile

  • Wood-Mode: Cabinetry

Additional appreciation to R. Bratti Associates

PRINCIPAL SUITE SECOND BATHROOM

In 2008, The Blair House Foundation renovated the Principal Suite Second Bathroom through the generous underwriting of the Blair House Board’s vice chair, Catherine “Bunny” Murdock, with in-kind participation from the following benefactors:

  • Carolyn Thomas, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath: Design

  • R. Bratti Associates: Marble

  • Collins & Company; Wood-Mode: Cabinetry

  • The Kohler Company: Fixtures

  • Abrielle: Accessories

THE ARTHUR & JANET ROSS GARDEN

The Blair House gardens were created during the major renovation of the house in the 1980s. Through generous donations from Arthur and Janet Ross, the Arthur and Janet Ross Garden was established in Blair House’s large interior courtyard.

Mr. and Mrs. Ross subsequently endowed the gardens of Blair House to maintain and preserve them in perpetuity.

Pictured: Board members Mary Weinmann and Janet Ross with Arthur Ross, touring the Arthur and Janet Ross Garden.

THE JOHN & DIANA ZENTAY HISTORIC AMERICAN PRINTS COLLECTION

In 2006 and 2007, John and Diana Zentay donated 210 framed, historic American prints to Blair House. They are now a vital part of the Blair House Fine Arts Collection.

LINCOLN ROOM

The redecoration of the Lincoln Room in 2012 was generously underwritten by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. McLarty III

FOREIGN MINISTER’S BATHROOM

The Blair House Foundation renovated the Foreign Minister’s Bathroom in 2011 through generous in-kind donations from:

  • Waterworks: Fixtures, lighting, mirrors and tile

    • Gift of Barbara Sallick, Executive Vice President, Waterworks

    • Barbara Fleischmann, Project Coordinator, Waterworks.

  • Victoria Rixey, AIA, LEED AP: Architectural design

  • Rugo Stone: Marble countertop

  • New Ravenna Mosaics: Mosaic Floor Tile

EMBASSY KITCHEN

The renovated auxiliary kitchen, known as the Embassy Kitchen, was designed by the SieMatic Corporation and donated by Frank and Renate Siekmann in 2003 in partnership with the following companies:

  • The Miele Corporation

  • The SubZero Corporation

  • The Thermador Corporation

  • Independent Hood

  • Haifa

  • White House Collection

TIFFANY & Co. CHINA & SILVER

In 1988, Tiffany & Co. designed and created an assortment of gifts especially for Blair House, including 150 place settings of sterling flatware and assorted sterling serving pieces, 100 place settings of fine china, and two large bronze donor plaques engraved with the names of major donors to the home’s restoration in the 1980s.

In 2009, Tiffany created and donated two additional plaques: one to reflect the names of the Blair House Endowment Donors, and the second to list those who have contributed $100,000 or more to Blair House in the recent past.

ANNA WEATHERLY HAND-PAINTED PORCELAIN CHINA

Porcelain designer Anna Weatherly designed and donated four place settings of this beautiful breakfast set in 2008 for use by visiting chiefs of state in the Principal Suite of Blair House.

LIBRARY

The redecoration of the Blair House Library was made possible by a generous gift from Sarah and Ross Perot, Jr.

RECENT REDECORATIONS

  • Blair Front Drawing Room

    In 2010, the Blair Front and Rear Drawing Rooms received new window treatments and paint, and two chairs were recovered. The rug in the front drawing room was purchased for this room by the Foundation in 2009.

  • Foreign Minister's Sitting Room

    The Foreign Minister’s Sitting Room was renovated by the Blair House Foundation in 2011.

  • Mrs. Truman's Bedroom

    This guest bedroom is known historically as Mrs. Truman's Bedroom because it was used by Mrs. Truman when she and President Truman resided at Blair House during the renovation of the White House (1948-52).

  • Lee Dining Room

    The Foundation worked in pro bono partnership with the Winterthur Museum, the Blair House curator, and the General Services Administration Office of Historic Preservation to fully restore the historic woodwork of the Lee Dining Room in 2011. The entire room was repainted and glazed to highlight the field color of the Chinese export porcelain collection (circa 1800) that graces this important room.

  • Guest Bedroom

    The Blair House Foundation has begun to refresh the décor of the Blair House guest bedrooms created during the 1980s restoration. Here is one example of a bedroom redecoration that occurred in 2011. This is one of fourteen Blair House guest rooms.