Our national elections are soon to arrive, after we all suffer through the summer of speeches, conventions and inspiring words about what's good for America, and what will bring happiness to us all. When electing the president, and vice president, I suggest that home-loving Americans consider the fact that at home we have our greatest freedom...freedom to paint our walls blue or pink or yellow- even black. At home, we have the freedom to decorate and express our likes for contemporary or traditional styles as we so choose. I believe that our President and his First Lady set an enormous example to our countrymen about style and likes & dislikes in the furnishings, fashions, etiquette, entertaining, food... all subjects that interest me as a designer and decorator.

Some years ago when I was the design consultant to the Carter Presidential administration, I planned White House parties, celebrations and State Dinners with the social secretary, the late Gretchen Poston, together with Mrs. Carter. We celebrated the age of crafts, sometimes using antique bobbins made of wood for State Dinner candlesticks, and the Second Lady, Joan Mondale (we learned to call her "Joan of Art"), loved contemporary claywork, and was a major force in promoting crafts festivals throughout America. Many of our First Ladies have expressed style in a variety of ways. Lady Bird Johnson loved her flower garden and influenced others to follow through with the magic of color in the landscape. Mrs. Johnson's influence spread to the planting of wild flowers along the highways of Texas and America. Mrs. Johnson's flower-bordered White House china pattern is charming and delicate and still a delightful plus to the White House dining room.

Nancy Reagan brought to America a theatrical taste for color, the color red being remembered vividly. Mrs. Regan's entertaining style was, in many instances, flamboyant and theatrical (at one outdoor party, the First Lady had all the trees lighted with white Christmas bulbs, a party the nation remembers and points to with pride. Rosalynn Carter's love for American Country made the style of country decorating very popular in early eighties. And needless to say, Jacqueline Kennedy and her group of antiques experts and craftsmen and designers brought great elegant simplicity and style to the Washington mansion. George Will, in a recent political column, talked about the now barricade-like fortress look to the White House, and asked that the White House be given back to the people. (I hope this request is possible, for Americans do love to touch and look and feel part of the surroundings.)

With this election in the near future, I ask Americans to be mindful of the fact that we desperately need a First Family interested in style, color and the warm and important magic of the home. (Yes, maybe even our first lady President who can give us a great recipe on how to make chocolate chip cookies or angel food cake). We need a First Family who can set some standards of how to live a full and enjoyable life, a FirstFamily interested in home, a First Family that realizes that home is the most important place. We should all be mindful of the fact that happy colors at home can help to make family life joyful.

As you examine the candidates, before deciding on your choice, ask which of the pair (and I include both the male and female in the decision-making) is going to bring the best influence (style-wise) to the next four years. With style (be it colonial, contemporary, simple and elegant, or controversial) comes an element Americans look for, an image to admire and respect.

Carleton Varney by the Yard
1505 Main Street, Sarasota, Florida 34236, tel. 941/953-6986

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