But decorating the presidential residence goes far beyond seasonal work.
Due to the economic crisis at the time Barack Obama became president, everyone was cautious about overspending.
Barack used money earned from his book to pay for furniture, and some was donated.
Other pieces came from the White House collection, and museums lent out artwork.
Older pieces were mixed with new ones.
Barack and Michelle Obama were well aware that they wouldn’t live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue forever.
Another benefit of paying for their own stuff was that they could use it afterward.
Smith knows that they did exactly that since he decorated the couple’s house post-presidency too.
However, as Smith reasoned, “That was very much the idea, right?
He was in the office all the time.
And I think that I wanted it to be as peaceful and comfortable as it could be.”
In one instance, Smith posted a shot of a living room that included some new art.
Those were the days."
