Look inside Vice President Kamala Harris residence to see how celebrated designers blend history with style.
Number One Observatory Circle, the current official residence of Vice President Kamala Harris, is notably one of America’s iconic residences. While the history of this prominent home is often talked about, let’s check how it looks currently under the administration of Kamala Harris.
The spectacular interiors of Harris’ residence are the creation of Sheila Bridges, the acclaimed New York designer. She brought her playful penchant for pattern to the stately abode.
Bridges was tapped to renovate the Vice President’s house according to Kamala D. Harris and Doug Emhoff’s preferences. Her project ran year round and was centered on the reincarnation of an 1893 Victorian home situated within the U.S. Naval Observatory.
Design by Sheila Bridges
ELLE DÉCOR A-Lister, Sheila Bridges is a well-known designer known for her witty classicism and impactful mark on American design. Her portfolio includes Bill Clinton’s Harlem office and properties for notable clients like Harrell and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. Based in Harlem, Bridges is celebrated for her eye for lush design that honors and reimagines history. With a growing list of high-profile clients, she is solidifying her position as one of America’s most important decorators.
Abode of the Vice President
The Northwest Washington, D.C. house welcomed America’s VP Kamala Harris and second gentleman, Douglas Emhoff, in April 2021. Built in The Queen Anne style, this 33-room home boasts a pool, sunroom, and spacious veranda, all of which have undergone multiple renovations by former vice presidents.
For example, during the administration of George H.W. Bush, Dan and Marilyn Quayle introduced a heated pool on the premises, and the upstairs gallery kitchen was upgraded by the Cheneys. While serving under President Obama, the Bidens created an apple-green sunroom. The latest makeover of this prominent home was the work of Sheila Bridges.
Vision Behind the Décor
According to Washington Posts’ Jura Koncius Bridges was asked to create a comfortable yet amenable space that would have a homely feel but also would be able to host events such as military family receptions, Diwali celebrations, and Latino small-business-owner gatherings.
Here are some design choices Bridges implemented:
- For the main floor, used for official dinners and receptions, she incorporated furnishings made by American manufacturers and designers.
- She chose a predominantly natural color palette, punctuated with vibrant accents. This is most evident in the perky pink wallpaper-lined library, designed designed to echo the crape myrtle tree outside. Bridges emphasized the importance of a harmonious dialogue between the architecture, landscape, and interior.
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- She thoughtfully integrated the existing furniture in storage from various sources: the official furnishings collection, pieces owned by the family, and pieces already present in the house.
Did You Know?
As per the Washington Post, the renovation for the current Vice President was done entirely with her family’s private funds, whereas former residents have used the refurbishing budget allocated by the Vice President’s Residence Foundation.
Design Insights from Bobby Berk
The interiors of Number One Observatory Circle were notably unknown until Bobby Berk, Netflix’s Queer Eye star, visited the Vice President and introduced us to the marvelous interiors. In his Instagram post, he shared: “Went to DC and got a private tour of the VP’s house from the VP. Such an honor to meet you, Madam Vice President. Thank you for being such an amazing champion for equality.”
In his post, the rare glimpse revealed built-in bookshelves and artwork above the fireplace. The most captivating aspect in Kamala’s living space was the strikingly patriotic color scheme.
The décor achieves a perfect balance of white, red and blue colors—a combination rarely seen together in living rooms. Despite the challenge of creating visual appeal with such diverse colors, this living room thoughtfully features the best blend of the trio without overwhelming the space. A red rug and red wallpaper are balanced by white-painted shelving and a white fireplace, nodding to the flag. While blue is less prominent, subtle hints can be found on the bookshelves.
References
- Kamala Harris’s living room color scheme is exactly what we expected from the Vice President’s residence, Homesandgardens, Written by Megan Slack
- Inside Number One Observatory Circle – secrets of Kamala Harris’s house from someone who used to work there, Homesandgardens, Written by Megan Slack
- Vice President Kamala Harris Had Sheila Bridges Design Her Official Residence, ElleDecor, Written by Rachel Silva
