The Red Room is the third of three state parlors found in the White House. It has traditionally always been decorated in shades of red. This room is currently furnished in the Empire style, which originates from the 1810-1830 era. It contains several furnishings that were made by the famous, French born furniture maker Charles Honore Lannuier. Contemporary accounts show that James Monroe purchased many of the furnishings that are still used in it today.
The Red Room was most recently remodeled in 2000 by then First Lady Hillary Clinton. The goal of this remodel was to preserve the American Empire style that was originally introduced during the Kennedy administration. The elegance of this room is characterized by rich carvings and richly finished woods. Some of the motifs that can be seen in these carvings include dolphins, acanthus leaves, sphinxes, and the heads of lions. Many of these motifs can be seen in similar patterns in The Blue Room.
All of the fabrics that are currently used in the Red Room were created in the United States, and their patterns were modeled after original French Empire designs. The walls are hung in a red twill satin fabric, and a gold scroll design can be seen in the borders. Likewise, the furniture is also upholstered in the same red satin. A 19th century design was the inspiration for the current draperies that hang in the Red Room.
Other notable details of the Red Room include its carpet, whose primary colors are beige, red, and gold. The carpet is a reproduction of a famous, early 19th century French Savonniere carpet that is currently maintained in the official White House collection. The carpet was originally made exclusively for the White House. The crowning jewel of the Red Room is the 36 light French Empire chandelier. This chandelier was created in 1805, and it is fashioned from carved and gilded wood.
The Red Room is well known for the many paintings that it showcases. Two of the most famous paintings that hang in this room include an 1842 portrait of Angelica Van Buren and an 1804 portrait of Dolly Madison, which was painted by Gilbert Stuart. Each of these paintings are housed in frames that are made of gilded wood to match the gold details that are found throughout the room. It is the attention to the small details that truly infuse the space with a cohesive feel.