Melania Trump plans to renovate the Rose Garden. See the other changes the first lady has made to the White House.

Associated Press,Rebecca HarringtonJul 27, 2020, 21:33 IST

This Sept. 17, 2019, photo shows refreshed wall fabric in the Red Room of the White House in Washington.AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

First lady Melania Trump has plans to renovate the White House Rose Garden, her office announced on Monday.
Under her direction, the Red, Blue, Green, and Diplomatic rooms have all had touch-ups, as has the bowling alley in the White House residence that dates to the Nixon administration.
Previously, she let the AP see refurbishments she requested for the White House, ahead of the Trump's second official state dinner with Australia in September 2019.

She's done a lot with the place.

Like anyone who has ever spruced up their home, Melania Trump had a few new touches to showcase when guests visited the White House for only the second state dinner of the Trump presidency in September 2019.

And she hasn't stopped there. On Monday, the first lady announced plans to renovate the Rose Garden, including technical updates to make it easier to broadcast press conferences and other events on TV.

There's also refreshed wall fabric in the Red Room, repurposed draperies in the Green Room, and restored furniture in the Blue Room. And those are just some of the home improvement projects the first lady has overseen to keep the well-trod public rooms at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. looking their museum-quality best.

Some of the projects were long overdue. Here's a look at some of the specific changes she requested for the "People's House."

Sunlight streaming into the Red Room had left some of the wall fabric "so faded it was almost pink," said Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, which helps finance upkeep of some rooms in the 132-room mansion.

This Sept. 17, 2019, photo shows refreshed wall fabric in the Red Room of the White House in Washington. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Sunlight streaming into the Red Room had left some of the wall fabric "so faded it was almost pink," said Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, which helps finance upkeep of some rooms in the 132-room mansion.

Trump, who keeps a relatively low profile as first lady, has put her interest in history to use overseeing the restoration projects.

This Sept. 17, 2019, photo shows refreshed wall fabric in the Red Room of the White House in Washington. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

The first lady designed a new rug for the Diplomatic Reception Room, the main entrance off the South Lawn, after foot traffic wore a path across the old one, McLaurin said.

President Donald J. Trump addresses his remarks on the humanitarian crisis on our southern border and the partial government shutdown Saturday, January 19, 2019, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House. Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

The first lady designed a new rug for the Diplomatic Reception Room, the main entrance off the South Lawn, after foot traffic wore a path across the old one, McLaurin said.

The White House also refreshed draperies in the Green Room by switching material from the backside to the front, eliminating the need — and cost — of replacing the curtains entirely, McLaurin said. Only the fringe had to be replaced.

This Sept. 17, 2019, photo shows repurposed draperies in the Green Room of the White House in Washington, which are among the improvement projects that first lady Melania Trump has overseen to keep the well-trod public rooms at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue looking their museum-quality best. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

The White House also refreshed draperies in the Green Room by switching material from the backside to the front, eliminating the need — and cost — of replacing the curtains entirely, McLaurin said. Only the fringe had to be replaced.

In 2018, Trump returned to the Blue Room several restored pieces from a historic 53-piece furniture set known as the Bellangé suite.

This Sept. 17, 2019, photo shows restored furniture in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Decor upgrades are a bit more complicated at the White House than for typical homeowners.

This Sept. 17, 2019, photo shows a portrait of former first lady Edith Roosevelt, right, wife of President Theodore Roosevelt, in the Green Room of the White House in Washington. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

The Bellange suite furnishings were brought to the White House in 1817 by President James Monroe, formerly the US ambassador to France. But in 1860, nearly all the pieces were sold at an auction.

This Sept. 17, 2019, photo shows a piece of restored furniture in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

The Bellange suite furnishings were brought to the White House in 1817 by President James Monroe, formerly the US ambassador to France. But in 1860, nearly all the pieces were sold at an auction.

The Bellangé restoration project began during Michelle Obama's time as first lady and was completed in 2018, costing the historical association more than $450,000 since 2013.

This Sept. 17, 2019, photo shows a restored chair in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

The Bellangé restoration project began during Michelle Obama's time as first lady and was completed in 2018, costing the historical association more than $450,000 since 2013.

Trump also renovated a bowling alley in the White House residence that dates to the Nixon administration.

First Lady Melania Trump watches her bowling ball travel down the lane during a Be Best bowling event with children of Secret Service agents Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in the bowling alley of the White House. Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

During the Obama years, the red carpet in the Cross Hall, or hallway, on the State Floor was replaced.

First Lady Melania Trump reviews the Christmas decorations Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in the Cross Hall of the White House. Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

In October 2019, Trump announced plans for a 1,200-square-foot tennis pavilion.

First Lady Melania Trump turns soil with a ceremonial shovel at the groundbreaking ceremony for the White House Tennis Pavilion on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, on the south grounds of the White House. Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

On Monday, the first lady announced renovations for the Rose Garden, including technical updates to make it easier to broadcast press conferences and other events on TV.

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump talk in the Rose Garden of the White House Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, prior to the State Dinner in honor of the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Mrs. Jenny Morrison. Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

On Monday, the first lady announced renovations for the Rose Garden, including technical updates to make it easier to broadcast press conferences and other events on TV.

Her office released a 241-page report on the history of the White House grounds and their plans to update them.

First Lady Melania Trump's stiletto heel is seen as she walks along the West Wing Colonnade Tuesday, May 7, 2019, prior to welcoming guests to the one year anniversary celebration of her Be Best initiative in the Rose Garden of the White House. Official White House Photo by Stephanie Chasez

Photos show protests for racial justice that broke out in cities like Louisville, Chicago, and Portland over the weekend

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Melania Trump plans to renovate the Rose Garden. See the other changes the first lady has made to the White House.

Sunlight streaming into the Red Room had left some of the wall fabric "so faded it was almost pink," said Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, which helps finance upkeep of some rooms in the 132-room mansion.

Trump, who keeps a relatively low profile as first lady, has put her interest in history to use overseeing the restoration projects.

The first lady designed a new rug for the Diplomatic Reception Room, the main entrance off the South Lawn, after foot traffic wore a path across the old one, McLaurin said.

The White House also refreshed draperies in the Green Room by switching material from the backside to the front, eliminating the need — and cost — of replacing the curtains entirely, McLaurin said. Only the fringe had to be replaced.

In 2018, Trump returned to the Blue Room several restored pieces from a historic 53-piece furniture set known as the Bellangé suite.

Decor upgrades are a bit more complicated at the White House than for typical homeowners.

The Bellange suite furnishings were brought to the White House in 1817 by President James Monroe, formerly the US ambassador to France. But in 1860, nearly all the pieces were sold at an auction.

The Bellangé restoration project began during Michelle Obama's time as first lady and was completed in 2018, costing the historical association more than $450,000 since 2013.

Trump also renovated a bowling alley in the White House residence that dates to the Nixon administration.

During the Obama years, the red carpet in the Cross Hall, or hallway, on the State Floor was replaced.

In October 2019, Trump announced plans for a 1,200-square-foot tennis pavilion.

On Monday, the first lady announced renovations for the Rose Garden, including technical updates to make it easier to broadcast press conferences and other events on TV.

Her office released a 241-page report on the history of the White House grounds and their plans to update them.