Here’s a house with holiday decorations that would win the contest in any neighborhood.
Boston-based events planner Bryan Rafanelli, working closely with First Lady Michelle Obama and a few friends, developed the theme and created the design for the White House holiday décor this year. The theme, “Timeless Traditions,” commemorates traditions cherished by Americans for more than two centuries.
Twenty reps from Rafanelli Events led more than 200 volunteers from 35 states to bedeck the halls, cozy fireside interiors and grounds of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As a recent press release from the designer’s office stated:
“The holidays at the White House are truly magical. The inspiration and designs of Rafanelli Events, Carolina Herrera, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim of Opening Ceremony and Kenzo, and Duro Olowu have turned the White House into a winter wonderland,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “I’m overjoyed to share their talent with tens of thousands of guests from across our country and around the world who will visit the White House this holiday season, and I know visitors will be as delighted by their work as I am.”
Rafanelli Events has designed the décor for State Dinners and other official White House events during the Obama administration.
“We are so pleased to have been able to execute this Holiday vision by creating only 10% of the design with new products and materials,” said Rafanelli. “The remaining 90% uses repurposed ornaments and embellishments that were already a part of the White House holiday inventory. We feel wonderful about the message this sends to all Americans who are as focused as we are on value, sustainability and our environment.”
