You guys, I might have the coolest congressman ever!
No.... Seriously.
My congressman of my district has this fantastic "Downton Abbey inspired" office.
Check it out...
WOW! It is pretty awesome in a very stately sort of way.
While I am not usually a fan of red rooms (
they remind me of early 00's dining rooms) this red room is
killing it.
Look at the details...
The pair of bronze bald eagles holding up the glass table top is very stately and masculine. It makes perfect sense to be in a congressman's office as it is such a strong symbol of America. Anywhere else it would be... well, weird.
The dark tufted leather sofa and chairs are also very masculine and balance the red velvet settee nicely.
I really like the modern take on the gallery wall. Some large gilded gold frames amongst the white paneling trim and random sized portraits of past presidents.
People are fussing over this vase of pheasant feathers (
someone even said they were peacock feathers, duh. insert eye roll here) but they are on trend.
Can you imagine if there were fake flowers in there instead... yuck!
Ohhh this chandelier... it is blinged-out and a tad gaudy but I love it. It works perfectly in this space.
And, what good Illinois congressman doesn't have a bust of Abraham Lincoln in his office? Right?! Illinois' state slogan is the "Land of Lincoln" in case you didn't know. It's double Abes in this little vignette! (and a few more feathers in the corner).
In the front office area you are greeted with an illustration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and more pics of past presidents (and others I've come to find out) plus a nice stately desk.
The official looking seal on the desk is from the congressional gift shop. Probably not very pricey but look professional and interesting.
And here's another view. I'm digging the gold candle sconce.
Anywaaaay, if you haven't heard there is a little bit of controversy about this office and if it was "paid for with appropriate funds" and "why won't Congressman Schock talk about it?" and
blah, blah, blah... It's been getting some very negative press.
Being that he is my congressman and I'm into design (
and Downton Abbey for that matter) I was very intrigued by all of the "news" stories surrounding his office decor so I've been following along.
As politics usually go, the other party is throwing punches at Congressman Schock for anything "suspicious" that they can get their hands on. This time it's his "over-the-top Downton Abbey office".
Come to find out, the office was NOT inspired by Downton Abbey
and was done on a budget. Shout out to my fellow Illinois resident Annie Brahler of
Euro Trash, a design and import company that specializes in "the time-worn imperfections of the past" from downstate Illinois (aka: not a fancy, pricey, Chicago design firm, Hooray!)
Annie is a decorating girl after my own heart, she did this place on a budget and it looks like a million bucks! She bought stuff at TJ Maxx, and that stately white reception desk, it's made out of some 2x4's and a cheap pre-fab work bench from Home Depot.
Instead of buying pricey antiques she hit flea markets and junk sales. That fancy eagle table only set them back $175 and it was one of the most expensive things purchased for the office. Most of the other furniture was from the congressional stash. Apparently, they have a huge stockpile of furniture from when members move in and out or switch offices. She got all of the leather couches and this grand (very Downton Abbey-ish) book case from the stash.
So, about the office being inspired by Downton Abbey, Brahler says in an interview with Huffington Post, "
it was not the design inspiration. If it was, I’d happily admit that. And I’m flattered that people think that. But my inspiration did not come from that show." On how she chose the colors and design she says, "
I knew Aaron. I knew that he was young and really open-minded, yet conservative. I also knew that his work ethic was something that was a real inspiration to me. You know, the Midwestern work ethic is kind of unmistakable. I wanted Aaron’s constituents to know when they walk into his office what kind of person he is. Especially that he has this high energy."
I totally get this. I get that he is really young to hold this office and that the designer wanted to convey his high energy through color and design. I get that he is not a beige and bland office kind of guy, he is not boring, he is not your typical congressman, so why should his office be?
But, c'mon. It totally looks like it's inspired by Downton Abbey.
Look at that red velvet sofa. And those bookcases.
Straight outta Downton Abbey library.
Although, most are comparing it to the red room.
Yep.
Looks a bit like that one too.
But, whatevs.
What is the fuss?
Does it really matter??
A little over the top? For a congressman, maybe. But, if he didn't do anything wrong, meaning he paid for it himself, then who cares?
I am one of his constituents and I don't care.
I think this is much ado about nothing.
I say props to Congressman Schock for doing something different. Props to him for hiring a budget-friendly decorator from downstate Illinois and not some fancy DC (or Chicago) design firm. Props to him for not caring what everyone else thinks. If he didn't break any laws, and I don't think he did, then more power to him. I think it looks amazing.
What do you think?
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