The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The presidential china decoupage plates are available online at shop. whitehousehistory. org or in person at the White House History Shop (1610 H St. NW), the White House Visitor Center (1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) and the White House.
You can’t buy the official
White House china patterns that presidential families use to entertain. But a new line of glass decoupage plates by designer John Derian and artist Katharine Barnwell feature patterns taken from six presidential administrations.
The line was just intro- duced by the White House
Historical Association, and features interpretations of presidential dining services re-created by artisans at his from the Johnson, Polk, LinNewYorks tudio. coln, Grant, Reagan and Tru“I love the idea of a plate man eras. that looks like a plate, but
“People all over the world is not a plate,” Derian says. have always had a fascina- These plates are prition with the White House marily decorative and not and the presidents who microwave- or dishwasheroccu pyit,”saysG ina Shersafe, and they cannot be man, vice president of retail immersed in water. Derian strategy and sales for thehisthree patriotic patterns.” suggests using them as tabletorical association, a nonA collaboration between top trays, cellphone holders profit that supports addi- Derian and Barnwell was or bedside trays. If they are tions to and restoration of forged. Barnwell, a New used as chargers or accents White House furnishings, York-based artist known for on a table, food can be served and promotes appreciation of her murals and designs in on them, but they can only itspast.“TheChi na Room at paper for Caspari, painted be wiped clean, not washed. the White House has always the White House china patThe plates have already been a favorite of mine. I terns in watercolors. “I have almost sold out and have really wanted to share that always loved beautiful por- been reordered. The Reaexperience. Every pattern celain, and was fascinated gan red china has been the conveys a wonderful his- to paint the plates and then most popular so far. The toric story.” have John Derian take them plates are available in five
Throughout the years, to a whole different dimeninch ($45) and eight-inch many presidential adminsion,” Barnwell says. ($75) sizes, and come with istrations have ordered speDerian, who has shops a description of their prescial chin aservicesthatare in New York’s East Village idential history. used for state dinners and and Greenwich Village and The reproduction china is other events at the White a seasonal shop in Provinca lot cheaper than the real House. These dishes become etown, is known for his disthing. The Obama china, partoftheWhiteHousecoltinctive style of decoupage featuring a band of “Kailection a ndcanbeusedby trays, platters and paper- lua Blue” that represents later administrations. Sher- weights whose motifs are the waters off the coast of man wanted to create a line often based on old botaniHawaii, cost $367,258 for of plates that could serve as cal prints or historical etch3,520 pieces, paid for with decorative accessories, based ings. He reprinted Barnwell’s private funds by the White on some of the most iconic images in light-safe ink on House Historical Associapatterns. “I selected six patacid-free paper, cut them tion. Although the Obama terns; three from Democrats outand glued them to clear china was not included in and three from Republicans,” glass plates, giving them a these first adaptations, it Sherman says. “There are couple of coats of varnish. and other patterns may be three floral patterns and His design for the plates is available in the future.