President Donald Trump recently announced his intention to renovate elements of the White House’s facade, including the historic Rose Garden.
The plans include removing grass from the grounds and installing hardwood flooring—possibly limestone—for a patio and some wood flooring for the dance floor, according to the New York Times.
The president later explained in an interview with Fox’s Laura Ingraham that he was looking to give the space a “fantastic stone” patio experience.
He continued, “You know, we use the Rose Garden for press conferences, and it doesn’t work because people fall over…”
Citing the wet terrain and “women in high heels, it just didn’t work.”
He revealed that “the roses are staying… it’s just the middle section” of the garden that could get a complete overhaul.
The Times reported that the renovation would transform the space “into a patio like the one he has at Mar-a-Lago.”
Why does Trump want to renovate the White House Rose Garden?
Paving a lawn in such a legendary space might seem like a stretch.
Trump is reportedly considering hardscapes for fear of pedestrian traffic on the soft lawn, according to reports from CNN and The New York Times.
“That traffic is likely to cause a lot of wear and tear on the grass, so they may be looking for something more durable,” says Christine Poulos, contributor to “The Book of Roses,” a text that includes essays exploring the horticultural history of roses.
Practically speaking, paving is a popular choice for busy outdoor areas in the mid-Atlantic climate.
“We get heavy thunderstorms throughout the warm season and rain during the colder months,” says Robert J. Bell, president of Bell Design, a landscape architect based in Washington, D.C.
Bell also works extensively in Palm Beach, Florida, and has a good understanding of the goals and risks associated with Trump’s proposed lawn changes.
“Anyone who has walked on spongy grass in dress shoes knows that queasy feeling you get when you’re not sure if you’re going to sink to a soft patch,” says Bell.
What is “Mar-a-Lago Style”?
We don’t know how Mar-a-Lago’s design aesthetic will influence the Rose Garden renovations beyond what the New York Times reported.
But according to Irina Vitiuk, a Miami-based interior designer and founder of IV Atelier, a Mar-a-Lago-inspired design doesn’t necessarily mean a direct replication of the lavish private club and spa.
Instead, she says the White House Rose Garden could selectively adopt sophisticated landscaping techniques, perhaps using more elegant limestone or bluestone, carefully chosen landscaping, and subtle references to historical motifs.
Mar-a-Lago style can be considered a distinctive look typically seen in luxury Florida estates and private golf clubs.
Angie Kriller, an interior designer at Yabi, says, “It’s a blend of Mediterranean Revival with hints of Palm Beach, saturated with gold accents, lavish chandeliers, patterned floors, heavy drapes, and lots of oversized everything.”
For her, Mar-a-Lago’s style tends toward exaggeration and theatricality. While it’s influenced by European history, it’s “incorporated in a way that feels more impactful than restrained.”
Did Trump redesign the Rose Garden during his first term?
Melania Trump spearheaded the restoration of the White House Rose Garden with landscape architecture firm Ohme van Sweden during Trump’s first term.
The renovations sparked controversy, leading to a petition calling for the changes to be reversed.
As Paulus points out, the White House Rose Garden has undergone several renovations since its creation in 1903 by First Lady Edith Roosevelt.
“The first major redesign was undertaken by renowned landscape designer Rachel “Bunny” Mellon during the Kennedy administration,” Paulus says, adding that Mellon’s design included a large central lawn.
A redesign of the White House Rose Garden could be successful, but it must be approached with sensitivity to the garden’s historical legacy.
The heritage flower varieties that fill the space speak to its rich history.
Paulus says, “The varieties include ‘John F. Kennedy,’ ‘Mr. Lincoln,’ ‘Queen Elizabeth,’ ‘Pope John Paul II,’ and ‘Peace.'”
Will all this be lost with Trump’s interventions?
Paulus says, “My understanding is that the plan is to change only the lawn area of the Rose Garden, not the Rose Garden itself.”
President Donald Trump recently announced his intention to renovate elements of the White House’s facade, including the historic Rose Garden. The plans include removing grass from the grounds and installing hardwood flooring—possibly limestone—for a patio and some wood flooring for the dance floor.
