Welcome to Shamelot: Donald Trump's Oval Office

(Image credit: Rose Blake)

last updated 21 October 2022

From left, ‘Icon Gold’ eau de parfum, £45, by Police, from MaVive. Champagne gun, $459, from King of Sparklers. ‘Hand’ chairs, by Pedro Friedeberg, from 1stDibs. ‘Donald’ and ‘Vladimir’ speakers, by Petro Wodkins, for Sound of Power. ‘Topazia’ chandelier, €13,199, by Kolarz. ‘Baron’ safe, from Boca do Lobo. ‘Chrome-Rider ME2’ watch, CHF7,750 (€7,250), by Timeburner. 24ct gold-leaf pills, $425, from Citizen: Citizen. ‘Glam Rock’ wallpaper, by Kimberly McDonald, for Phyllis Morris.

On 20 January, the Oval Office welcomes a new occupant in the form of an orange-faced, queerly coiffed business tycoon-turned-reality TV star-turned-tub-thumping political game changer. Donald Trump’s predecessors have each adapted the office to their own tastes, and so will he, most likely in line with the gilded pomp and unbridled splendour of his Trump Tower eyrie. Here, we’ve gathered appropriate fixtures and fittings for the 45th president’s workspace.

As befits someone who has shattered the presidential mould, the Trump Oval Office will likely make few concessions to tradition except retaining the star-spangled banner and the Resolute desk. We’ve selected faux-malachite wall coverings and golden drapes for that delicate touch of czarist chutzpah, and a deep red carpet on which to welcome celebrity courtiers.

'Vladimir' speakers', for Sound of Power — *'Vladimir' speakers', by Petro Wodkins, for Sound of Power*

A gilded Murano glass chandelier, meanwhile, fills the space with a suitably saccharine glow. Proudly flanking the desk is a pair of gilt ‘Hand’ chairs (with appropriately long digits) by surrealist sculptor Pedro Friedeberg – who is Mexican, though that’s a detail Trump may be willing to overlook.

We’ve also added a champagne gun (constantly recharged) and 24-carat gold pills to add extra bling to Trump’s every movement, plus artist Petro Wodkins’ Sound of Power speakers, fashioned after Vladimir Putin and the Donald himself. You may remember seeing the Vlad version on the ‘naughty list’ in our Design Awards issue last year – we like to think Trump loved it so much he ordered one for himself.

As originally featured in the February 2017 issue of Wallpaper* (W*215)

Left, ‘Donald’ speaker, by Petro Wodkins, for Sound of Power. Right, ‘Icon Gold’ eau de parfum, £45, by Police, from MaVive

Left, ‘Baron’ safe, from Boca do Lobo. Right, ‘Topazia’ chandelier, €13,199, by Kolarz

Champagne gun, $459, from King of Sparklers

‘Chrome-Rider ME2’ watch, CHF7,750 (€7,250), by Timeburner

TF Chan is a former editor of Wallpaper* (2020-23), where he was responsible for the monthly print magazine, planning, commissioning, editing and writing long-lead content across all pillars. He also played a leading role in multi-channel editorial franchises, such as Wallpaper’s annual Design Awards, Guest Editor takeovers and Next Generation series. He aims to create world-class, visually-driven content while championing diversity, international representation and social impact. TF joined Wallpaper* as an intern in January 2013, and served as its commissioning editor from 2017-20, winning a 30 under 30 New Talent Award from the Professional Publishers’ Association. Born and raised in Hong Kong, he holds an undergraduate degree in history from Princeton University.

Wallpaper* Newsletter