Chief Florist’s Style Was Reportedly Too ‘Fussy’ For First Lady

White House Chief Floral Designer Laura Dowling arranges a bouquet in the Vermeil Room of the White House, Dec. 1, 2010. Simple Gifts is the theme for this year’s holiday decorations. (Official White House Photo by... White House Chief Floral Designer Laura Dowling arranges a bouquet in the Vermeil Room of the White House, Dec. 1, 2010. Simple Gifts is the theme for this year’s holiday decorations. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy) MORE LESS
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The Washington Post continued to dig up dirt Tuesday on the White House chief florist’s abrupt exit from the job, revealing that the florist and First Lady Michelle Obama had stopped being on the same page about the executive mansion’s look.

Laura Dowling was escorted from the White House on Feb. 13, the Post previously reported. Residence staffers traded rumors about the unusual exit while statements from the first lady’s office and from Dowling herself failed to shed any light on the circumstances of her departure.

But anonymous sources told the Post that Dowling’s decidedly French, “fussy” flower arranging style clashed lately with the modern look Obama was rolling out in the executive mansion. The report noted that Obama debuted a redecorated dining room three days before Dowling is said to have left the staff.

It seems unlikely that Dowling would be escorted out of the White House because her aesthetic tastes had diverged from the first lady’s, however. There may be more to this story yet.

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  1. OMG
    So basically someone said someone thinks someone did something.

    I’ve seen more definitive reporting from the Enquirer.

    I truly can’t believe a florist leaving is worth the attention the news agencies seem to be giving it.
    Or is this more about trying to find something scandalous?

  2. Let us now talk about the carnation print dress Mrs. O wore in Cambodia. Equally newsworthy.

  3. Avatar for marby marby says:

    Treating this as a national story is absurd - what desperate source started this made-up drama? (and please, TPM, why is this at the top of your news category?)

  4. There may be more to this story yet.

    Gee. I can hardly wait…

    Trying to dig up dirt on the florist is like trying to blame the cook for a fly in the soup.
    Waiter. Take this bowl of soup away, immediately!!!

    People are still trying to make petty bullshit out of nothing-burgers when it comes to the First Family.
    Hey, maybe Michelle just wanted to go all-out Feng Shui instead and the woman couldn’t accommodate her.
    http://www.lakeworthflflorist.com/images/T81-1A.jpg

    Personally, I like this one myself.

  5. I love that dress.
    She wore another one - I think she was leaving Cambodia and heading home…? - that was also very flattering.

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