Editing Nancy Reagan (section)

==== Renovation ====
[[File:President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan waving from the limousine during the Inaugural Parade (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|The new president and his wife wave to the crowd during the Inaugural Parade, January 20, 1981, the same day that 52 Americans held [[Iran hostage crisis|hostage]] by Iran for 444 days were set free]]

Reagan became the first lady of the United States when Ronald Reagan was [[First inauguration of Ronald Reagan|inaugurated as president in January 1981]]. Early in her husband's presidency, Reagan stated her desire to create a more suitable "first home" in the [[White House]], as the building had fallen into a state of disrepair following years of neglect.<ref name="NR American" /> White House aide [[Michael Deaver]] described the second and third-floor family residence as having "cracked plaster walls, chipped paint [and] beaten up floors";<ref name="md78">Deaver, Michael (2004), p. 78.</ref> Rather than use government funds to renovate and redecorate, she sought private donations.<ref name="First Lady Nancy Reagan">{{cite web|url=http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=41|title=First Lady Biography: Nancy Reagan|access-date=June 2, 2007|publisher=National First Ladies Library|archive-date=May 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509085730/http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=41|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1981, Reagan directed a major renovation of several White House rooms, including all of the second and third floors<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whitehousehistory.org/whha_timelines/timelines_first-ladies-40.html |title=Nancy Reagan |publisher=The White House Historical Association |access-date=January 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122104900/http://whitehousehistory.org/whha_timelines/timelines_first-ladies-40.html |archive-date=November 22, 2011 }}</ref> and rooms adjacent to the Oval Office, including the [[James S. Brady Press Briefing Room|press briefing room]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/123541313/|title=Brady Returns to the press room with wit intact|page=1 |access-date=April 20, 2024|newspaper=The Idaho Statesman|date=November 10, 1981 |archive-date=April 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420215034/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman/123541313/|url-status=live}}</ref> The renovation included repainting walls, refinishing floors, repairing fireplaces, and replacing antique pipes, windows, and wires.<ref name="md78" /> The closet in the master bedroom was converted into a beauty parlor and dressing room, and the West bedroom was made into a small gymnasium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/tribute-first-lady-nancy-reagan-201406572.html|title=A Tribute to First Lady Nancy Reagan and All Her Stylish Moments|date=March 6, 2016 |access-date=April 20, 2024|publisher=Yahoo News|archive-date=April 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420215506/https://www.yahoo.com/web/20240420215506/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/tribute-first-lady-nancy-reagan-201406572.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/11/29/Move-over-Jane-FondaHere-comes-the-Reagan-workout-plan/6380438930000/|title=Move over Jane Fonda:Here comes the Reagan workout plan|access-date=April 20, 2024|publisher=UPI.com}}</ref>

The first lady secured the assistance of renowned interior designer Ted Graber, popular with affluent West Coast social figures, to redecorate the family living quarters.<ref name="graber">{{cite news|title=Ted Graber, 80, Decorator for Reagans, Dies|access-date=July 21, 2009|date=June 12, 2000|newspaper=The New York Times|last=Nemy|first=Enid|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/12/us/ted-graber-80-decorator-for-reagans-dies.html|archive-date=March 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318092122/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/12/us/ted-graber-80-decorator-for-reagans-dies.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A Chinese-pattern, handpainted wallpaper was added to the master bedroom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/floor2/master-bedroom.htm|title=Master Bedroom|access-date=February 1, 2008|publisher=The White House Museum|archive-date=July 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716025834/http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/floor2/master-bedroom.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Family furniture was placed in the president's private study.<ref name="graber" /> The first lady and her designer retrieved several White House antiques, which had been in storage, and placed them throughout the mansion.<ref name="graber" /> In addition, many of Reagan's collectibles were put out for display, including around twenty-five [[Limoges Box]]es, as well as some porcelain eggs and a collection of plates.<ref>Brower, Kate Andersen (2015), pp. 134–135.</ref>

The extensive redecoration was paid for by private donations.<ref name="First Lady Nancy Reagan" /><ref name="graber" /> Many significant and long-lasting changes occurred as a result of the renovation and refurbishment, of which Reagan said, "This house belongs to all Americans, and I want it to be something of which they can be proud."<ref name="graber" /> The renovations received some criticisms for being funded by tax-deductible donations, meaning some of it eventually did indirectly come from the tax-paying public.<ref>Loizeau, P.M. (2005), [https://books.google.com/books?id=j_mlxi6J6xkC&pg=PA93 p. 93]</ref>