Inside Number One Observatory Circle – secrets of Kamala Harris's house from someone who used to work there
The property is one of the most important homes in the country, welcoming every Vice President since the Mondale's – here's what it looks like today
![Kamala Harris](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YRVTBohe7rnrHYw9FJtb4c-415-80.png)
If walls could talk, Number One Observatory Circle would share some stories. The residence has welcomed every Vice President since Walter Mondale in the 1970s and, today serves as Kamala Harris's home.
Located on the northeast grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory in D.C., the property was built in 1893 for the observatory superintendent. However, with their offices located on the White House grounds, the home's close proximity made it a convenient base for the Vice President. Over the centuries, hundreds of notable figures have passed through the Queen Anne-style property doors, but arguably nobody knows their way around the property quite like the former manager Philip Dufour, who served as social secretary to Vice President Al Gore.
In 2021, just before Kamala Harris and Douglas Emhoff moved into their home, Dufour sat down with Homes & Gardens, revealing rare glimpses into the home. At the time, Ms. Harris and Mr. Emhoff were temporarily residing in Blair House while the home underwent renovation for their arrival.
'Vice President Harris did not move in right away because the navy, who owns the house, had to complete a good amount of work. The wooden floors had to be redone, and all the chimney liners needed to be repaired,' Dufour says.
'Unlike the White House, there is no state floor. It is a Victorian house, and the rooms aren't huge. The dining and living rooms are on the first floor, so while these floors are used for events, they are also where they live. Most residents bring their personal effects, including furniture.' He expects Harris's furniture sits across the second and third floors.
Number One Observatory Circle, December 2017
Inevitably, a residence as influential and iconic as this comes with some mysteries. But what surprised Philip Dufour the most was how homely it felt. It is truly a wonderful, restful home,' he comments.
'Vice President Harris can leave work and recharge before the next day when she continues helping the President run the country. From my experience, Mrs. Gore was conscious of making it feel welcoming for people who visited, knowing that people might be anxious about visiting the Vice President's house. They certainly did a good job of that, and other residents have too.'
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
The depth of Harris's most personal parts of the home remain unseen to the world; however, during Gore's vice presidency, they used a drum kit to ensure it felt like a lived-in, family home.
'She was a drummer, and the Vice President gave her drums for her birthday, so they were in the foyer. They also had a great Imari umbrella stand by the door filled with their children's lacrosse and hockey sticks. As soon as you entered, you realized you were in a home.'
Harris outside Number One Observatory Circle
Alongside welcoming new furniture, Dufour explains that vice presidents can experiment with other decorating quirks that best reflect them. 'On the first floor, you can certainly change the wallpapers and fabrics and update the dining room while there are pieces on the first floor belonging to the house,' he explains. Previously, we've seen hints of Harris's gray dining room, whereas the Gore family opted for a warmer color palette.
'When the dining room was owned by the Gore's, it had a Venetian plaster with beautiful red drapes, but the Biden's painted the dining room blue. Green tones also remind me of the home because there is always something blooming outside the door.'
Like every great home, Number One Observatory Circle has a garden that's just as beautiful.
'The house sits on a beautiful plot. There are often cherry blossoms, Japanese magnolias, tulips, and daffodils. There is always something revealed each week of the blooming season.' The exterior also plays host to a veranda that, Dufour says, is the best seat in the house.
'This was where the Gore's had meals and cocktail parties with guests,' he says. 'It is one of the sweet spots of the house because it is so welcoming and comforting. It's a great place to sit when the thunderstorms move in because you can stay pretty dry unless it's moving sideways. It's just terrific.'
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
-
10 ways to clean and maintain wooden house number signs, and always keep your exterior looking sharp
Expert home builders and exterior renovators share their tips
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
-
Jennifer Lopez elevates her white bathroom with chrome hardware, hotel-style towels, and black accents – get the look for $30
Jennifer Lopez's unassuming towels add a sense of timeless, hotel flair to her traditional bathroom, luckily the look is easy to recreate in any space
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Drew Barrymore's Beautiful collection embraces flower power – this one item literally lights up a room
The latest decor drop includes a vintage-inspired flower lamp, which retails for under $48 – and it was the first thing in our carts
By Hannah Ziegler Published
-
Diane Keaton's new decor collection is a celebration of wit and playful irreverence – directly inspired by her quirky home
The collaboration offers a humorous twist to the most simple color palette of all – bringing Keaton's flare to our entertaining spaces
By Megan Slack Published
-
RuPaul's kitchen is sleek and sophisticated thanks to this unexpected cabinet color
RuPaul's black kitchen cabinets are undeniably bold, yet have a surprisingly soothing effect that get the expert stamp of approval
By Hannah Ziegler Published
-
Justin Baldoni's anti-trend kitchen cabinet color serves as the perfect 'blank canvas' – this style will never fade
The actor knows that this color transcends fads, so he used it for his kitchen cabinets - experts swear by the classic, calming shade
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Cynthia Nixon's sofa color is a 'cornerstone in modern interior design' – it's a classic for a reason
Cynthia Nixon's gray sofa proves that the neutral hue is anything but outdated, pairing the soft shade with some warm, natural materials for a trendy look
By Hannah Ziegler Published
-
Pastry chef Dominique Ansel shares the 3 most useful appliances every home baker needs in their kitchen
The celebrity pastry chef swears by these pieces of equipment to level up your home baking - and explains the one item he can't live without
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Martha Stewart's dining room taps into this timely trend – here's how to recreate the look
Martha Stewart's Skylands property in Maine has been decked out with a summer-ready tablescape, featuring collectible plates and coveted glassware
By Hannah Ziegler Published
-
Jamie Lee Curtis's luxurious bedding is a favorite among sleep experts – and it's surprisingly low-maintenance
Jamie Lee Curtis's bedding has benefits for skin, hair, and sleeping temperature - experts say it is exceedingly simple to care for
By Sophie Edwards Published