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Who knew centerpieces could be at the heart of so much intrigue?
It emerged this week that Laura Dowling, the White House's chief floral designer, had left her high-profile position in a bouquet of hearsay.
Was she fired? Had she quit?
Nearly six weeks after her silent departure in February, the White House released a statement on Tuesday touting Dowling's "lively and colourful" creations, which reflected the "historic rooms which they graced".
An hour later, Dowling herself released a statement through her lawyer, emphasising that she had "resigned in order to pursue exciting new opportunities and explore my passion for floral artistry and design".
But when it comes to East Wing drama, there's always a bit more to the official story.
In Washington, matters of taste - much like positions on marriage equality - can "evolve" over time.
Just ask Dowling, who left because her "fussy style" was not in line with first lady Michelle Obama's emerging modern and clean aesthetics, several sources close to the events said.
Dowling's work "is just different. I'm not sure if it was right for the White House", said one top floral designer in the area who has done freelance florist work for splashy big events at the presidential residence.
This designer spoke on the condition of anonymity because "the floral community is very small, and nobody wants to put down anybody's work".
Another designer said Dowling had a very specific look, pointedly French, which lent itself to loose garden-style arrangements that were however still quite formal.
"She wanted to create a look," the source suggested, "and that's the look she's had for the past six years".
But recently the first lady has introduced a new style at the executive mansion. Last month, the White House revealed the newly refurbished and now decidedly modern Old Family dining room, a tour stop previously unavailable to members of the visiting public.
Mrs Obama unveiled her "thoroughly modernised" mark on the White House, featuring a custom-made 1950s-inspired rug and bold artwork, to surprised tourists on February 10.
Dowling is said to have been escorted from the White House three days later.


Intrigue surrounds departure of White House's chief floral designer

Laura Dowling, shown preparing an arrangement at the White House in May 2010, became chief florist in 2009. Photo: The Washington Post/Bill O'Leary

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about healthcare from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. Photo: Reuters

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Who knew centerpieces could be at the heart of so much intrigue? It emerged this week that Laura Dowling, the White House's chief floral designer, had left her high-profile position in a bouquet of hearsay.
