Griffith said he and the other decorators often found themselves working in historic settings. “Here you are,” he said, “and Lincoln is looking down at you (from his portrait.)”

When the work is done, the decorators are invited to a reception with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.

"It was pretty special," said Griffith, who found the president different from the man he sees on television. “He had such warmth and charisma and that does not seem to come across to the public.”

But Griffith says he does not labor for the personality in the Oval Office.

“It is not so much for the person, but for the office,” he said.

Arlene Johns writes for The Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pa. She can be reached at ajohns@tribdem.com