The White House in miniature

Talk about a doll house lover's dream come true! "Inside the White House: A Special Exhibit" was on display at the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library when we visited in October. It's almost impossible to see in this photo, but the presidential garbage cans are there, too!

I could have spent hours peeking inside the tiny windows and behind the scenes, marveling at the glorious chandeliers (with electricity!), historical artwork, and exquisitely carved and upholstered furniture--all painstakingly reproduced down to the last detail at a scale of one inch to one foot.

These floors probably weren't so shiny during the Carter administration, since young Amy Carter used this room as her personal roller rink.

This miniaturized replica of the White House was created and updated by John and Jan Zweifel over the course of about 40 years--and it's still a work in progress.

See the rooms at the very top of the White House behind the balcony railing? That's where the Bush twins lived when W. was in office.

When any of the rooms are redecorated in the White House, the Zweifels make the same changes in their version of the White House. So, for example, you can get a glimpse into the Obama's chic yet cozy living quarters exactly as they are today, complete with stylish wallpaper, family photos, and the ultimate accessory, Bo, the Portuguese Water Dog. You won't see this lovely room on tour at the White House!

Unfortunately, the miniature version of the Oval Office rug that made headlines wasn't ready when I visited the exhibit, but it might be ready by now.

If you're in the area I wholeheartedly recommend seeing it, especially since this exhibit is eventually moving to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. I also read that it has been (or will be???) on display in every state so that everyone gets the chance to peek inside the White House, even if they can't make it to our country's capital. See more pics here.