Barack Obama's redecorated Oval Office

Seats of power: Obama's centre of operations a has new carpeting, wallpaper and sofas Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Home front: family photos on the commander-in-chief's desk Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/AP

The new rug replaces one designed by Laura Bush, the wife of Obama's predecessor, George Bush Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

A pen holder made from the timbers of the Victorian anti-slaver HMS Gannet, sister ship of HMS Resolute, from which the Oval Office desk was carved. The pen holder was a gift from Gordon Brown Photograph: Michael Reynolds/EPA

A member of the secret service stands guard Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

A bust of the Martin Luther King Jr Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

It is unclear where George Bush's rug has gone, but the previous president is rumoured to be keen to get it back Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

The Oval Office in 1961: the Resolute desk was installed by President John F Kennedy Photograph: Bob Schutz/AP

1969: Richard Nixon's office in the White House. The rug, designed by Nixon's wife, features the presidential seal in gold in the centre and golden stars, all on a field of flag blue. Photograph: Bettmann/Corbis

1977: President Gerald Ford strides across the office as he prepares to vacate the White House for Jimmy Carter Photograph: Eddie Adams/AP

1987: Ronald Reagan sitting at his desk Photograph: Diana Walker/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

1992: George Bush Sr at work Photograph: Bettmann/Corbis

1997 saw stars and stripy sofas in the Oval Office under Bill Clinton Photograph: Diana Walker/Time & Life Images/Getty Images

2001: George W Bush hosts a meeting Photograph: Paul Morse/The White House/Corbis/Reuters

2009: The office before redecoration Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

2009: The governor of Vermont, Jim Douglas, helps the president move a sofa Photograph: Pete Souza/The White House/Reuters