White House Head Florist Dropped After Decorating Clash With First Lady?

The White House's head florist silently gave up her position in February, and several sources say she was escorted off the grounds after clashing with first lady Michelle Obama.

The Washington Post spoke with several sources who said Laura Dowling has not been replaced after the abrupt and secretive end to her years-long tenure at the White House.

"She no longer works here," said the Office of the Chief Usher when a reporter called to inquire about the departure. Asked if there was a new florist, a staffer said, "There really isn’t."

After receiving inquiries, the White House did put out an official statement that confirmed Dowling's departure, and praised her for her work.

Several sources told The Post that Dowling and the first lady clashed over Dowling's "fussy style," which was too formal, and off-putting to Obama's modern aesthetic tastes.

The possible tension between the two may have come to a head after the first lady unveiled her modernist redesign of the Old Family dining room on Feb. 10, which was put into rotation on the White House tour.

Dowling reportedly left her position just days later.

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