Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

White House replica draws stares
Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 11.19.04 | TINAH SAUNDERS

Posted on 11/19/2004 8:55:51 AM PST by mhking

In October 2001, Fred Milani's replica of the White House on Briarcliff Road was not quite finished. Still, it was creating a stir in the Oak Grove area north of Clairmont Road as passersby slowed down to gape. In fact, though still in the works, it was the first house profiled in Private Quarters.

Interest in the house has not dimmed. We still get the occasional astonished inquiry from people who happen upon the columned home. Recently Fred and Yvonne, his wife of 25 years, invited us on a tour of the elegantly decorated interior.

The house is a replica of the presidential mansion on the outside only, although Fred works in an "oval office," seated at a replica of Abraham Lincoln's carved mahogany desk. And there's a carved seal of the United States mounted on the ceiling and another woven into the carpet.

Milani, an Iranian-born engineer, residential developer and builder, is an American citizen who has lived in this country since 1979. He is also a former Muslim who converted to Christianity nine years ago. Throughout the house are reminders of his faith, intertwined with his pride of citizenship.

There are 36 rooms on three floors in the 16,500-square-foot house. It has six bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and six fireplaces. The elaborate draperies in the formal rooms are duplicates of those in the White House. "I gave the seamstresses a book on the White House and asked them to copy them," Yvonne explained.

The domed ceiling over the spectacular central staircase in the foyer features a mural of Jesus. His outstretched arms reach out to American Indians in feathered headdresses, Hispanic men in sombreros and Asians in traditional costumes.

"I wanted it to show that God loves all people, all nationalities," said Yvonne, who was born in Mississippi and reared in Missouri.

A 20-foot-tall Christmas tree decorated with oversized blue and gold ornaments stands in the living room. A 2-foot-tall angel tops the tree. There are decorated trees in many other rooms, including the huge kitchen. From the curved and columned balcony at the rear of the home — a replica of the Truman balcony — visitors can see the large pool, waterfall, formal gardens and pool house with full outdoor kitchen.

There's an upstairs sitting room decorated in traditional Iranian fashion with pillowed floor seating and low tables. Silk rugs hanging against the walls are among the Iranian touches throughout the house.

The Milanis are expecting guests for the holidays. They are opening their home to the public from Dec. 11 through Jan. 2 to raise money for the independent International Church of God, a Christian church that ministers to Muslims converting to Christianity. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays. The only day the house will be closed is Christmas Day. Tickets are $15, $12 for seniors and $10 for children 6 to 12.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Georgia
KEYWORDS: architecture; convert; evangelism; iranianamericans; whitehouse
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-54 last
To: goldstategop

"Georgia has its own White House! It sets the Yankees to shame."

Most Yankees (and I used to be one) have no idea how affluent northern Atlanta is. They'd be amazed at the size of most of the houses, even for working class stiffs like myself.


41 posted on 11/19/2004 10:26:40 AM PST by mikeus_maximus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: trussell

Can you imagine the heating and electric bills? Be grateful for the sausage can--easier to heat and clean! Of course, if you could afford a house like his, who cares about housework?


42 posted on 11/19/2004 10:27:24 AM PST by Marysecretary (Thank you, Lord, for FOUR MORE YEARS!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Marysecretary

There's a replica of the White House in Central California, if memory serves.


43 posted on 11/19/2004 10:33:39 AM PST by MattGarrett
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: mhking

Bump for keeping.


44 posted on 11/19/2004 10:34:32 AM PST by I still care (America is not the problem - it is the solution..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mhking

Good man.


45 posted on 11/19/2004 10:36:17 AM PST by Tempest (Click on my name for a long list of press contacts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RockinRight
So did he vote for Bush??

I'd be willing to guess "Yes". I know his wife donated $500 to one Sunny Warren, a Republican.

Sunny Warren

46 posted on 11/19/2004 10:45:57 AM PST by 2Jedismom (Expect me when you see me!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: mhking

Thanks, Michael! This is too cool!


47 posted on 11/19/2004 10:47:35 AM PST by annyokie (If the shoe fits, put 'em both on!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Howlin

Thanks, Howlin. This looks fabulous.


48 posted on 11/19/2004 11:12:54 AM PST by SuzanneC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: mhking

In America, anyone can live in their own White House.

49 posted on 11/19/2004 11:18:37 AM PST by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Southack

The original white house was where George Washington wooed a widow Custis. It was destroyed during the Civil War, after being used by McClellan's army as a hosptital. At that time it was owned by Robert E. Lee's wife, who was a granddaughter of Martha Custis Washington.


50 posted on 11/19/2004 11:42:47 AM PST by donmeaker (Why did the Romans cross the road? To keep the slaves from revolting again.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: mhking

Wow! Great. Lovely home. I would love to go:

"They are opening their home to the public from Dec. 11 through Jan. 2 to raise money for the independent International Church of God, a Christian church that ministers to Muslims converting to Christianity. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays. The only day the house will be closed is Christmas Day. Tickets are $15, $12 for seniors and $10 for children 6 to 12."


51 posted on 11/19/2004 12:17:34 PM PST by tuckrdout (You lose your right to complain about taxes, if you voted for any democrat!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MattGarrett

Well, this one sure is beautiful. It's not my style of decorating but it would be fun to stay there for a week!


52 posted on 11/23/2004 7:15:04 AM PST by Marysecretary (Thank you, Lord, for FOUR MORE YEARS!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: sassbox

Well, yeah. The real one is older than dirt and the surrounding real estate is sort of run down (D.C.).


53 posted on 11/23/2004 7:20:08 AM PST by Safetgiver (Mud slung is ground lost.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: mhking

Heh, that's right down the street from me, I always wondered who lived there. Of course, you could fit my one bedroom apartment in the foyer...................


54 posted on 11/23/2004 7:30:11 AM PST by labowski ("The Dude Abideth")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-54 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson