1. The present embassy, a Modernist landmark by Eero Saarinen, is still regarded skeptically by critics.

2. Saarinen was assigned to draw illustrations for bomb disassembly manuals and to provide designs for the Situation Room in the White House.

3. I advise clients to splurge on a few must-have classic items that can set the tone of a room, like I did with my Saarinen dining table.