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Whenever a new president enters the White House, big changes follow. From cabinet secretaries to ambassadors, personnel changes tend to dominate the headlines when administrations turn over. However, some of the most interesting and historically relevant changes that occur have little to do with policy and more to do with interior design. The decoration of the Oval Office can represent the personality of a president, their political role models, and the ambitions of their time in office — as well as their favorite color schemes.
The modern Oval Office was established in 1909 when President Taft invited submissions from architects to design the permanent office of the executive. A Washington architect named Nathan C. Wyeth won the competition and gave the office the distinctive oval shape it is known for today.