Blue Room

Despite its name, the Blue Room did not always take on a beautiful blue hue. James Hoban designed the room to be extremely elegant, with French doors and long windows — although a color scheme was not part of the original plans. Per The White House Historical Association, First Lady Dolley Madison was actually a fan of red velvet, and had both draperies and furniture in this particular fabric put in the room prior to 1814. After a fire ruined the furniture and decor, however, a major restoration and renovation took place.