The Blue Room from the painting by Charles Bittinger, 1903. One of Theodore Roosevelt’s earliest acts as President was to issue an order establishing the "White House" as the building’s official name. Previously, it had been called the "President’s House" or the "Executive Mansion." This decision portended more serious discussion regarding the status of the house. In 1902, Mrs. Roosevelt asked the distinguished architect Charles McKim for his advice. His recommendations for a complete renovation of the house led to major changes in the interior and in the functioning of the building. It doubled the space allocated to the family living quarters, provided a new wing for the president and his staff, and a new area on the east for receiving guests. The White House and, with a few exceptions, much of the complex as we know it today reflects the design of 1902. This restoration preserved the White House as the home of the President.