Bringing Spring Ahead Of Schedule

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Sometimes in the midst of winter—with a little help from our Conservatory—spring arrives a bit ahead of schedule.

“Gardeners have been forcing blooms for centuries,” said Parker Andes, Director of Horticulture, “and the practice became especially popular in the 19th century. As many wealthy Victorians added conservatories to their homes, they could enjoy the look and the scent of delicate bulbs even in the coldest months of winter.”

According to our archives, in February 1908, Chauncey Beadle, Biltmore’s Garden Superintendent, wrote to Storrs & Harrison Nursery of Ohio ordering fruit stock of cherries and apricots “for placing in tubs in preparation for forcing later on in the greenhouse.” This effort would have enabled the Vanderbilts and house guests to enjoy a hint of spring before it actually came.

The Conservatory is Parker’s favorite garden in the winter, and she enjoys the beauty and the cozy warmth it provides to complement the year-round lush greenery and tropical foliage of palms, ferns, and other warm climate exotics.

“Along with the orchids and other beautiful plants in the Conservatory this time of year, we add containers of spring bulbs that have been forced to bloom. Look for containers of daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips during this period,” Parker said. “We’ll rotate them every couple of weeks until mid-April.”

Branching Out For Spring


For a more informal look, consider forcing flowering spring branches—here are some easy tips to help you “branch out” on your schedule rather than waiting for Mother Nature to do it for you!

For a springscape arrangement, choose early bloomers like crabapple, forsythia, and spiraea branches for forcing. Just remember that the forcing process can take anywhere from one to eight weeks, so the closer branches are cut to their natural blooming time, the quicker they will bloom. With a little extra effort and planning, you’ll have all the beautiful blooms you need to brighten any room or make any occasion more special.

Items Needed
Sharp cutting/pruning shears
Access to flowering shrubs
A warm, humid space (bathroom, kitchen, sunroom, etc.)
5-gallon bucket or other large container
Spray bottle
Decorative Biltmore tin planter or container

Directions
Gather branches on a day when temperatures are above freezing, or on a warm, rainy day.

Cut branches 1–3 feet long on a slant with sharp shears. Always keep the shape of the tree or shrub in mind as you are pruning.

Immediately place twigs in a bucket with tepid water (remove all buds from the part of the stem that will be under water) and keep in warm, humid room.

Re-cut the stems and change the water every few days. Spray stems with water if humidity in room is low.

Tips:
The easiest branches to force are those that are early season bloomers: Almond, Apple, Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, Crabapple, Daphne, Forsythia, Pear, Plum Pussywillow, Quince, Spiraea, Winter Honeysuckle, Winter Jasmine, Wisteria, Witch Hazel

Branches bearing larger flowers like Deciduous Magnolias, Dogwood, Japanese Maple, and Mock Orange should be left on the shrub until their buds are large and well-developed. 

The Knot Dream Wedding at Biltmore

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Today, Biltmore welcomes The Knot Dream Wedding hosted by The Knot, a popular wedding magazine and online wedding resource. The couple selected this year has a compelling engagement story, as each was seriously injured during the Boston Marathon bombing. Their story touched everyone who has worked on this special day, as well as millions of people who have followed them in the news and on social media.

Their positive outlook is something everyone has noticed about this special couple. Although Rebekah, Pete and Rebekah’s son Noah were injured in the devastating attack in Boston, they kept looking forward and have already overcome numerous challenges. Pete proposed last October and that is when The Knot first heard of their story. The editors decided that the couple deserved their dream wedding and the planning began.

In January, The Knot started efforts to throw the ultimate dream wedding for Rebekah and Pete. Readers were asked to vote on the different elements that would make up this grand day. Step one was selecting the perfect wedding location. Voters loved the idea of this amazing couple saying “I Do” in Asheville, NC, as it is one of their favorite vacation spots. Once Asheville became the voters’s choice, Biltmore was selected as the venue.

Weddings are special at Biltmore and have been part of the estate’s history since 1924. That year, George and Edith Vanderbilt’s only daughter, Cornelia Vanderbilt, celebrated her marriage to John Cecil. Their ceremony took place at All Souls Church in Biltmore Village with a brunch that followed in the Winter Garden of Biltmore House. It was a magical time and one that still serves as inspiration for event planning today.

Play Ball!

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Among the first signs of spring in 1924 was the opening of the new McCormick Field for the Asheville Skylanders (now the Asheville Tourists) baseball club. At Biltmore, the spring of 1924 was also a festive time as preparations were underway for Cornelia Vanderbilt’s marriage to The Hon. John F. A. Cecil on April 29.  

Just as guests for the wedding began arriving, Edith Vanderbilt received a letter from Mr. H.  L. Carter of the Asheville Baseball Association thanking her for her assistance with a “ball park, beautiful.” Carter included box seat tickets for the opening of McCormick Field on April 21, 1924.

A few days later, Mrs. Vanderbilt’s secretary, Todd Ashby, responded to Carter stating that Mrs. Vanderbilt was very pleased and would make it a point to be there and bring the rest of the guests staying at Biltmore House. He wrote a list of names in the margin of the letter: Mrs. Vanderbilt, Miss Vanderbilt, Lord William Cecil (John Cecil’s father), Miss Cecil (Mr. Cecil’s cousin) and Miss Todd (bridesmaid). 

Built for $200,000, McCormick Stadium was named for local biologist Dr. Lewis McCormick. Situated among the hills of Asheville, it was soon recognized as one of the most beautiful ballparks in the country. This sentiment was echoed by Babe Ruth in 1925. As he stood off in right field, he exclaimed, “My, my, what a beautiful place to play. Delightful. Damned delightful place!”

McCormick Field is one of the oldest operating minor-league baseball parks in North America still in use today.

Photo: Edith Vanderbilt, Cornelia Vanderbilt, and two unidentified guests, 1924.

Organizing In Style

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The old saying “a place for everything and everything in its place” is a good motto to keep in mind whether you’re organizing your entire home or specific rooms. Items like books and magazines need to be handy, but they can pile up over time. Keep them collected in one of our pretty tin containers and you’ll always know where to find that article you wanted to read.

Here are some other great ideas for organizing other items that need to stay contained in a specific space:

• Roll up hand towels and keep them in a small tin container in your powder room. They take up less space and yet remain easily accessible for guests. Also works well for towels and wash cloths in your guest bath.
• Place a tin container on the stairs (close to the rail) for each member of your family. Small, loose items can be dropped there to be put away later.
• Choose a taller, narrow container to keep utensils together by the kitchen sink

Our decorative tins are available in so many sizes and shapes that you can easily organize almost anything. The collection was inspired by the design elements and patterns found throughout Biltmore House and across the estate. The containers offer a vintage feel that pairs well with any décor.

Tip: Containers are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and are perfect for table-top arrangements and container plantings.

Shop our collection of tin container online here. 

Spring Babies Wake Up the Biltmore Farmyard!

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More babies are due to join the Biltmore family as the Farmyard’s other Boer goat will deliver her kids in early April, and Iris, our Alpine dairy goat, will birth her kid in late April or May. These early arrivals are just the start, as there are nine more female goats, or does, who are expectant mothers this spring.

These early arrivals make for much excitement on the estate as names must be chosen and stalls are refreshed to welcome the newest members of the farmyard. Lucky guests who drop by have the unique opportunity to see and interact with the animals.

Baby animals aren’t the only excitement in Antler Hill Village, though. The area transforms into the perfect playground for families once warm weather arrives. Little ones can climb, dig, and slide at Pisgah Playground, which features a central lookout, rock formations for climbing and a small lagoon.

Weekend demonstrations with our resident blacksmith, woodworkers, and featured craftsmen bring the past to life. Guests can also try their hand at classic games such as the game of graces, ring toss, and bean bag toss.

The old-fashioned fun at Antler Hill Village pays homage to the way life used to be on the estate. In George Vanderbilt’s time, life at Antler Hill Village was consumed with agriculture activity and the area was home to an assortment of farm animals.

At the turn of the century, Angora goats, prized for their abundant mohair coats, lived in the farmyard along with multiple Berkshire hogs. Estate records indicate a prized boar named Highclere Topper lived at Biltmore along with his lovely companion, a sow named Fritters.

The residents of the poultry farm probably looked much like the current flock at the Farmyard. Records show the flock included Light Brahmas, Buff Cochins, Black Langshans, and Cornish Indian Game Hens.

Horses were also part of the estate’s livestock family. Early residents included a horse named Sherman who was ridden by the estate’s first forester, Gifford Pinchot. Edith Vanderbilt rode a prized horse named Jet, while Cornelia had a pet donkey named Jack.

Today, the guests can visit with the Farmyard’s resident Belgian draft horses, or view the estate’s livestock guardian donkeys, Captain and Maybelline, as they keep watch over the chickens in the pastures.

Pillowed In Comfort

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George and Edith Vanderbilt welcomed all their guests with warmth and hospitality, ensuring that no detail was overlooked. From the moment friends and family arrived at Biltmore, everything was done to make their stay at America’s largest home comfortable. 

With more than 30 bedrooms in Biltmore House, making beds and fluffing pillows could have kept the entire staff busy during extended visits and house parties!

While today’s homes have fewer rooms to manage, a good night’s sleep is still a priority for most of us. For expert advice on choosing pillows that suit your needs, we turned to Nicki Cloud, Assistant Product Manager in Sheets, Bath & Utility Bedding for Belk.

“The most important aspect of selecting a pillow with the correct amount of fill is the position in which you start your night’s sleep. For those who sleep on their side, more fill is better.  For those who sleep on their stomach or back, less fill is better,” Nicki explained. “The right style of pillow is beneficial in attaining healthy and comfortable rest.”

“We’re also seeing a trend in down prices continuing to rise due to an extreme shortage of this natural material,” said Nicki. “But technology has come a long way, and down alternative options feel closer to down than they ever have before. Between technology and pricing, this is the perfect time to give down alternatives another try.”

For ease and comfort, Nicki recommends the following collections of pillows—inspired by the legacy of luxury at Biltmore—and available at Belk:

Artisan Collection


This collection features Serene fiberfill which truly replicates the feel of down. The innovative fiber mimics the compression of down, but unlike down, does not require fluffing. It is also hypoallergenic and machine washable, making it a perfect solution for down lovers that have allergy concerns.

Artisan 2-inch Gusset Pillow–A deluxe 2-inch wide gusset offers a plush, full pillow that looks as lavish as it feels. Because of the way this fiber responds, this pillow is a great choice for all sleeping positions.

“Try combining our Artisan Gusset Pillow with our Artisan Comforter,” Nicki said. “This 100% cotton covered comforter is a perfect choice for your day-in and day-out use. Providing year-round comfort, you’ll rest comfortably with the perfect amount of warmth, and that cozy down feeling.”

Click here to shop our Artisan Comforter.

Memorelle Collection


“Our Memorelle Collection features Memorelle fiberfill which consists of loose fibers blown into the pillow. Memorelle has an especially fast rebound, so once you rest your head on the pillow, the fiber returns to position to offer you support where you need it, while taking it easy on pressure points. Best of all,” Nicki added “is the fact that Memorelle is machine washable.”

There are four pillows in this collection:

• Memorelle Damask Scroll Classic Shape Pillow–A beautiful jacquard scroll makes this pillow a perfect fit for any luxury bed ensemble. A classic shape appeals to the largest number of people.

• Memorelle Infinity Gusset Pillow–Perfect for side sleepers, this pillow has a specially designed gusset that allows room for your shoulder to rest comfortably while offering plenty of support for your head.

• Memorelle 2-inch Gusset Pillow–A deluxe 2-inch wide gusset offers a plush, full, pillow that makes a great choice for side or back sleepers.


• Memorelle Teardrop Pillow—The most versatile pillow for any sleep position. One side of the teardrop shape offers plenty of support for back or side sleepers, while stomach sleepers will appreciate the other side. It’s a winning solution for a guest bedroom or for those who change positions throughout the night.
 

Click here to shop our pillows.

Pillow Care Tips

Pillow protectors and pillowcases are a great way to extend the life of a pillow; however, pillows should still be cleaned on a regular basis. For ease of care, look for machine-washable pillows and be sure to follow the care instructions on the label. Ensure to dry pillows completely to prevent mold from forming.

The Inspiration for our Balustrade Rug

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Of all the beautiful elements in Biltmore House, which one do you think inspired our Balustrade Rug? Find out!

The flowing scroll pattern that graces the Balustrade Rug and gives it such a sense of movement was actually inspired by something quite fixed and immovable—the balustrade of the Grand Staircase in Biltmore House.

Designed specifically for George Vanderbilt’s French Renaissance chateau, the openwork iron-and-wood balustrade that winds around the immense 4-story staircase gives an airy feel to the massive stone steps. Similarly, the railing around the nearby Winter Garden keeps this indoor conservatory space intimate without making it look “fenced-in” or unwelcoming.

Though crafted in wool rather than iron, our Balustrade Rug captures the elegance that Biltmore’s architect intended for America’s largest home. Hand-tufted to provide years of warmth and beauty, this transitional design is a lovely accent for any room in classic tones of black, ivory, or mink.

See more Biltmore-inspired rugs here.

A Birthday for Edith Vanderbilt

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In honor of the 141st anniversary of Edith Vanderbilt’s birthday, we have been reflecting back on the festive days surrounding her arrival at Biltmore in 1898. Since George Vanderbilt had mainly courted Edith Stuyvesant Dresser abroad, estate managers and employees were filled with curiosity about the future Mrs. Vanderbilt. The Vanderbilts were married in a relatively simple ceremony in Paris in June.  While George and Edith were on an extended honeymoon in Europe, the estate made preparations for a celebration befitting a queen.

What would their first impressions be? No one was quite sure what to expect. When the newlyweds’ train arrived at the passenger depot in Biltmore Village, curious onlookers, civil authorities, and hordes of media watched on as Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt boarded a carriage bound for their future home.  Biltmore’s Chief Forester, Dr. Carl Alwin Schenck, shared a vivid description of this momentous occasion in his book Birth of Forestry in America:

“The young couple, our lord and his lady, arrived on a gorgeous afternoon and were welcomed by the officials of the estate at a huge horseshoe of flowers overarching the approach road to Biltmore House. All was cheers and smiles and happiness! Mrs. Vanderbilt! One could not help but love her! Her face…was sparkling with kindness, sweetness, lovability, grace, and womanliness.”

After passing under this emblem of good luck, the Vanderbilts were greeted by estate employees and their families lining both sides of the road. Following an English baronial tradition, each worker held a symbol of his trade and the children joined in welcoming Edith to her new home.  The sheer number of estate employees must have been overwhelming, but there were still many more surprises in store for Mrs. Vanderbilt. A lengthy article from the Asheville Daily Citizen detailed the celebrations once the party had reached Biltmore House:

At night the employees continued the festivities… Shortly after 9 o’clock the men met north of the esplanade and Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt viewed the scene from the roof balcony over the main entrance to Biltmore House.

The Biltmore band, stationed in the tea garden at the top of the vista began an inspiring march, and the men with torches moved in converging lines…to the winding steps of the rampe douce, where the march continued in crossing belts of fire…Suddenly their appeared a glow of light on the ridges of the deer park and within a brief period there was a brilliant illumination of the grounds by colored arc, extending to the lake and through the shrubbery of the winding roads and walks.

The finale of the illumination came in showers of flaming stars from fireworks that exploded in different points surrounding the mansion.  On Pisgah and other prominent peaks of the estate huge bonfires were lighted and beamed their welcome. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt evinced great interest in the event of the evening and frequently applauded the hearty endeavors of the men who were showing their good will to the bride. At the conclusion of the illumination and until past midnight the employees enjoyed refreshments in the open before the conservatory. 

Dr. Schenck’s memoir makes it clear that the employees offered Edith a grand welcome not only onto estate, but into their lives. Schenck wrote:

“…Mrs. Vanderbilt took a personal interest in every man and woman connected with the estate. … she went to every humble cabin of a forest worker in Pisgah Forest when she was near it; she encouraged the small home industries… at Christmas she had a small gift for every child of every employee of the estate; and  whatever she did or said, she did or said so gracefully that she put at ease whomever she met.”

Mrs. Vanderbilt’s long legacy of grace and heartfelt hospitality is still very much alive at Biltmore. What fun it has been to look back at first impressions, grand celebrations, and the cherished memories of such a special woman who helped to shape and preserve the estate.  Happy Birthday, Edith!

A Special Frame Of Mind

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From Valentine’s Day to Mother’s Day, graduations, and June weddings, it’s never too early to plan a gift for someone special. A custom-framed photograph can capture a moment–and we have some great ideas for turning that moment into a memory that will last forever!

Make the gift extra special when you use Biltmore frames like the one featured here. It's from our Billiard Collection, which is inspired by the Billiard Room in Biltmore House.
 

Candid With Quote

Rather than the typical pose facing the camera, choose a fun or candid image from your wedding and add a meaningful quote below it.

Tip: ask your custom framer to cut a section out of the matting and add the favorite quote in the cut-out.

Our Place

Frame a picture of a couple's favorite place. A city skyline, favorite restaurant, or hiking spot are all great choices.

Tip: consider choosing the spot where your friends met—it will always be a keepsake for them!

Dreamy Destination

For a great wedding gift, frame a map of their honeymoon destination, or the spot where your friends are planning to go.

Tip: old-world maps add a vintage look and another layer of interest to the presentation. This is also an easy project to turn into a shadow box with mementos from their trip!

Remember, professional matting, framing, and glass choices can help keep those precious photographs from fading over time.

Find our estate-inspired collections of Biltmore Frames here.

Tea-Time, Vanderbilt Style

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Hot or iced? Cream or lemon? Black, green, herbal, white, spiced? Sugar, honey, or unsweetened? There are as many ways to enjoy tea as there are people who enjoy it!

The Vanderbilt family was no exception—they enjoyed tea themselves and served it to their guests, perhaps lingering over an afternoon tea outdoors on the Loggia in warmer weather, or by a crackling fire in fall and winter.

The tea service used by the Vanderbilts is currently on display in the Tapestry Gallery in Biltmore House—the lovely porcelain pieces were made in France around 1888 and feature fine floral detailing in heavenly shades of blue and gold on a crisp white background.

Time Travel With Tea

Elevate your tea time to new heights with our beautiful china serveware inspired by the original Vanderbilt set. The delicate gilding and rich colors highlight any occasion, adding an elegant note of old world charm to your table.

Hint: if you wonder what it was like to be a guest of the Vanderbilts, or are anticipating each new episode of this season’s Downton Abbey, let our Vanderbilt Tea Service help you time travel back to the Gilded Age simply by savoring a freshly brewed cup of tea!

Click here to view our Vanderbilt Service Collection.