Celebrating a Gilded Age Christmas Posted on November 10, 2015 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Each year, our floral department selects a theme inspired by the Vanderbilt era, and they interpret it throughout the entire estate, from Biltmore House to Antler Hill Village & Winery, plus The Inn on Biltmore Estate, our new Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, and all our shops restaurants. For 2015, the theme reflects all the style and splendor associated with ‘A Gilded Age Christmas.’ But what does “Gilded Age” really mean? We turned to Laura Overbey, Collections Manager, for a helpful definition. “Gilded Age refers to the time period in which the Vanderbilts and their peers lived,” said Laura. “It is a unique time in American history that included the construction of grand and elegantly decorated estates filled with high society and glittering parties.” To reflect the shimmering splendor of a Gilded Age Christmas inside Biltmore House, Floral concentrated on highlighting the stunning interior details like mantels, carvings, and light fixtures complemented by dozens of beautifully decorated trees, miles of fresh greenery and wreaths, and ornaments. “We’ve created an elegant holiday statement that reflects the luxury of that time,” said Cathy Barnhardt, Floral Displays Manager. “The emphasis is on rich layers of color accented with metallic touches of gold, silver, and platinum.” The Banquet Hall is always a guest favorite during Christmas. This year, the traditional 40’ fresh-cut Fraser fir is decorated with Edison-style white lights, tinsel, brightly-wrapped gift boxes, vintage toys tied on with bows, and enormous, colorful ornaments in keeping with the size of the tree. Also included in the charming display is a bright red, child-sized one-horse sleigh that dates from the turn of the century. The tree and the packages are reminiscent of the first Biltmore Christmas when the children of estate workers gathered in the hall to receive presents chosen especially for them. In December 1895 the Asheville Citizen noted that “A beautiful Christmas tree that stood in the Banquet Hall causing the loveliest anticipation of the little folks was then stripped of its heavy trimming of gifts. Each guest was remembered.” In the Salon, a stately tree decorated with feminine details that suggest ladies hats, feathers, and jeweled pieces was inspired by Edith Vanderbilt’s use of the space as a sitting room where she entertained her friends with afternoon tea. A quartet of trees in the Tapestry Gallery feature dozens of cherubs peeping out from the branches in honor of the Nativity, the centerpiece of the longest room in Biltmore House. The Tapestry Gallery trees and those in the Third Floor Living Hall also feature globe-shaped German wax ornaments decorated with floral patterns. “These are my favorite ornaments, and ones I used to decorate during my first Christmas here nearly 40 years ago,” said Cathy. “They are very traditional and so fitting for this year’s Gilded Age theme.” There’s nothing quite as special celebrating the holidays at Biltmore, and since George Vanderbilt chose to open his home to his friends and family at Christmas 1895, it’s only fitting that we continue that tradition today. We hope you’ll join us for both our Christmas at Biltmore daytime celebration and our magical Candlelight Christmas Evenings.
Wreathed in wonder Posted on November 9, 2015 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Christmas at Biltmore is a season wreathed in wonder when we honor George and Edith Vanderbilt’s legacy of warm welcome and holiday hospitality at Biltmore House. From dozens of beautifully decorated trees and miles of fresh garland to thousands of sparkling ornaments, it’s difficult to imagine a more beautiful display throughout America’s largest home. Wreaths add a delightfully decorative touch to the décor at Biltmore, highlighting doors and other architectural features. Whether you want to greet your guests with a front door focal point or add a bit of Christmas cheer to an interior space, our Floral team offers some simple techniques for styling your own wreaths. Materials Silk evergreen wreath 3 Belk decorative bird ornaments (we love the clips on these—they’re attach easily to wreaths, trees or even packages!) Selection of smaller Belk metallic ornaments in different shapes and sizes Several yards each of 2 types of ribbon (we chose sheer and metallic varieties) How-to Secure the ends of the ribbons near the bottom of the wreath. Begin weaving and tucking the ribbons into the wreath together, but allow plenty of movement so that each ribbon is visible. The sheer ribbon, in particular, should be very loose so that it “floats” over the more solid ribbon in some places. After weaving the ribbons around the wreath, tie a bow near the bottom. Place a decorative bird near or even inside the bow. Add a second bird near the top of the wreath, and the final bird about halfway down the other side. This provides a “triangle of interest” that keeps the wreath from looking too symmetrical. Scatter smaller ornaments singly and in groups of 3 around the wreath, balancing each grouping in relation to the birds and the bow. Step back from your work occasionally to ensure no area of the wreath looks too heavy or unbalanced. No time to do it yourself this season? Simply choose a ready-made wreath from our For Your Home Collection at Belk and hang up your holiday décor in moments! Tips • For a more formal look, tie a separate bow using yards of two ribbons and wire it in place near the bottom of the wreath (you’ll need approximately 3 yards of each ribbon to make a full bow) • To make a wreath more personal, include a few of your favorite vintage ornaments • Tuck flowers and other natural elements into your wreath for additional layers of rich texture Biltmore For Your Home ornaments and wreaths available at Belk and Belk.com seasonally. Discover more products inspired by Biltmore.
New Life for an Old House Posted on November 6, 2015 at 12:00 am.Written by Coleman Minter Once an old farmhouse on Biltmore’s West Side, Jones House is now the restored club house for the Biltmore Sporting Clays Club. This remarkable transformation continues to be a contributing building to our national historic landmark designation since May of 1963. Jones House is only one of two homes remaining on the estate from the pre-Vanderbilt era. Reviving the past Biltmore’s Engineering Services team worked hand in hand with architects, the State Historic Preservation Office, and various contractors to adapt Jones House into the Sporting Clays Clubhouse, while preserving portions and features of the building that convey its historical, cultural, and architectural value. This project was completed in December of 2014 and received the 2015 Griffin Award from The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County in the Adaptive Re-Use category. Jones House was named for the farming family that lived there from 1965–1983. Retaining authentic details Brent Merrell, Director of Engineering Services, reflected on the challenges and rewards of the restoration process. He noted, “I thought I knew a lot about restorations until I got involved. Staying true to the heritage of the house proved to be a large task as the structure had deteriorated during the years it sat vacant—the front left corner of the house was 9 inches higher than the back right corner!” The Jones House was built somewhere between 1879 and 1889, likely by Merritt Roberts, a farmer who sold the land to George Vanderbilt’s agent in 1901. This 1,700 square-foot house was originally designed as a one-story home with a gable roof. Two extensions were later added. Today, the home of the Sporting Clays Club houses a lounge area, retail section, bar, bathrooms, and an upstairs classroom. “We tried to keep as much of the original material as possible, so we removed exterior siding, walls, and the whole floor, and we put them all back down,” said Brent. Details like the original windows were also preserved rather than replaced. A nine-pane window upstairs at the front of the house wasn’t centered originally, so the workers removed the wall that held the window pane and replaced it exactly as it was, offset to the left. Continued preservation efforts The first woolly residents of the Sheep Barn were Southdown sheep, one of which descended from a flock owned by the Prince of Wales. While not always visible to all visitors, the restoration of the Jones House and others, such as the recent restoration of the Sheep Barn, highlights our team’s dedication to conserving, preserving, and restoring historic structures throughout the estate. Designed by farm architect Edward Burnett, the Sheep Barn is currently the oldest structure dedicated to George Vanderbilt’s agricultural legacy. This two-year restoration project focused on preserving key architectural and operational features dating back to its construction in 1890. Originally named the Sheep Shed, it operated as a satellite sheep farm. By 1916, the barn ceased to be used to house sheep and instead was repurposed to shelter Jersey Cattle for the operations of Biltmore Dairy. Restoration began in earnest in 2022 to restore the Sheep Barn to its former glory. Following the original 1890 Burnett plans, numerous architectural elements were restored, such as doors, windows, dormers, and even the historic red and green exterior paint. For an in-depth look at our restoration efforts and the farming operations on the West Side, join us on The Farm to Table Tour & Taste. Thank you for supporting our ongoing preservation efforts during your next Biltmore visit.
Literary Biltmore Posted on October 29, 2015 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux You only need to look at the Library at Biltmore House to understand how important books were to George Vanderbilt. Throughout much of his adult life, he read an average of 81 books per year, or one and a half books every week. A New York journalist who knew him wrote of Vanderbilt: “He was a bookworm, a student… I doubt not, he is one of the best read men in the country.” Given his literary leanings, it’s not surprising that he counted several prominent writers of the day among his friends. Edith Wharton was born into New York society the same year as George Vanderbilt and moved in the same social circles, so it’s likely that the two knew each other most of their lives. Wharton rented the Vanderbilts’ apartment on the Left Bank in Paris from 1907 to 1910. She also visited Biltmore twice that we know of: her signature can be found in Biltmore’s guest book, dated November 1902 and December 1905. On December 26, 1905, she sent this correspondence from Biltmore to her friend Sara Norton: Yesterday we had a big Xmas fete for the 350 people on the estate – a tree 30 ft. high, Punch & Judy, conjuror, presents & “refreshments.” It would have interested you, it was done so well & sympathetically, each person’s wants being thought of, from mother to last baby. (From The Letters of Edith Wharton) During this holiday visit, the author signed a copy of the recently published The House of Mirth: “To George Vanderbilt from Edith Wharton, Biltmore House, Christmas 1905.” The novelist Henry James—author of Portrait of a Lady and Daisy Miller—was a friend of Edith Wharton and also an acquaintance of George Vanderbilt. He stayed at Biltmore in the winter of 1905. One of George Vanderbilt’s closest friends was Paul Leicester Ford, an author who was well known in his time as a biographer of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Ford had an affluent upbringing in Brooklyn and it’s believed that he met Vanderbilt at New York’s Grolier Club—a famous association of bibliophiles where both men were members. They became close friends. Ford was a guest at Biltmore in December 1899 and came to the 1901 New Year’s Eve house party. In 1898, he spent several weeks at Biltmore while working on his novel, Janice Meredith: A Story of the American Revolution. When Janice Meredith was published the following year, it contained a dedication to George Vanderbilt: …And so, as I have read the proofs of this book I have found more than once that the pages have faded out of sight and in their stead I have seen Mount Pisgah and the French Broad River, or the ramp and terrace of Biltmore House, just as I saw them when writing the words which served to recall them to me. With the visions, too, has come a recurrence to our long talks, our work amongst the books, our games of chess, our cups of tea, our walks, our rides, and our drives. It is therefore a pleasure to me that the book so naturally gravitates to you, and that I may make it a remembrance of the past weeks of companionship…. Janice Meredith sold over 200,000 copies and was adapted for the stage in 1901. In 1902, Ford tragically died in at the hand of his brother. While George Vanderbilt was not himself a writer, his love of literature created a legacy that we can still admire today in the nearly 24,000-volume collection at Biltmore, part of which is on display at the Library.
Remembering the Forest Fair 1908 Posted on October 16, 2015 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux “Statesman! Lumberman! Engineer! Forester! Come! And be welcome! Come as you are, and take us as we are! Come! Rejoice with us! And join us in giving thanks on Thanksgiving Day, 1908″ ― Dr. Carl Schenck’s Biltmore Forest Fair invitation, 1908 Incoming guests were personally greeted at Biltmore Plaza by Dr. Schenck. Cause for Celebration Biltmore forester Dr. Carl Schenck had reason to celebrate in 1908. After 13 years at Biltmore, including a decade at the head of the Biltmore Forest School, he had helped to transform what was a barren landscape of overused terrain into America’s first managed forest, a model for the rest of the country. To increase public awareness of the revolutionary achievements on Biltmore’s 100,000-plus acres of forested land, Schenck orchestrated the Biltmore Forest Fair—a three-day extravaganza held over Thanksgiving weekend. “This event will mark an epoch in American forestry,” proclaimed The American Lumberman. Botanists, forest engineers, lumbermen, state foresters, furniture manufacturers, statesmen, editors, university professors, paper company representatives, and many others attended the Forest Fair. By Invitation Only An invitation to the Forest Fair was extended to 400 guests, including President-elect William Howard Taft. “You may have heard something of the farms and of the forests found on the Biltmore Estate,” the invitation read. “Now we beg of you: Come and see them for yourself!” Although the president didn’t attend, about 100 people did, including educators, furniture manufacturers, and many timber industry executives from across the US. Dr. Schenck overlooked no detail in the planning of the festival. He even advised guests on attire: “Do not don your best! Select a rough, comfortable suit of clothes and a pair of shoes in which you may walk a quarter of a mile without the sensation of ‘walking on a toothache.’” Each guest received a 55-page booklet detailing Schenck’s forest management techniques, including specifics on tree plantings and costs—proof of his dedication to transparency and education. Festival guests on the trail were escorted by a Biltmore Forest School student to the events. The Forest Fair Begins The fair kicked off on Thanksgiving Day, 1908, with a procession of 15 open carriages “decorated in the Biltmore Forest School colors of green and white,” that made its way from the swanky Battery Park Hotel in downtown Asheville to Biltmore Village. Once on the estate, attendees followed their “tireless leader up and down mountain trails” as he “brushed aside apparently impassible thickets.” What he said is lost to time as “the rapid movements of Dr. Schenck and the rustling of innumerable fallen leaves” made it hard to take exact notes. The guests inspected tree plantings across the estate, then enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at the Battery Park Inn, during which Schenck led a toast to George Vanderbilt: “a nobly spirited American and as high-principled a man as I ever met.” One attendee reported that the dinner was “in no case indecorous,” but had been “so thorough in a hospitable sense that most of the participants were disinclined to rise at a reasonable early hour” the next day. Friday’s agenda included a visit to the Biltmore herbarium, plant nurseries, dairy, pig farm, and poultry farm, then enjoyed a possum hunt, capping off the evening with a lovely gala dinner. On Saturday, the group made their way to the lumber camps, enjoyed a fishing and shooting contest, and ended the day on Mt. Pisgah in time for sunset, then spent the night “under the stars” at Buck Spring Lodge. An attendee reported that the weather was “of that kind which no memory can recall any nearer perfection” and the scenery so beautiful that “none left the spot willingly.” Mrs. Schenck’s picnic in the wilderness provided guests with lovely hostesses, rest, food, and conversation. Dr. Schenck’s Enduring Legacy The Biltmore Forest School closed its doors in 1913, but Dr. Schenck’s legacy in Western North Carolina can still be felt today by all those who enjoy the pristine beauty of Pisgah National Forest, the forest he helped to establish.Photos provided by Forest History Society of Durham, NC.
A Good Life for Wildlife Posted on October 8, 2015 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, welcomes over a million guests each year—and those are just the ones who come through the gates! In addition to our visitors and Passholders, our 8,000-acre backyard is also home to a wide variety of wildlife and birds, including deer, rabbits, turkeys, and migratory waterfowl. In addition to the colorful sunflowers that bloom in the summer, soybeans, wheat, legumes, and millet are planted in our rich fields on the west side of the estate. Cultivating care across the estate We caught up with Kyle Mayberry, Director of Agriculture, and Vince Helton, Senior Director of Facility Operations, to get the ‘outside’ scoop. “We average about 450 acres of field crops each year and 29 of those acres are designated for wildlife food plots,” Kyle explained. While most of these crops are harvested to feed our cattle, sheep, and other farm animals, there’s still plenty left for wildlife and birds. Smaller plantings of radishes, canola, soybeans, corn, and sorghum are grown around the estate to provide nourishment through the harsh winter months, for our four-legged and feathered friends. Chimney Swifts spend nearly their entire lives in the air, eating, drinking, bathing, and gathering nesting material, landing only to roost and nest. A new home for Chimney Swifts Our dedication to creating a welcoming environment extends far beyond our fields and into some unique conservation projects. One such initiative focused on chimney swifts, a small migratory bird renowned for its spectacular flight patterns and distinctive roosting habits. These birds have been facing challenges as traditional nesting sites become inaccessible. To help, we built a custom-designed chimney swift tower on the estate, providing them with the perfect roosting spot. Biltmore® Grown honey and sunflower oil can be purchased at the Farmyard and in estate shops. The buzz behind Biltmore® Grown Our commitment to the environment extends to our smallest residents too! Busy bees play a key role in producing Biltmore® Grown sunflower oil. They stay hard at work buzzing between over 140,000 blooms, their tireless efforts transforming each blossom into a seed of potential. “We take pride in providing these pollinators with abundant nectar sources across the estate,” Kyle said, “ensuring they have everything they need to create high-quality products, like our sunflower oil and honey, for use in our restaurants and for guests to purchase in our shops.” Strap on your life jackets and get your binoculars ready for a trip down the French Broad on our river birding tour. Discover the call of the wild “Being good stewards of the land applies to the natural wildlife that exists here, and it’s just as important to maintain healthy populations—something we have been committed to since the days of George Vanderbilt,” said Vince. “We follow the NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s recommendations for monitoring and managing wildlife to ensure the safety of our guests, grounds, and wildlife.” As always, our guests’ safety is of paramount concern, and we remind you not to approach estate wildlife or birds. In addition, while dogs are welcomed on estate grounds as long as they are securely leashed, state law prohibits pets from entering fenced enclosures protecting farm animals. Visit our complete wildlife viewing policy here. Interested in learning more? We’ve got plenty of outdoor activities aimed at educating our guests about our wildlife friends and their diverse habitats! Consider going on a guided bird walk or rafting down the French Broad on our river birding tour, participating in a naturalist talk, or getting up close and personal in our falconry class!
Biltmore In The News Posted on September 28, 2015 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Biltmore has the extreme fortune of receiving media attention from outlets that broadcast and publish all over the world. That coverage enables us to reach future guests – and former guests – with an invitation to come visit, and amplifies our ability to let people know of the experience that awaits them when they arrive on the property. Going forward, we will share with you a monthly “Biltmore In The News” snapshot of recent news coverage. To get started, we’ve cobbled a list of our most recent media “hits,” with a comment or two about the story. · Forbes (Sept. 27, 2015) – “Inside Biltmore: America's Grandest House, In Delightful Asheville, North Carolina.” This story provides a concise overview of touring Biltmore and the grounds, with tips on how to make the most of a day’s visit. · Charlotte Parent Magazine (July 1) – “Explore the wonder of Biltmore House this summer with kids” · Condé Nast Traveler.com (July 29) – “The 30 best small cities in America.” Asheville, N.C., the estate’s hometown, regularly receives coverage as a travel destination. Many Asheville stories include details about Biltmore. · Elle Décor.com – “Do you remember these iconic American homes?” Biltmore finds itself in a variety of topic categories, including decorating. · Fine Gardening Magazine (May 31) and American Rose Magazine (June 1) – Biltmore hosts the Biltmore International Rose Trials each spring. Announcements of the winning roses occur in many garden media outlets as well as general consumer media. · HGTV Gardens.com – “Biltmore azaleas.” We have hosted crews from HGTV many times, and we appreciate their continued interest in our historic gardens. The Azalea Garden was the star of this feature, which is no surprise. Peak azalea bloom is magical. · Style Me Pretty.com (March 25) – “Regal + Romantic Biltmore Estate Wedding.” Style Me Pretty is a blog dedicated to weddings. Biltmore weddings have received attention time and again from bridal magazines and blogs like this one. · Town & Country Magazine (July 1) – “The most luxurious wedding venues in the world.” Much like the Style Me Pretty placement, Biltmore captured the imagination of the editors at Town & Country. · Travel Channel.com – Daily Escape feature: Inn on Biltmore Estate. We work frequently with Travel Channel, and are honored that they highlighted the Inn in their regular Daily Escape feature. · USA Today.com (May 11) – “’Downton Abbey’ summers at the Biltmore.” USA Today’s reach is vast, and we appreciate their continued interest in Biltmore. Here they discussed our “Dressing Downton” exhibition, which brought us many guests.
Drawing A Blank — Refreshing Your Wall Decor Posted on September 24, 2015 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux The phrase “drawing a blank” might have negative connotations if you can’t immediately think of a name or a topic, but it’s also a great place to start when you want to refresh your décor! Do you have a bare wall in your living room or guest room, or maybe a space that just needs a bit of lift in order to look its best? It’s easier than you think to create a great-looking focal point that harmonizes with the rest of your home. Here are some great tips from Lydia VanderVoort, Biltmore For Your Home Licensing Director and one of our design experts who not only appreciates fine art but also understands the value of a great frame in bringing it all together: “Sometimes, it’s as simple as aligning the framing of a piece of artwork with the existing feel of your room,” said Lydia. “Choose a print with a coordinating mat and frame, or have a favorite piece custom-framed to reflect the color and texture of the room.” According to Lydia, you might consider a print that picks up the flowing curves of a bed frame or other signature piece in the room. “Choose artwork that mimics the flow.” suggested Lydia. “It makes a dynamic statement that keeps the room feeling lively.” Another interesting technique is the layering of artwork. According to Lydia, you might choose the same print in slightly different colors and hang them together. “This provides a united theme,” she said, “but gives that sense of motion and texture that keeps things interesting.” “To make the print truly personal, consider framing a great shot from your last vacation,” Lydia said. “It will provide a fresh perspective for your wall, and it’s a great conversation-starter for your guests.” Expecting guests or inviting family to stay with you during the holidays? That gives you a great reason to change out your artwork for a seasonal piece that sets a welcome mood. “I think it would be great fun to select the J, O, and Y from our vintage alphabet prints,” said Lydia, “and custom frame them on the diagonal to spell JOY. You could then attach the frames to a backing so they could easily be hung together. It’s perfect for the holidays, or any time of year!” For another holiday idea, Lydia suggests custom-framing a vintage Christmas card like the featured image for this blog post. “You could also frame a few holly branches or even a holly cross-stitch pattern,” Lydia said. “Any simple holiday item that speaks to you can be framed and become a beautiful and unique addition to your décor—and a quality frame can help preserve your special memories for generations!” Discover our Biltmore-inspired frame collection.
An outdoor sculpture comes clean Posted on September 21, 2015 at 12:00 am.Written by Kristina Smith An outdoor sculpture comes clean, with help from the expert conservators at Biltmore. “From the iconic marble lions in front of Biltmore House to terra cotta figures, bronzes, and more, the estate features 37 pieces of outdoor sculpture and historic plaques,” said Kara Warren, Preventive Conservation Specialist. One of the two grand marble lion sculptures that guard the Front Door of Biltmore House According to Kara, each piece of outdoor sculpture is carefully examined and photographed every six months to determine its “health” and what type of cleaning, stabilization, or repairs might be needed. There are four sphinx sculptures atop stone pillars guarding the massive iron entry and exit gates through which guests pass to get their first glimpse of Biltmore House. The sphinx appears in Egyptian and Greek mythology as a creature with a human head and torso–usually female–and the hindquarters of a lion. Egypt’s massive Great Sphinx of Giza sculpture is probably the best-known example in the world. The following photos illustrate how important Biltmore’s process is and what a difference cleaning and preservation make: This elegant sphinx guards the right side of the iron gates adjacent to Biltmore House This sphinx is turned as if to watch the Approach Road while the sphinx on the opposite side of the gates looks toward Biltmore House. The sculpture was in need of a thorough cleansing to rid it of biological growth. Scaffolding was built around the sphinx so our conservators could clean it in place. Conservators carefully cleaned half of the sphinx to show a remarkable difference Biltmore’s preservation experts worked on half of the sculpture at a time to illustrate different stages of the cleaning process. Note how much detail is revealed when the dark biological growth was removed from the hindquarters of this sphinx. The sphinx sculpture cleaned and restored to her full glory After a thorough cleaning, the classic sphinx sculpture once again welcomes guests to Biltmore House in regal style. Learn more about our extensive process to document, clean, and preserve our outdoor sculpture collection.
Behind Biltmore’s Hidden Doors Posted on September 21, 2015 at 12:00 am.Written by Judy Ross Designed both for aesthetics and hospitality, Biltmore’s hidden doors were designed to create a seamless appearance but provide access for staff providing service and convenience for guests. Discover a few of the often overlooked doors throughout America’s Largest Home. Concealed servant’s entrance in the Breakfast Room When you’re in the Breakfast Room, your attention is bound to be drawn to the two Renoir portraits “Young Algerian Girl” and “Child with an Orange.” If you look just below “Child with an Orange,” you’ll notice the doorknob to the concealed door, designed to create a seamless appearance on the wall but allow servants to enter with hot meals. Doors in the Library lead to a passageway connected to the Second Floor Living Hall. Have you ever wondered what’s behind the hidden doors on the top floor of the Library? Here’s your peek. The doors located on both sides of the overmantel lead to a passageway connected to the Second Floor Living Hall. Concealed closet door in Mr. Vanderbilt’s Bedroom Every detail of the architecture at Biltmore was carefully considered. To avoid the break in symmetry that would be required by a door frame, closet doors were concealed in certain rooms, such as this one in Mr. Vanderbilt’s Bedroom. This hidden door in the floor of the Winter Garden in Biltmore House allowed plants to be brought back and forth from the Conservatory without disturbing guests. Although early plans indicate that there was to be an elevator in the Winter Garden, one was never installed and instead, there’s a ladder. The door is covered in marble slabs and is rarely opened except to allow for ventilation in the employee break room below it in the summer. This hidden door leads to the Smoking and Gun Rooms inside Biltmore House. Be sure to look for these secret doors inside Biltmore House during your next visit, like this door designed for gentlemen to retire to the Smoking Room after a game of billiards.