Ready For Roses Posted on March 12, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Ready to welcome spring and summer with a garden full of glorious roses? Let’s start by preparing a new bed for your beautiful blooms, with great tips and helpful insight from Paul Zimmerman, exclusive Biltmore Rose Consultant: Preparing a new rose bed Raising great roses starts with great soil. The better the soil is, the healthier the plants will be. February and March (and even April, depending on your location) are good months to get new garden beds ready. According to Zimmerman, the “life” of a soil is found in its microorganisms. Some microorganisms break up fallen debris like trees and leaves, others break it down even further, and some then help the plants take up the nutrients from the broken down material. Nutrients like fertilizer that you add to the soil get taken up, as well. When preparing a new garden bed, Zimmerman follows these steps: compost. First, till or break up the existing soil of the bed until it’s loosened. Spread about 3–5 inches of compost across the bed and work it into the soil. (Many types of compost are suitable, such as compost you make yourself, last year’s leaf pile, horse manure, or mushroom compost.) Add compost a few months before you plant roses so it can “stew” for a while. You won’t need to keep turning it—just let nature do its job. TIP: If the area you are preparing has been part of a lawn or has never been worked at all, consider introducing some of those microorganisms in the form of a drench. Preparing a site for the new rose “Do I need to dig a 2 x 2 foot hole when planting roses?” That’s one of the questions that Paul Zimmerman hears all the time. “If you prepare the entire bed, you only need dig a hole big enough to fit the rose into. In the beginning, I followed the ‘2 x 2 foot hole’ rule, but after nearly 20 years of planting roses, I’ve stopped worrying about it because I can’t see any difference. By taking the time to prepare the entire bed and then following a regular regime of mulching and amending the soil, you will never have to dig a 2 x 2-foot hole to plant a rose again. Your back will thank you! The most reliable indicator to know when to prune roses For gardeners who live in an area with a true winter, pruning roses can be tricky due to the freeze/thaw cycles experienced during the coldest season. Prune too early, and a sudden warm spell may stimulate new growth that could be harmed in the next freeze. Prune too late and you run the risk of cutting off the spring flowering. To prune roses at the right time for your region, books and articles often advise you to find out when your area receives its last frost of winter, count back a certain number of days, and prune then. “There’s nothing wrong with this method except that lately it seems there is no ‘normal’ when it comes to weather,” said Lucas Jack, Biltmore’s rosarian. Last year, our roses reached peak spring flowering at least three weeks early.” The most reliable indicator? Forsythia No scientific instruments, no estimated frost date, and there isn’t even an app for it– just nature sensing the elements and doing what it does best, with perfect timing. The forsythia knows when winter is coming to a close and spring is just around the corner. If it’s a long winter, forsythia blooms later. During a short winter, it blooms sooner. Keep an eye on the forsythia and when its cheerful yellow blooms begin to appear, get ready to prune your roses.
A Beautiful Inspiration Posted on March 12, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux The Whitney Collection Blooming with fresh, stylized flowers and warm colors, the lovely Whitney Quilt Collection adds a charming feminine note to any bedroom. The playful floral designs are inspired by the beds in the Watson Room in Biltmore House—a guest bedroom that was often occupied by one of George Vanderbilt’s nieces, like the elegant Miss Gertrude Vanderbilt (Whitney) for whom this collection is named. The Whitney Quilt Collection and other pieces are available from our partner Belk and our For Your Home Collection. See them here. Gertrude’s Visit George Vanderbilt opened Biltmore House to his family and friends for the first time on Christmas Eve in 1895. It was a merry house party by all accounts, and included his mother and many of his nieces and nephews—some of whom were close to George Vanderbilt in age. Gertrude Vanderbilt was one of George Vanderbilt’s nieces, and she was 18 years old when she made that first Christmas visit to Biltmore in 1895. As a very fashionable young lady from New York, she was not too keen on spending the holidays at her uncle’s new home in North Carolina, far away from her friends and all the parties of the season. Happily for Gertrude, the trip to Biltmore turned out to be much more interesting than she anticipated when George Vanderbilt’s close friend William Osgood Field arrived several days after Christmas. The dashing young bachelor captured Gertrude’s attention and kept her and the other young ladies entertained for several days. An Inspiring Woman Although another of George’s nieces eventually married the charming Willy Field, Gertrude married Harry Payne Whitney, a noted sportsman from a distinguished family, less than a year after her visit to Biltmore. During a trip to Europe in 1901, Gertrude rediscovered her passion for art, embarked on serious study, and became a sculptress as well as a patron of women in the arts. In 1930, the Whitney’s founded the Whitney Museum of Art in New York City, which remains one of the country’s finest institutions focused on new and contemporary artists. To see our entire line of For Your Home bedding available at Belk, click here.
Garden and Patio Inspirations Posted on March 9, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Inspired by Biltmore Pineapples have been used as a symbol of hospitality since the 18th century. In colonial America, ship captains returning from tropical trade routes brought the exotic fruit (virtually unknown in North America) back with them to share with family and guests. The iconic pineapple shape began to show up in architectural trim and on signs denoting welcome. A Meaningful Gift A beautiful Tiffany silver coffee pot with an exquisitely detailed pineapple adorning the lid (above, right) was given to George and Edith Vanderbilt as a wedding present in 1898 by Mrs. Anna Roosevelt Cowles, Theodore Roosevelt’s sister and trusted advisor, who was a frequent visitor to Biltmore. “This was not only a very personal gift,” said Leslie Klingner, Biltmore’s Curator of Interpretation, “but also a symbolic one considering the Vanderbilts were legendary hosts who treasured their guests.” Unique Stone has captured all the grandeur of the symbol with their Hospitality Pineapple. This beautiful accent is perfect for your garden and lends a warm note of welcome to your visitors. For The Birds Birds flock to Biltmore for a sip or a dip in an elegant birdbath like this one in our Walled Garden, which inspired Unique Stone to create a Gilded Age Birdbath like the ones the Vanderbilts installed for their feathered friends. Unique Stone Our partner Unique Stone creates beautiful cast stone garden planters, statues, benches, and decorative elements by taking inspiration from the magnificent décor found throughout Biltmore. Each piece is hand-finished for an aged patina as timeless as the estate itself. The staff at Unique Stone is continually inspired by the work of those early craftsmen that shaped Biltmore House into the National Historic Landmark it is today. By creating such beautiful and detailed outdoor elements, Unique Stone honors the vision of legendary architects Richard Morris Hunt, Frederick Law Olmsted, and many others. The Biltmore Garden Collection by Unique Stone allows you to bring the old-world charm of Biltmore to life in your own yard, garden, and patio. To view other products, visit the Biltmore Garden Collection from Unique Stone.
John's favorite things Posted on March 8, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux While Biltmore House is amazing in its scale and beauty, it’s also incredible to notice the amount of detail carried through all parts of the house. Today’s “favorite thing” centers on a small detail that reminds us how George Vanderbilt was so involved in the design of his home. John Overbey has spent a good bit of time in Biltmore House as part of his security responsibilities. Now supervisor of the Lodge Gate and Admissions Gate, John has worked for more than a decade at Biltmore. Among the grand size and décor of the Banquet Hall, there are two inscriptions that interest him—and that many guests may never even notice! He is most intrigued by the inscriptions carved into the limestone on the left and right sides of the Organ Loft in the Banquet Hall. “On the left is ‘Wagner,’ and on the right is ‘Gounod,’” John said. “These refer to Richard Wagner and Charles Gounod, two of Mr. Vanderbilt’s favorite composers.”Wagner, a German composer known for his operas, wrote the 19th century work Tannhauser. It was apparently one of Mr. Vanderbilt’s favorites, as a carved oak frieze in the Organ Loft features characters from the opera. Gounod was a French composer famous for his operas Roméo et Juliette and Faust, one of the most frequently staged operas of all time. His 1869 work Marche Pontificale eventually became the official national anthem of Vatican City. “To me, Biltmore House has a romantic, grand appeal that feels like a Wagner opera, especially in areas like the Banquet Hall and the view off the Loggia,” John said. “It’s obvious how much Mr. Vanderbilt loved music. It’s something we can relate to today, and I think it makes him more approachable.”
Lori's favorite thing Posted on March 1, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Family heirlooms are wonderful, even for a Vanderbilt. For Lori Garst, Curatorial Assistant in Museum Services, her favorite thing in Biltmore House originally came from George Vanderbilt’s father. During her 20 years at Biltmore, Lori has handled and cataloged more than 75 percent of the items in the collection. While she’s discovered many wonderful things over the years, one item holds particular allure. In the Third Floor Living Hall is a carved library table that George Vanderbilt inherited from his father, William H. Vanderbilt. “I love the richness of the table with its subtle but elaborate carvings, and the fact that it came from William Vanderbilt’s Fifth Avenue home,” she said. She is equally impressed with its history; the table and several elaborately carved display cabinets in the room were made by Herter Brothers. In the late 1800s, the New York company was one of the country’s leading cabinetmaking and decorating firms. The table and cabinets originally graced the palatial Fifth Avenue mansion William Vanderbilt constructed that spanned the entire block between 51st and 52nd streets in New York City. In addition to his furnishings, George’s father passed on his love of art and his philanthropic interests to his youngest son. Before William Vanderbilt’s death in 1885, his collection of some 200 works by Old Masters was termed the finest private collection of paintings and sculpture in the world. He provided extensive funding to the YMCA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Vanderbilt University, and Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. Check back next week for another inside look at our favorite things!
George Vanderbilt: Book Lover Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Currently on display, now through May, in the exhibit case in the lobby of the Inn on Biltmore Estate is a collection of books from George Vanderbilt’s time and a look at his reading habits. George collected many fine things, including a personal library of 22,784 books that he selected with care, and treasured throughout his life. From the age of 12 until his untimely death at 51, George was an ardent reader and appreciator of literature. We know so much about his reading habits today because he kept meticulous records of all the books he read in a series of journals called “Books I Have Read.” In addition, he kept an index in a separate journal, with an alphabetical listing of titles by author and the dates that he read them. We can’t answer who George’s favorite author was, but his journals give us a few clues. George seems to have enjoyed Charles Dickens’ work. Included in the 30 listed titles by Dickens are two mentions of “The Pickwick Papers,” which George read at age 13, and again when he was 25. We also know that he must have been a fan of Sir Walter Scott, given the 273 books by Scott in his collection. George read many of these books two or three times. For example, he read “Waverly,” a groundbreaking historical novel, in 1875, 1897 and again in 1910. One feature in George’s record-keeping that we find particularly touching is that, tucked in among the list of authors and titles, are mentions of precious life events. In 1900, for example, he noted the birth of his daughter, Cornelia, within a list of French and English novels he had been reading. George was also very interested in France. There are 4,326 French titles in his book collection, and the “Books I Have Read” journals show that he read many of them. Honoré de Balzac must have been another favorite author, because he noted having read more than 80 Balzac titles, the majority of which were in French. There are a total of 218 books by Balzac in George’s collection. When George was a young man of 14, he read James Fenimore Cooper’s novel “The Last of the Mohicans.” Interestingly, much of the 1992 film version of that novel was shot on location here at Biltmore. The year before his death, George read “The Life of Samuel Johnson” by James Boswell. Samuel Johnson was an English poet, essayist and literary critic, and many scholars have claimed that Boswell’s work is the greatest biography ever written in English. George’s interest in quality literature was a lifelong pursuit, and we are very thankful to have such a detailed guide to his reading life. About the photos Top: Portrait of George Vanderbilt by painter John Singer Sargent, 1890. Inset: George’s “Books I Have Read” journal opened to the 1,817th entry: “Richard Carvel” by Winston Churchill. Right above it is George’s note about daughter Cornelia’s birth on Aug. 22, 1900.
Pat's favorite thing Posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Today we share another “insider’s” favorite object that you may have never even noticed. Why not make time for a visit this winter to look at the details in America’s largest home, and check back for the next installment of our favorite things! After 30 years caring for Biltmore House, there are few details that have escaped Pat Ray’s notice. Pat, Biltmore’s Housekeeping Manager, started in Museum Services before moving to Housekeeping many years ago. One of the major tasks for her department happens every winter: cleaning the magnificent woodwork in the house. It’s painstaking work when you consider the rich paneling of the Billiard Room and Oak Sitting Room, fanciful carvings and moldings in Mrs. Vanderbilt’s Bedroom, and heavily carved walnut overmantel in the Library just for starters! But it gives Pat time to appreciate the details in every room—particularly one unusual item in the Salon. “I’ve just always loved this one table in the Salon; it can be used as a table or as a decorative accent because the top tilts for display. It’s made of papier-mâché with an inlay of mother-of-pearl and it’s so beautiful,” she said. According to our curators, this table is English and dates to the late 19th century. While papier-mâché had been around for more than a thousand years, the material was mass produced in the late 1800s. Papier-mâché pieces gained popularity when it was found that the lightweight material could easily be ebonized or “japanned” to resemble the lacquer finishes popular in Asian furniture and decorative accessories of the time. While you may think of papier-mâché being a product made of layers of paper, the material used in this table and similar pieces was a mixture of wood pulp (mashed paper) and a thickener such as sand and glue; the mixture was then pressed into molds rather than carved. These pieces were often adorned with gilding and inlayed with mother-of-pearl, just as the Salon table is. We don’t know what the scene inlaid on the top of the table depicts, but it appears to be some type of ruins surrounded by a variety of different flowers, all created with mother-of-pearl.
Revitalize Your Health Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Stacie King No Time Like the Present Don’t let those resolutions you made in January get you down—there’s no time like the present to make a brand-new commitment to revitalizing your health and well-being this spring! Healthier Habits Here are some easy ways to get started with those healthier habits: • Unplug: turn off the television, computer, and cell phones for at least an hour before going to bed—you may be surprised by how easily you fall asleep without last-minute distractions and much stimulation, like loud noises and lights that simulate daytime. • Unwind: stand under a warm (not hot) shower for a few minutes before bedtime. Ease the water temperature to cool (not cold) for the last minute or so. The warm water is soothing and the cooler water signals your body that it’s time to sleep. • Uncork: enjoy a glass of Biltmore Wine—our reds pair well with a wide range of good-for-you foods including tuna, salmon, and dark chocolate—and some studies suggest red wines may have health benefits. Resolve to try this If your resolutions seemed right on track for New Year’s but got derailed soon after, you might benefit from a “try this, not that” strategy that helps you substitute one better choice at a time rather than taking on your whole list at once. Here are some examples: • Vowed to give up chocolate? Try substituting high quality dark chocolate (cocoa content should be 70% or more) for your cravings instead of going cold turkey. For an extra treat, pair dark chocolates with Biltmore Zinfandel. • Vowed to run a mile each day? You can still work toward that goal, but for starters, try taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walk your dog an extra 20 minutes (you’ll both benefit!) each day. You’re more likely to reach a goal that you work toward gradually. • Vowed to be less carnivorous? Instead of serving a big steak and a small salad, shake things up by serving a smaller portion of steak in the salad. Toss a few ounces of thinly-sliced prime rib and a splash of low-calorie vinaigrette with your favorite greens, and pair the tasty treat with Biltmore Century Red. Red Wines + Healthy Eating Although red wines are often associated with cooler weather, spring is also a great time to pair them with fresh, healthy food options like these: • Sip a glass of Vanderbilt Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir with a portion of heart-healthy salmon. • Our Biltmore Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 North Carolina just received a rating of 90 points from The Beverage Testing Institute. Try pairing it with leg of lamb with rosemary—and be sure to choose lean lamb and trim it well to keep the calories much lower! Shop our online store or click here to find Biltmore Wines in your area.
Nancy's Favorite Things Posted on February 15, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux As you admire the architecture, art, and sculpture that makes Biltmore House so amazing, consider for a moment all the work that goes into restoring, conserving, and preserving this special place. We checked with one employee who’s deeply involved in maintaining the beauty of Biltmore’s collection for her favorite thing—please check back next week for another insider’s favorite! Nancy Rosebrock, Chief Conservator, is trained in the conservation of furniture and gilded objects. She came to Biltmore 14 years ago and is the manager of the Conservation and Collections Management staff. Her teams are integral parts of the ongoing restoration and preservation work that keeps Biltmore looking like it did when the Vanderbilts called it home. You’ve seen the results of their incredible work in every part of Biltmore House, from the Louis XV Room with its gilded mirror and sconces to the exhibition in the Second Floor Living Hall focusing on our preservation efforts. With Nancy’s attention to detail, it’s not surprising that her favorite objects are a pair of bronze candelabra in the Oak Sitting Room that tell a story—if you stop to look at them with a careful eye. “They are a study of the precariousness of life,” she said. Created by sculptor Auguste Nicholas Cain, the bronze pieces skillfully portray animals; the base is formed from snails, complete with tiny bronze antennae. On one candelabrum, a mother bird is feeding her babies. On the other, a rat balances on a limb above a nest, about to take the baby birds for its next meal. The candelabra are part of Biltmore’s collection of bronzes created by les Animaliers, a 19th-century French school of art named for the artists’ naturalistic portrayals of animals. George Vanderbilt acquired about 20 works from les Animaliers, including the striking Hippogriff in the Entrance Hall by Antoine-Louise Barye.
Bubbles and Truffles for Valentine's Day Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux The Black Swan. Romeo and Juliet. Giselle. Some of the greatest love stories told through dance include iconic pairings of dancers, or “pas de deux,” a French ballet term meaning “steps of two,” in which two dancers perform together. In the same romantic tradition, we think Biltmore’s lively Pas de Deux sparkling wine sets the stage as a perfect go-to wine for Valentine’s Day entertaining. Almost as sweet as your Valentine, Pas de Deux sparkling wine is perfect as an aperitif cocktail before dinner, or with desserts such as fresh fruit, cheesecake, or chocolate truffles. This wine could also serve as the perfect start to a night out with friends. What to expect from this wine….Crafted in the classic Methode Champenoise, the lively bubbles offer a celebratory note, while its delicate sweet flavors and crisp finish are the perfect foil for the rich, creamy texture of chocolate confections and decadent Valentine’s Day fare. Try one of these cocktail recipes along with the following easy chocolate truffle recipe this Valentine’s Day. Pomegranate Pas de Deux Punch Serves One Ingredients: • 1 ¼ ounces orange vodka • 3/4 ounce triple sec • 1 ounce pomegranate juice • 1/2 ounce fresh-squeezed orange juice • 2 ounces Biltmore Pas de Deux Method: Combine vodka, triple sec, pomegranate juice, and orange juice in a mixing glass over ice. Shake well and strain over ice in a tall glass. Top with Pas de Deux. Garnish with an orange wheel. Sparkling Blackberry Punch Serves One Ingredients: • 1 ounce light rum • ¾ ounce blackberry brandy • 2 ounces cranberry juice • 1 ounce simple syrup • 1 ounce blackberry puree • 3 ounces Biltmore Pas de Deux Method: Combine rum, brandy, cranberry juice, simple syrup and blackberry puree over ice in a mixing glass. Shake well and strain mixture over ice in a tall glass. Fill with Pas de Deux. Garnish with fresh blackberries and a mint sprig. Decadent Biltmore Chocolate Truffles Makes about 20 truffles. Ingredients: • 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate • 1 cup heavy cream • Cocoa powder or semi-sweet chocolate, as needed for the finish • Optional additions: 2-3 tablespoons liqueur, roasted chopped nuts, chopped dried fruit, toasted coconut, fruit jam, peanut butter, sweet potato, caramel topping, chopped toffee or cookie pieces, extracts or flavorings. Method: To make the ganache, place chocolate into a bowl. Bring the cream to a boil and pour over the chocolate. Stir together until all is combined and chocolate is melted. Mix in any additions (see above for suggestions) to the ganache you desire. Let the ganache set and scoop into portions and place onto parchment or wax paper. Refrigerate for 10–15 minutes then take out and round into balls. Roll into cocoa powder or coat in semi-sweet chocolate and serve.