Biltmore keyhole roof
Christmas at The Biltmore House is unlike any other. When you are there it is 1895. Where can you go in this year of 2011 to experience life in 1895? The Biltmore House, of course, where candlelight Christmas is celebrated most every evening throughout the holiday season, starting just before Thanksgiving. Presented as though the Vanderbilt family were our hosts. We spent three nights at the Inn at Biltmore on the grounds of the estate and enjoyed tea in the afternoon, lunch at the Bistro, dinner in the dining room. Five star accommodations, five star food, five star grounds.
Gargoyle without water spout
"The Grounds" designed in 1895 by Frederick Law Olmsted, Landscape Designer of Central Park, NYC
The landscape was designed in 1895 by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed Central Park in New York City.
Olmsted described Biltmore Estate as “The most distinguished private place.”
Below is my photo of our breathtaking, spectacular view from our room. Olmsted’s design, with a mountainous backdrop. It was mesmerizing.
Tom Claus & Gail Ingis Claus in the library lounge
Tom and I were dwarfed by the mantle in the library lounge.
Dining room fireplace
Below are images of Biltmore Christmas.
- Christmas Biltmore shoppe decor
Poinsettia in the Conservatory
Christmas doggie doll
The Vanderbilt rail empire was created by Biltmore’s George Vanderbilt’s grandfather, Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who died in 1877. It was Commodore that bought out LeGrand Lockwood after Black Friday in July 1869 when Lockwood lost his empire. The same Lockwood who built the Mansion in Norwalk, Connecticut. The same Lockwood who commissioned Albert Bierstadt to paint “Domes of the Yosemite.”
Most of my readers know about my journey writing about the life of painter Albert Bierstadt. My visit to Biltmore Estate was inspired by my research while creating a copy of Domes and henceforth, writing my romance novel.
Tree greens at the Inn at Biltmore entry
What would you do if your home was stolen away by a friend, especially if your friend said he would save you and save your home?
To be continued…
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer
for your weblog. You have some really great posts and I think I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write
some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Kudos!
Hi Karolyn, let’s talk.
Thanks, I found you in spam. Please, let’s talk via email. It’s right under my pic.
It’s hard to come by experienced people in this particular
subject, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking
about! Thanks
I don’t write a comment, but after browsing a few of the comments on Christmas at The Biltmore
House | Gail Ingis, ASID. I actually do have a couple of questions for you
if you don’t mind. Could it be simply me or do a few of the responses come across like they are
left by brain dead folks? 😛 And, if you are posting at additional online social sites, I would like to keep up with you.
Could you make a list of every one of your social pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
Here is my homepage :: filing bankruptcy
pro se (Fabian)
Hi Fabian, thanks for commenting. I usually delete comments that are inappropriate.
Gail, I definitely think you should go back! My husband & I used to be members of the Newport Preservation Society in RI and I could tour the mansions of the Guilded Age endlessly. We’ve never been to the Biltmore, though, and would love to experience it – how wonderful that you and Tom could – and now it sounds like you’re favoured guests!
Hey, they know quality when they meet it! I bet you and Tom would have fit in marvelously with old Cornelious and his crowd, too. Thank you for sharing your lovely experience & photos. Happy Holidays 🙂
Sigh…. so gorgeous, Gail! And I love the photo of you and your hubby. That fireplace looks bix enough to cook and elephant in it.
Hi Casey, yup, the fireplace is kinda big. I had to have a picture next to it. You know, I got a lovely note from them today to come back over the holiday, New Years, you know. Would you believe I gave it some thought. It’s only eleven hours away, by car and probably 15 by air with the hassle. What do you think? Of course Tom would have to take a leave of absence from work. The leave of absence is tricky though. Think we should do it? Tempting.
I can’t wait to find out what he did! 🙂
The photos are beautiful. I’ve never been there at Christmas…hmmm, now you’ve got me thinking.
You mean Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt, the Commodore? You will have to read my book, if I ever finish, or it might be part of a trilogy. Can you wait that long? Your hair might be gray by then. I could do a blog about it, don’t you think?
Gail, it looks like you had a goodtime and it’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Marian
Hi Marian, it was a fairy tale. We were honored guests. Typical of the treatment at this amazing respite.
Thanks. You are Gerri on the spot. I can’t say enough about the place, it is so magical.
Hi Gail, I really like the pictures. That hearth is beautiful. What a wonderful place. I surely will have to make it a point to visit there in the future. Thank you so much for sharing.