Thursday, June 2, 2011

America's Largest Home

Recently I was in Asheville, North Carolina and no trip there is complete without a visit to the Biltmore, America's largest single family home. George Vanderbilt's 250 room French chateau was completed in 1895 and it's still owned by the Vanderbilt family, although not occupied by them. 

Can you imagine this as your vacation home?
Mrs. Vanderbilt's bedroom. 
 
Mr. Vanderbilt's bedroom.
The breakfast room. The ceiling is stunning! I'd love a fireplace in a dining space!   
All of the above photos are from the Biltmore library and are used with permission by the Biltmore.
The Biltmore makes a visit with youngsters enjoyable with their "I spy" game throughout the home. My five year old loved it so much that I had to make up an "I spy" for every room, even though there wasn't really one for each space. 

Afterwards, the gardens and sculptures were admired. I felt like I was visiting a world class botanical garden. Amazing!
This place is a gem in our history, I highly recommend a visit! I've been four times and each time I leave inspired by a new discovery. It is never the same experience twice. Have you been to the Biltmore? What is it about grand old homes that inspire you?

27 comments:

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

I have never been. I agree that that fireplace in a dining would be wonderful. The holidays would be so cozy.

Anonymous said...

Never been. Are these the same Vanderbilt's of the Breakers in Newport? Hmmm... who has that type of money anyways?! xo

The Buzz Blog said...

I've never been to the Biltmore but have visited my fair share of French chateaux! Looks like a beautiful, inspiring place...
xxoo

Unknown said...

What a wonderful place to visit. If you are ever in Miami, you need to visit Viscaya, its my favorite historical home :D
*kisses* HH

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

I tried to post on your wedding post last week and couldn't. I grew up summering 45 minutes up the mountain from Asheville (small lake called Lake Toxaway) and I think this area is proof there is a higher power. No summer was complete without a trip to the Biltmore House. I've probably been there 50 times and never tire of it. The holiday candelight tour is a particular favorite. I love the story of how rail lines were built to bring in the building supplies....can you imagine what it took back then to accomplish this feat? Amazing!

Party Resources said...

I have always want to go and am drooling over your post!

Marianne said...

I have never been. Thank you for the tour!

Splenderosa said...

Isn't Biltmore the most awesome ! I think coming around from the parking area and seeing this palace for the 1st time is breath taking. Everyone in America should see this once. Wonderful post!
xx's

The French Tangerine said...

Tried leaving a comment earlier... didn't work! Anyway, love this post! I love to admire these kinds of houses as an outsider. I prefer smaller spaces - quaint and charming and safe. Can you imagine trying to place furniture and fill these rooms? I suppose that would be the fun part!
Thanks for sharing - it's been added to the list of places to visit...

Unknown said...

I've never been, but it looks really amazing! Loving your photos!

Kathysue said...

Lisa I went there and stayed at the Biltmore Inn two years ago and would love to go back. The southern hospitality is like no other. What fascinated me the most was the engineer, Mr. Green, I believe was his name and all the amazing inventive ways to get water to the property and to cool the property, that was so fascinating to me. I also loved that Mr. Biltmore designed his beloved's room, did you notice even the door knobs were a soft pink,such attention to detail, I guess that is what love will do?!! Kathysue

Stevie said...

The Biltmore looks incredible. I don't know about a house with 250 rooms, though. Aside from the huge cost for maintenance, I think that I'd easily get lost looking for the kitchen, and that would never do. The dining room with fireplace does sound nice, though how cold does it really ever get in the Carolinas that you'd need a fireplace?

I liked Ms. Vanderbilt's room a lot. The yellow and was it chocolate? color scheme was especially striking to me. The gentleman's room felt cooler somehow.

Town and Country House said...

I love visiting Biltmore. Christmas there is amazing as is the fall. And the spring, too, for that matter. The wine isn't bad either!

The enchanted home said...

Stunning post. Have yet to go but would love to see this treasure in person. It is just sooo increidbly beautiful and on a scale which is hard to imagine actually living in! What a national treasure though. I really enjoyed the post and getting to see the interiors as well as the incredible grounds!

Socially Savvy said...

Your beautiful photos take me right back there - thank you for sharing a wonderful memory.

Unknown said...

I'm embarrassed to say that although I lived in North Carolina for 5 years....I never made it to the Biltmore. I guess it just gives me an excuse to revisit Ashville!

Aren't those rooms amazing???!!!
xo Elizabeth

Erin said...

Every time we drive from GA to NY, I comment on how much I wish we could stop and see the Biltmore. However, with two kids And two dogs, it's just never in the cards. I guess I'll have to put it on my weekend trip list. The pictures are gorgeous - reminds me of Versailles.

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

I have the same set of pictures dear! My next visit will be at Christmas time. I've done the Easter and spring gardens...absolutely amazing :) XO, Kelly

Kellie Collis said...

What a marvelous house! It's pure elegance! Enjoy the gorgeous weekend, Kellie xx

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

I've never been and just have to make the trip some day. I would love every minute of touring this fabulous home. Thanks for the tour. Mona

colette said...

Hello, love your blog, and thank you for sharing Biltmore Estate. I have visited America only once and so happy I could include a visit to this estate..I also remember the flower room downstairs, with long sink topped tables and cabinets filled to the brim with vases...there were actually straff doing arangements at the time..and all the dressing cubicles down below the old squash court. I bought some decoarations at the christmas shop that I still use. would love to go back one day. kind regards Colette ~ Afrique du Sud

Silvia C said...

Truly magnificent. Never been to NC, but someday when I do, the Biltmore Estate will definitely be on my list. I've admired this place ever since I saw a documentary about it years ago on PBS.

STYLE'N said...

Oh how was your trip to Asheville? Isn't the Biltmore gorgeous? By the way here is my new RSS feed link
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Stylen
N

Unknown said...

I have 'to live in a castle' on my life list - we stayed in one in Vermont and I LIVED it --- just stunning!!!!

quintessence said...

I've never been to the Biltmore but have always wanted to go! Thanks for the wonderful preview!!

Anonymous said...

I was just there!!! It is the most amazing place, so breathtaking with the Appalachian mountains in the distance. Im a senior earning my BS in Hospitality Management, and one of my professors took 7 of us to the Biltmore. We went to meetings with mangers and supervisors in each department! It was a sort of networking trip! Everyone was so nice and full of helpful information!! The Biltmore really is a front runner in Hospitality!

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