Biltmore Estate in Asheville North Caroline, Part 2
I need to make a correction. In part one I wrote the Vanderbilts meaning the Mr. and the Mrs. opened Biltmore to family and friends Christmas Eve 1895 but they were not married. George did not marry Edith until 1898, so for three years Biltmore was a bachelor pad.
Last time, I shared some of the grounds and the first floor of Biltmore. Today, I’m taking you to the second and third floors and what I would term as the basement.
The grand stair case leading to the second floor 
Where does this door lead to? 
Ahhh, it’s an elevator! 
This picture and the following four images are of George Vanderbilt’s Bedroom. 
This is the Oak Sitting Room located between Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilts’ bedrooms 
Another view of the Oak Sitting Room and two more views to follow. 
The decor of this room is obviously feminine as you would expect of Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom. 
It’s all a bit posh for my taste but it has a beauty about it. 
I love how the sunlight floods Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom better making it more cheery. 
One final look at the Lady of the House’s bedroom. 
A peek out of a window of the estate grounds just before we begin touring the third floor Print Hallway 
All this time, I thought these were paintings but they appear to be newspaper like prints framed. That may not be accurate and there certainly is more to it then I know at this time 
The start of the Third Floor Living Hall 
This is a large room 
I couldn’t resist bringing into focus the sailboat painting using Pixelmator 
The last picture from the Third Floor Living Hall 
The next several images are of bedroom and bathrooms. The light was really low making my image a bit too dark. I enhanced the images by upping the exposure so you can see the details better. 
This stair case was roped off and tour with this portion of the upstairs was done. 
I’m terrified of heights but I wanted to get a picture of the chandler from this vantage point.
Now it’s time to go down to the lower portion of the house.
I bumped the exposure up on this image. It was too dark. I want you to feel what I felt entering the tunnel and still able to see the details in the dim light. Things get better at the end when you turn the corner. 
Minimal exposure changes to brighten the tunnel was done on this one. I think this is really cool, an underground tunnel or that’s what seems to me. 
This is the Halloween Room. You can read more about it here. 
That tiny window captured my interest. I can’t even remember what this room was called but I took two pictures just because of that window. 
The Vanderbilts had a Bowling Alley, two lanes but still they had a bowling alley! 
Changing room, I guess this is where they put their bowling shoes on. Surely, didn’t change clothing, too. 
This picture and the next are dressing rooms, this one obviously for women. 
This one for the fellows. 
The previous times we entered the Swimming Pool Room it was dingy and a bit musty smelling. It’s now well lighted and no unpleasant smell. 
This is very progressive for their time in such a remote area. 
Biltmore has its own Gymnasium. I’d love to have a designated room for exercise equipment and floor space to do Zumba or other cardio- workouts. 
A Walk in Refrigerator 
Store room for canning supplies and meats. 
Servants’ bedroom, very nice and homey. 
In this center of this room on the table there are lots of pastries. They have special room for desserts. That’s what I’m talking about! 
A little photo-editing focusing on that dessert table. You can’t blame the girl! 
What a roomy kitchen! 
Do you see the Dumbwaiter? No, not that tall fella. He’s not dumb. 
Servants’ Dinning Room. I actually prefer this to the lavish dinning rooms upstairs. 
Another store room for pre-canned foods 
This picture and the three that follow are of the laundry room – what an operation! 
Heading up stairs again. 
Coming out near the Gun & Smoking Room. I think this one is the latter. 
This has to be the Gun room. I brightened this one so you can see the guns in the case.
We walked around the grounds more after we finished with the house and gift shops located in what once was the stables. The gardens weren’t bursting with blooms, so limited picture were taken. We bought annual passes after our visit after getting a special offer. This will give us more chances to enjoy the estate. We’ll definitely return next next spring for the tulips big bloom fest but we’ll go back before then, though. I’m looking forward capture better images that will, hopefully, enlighten and inspire you.
One more picture from our day at Biltmore, a view from the Lagoon near the Deer Park portion of the estates. I didn’t know until after the fact that the Lagoon was created by Frederick Law Olmsted. It took us awhile to locate as you can’t see house from the road. We knew we were going in the right direction. We found a body of water we suspected was the Lagoon and saw a road leading off the way we remember that we decided to try, crossing a small bridge we looked across the pond it was like… Wah-lah there’s the house!
I’m gonna round things out with YouTube playlist of a sample of Tin Pan Alley music that I imagine might have played the Victrola in the Third Floor Living Room. Speaking of music, I’ll be back with Monday’s Music Moves Me. If you have music to share or just a music lover then this is the party for you, so come join the fun. This is CAAC signing off, have a doodletastic day! X💋X💋, Cathy
I’m connecting with the Wordless Wednesday community hosted by Sandee at Comedy Plus below. Feel free to join the party!
14 Comments
Veronica Lee
Love the photos, Cathy.
Looks like a wonderful place to visit.
Hugs and blessings
Alana Mautone
I’ve been to Asheville twice (last time in 2012) and we didn’t see Biltmore either time. We were looking into it this summer, maybe sometime in July. We’ll just have to see. I can’t imagine a home of that size being a bachelor pad. Mind-boggling. Alana ramblinwitham
Ellen Pilch
Beautiful photos. I would love to visit there.
Cathy Kennedy
Ellen,
If you’re ever in western North Carolina, do make time to visit. It’s really pricy but a one time splurge makes all the difference in your vacation enjoyment. 🙂
Marie aka Dolly!
Hello my Southern Beauty! How’s your day comin’ along? I hope you had a great Memorial Day too! My blog still hates me. I thought we were starting to get along, but NOOOOOOOO that’s too easy!!! I had a new post all did last night, but it wouldn’t Post to where it’s suppose to go!!! 🙁 It’s getting more depressing! Just when I think I have it down right…….. POOF! It goes some place else that I have no idea where it went!!! I don’t think my computer likes me AT ALL! Luv U my southern belle! HUGS p.s. Trying to figure out my side-bar too so I can put your info there! I mean you’re my lil’ southern belle aren’t you? Any new houses in mind yet??? Well, have a good day! HUGS… I’ll figure it out one day……….. I HOPE!!!! 🙁
Cathy Kennedy
Marie,
Our Memorial weekend was nice. We got a chance to spend some time with our kids which made it all the more fun. I’m sorry for your blog problems. Just keep at it, you’re doing quite well considering how long you were away from it. Things take time to fall back into place sometimes. 😉 I know Sandee is a huge help. Follow her lead and soon you’ll be dancing around her. lol No new houses yet. We’re looking more at land at the moment. It’s so hard to find a house that we like, so we’re considering building. But….the price of land is soooo expensive especially in or close to the city as that’s where we want to be coz when we’re 90 we may feel like trudging long distances to doctor appointments or the store. I’m trusting God to reveal to us the ‘purrfect’ place!
Marie Moody
Oh my word, Cathy!!!! Were you actually there? I mean in that building? OMG I would love to see that in person! That has to be the most awesome building/inside I’ve ever seen! Can you imagine living there? HOLY COW! ALSO WE WOULD BE SKINNY GOIN’ UP & DOWN THOSE STAIRS! hahaha Thank you for sharing! I’m gonna have to save a couple of these photos if you don’t mind… yes, absolutely breath taking! Thank you so much for sharing! Luv You!
Cathy Kennedy
Marie,
You do get your stair stepping in a place like Biltmore. The grounds are enormous, too.
Brian
Such a fun and special place. Did you eat there, the food is fabulous. They also have a Jazz Festival that is fun too.
Cathy Kennedy
Brian,
We had an early dinner at the Smokehouse Food Truck in Deer Park which was really good. DH and I shared BBQ pulled pork plate with hushpuppies and a couple of sides – aged white cheddar n’ mac and coleslaw. I thought everything was exceptional. I’m tempted to return for more! The Jazz Festival sounds fun. I will have to check to see when that takes place.
messymimi's meanderings
It really looks fascinating!
Cathy Kennedy
I can’t imagine having the kind of money like the Vanderbilts. The rooms are impressive and I love seeing places like this but I prefer a friendlier and cozier decor.
Sandee
What a wonderful place to explore and I love that staircase. Beautiful.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. Love and hugs, Cathy. ♥
Cathy Kennedy
Sandee,
The staircase is beautiful! I kept thinking how fun it would be to explore such a huge place as a kid. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!