Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Where Would You Go for Your Dream Christmas

If you could magically transport your friends and family to the perfect Christmas destination where would it be? Personally I would love to have been a guest at the very first Christmas celebration held by George Vanderbilt at his new home, Biltmore , in 1895.


The magnificent estate located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC, took a city of craftsmen over six years to build and it is considered to be the largest and one of the finest private homes in our country. Still owned by the descendants of Vanderbilt, the estate is outfitted in splendid fashion for the holidays in keeping with the homes original Christmas tradition.



Stunning both inside and out the estate looks like the Disneyland light parade on steroids when lit up for the evening during the holidays.



The interior decoration is true to the spirit of historic preservation that is seen throughout the buildings and grounds.


I would curl up in the massive library with a pot of hot chocolate and try to make a dent in those books.


If this blog had smell-o-vision you could breath in the heavenly pine scented air spiced with a hint of orange and clove.


The grand dining room would be alive with well turned out family and friends sitting down to a holiday feast served by crisply dressed butlers.


Perhaps some Champagne, a bit of dancing and a late night sleigh ride and we would be ready for the long winters nap.

See more here.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Great article. I like what you said about the homes. We offer customized wall plates for homes and businesses at Presley Crafts.

Unknown said...

unquestionably & without a doubt...I would pick Versailles. Free run of the place for the holidays with my friends and family! Could you just imagine VErsailles done up for Christmas!
Lovely post!
Judith~

Renée Finberg said...

That place is fabulous.
I used to go there in the summers when I was a hippie.....lot's of gorgeous parks and woods all around it.

The pics I have are pretty funny.

Unknown said...

Renee, I hadn't pegged you as former hippy - too funny! I'd love to see those pics -they must be a riot.

Unknown said...

PA,
My first choice would have been Versailles but I could not find a single image of it decorated for Christmas. I think the celebration as we know it today was before it's time back then.

Unknown said...

wow! amazing

Linda Merrill said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! I love the greens with wreath in the first pic! But, think it would be a bit much on the banister of my condo porch!

vicki archer said...

Amazing decorations and on such a grand scale - fantastic, xv

www.SewWhat4u.com said...

Christmas is just the best time of year. The photos are beautiful. I always spend a few days at my sister's Christmas shop in Northern California, I never have enough Christmas decorations.
Claudia
www.homefashionsu.com

Renée Finberg said...

my sweet , sweet jackie,
.....oh yes. i was a hippie, but in Attire Only ( and there was one other little accoutrement... )


xx

MIMILEE said...

Oh my!! Talk about a Fantasy World! Gorgeous! Fabulous post, Jackie!