Holiday Inspiration from The Biltmore
Happy Holidays! With Christmas just 10 days away, I thought it would be fun to share some holiday inspiration from the famous Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina. Alex and I spent a few days last week with Alex’s brother and his fiancé in Asheville. We enjoyed some great meals at local restaurants, but the star of the visit was the Biltmore. The Biltmore is an impressive home any time of year, but when it's decorated for Christmas, there is a magic to it that can’t be beat.
This week, we at Style at a Certain Age are sharing our favorite holiday movies, so catch mine at the end of the post. Also read on for 2 more ways to style a petite faux leather skirt for the holidays.
Let’s explore the Biltmore!
The Summary
Today's featured outfit item is a faux leather midi skirt
Today we get some holiday inspiration from the Biltmore
Kelly shares her favorite holiday movie
Plus two alternative faux leather skirt stylings for the holidays
Holiday Inspiration From the Biltmore
Faux leather midi skirt
While the weather was very wet and rainy, it wasn’t very cold, so for our tour, I stayed very comfortable wearing a faux leather pleated midi skirt, (old, similar here and here); a Cropped Cashmere Cable Knit Sweater from J.Crew, and tall Leather Boots (similar here). I brought along my Trench Coat for when it rained.
I have said it here before, but I love the popularity of cropped sweaters right now. They’re perfect for petites because they aren’t cropped, but they hit at the hip or waist, which is great to wear over skirts. There’s no need to tuck, and there’s not a ton of voluminous knit to weigh you down.
Biltmore Tour Outfit
Cropped Cashmere Cable Knit Sweater (J.Crew) | Similar Petite Faux Leather Skirt (Banana Republic) | Similar Regular-size Faux Leather Skirt (Chico’s) | Similar Regular-size Faux Leather Skirt (Brooks Brothers) | Similar Tall Leather Boots (Nordstrom) | New Icon Trench Coat (J.Crew) | Transport Shoulder Crossbody Bag (Madewell)
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Let's Explore The Biltmore
When you tour the Biltmore, you’re greeted by the handsome pair of lions guarding the front door. Even they are decked out for the holidays!
When you make your way inside, the atrium is the first room you see and it is quite stunning.
The Biltmore was the family country home for the illustrious Vanderbilt Family. Construction on the 250-room French Renaissance Château began in 1889. The home was opened to family and friends on Christmas eve, 1895.
Every room we saw on the tour is gorgeous in its gilded age design and furnishings. Each room is decorated for Christmas with beautifully decorated trees and garland.
In Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom, the tree is decorated with pink, yellow and orange ornaments, topped by a sun, with glittery rays stretching high above.
My favorite room of the house was the Louis XV Room, where the Vanderbilt’s only daughter Cornelia was born in 1900. Cornelia’s own son, George Henry was born in the same room in 1925. This room’s Christmas tree was decorated with children in mind and featured a nutcracker.
Another detail that made this room my favorite are the sunken window seats that sit below a railing in front of the massive windows.
Sadly, George Vanderbilt died when he was only 51 years old, in 1914. Though he did not live long enough to see all of his visions for the Biltmore Estate materialize, his legacy lives on.
The home was opened to the public in 1930 as a response to requests to help increase tourism to Asheville during the depression.
I highly recommend visiting Asheville, North Carolina and don’t miss the Biltmore - America’s Largest Home!
Kelly's Favorite Holiday Movie
My favorite holiday movie is Trading Places. The 1983 comedy directed by John Landis, starring Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Don Ameche, Ralph Bellamy, Denholm Elliott and Jamie Lee Curtis. I don’t think this movie is widely considered a holiday movie, but the entire movie takes place over Christmas and the New Year’s holidays. So, in my book, that’s a holiday movie!
Memorable lines and comedy are not the only things this movie has going for it, The story itself is as relevant today as it was in 1983 - on so many levels! If you haven't seen this movie lately, or ever - definitely add it to your list of holiday movies!
More petite faux leather skirt styles
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Jennifer shared 5 holiday-inspired lipstick colors to get you into the holiday spirit. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Welcome to North Carolina! Love your Asheville tour … and hope you enjoyed some of the great spots to eat in the city. Great outfit ideas, too, Kelly.
I’ve been to the Biltmore a couple of times but never at Christmas. Thank you for the tour, you have inspired me to go. Love your outfit.
Thanks so much Carol! I look forward to going back in the spring to see the gardens in bloom! xo Kelly
Hi Carolina Girl! Loved Asheville! We had a really amazing dinner at the Bull and Beggar. I look forward to making another trip back! Thanks so much! xo Kelly
Thank you for sharing the beautiful Biltmore with your readers! My granddaughter sang there with her high school choir one Christmas. It is an experience to visit the Biltmore, especially during the Christmas season.
I am sure it was a wonderful concert, Sandra! It is really lovely at Christmastime. Thank you for stopping by! xo Kelly
Hey Kelly! Trading Places is also our favorite Christmas movie. It is our Christmas Eve tradition (me and my husband) to watch this movie with a Christmas treat. Before the chaos descends the next day. 😉
Totally agree about the social relevance of this movie both then and now.
Beautiful pictures of the Biltmore! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kris, it is so cool that your holiday traditions include watching Trading Places! Love it!!!! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing, it’s good to know I am not the only person who watches this as a Christmas movie! xo Kelly
I am so glad you got to experience the Biltmore at Christmas time. Looks like you did the candlelight tour. My husband and I did that tour a number of years ago and it was truly magical. I highly recommend this tour to anyone especially if you live within driving distance!
Hi Pat! You know, our tour was at 4PM, but it was such a rainy, gloomy day it looks a lot later than it was. A candlelight tour sounds amazing though and I did see a lot of people queueing up for it as we were leaving. Thank you so much for stopping by! xo Kelly
Wonderful post. Love that pink, orange, and yellow tree. Thanks for sharing.
I thought that tree was gorgeous, Rory. It gave me a lot of ideas for next year! Thanks so much for stopping by. xo Kelly
Biltmore has always been on my bucket list, your post was like a little Xmas gift! Thanks !
Hi Linda, Wonderful! I am happy to share our tour with you – I hope you get to the Biltmore, It’s really worth the trip! Happy Holidays! xo Kelly
I would love to see petite sweater recommendations that don’t contain wool, I am unable to wear it. I love the styles you post.
Hi Emily, Thanks so much for stopping by! I will look into your request. Thanks again! xo Kelly