Details in the Up

Last week I was able to visit Biltmore Estate, a North Carolina attraction located off of I-40. Our shuttle driver shared that the original plan was to build a cottage of around 5-7,000 square feet. I’m not sure who went off-script first, but the original cottage plan grew to what is now known as America’s largest home at 175,000 square feet. Biltmore is grand - boasting a 250-room chateau and 8,000 acres of gardens, farms, a winery, and more.

This home can be overwhelming not only due to its size, but in its facts (65 fireplaces and 43 bathrooms for starters - who has to clean all that?), the collections of art, books, and furniture, the views, and so much more. Even before you enter the home there are details in the fountains, the architecture, and the gardens that can overload the senses. A guide is helpful, so walking through the large doors of the estate I picked up an audio tour device, punched in the first number, and moved to a space that offers a beautiful welcome, even in its grandeur.

Lately on some of my visits to various places I have been intentionally trying to focus on some details in new ways. For example, I looked more closely at colors and design markings in doors in the southwest. And last spring I chose to search out patterns and shapes, noticing how each plant was unique at a local botanical garden. 

Winter Garden at Biltmore

So at Biltmore I entered the first space, the Winter Garden, and while listening to the details from a Vanderbilt descendant I allowed my eyes to wander…and I lingered on the details of the “up.” This is not hard to do as the glass ceiling is a focal point - so many glass panels (who keeps all those clean?) flooding the room with light, creating a space that is lush and bright and brings nature inside. The space is alive with plants that give you the feeling of being outdoors with the comfort of places to sit and read or visit with friends and have a lively conversation. Upon closer inspection I saw rods running across some of the panels and followed them across and then down the walls. These are for opening the windows to allow breezes to cool the room in the un-air-conditioned home.  Through the glass I could see glimpses of the stone walls and aged green copper accents of adjoining sections of the house. The detail of the “up” gives a unique identity to this room.

As I moved to the next space I again looked up. Brick-like tiles in a chevron pattern gives the area surrounding the Winter Garden a different feel. I felt as if the ceiling mimicked a sidewalk, which makes sense as this space is a path of sorts, connecting to different rooms. So now I am hooked and am anxious to see what each new room offers in the “up.” I won’t share them all because I want you to explore for yourself, but here were a few I noted.

The library ceiling features a painting that gives the illusion of looking up into the blue sky. What better “up” image for a room housing over 10,000 volumes designed to open your mind wide to possibilities? Pages upon pages expand to teach, intrigue the senses, capture the spirit of adventure, and take you to far away places. 

Another room has fabric covering the ceiling in a way that looks like long pillows. It provides a feeling of being enveloped in a warm hug - a very rich hug. It gives the space that is probably easily quadruple the size of my family room a cozy feel. 

In other spaces the intention of the design above was a continuation from other details in the room. One held ornate molding that flowed up from the fireplace, using light colors that seemed to open up the room’s smaller size (keeping in mind “smaller” is all relative at Biltmore). In other rooms painted colors on the ceiling were extremely detailed and matched elements in the wallpaper design or drew a connection to the tapestries lining the walls. 

Ceiling images of the pathway around the Winter Garden, the Music Room, and the Library

As I was viewing all the beauty of the “up,” I was struck by the attention given to these spaces. Most of the homes I recall entering have had nice ceilings, but they aren’t a particularly important part of the decor. Maybe a simple spray of popcorn coating or a light colored paint. Occasionally I note wooden beams or molding to make it pop. But the attention and care given at Biltmore meant that every detail mattered. And as I was pondering this thought the words of a scripture verse came to mind. 

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 

Luke 12:7

For God, the tiniest parts of me matter - from the swirling ridges of my fingerprints to the webbing of my toes to the nose that shows I have the Sherman genes to the freckles that pop after being in the sun to the number of fine thin hairs on my head (thanks again to those Sherman genes).

Those responsible for the creation of Biltmore made sure every detail was given care so that each room is unique. Even rooms with similar ceiling styles have unique colors and little differences in the patterns. God gave each of us unique designs as well and they are to be celebrated and cared for just as God cared enough to design the details from the toes all the way up.

Spend some time today looking at things from a different angle and notice the details while celebrating how God uniquely created you. Feel free to share in the comments what makes you YOU-nique.