Fake it, till you make it at the Biltmore Estate! We’re loving the mannequins strategically placed throughout the grand estate. Maybe we should do the same on the Manor set?
fake you’re in downton abbey at biltmore estate
Full disclosure: I don’t follow (
This Old House‘s PBS sibling)
Downton Abbey but my mom and old roommate are both huge fans. So I know enough. (I
did watch the episodes with Shirley MacLaine though, because Shirley MacLaine.) I envy not knowing what a weekend is and some aspects of the Crawleys’ way of life. (Not including the emphasis on finding a husband ASAP.) The closest I’ve ever been to living in that world is visiting
Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. (Holla, home state!) It was the country home of George Vanderbilt and family, who were contemporaries of the Crawleys. (Also note that it served as
Richie Rich‘s house in the childhood classic. Yup.)
If you’re a Downton fan you’re going to want to check out Biltmore’s current exhibit, “Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times,” featuring real costumes from Downton staged in relevant rooms throughout Biltmore through May 25. That’s right, you’ll get to see all the intricate beading in those enviable gowns up close-ish. But don’t drool all over the antiques, please. Here’s a lavish peek at what’s to be expected with GIFs to help set the tone. After all, isn’t seeing what you know you’ll never have actually fun?
