It is always nice to combine business with
pleasure. John and I did that recently after
going to the High Point furniture show.
We drove to Asheville, N.C. a
beautiful little place set in the
Blue Ridge Mountains.
We have been there before but not for
many years so we thought it was time
to return. We booked ourselves into
one of the many charming B & B's that
the area is known for.
A BED OF ROSES was a good choice,
set on a quite residential street.
Emily and Bill, the owners are fairly
new at this, but you would never know
it, they handle everything like pros.
Emily makes a impressive breakfast
every morning in this great kitchen.
We stayed upstairs in the very cozy
Wilkinson Room.
One of the big attractions in Asheville is
the BILTMORE ESTATES, a fabulous
place to visit but we've been so
decided to take a different path.
Asheville is very artsy, with galleries
of all types. The River Arts District was
exactly what we were looking for.
This is in an area with old brick buildings
converted to artist lofts, surrounded
by park like grounds and little cafes.
I couldn't help thinking of the JUNKGIRLS,
when I saw this fence made from metal
pieces.
John loved this over sized floor lamp.
I was sorry I could not find the artist name.
Artist CYNTHIA POTTER has an adorable
collection of papier mache puppets.
Our next stop was this great looking
building, and as per its name lots of textiles.
Right up my alley.
BARBARA ZARETSKY is a fiber artist and the director of Cloth Fiber Workshop. Originally from the Chicago area, she studied textile design at Northern Illinois University and the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2001 she moved to Asheville, became a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Zaretsky has operated BZDesign for over 20 years. In her line of home furnishings and wearable accessories she incorporates organic and sustainable materials.
Fine handwoven fashion accessories, garments and home textiles plus classes for all levels of weavers.
Her things were breath taking, I was sorry
I had not taken more pictures. If you click on
her name you will get to her very
nice web site.
This is an installation that they were
finishing. It took one year to cut all of
the tile pieces for this mural.
Around the downtown area of Asheville
they have some fun sculptures.
Another big attraction of this area
is the Blue Ridge Parkway that
has some of the most spectacular views.
Being from Southern California with
no seasons we knew we were in for
a treat with the fall leaves. People
told us we were there at the perfect time.
The weather was just perfect, as you can tell
from what John is wearing. The following
day it poured.
We ended the day at the GROVE PARK INN.
Built from granite boulders hewn from Sunset Mountain, The Grove Park Inn opened in 1913. At its opening dinner, William Jennings Bryan declared that it had been “built for the ages.” In the decades since it has become one of the South’s most famous and venerable resorts.
We just remembered it was a great place
to be at sunset with a glass of wine and
a fabulous view.
Tis distance lends enchantment to the view,
And robes the mountain in its azure hue.
Campbell, Pleasures of Hope
