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David Perry

Magnussen's Christmas appeal

Christmas spirits helped launch Magnussen Home's new Biltmore Estate Collection

It is one of my state’s most beautiful Christmas offerings: The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., is a Christmas treat, all bedecked in period finery. As you wander (in wonder) from room to room, you feel yourself going back in time to the Victorian Era. Here is George Vanderbilt himself to guide you through his spectacular home.

Forgive me for waxing historic here, but the Biltmore Estate is a national treasure, one I first enjoyed on my honeymoon some years ago, and more recently during the Christmas holidays last year.

The history of that American chateau came alive at the High Point market this fall, thanks to the promotional and merchandising magic of Magnussen Home. That importer really knows how to assemble powerful furniture collections, and it is a master at presenting them in compelling fashion at market.

One of the clever things that Magnussen Home did in October was to evoke the spirit of Christmas with carolers dressed for the holidays. Every time I saw them it put me in the holiday mood. This week, as we head for Christmas, is a good time to recall some of the smart things Magnussen did to draw attention to the line.

For starters, the company brought an original Renoir painting, purchased by George Vanderbilt in 1892, to its showroom in the International Home Furnishings Center. The painting, “Young Algerian Girl,” is normally on display in the Biltmore Estate’s Chippendale room. It was part of a collection of antiques from the estate on display in the Magnussen showroom.

“This is an amazing opportunity to share a wonderful display of priceless antiques with our customers,” Jeff Cook, Magnussen’s CEO, said during market. He was right about that.

Bravo to him and his company for arranging the display, which promoted the Chateau Collection, the first segment of the licensed Biltmore Estate for Your Home by Magnussen Home.

The romance of the Biltmore Estate is real and it is invoked in a really powerful way by Magnussen Home. And now we bring back those Christmas carolers we first saw at High Point, to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.   (to add public comments click on "Add your Comment" below, or to email Dave directly click here.)