F. Scott or J. Nicholson??? How about some Arts and Crafts Instead?

Every time the car pulls into the Grove Park Inn, and I walk through the 16 ft oak doors, then through the Great Hall past the two enormous fire places, and onto the terrace looking across the valley, over Asheville with the mountains as the back drop... I am consistently conflicted by my desire to put on a tux and party like Jay Gatsby or run like Shelly Duvall being chased by Jack the dull boy. An amazing place to say the least. Elise has an annual conference here at the end of October. Good timing. Amazing timing. Hard to beat Asheville and the Grove Park in late October. Her annual conference represents our annual trip to the Grove Park. One of the more intriguing facts about the GPI (that's what you call it if you're cool) is that it boasts the largest collection of Arts and Crafts style furniture in the world. That's right.... the world. While 90 percent of all the furniture is reproduction, there are some original gems lurking throughout the massive hotel. Here is a book I may have to purchase. So... conflicted again. While I have always wanted them to have a furniture museum to showcase their pieces, it is so nice to seek them out and then be able to touch table tops, open drawers, or even sit in chairs. I snapped a few photos of some pieces from the 1920's that could have easily come into contact with Fitz and Zelda, since they often stayed here (F. Scott spent 2 years writing), or any of the many, many, many historical figures who rested their weary heads after long nights of "mingling" on the Sunset Terrace. It is not that these pieces are beautiful examples of Arts and Crafts (some of them are)... its the idea that the drawer I'm pulling may have been pulled by Ike, or the chair I'm sitting in was Woodrow's favorite, or the table is where Edison ate. The Grove Park never fails.

Forgot to bring a good camera so the pictures are taken with a phone... my bad.

Hard to beat this view while eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

One of the massive fireplaces in the great hall. That man is 7'8"

Roycroft table outside our room in the Palm Court where F. Scott spent 2 years writing.

Roycroft insignia

Chair from the Palm Court

Bench...... also in the Palm court

Didn't get a picture of the massive Roycroft clock in the Great Hall. Here's the small one.

Lots and lots of reproductions. Lots... and a lot more... kind of everywhere.

I didn't get any pictures of the original oak doors or the original light fixtures from the Great Hall... damn.

I Love You Grove Park Inn.