- The list of flowers used to adorn the Astor residence was found in a New York Times article from January 29th, 1900, found at the New York Public Library.
- At the society ball given the night before (January 28th), guests of the ball were greeted by Mrs. Caroline Astor in the great drawing room, filled with vases of her favorite flower: the American Beauty rose. The distinctive scent of garden-cut roses enriched by the freshness of the crisp petals.
- During supper, bowls of violets were used as table centerpieces, filling the room with their delicate, powdery scent and distinctive green floral character.
White lilies were included in the floral displays in the grand Astor residence ballroom. The soft waxiness of the lily’s petals encircle a warm heart of spicy clove and resinous undertones. The watery, green scent of hyacinth wafted through the house, adding a light, aquatic transparency to the impressive floral arrangements.
- Carnations were also featured in the floral arrangements within the ballroom, adding a peppery character to the bouquets, mixed with honey notes and softened by a powdery, rose petal facet.
- Apple, quince and cherry blossoms lined the hallways of the great house. Their sweet floralcy and fruity character released a heady scent as guests walked by. Potted palms also appeared throughout the hallways, popularized in greenhouses and winter gardens during the Gilded Age, their expansive fronds introducing a lush, tropical aroma to the house.
- Polished parquet floors and exquisite French and English furniture of mahogany, oak and sycamore added a sweet woodiness, introducing a robust background to the fresh floralcy of the bouquets.
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