Project

Biltmore

Overview

Atomic Wash was engaged by our strategic partner, City Paper, to conceptualize and design a line of innovative, brand-aligned products for The Biltmore Estate’s 13 on-site gift shops. Our goal was to create distinctive merchandise concepts that could be easily sourced, produced, and ultimately drive additional sales.

Understanding the importance of a memorable and elevated buyer experience, we began with the creation of a custom wood-bound presentation book. Laser-etched and hand-finished in-house, this unique piece set a high standard and visually conveyed the craftsmanship and attention to detail behind our work.

After a thorough audit of the Biltmore brand, current inventory, and emerging retail trends, the Atomic Wash team developed over 50 original product concepts. These ranged from custom-designed wooden mugs to branded apparel and home décor items. We even created branding and a product line around the Vanderbilt’s beloved dog, Cedric. Each idea was brought to life through detailed 3D visualizations and photo-realistic mockups—all produced manually in Photoshop, as this project predated the availability of AI-generated imagery.

The Results were better than expected. The final presentation book made a strong impact, showcasing a deep understanding of the Biltmore brand and capturing the attention of key decision-makers. City Paper successfully secured the account, with 17 of our designs selected for sourcing, production, and retail. This initiative led to more than $800,000 in merchandise sales, a solid win for us and for our client.

Client

City Paper/Biltmore

Agency

Atomic Wash

Role

Creative Director
Art Director
Designer
Retoucher

Creative Team

Christopher Sanna
Jamie Kasman
Greg Gatlin
Brahndi Asadi
Asaph Outlaw
Donald Jones
Anita Temple