Reinventing Graceland
Graceland
My parents adored Elvis. We used to watch all his movies, my mom swooning over the handsome devil, my dad always mentioning they were in the service at the same time. Funny enough, Elvis died on my Dad’s birthday. I always found Elvis to be a mysterious man, whether I swooned with mom watching “Blue Hawaii” or questioned his attire in his prespired drench performances in Vegas, he was nothing short of an American icon. His taste in decor however is a bit questionable in my humble opinion.
I’ve never been to Graceland, but I’ve seen enough to give me a good idea of Elvis’ extravagant preferences and love for the exotic. Albeit eras of aesthetic I admire, I found Elvis’ home decor choices to be a bit…gaudy and heavy. Don’t send me to Jail, the house rocks, but I wondered what it would be inspired to look like today.
With 17,552 square feet to play with, the options for upgrades are endless, but not without The King’s touch of modern flair and vintage nods. Let’s have some fun and create some Elvis magic. Enjoy our vision board of modern day Presley living.
The Boudoir
The Clamshell Bed
Elvis’ famous clamshell bed would become more elegant. He did love his pajama time and I believe the fabrics would remain rich and lush. Golds, blacks, and reds would still dominate his sleeping quarters.
Grandiose Opulence
I also see The King with chandeliers and a nod to glam with clean lines, crisp sheets, and gold trimmed highlights, lest we not forget countless mirrors in all directions.
A Little Less Conversation
Elvis loved his televisions. He also loved watching them from every angle of his bedroom and had one installed in the ceiling for his viewing pleasure. How happy he would be that he would only need a capable mount to give him the same effect or one conveniently installed in the bed itself. He most likely would have a decked out smart home with a gadget controlling everything from the temperature of his bed to an alarm notifying a low count of bananas.
Cookin’ Up Retro
I do believe Elvis would have updated his kitchen, he loved to eat too much not to. This is my vision for Graceland 2.0’s culinary scene. Retro appliances from Big Chill and a bit of Midcentury accoutrements.
The Jungle Room
The jungle themed room in Graceland is pretty dark and perhaps a little dank. I would like to think this room today would be brighter and more lush than fuzzy. The elements of wood would remain with the contrast of soft, velvety fabrics, but the furniture less cumbersome, perhaps some rattan furnishings matched with elegant animal motifs combined with souvenirs from his travels.
I could see the Brylee Resin Novelty Lamp decorating accent tables.
I hardly think Elvis would deny a vintage jungle themed mural. Source: Wallmur
A black leather modular couch with animal print accent pillows and a plush blanket would replace the chunkiness of Elvis’ jungle retreat.
Replaced furry green carpeted ceilings with bamboo instead! Photo: Noura Markouch
A nod to mid-century, but also just interesting enough to appease Elvis’ taste, this Figurine Coffee Table by Bold Monkey rivals any old Hound Dog.
Source: Checkatrade
And then of course the plants! I could see one of those large plant murals on the wall of the jungle room, right above the fountain. It would be a Tropical holiday for sure.
The King’s Touch
Imagining what Graceland was to where it would be today is no easy feat without The King himself, but I’m sure it would be nothing short of all of his favorite things where he could enjoy his family, friends, and entertain many celebrity guests. Here are a few updated inspirations.
Outdoor Kitchen and bar area added
Gold and white furnishings and accents, of course a white baby grand
Priscilla is a bit of a gothic queen and tends to don black and red often, I feel her bedroom would resemble the same theme.
Elvis’ love for film would have his home theater become a state of the art movie watching comfort zone with lush couches and chairs for everyone’s viewing pleasure.
Source: 6sqft.com
It wouldn’t be home unless there was a home recording studio! You’d be hard pressed to think Elvis wouldn’t be recording songs in his state of the art studio equipped with wet bar, sound booth, and walls donning his award winning accolades.
For more inspirations, see our Pinterest Board.
