The Elvis Presley Christmas Tree

I love a good theme tree. I already have a movie tree, candy tree, travel tree and a beach tree. What else do I love? Elvis! Naturally it was time for me to create an Elvis themed tree. I went about collecting ornaments for it all year leading up to the holiday season and even ordered a new tree to celebrate Elvis. The tree I got to show off all my ornaments is the 7 foot Gold Pencil Tree...

I was a little nervous because I've never had a pencil tree. But once I got it out of the box and started to fluff it up, I knew I had made the right choice! I personally think it looks fabulous and Elvis made it even more gorgeous! For the garland I wrapped the tree in this music sheet ribbon.

 

 

 

 

 

I love how this tree turned out! Elvis had so many different looks and styles so I can't wait to keep adding to this tree year after year. I love capturing all of his jumpsuits so those are a must! I think I'll head the Elvis online shop right now...

 

Don't you just love Elvis?!

Graceland: The Grounds

Now that you've seen the inside of Elvis' home, let's take a look at the extensive Graceland grounds. The grounds not only hold the mansion and the racquetball court but also a detached office, horse stables, pool and the meditation garden. There is also a large carport and detached trailers on the property. After Elvis' death the church was bought next door to the property and it is now the Chapel in the Woods where couples can be married.

Let's start at the pool. Located right in front of the Meditation Garden and connected to the house, the Graceland pool is enclosed in black wrought iron fencing with stamped concrete. Elvis loved to be in the pool and work on his tan. This was also a favorite area of Lisa Marie and Priscilla.

The Meditation Garden was built in 1964-1965 by Elvis. He considered this area of his property a place to go for contemplation. He would go to this area to think and spent time. This area has a large fountain, stained glass windows and benches. It is also the resting place of Elvis and other members of his family. An eternal flame is also at his grave.

Elvis & Priscilla in the Meditation Garden

 

 

 

Across from the meditation garden you can see the vast grounds.

 

On the far side and near the front of Graceland you will find the Chapel hidden in the woods.

 

You can get married in the chapel and then take your wedding photos in front of Graceland. As you can see, the grounds are extensive and Elvis really built on to the original house once he bought it. He made this house into a home and the grounds fit his needs. If you ever get the opportunity to visit Graceland, I highly recommend it.

Graceland: Racquetball and Records

In 1975, Elvis had a racquetball court built on the Graceland grounds. Sitting right beside the house and with a covered walkway. Elvis enjoyed playing racquetball in his leisure time. In addition to the court, he also built a sitting area with leather couches, a bar and a piano. There was also a few gym pieces in that area. The racquetball area is also where Elvis spent his last few hours before his death and the location of where he played the piano and sang for the last time.

The racquetball building is a multi level building. When you first walk in you are greeted with his workout equipment, couches and bar. Once you go down a few steps, you see the piano and more couches, passing through the doorway you enter the racquetball court. The colors of the racquetball area were all done in tans, browns and white to make you feel like you were part of a Gentlemen's Club.

 

There is an upper floor to the building but it is off limits to the public. The stairs are located near the bar.

After Elvis' death, the Racquetball court was turned into a place that could house Elvis' records and feature several jumpsuits. The rest of the building remains unchanged and original back to the day that Elvis died. On the ipad tour you can see some photos of the upstairs.

If you think that there's a lot of records in the racquetball court location then you are in for a shock! Other areas of the main house have been turned into a place to store and show off Elvis' achievements. In 1957, Elvis did major renovations on Graceland to create a two tiered patio. Then in the 1960s Elvis had the upper area enclosed and made it into a recreation area. At the time he used the area to house a large electric slot car track. Now that area shows off more of Elvis' accomplishments. It shows his life through photos, awards and houses his Grammy.

The Graceland Mansion is preserved in its original state except for these two areas. It also lets the world see a large part of the accomplishments he achieved in his life.

Graceland: The Basement

I don't think anyone else has a basement like this one. As you descend the mirrored stairway down into Elvis' basement, you first enter the Television Room. Painted in bright yellow and navy blue Elvis would come here to watch television. He would have three TVs going on at the same time. He got the idea of having three tvs side by side after hearing that President Lyndon Johnson had tvs mounted together. Featuring mirrored ceilings, fireplace and his trademark TCB lightening bolt Elvis spent a good amount of time in this room. He even shot out one of the television sets when he got mad at what was on.

The room also has a full wet bar in the room with stools. Elvis would spend most Sunday's in this room watching football. There is also a pull down movie screen in the room.

Beside the television room is the pool table room. This room is my personal favorite.

This room really shows off Elvis' eclectic style. While the main focus of this room is the pool table, the real beauty of the room is the folded fabric that covers the entire room. The fabric is pleated and covers every inch of the walls and ceilings. There is over 350 yards of fabric covering the room. It took three men ten days to cut, pleat and hang the fabric in the room.

The light fixture is colorful, delicate and makes you feel like you are in a billiard hall instead of just in a room. It was custom made in Memphis for Elvis.

There was so much fabric left over, they covered the two couches in the room in the fabric. Elvis got the idea of using the fabric all over the room from a photo he had seen of a room from the 18th century.

Elvis was a very able pool player and enjoyed playing 8 ball and rotation. To this day there is a tear on the felt table. It was made when a friend was trying to make a trick shot on the table. Around the room is a bookcase and various art on the walls. The room is a little dark but with other lamps in the room I'm sure Elvis had more than enough light to play the game.  

Graceland: The Jungle Room

Let's talk about one of the most famous rooms in America...

The Jungle Room!

Imagine having your ceiling and floor covered in thick, green shag carpet. One of your walls is a waterfall and the furnishings are heavy, carved wood that looks like it could be at a tiki party. Elvis had his own version of a man cave and his has become known as the Jungle Room. Located off the kitchen, the jungle room was a room that Elvis and his friends would hang out in. The room is decorated in animal prints, filled with exotic animals and plants. The furniture was called Witco and Elvis bought it in 1974 slightly on a whim. It is said that Vernon commented it was the ugliest furniture he had ever seen. This is also the very spot that Elvis recorded one of his albums, "From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis Tennessee". He also recorded some of "Moody Blue" in the Jungle Room.

 

During the day and while the Graceland tours are going, Elvis Presley Enterprises raises the curtains to improve the lighting in the room. The waterfall also has it's own special lighting. The waterfall might be cool and unique but it became a pain for Elvis. The waterfall became notorious for leaking water onto the carpet.

  
Wondering where there's a giant panda in the chair? It was Lisa Marie's as a child. Speaking of Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie she followed in her father's footsteps and also performed in this room. You can see the great lighting that the waterfall has once the natural light starts to fade from the outside.

The Jungle room also holds Elvis' portable phone. He was one of the first people to have a portable phone in the United States. While it may look like a suitcase to many of us, it was the top of technology in the 1970s. It even has a handwritten note taped to it which was done by Elvis for instructions.

If you take the Graceland tour, be sure to take your photo in the Jungle Room. Just remember you're standing in one of the very first man caves before they became a must have for every man in their house.

Graceland: Dining Room & Kitchen

Graceland has a formal dining room. The color scheme matches the entry way and overall them of the front room of the house. 

 

 

The kitchen is directly off the dining room. The tours of Graceland began in the late 1970's but until Elvis' last family member who was living at the property passed away the kitchen was off limits to the public until the 1990's.

 

The kitchen has the Formica countertops and original carpet. It also has the original light fixtures and cabinets. Everything has been kept in tack. This is the very place that many of Elvis' peanut butter and banana sandwiches were made. This is personally my favorite recipe of the Kings....

It's extremely easy to make and delicious. Elvis loved all kinds of different foods and if you are interested in eating like the King then you can check out many of his other recipes. He has a great Pecan Pie recipe and of course that famous PB & Banana sandwich.

Next up on the Graceland tour... the Jungle Room!

Graceland

Graceland is the home of Elvis Presley located in Memphis, Tennessee.  

 

Graceland was purchased by Elvis on March 19, 1957 for the price of $102,500.00 He then spent around $500,000 dollars on renovations to the property. Graceland sits on 13.8 acres and is 17,552 sq. feet inside. The house features 23 rooms including 8 bedrooms and bathrooms, a full basement, pool, meditation garden and stables. It also has a separate building on the property which once housed an office, racquet ball court and a gym area. Since Elvis' death the property has been a museum and several areas repurposed to feature his memorabilia. What was the racquet ball court now houses several of his jump suits and gold records.

Since the Graceland estate is so extensive and a real gem to see in person, I will break the home down into segments. The photos that you see will be from it's original days when Elvis was alive to the current state of the house on the tour. The second floor is considered private because that's where the family bedrooms are located. Elvis rarely invited friends upstairs into his room. He would entertain downstairs. Once his death occurred, they closed access to the public off from the upstairs to preserve his memory. Here is the floor plans of  the first floor of Graceland.

Let's start with the first floor entrance, parents bedroom and living room.

 

Elvis' parents had a bedroom right behind the living room. They also had a personal bathroom.

Complete with poodle wall paper...

 

The entrance to Graceland is very grand with a large staircase and chandelier.

 

 

And of course the staircase leads upstairs to the private area of Graceland. His parents bedroom, bathroom and living room are all to the right side of the staircase. There is also a little hallway that leads down to their room. All inside the home is a very popular for the time mirrored glass with design. It makes taking photos in Graceland very hard because your reflection is there. You can see some of the glass in the above photos.

 

The next rooms on the Graceland tour will be the Dining Room and Kitchen. Stay tuned for those!