Woman in the Middle

Have you ever been to Graceland, Elvis’ home in Memphis? I have relatives in that neck of the woods so it was inevitable that we would end up there at some point. Before we went my cousin Carol told us that Graceland “wasn’t as big or as tacky as you might think.”  Hum.

Since Elvis died in 1977, the home’s various rooms reflect the decorating trends (or even crazes) from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Many people over the years have mentioned the home’s “over the top” decor. I am afraid I didn’t find that to be the case. Hubby and I thought Carol was right. It wasn’t as big and as tacky as one might expect. In retrospect, decorating trends from those three decades can look a little over the top to us now. Besides,there was no way I could citicize Elvis’ decorating style because Elvis and my mom decorated their kitchens exactly alike!

It was the oddest thing. I walked in to the kitchen at Graceland and exclaimed “It’s Mom’s kitchen!”

In the summer of 1976 we moved into a new (to us) house. After several years of financial struggles, my father had found his calling as a real estate agent and was doing quite well. My parents took advantage of their new financial windfall by doing quite a bit of decorating at the new house before we moved in. The kitchen became a classic example of up to date mid 1970s decor. Mom had long before moved out of that house when, lo and behold, there was her kitchen in front of me at Elvis’ house!

Medium colored wood cabinets? Check!

Harvest gold appliances? Check!

Formica counter tops? Check!

Round plastic clock on the wall? Check!

Tiffany style hanging lamps? Check!

Indoor/outdoor carpet in a geometric pattern of rust/avocado green/harvest gold? Check!

When I think back on that kitchen, where I spent my teen age years, I remember lots of great meals, talking to my parents, and good times. But I still wonder – who in their right mind puts carpet in the kitchen?!?