RECREATING GRACELAND – STEP INSIDE THE SETS OF PRISCILLA – Graceland, the legendary home of Elvis Presley, has stood as a symbol of musical prowess and opulent living. However, few have explored it through the eyes of Priscilla Presley, his wife. Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla movie ventured into this uncharted territory, delving into the memories and emotions of Priscilla herself within the walls of Graceland. Behind the scenes, the film’s production designer, Tamara Deverell, meticulously crafted a dream-like version of this iconic estate, capturing the essence of Priscilla’s experiences within its walls. Tour the film sets with the PullCast Blog.
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RECREATING GRACELAND
STEP INSIDE THE SETS OF PRISCILLA
PHOTO: A24
The challenge was to recreate a version of Graceland that echoed the poetic essence of Priscilla Presley’s recollections. Unlike the frozen time capsule it is today, Graceland underwent multiple redesigns between Priscilla’s departure and Elvis’s passing. With sparse documentation of the home’s design during the film’s captured period, Tamara Deverell, the production designer, balanced familiarity with artistic license in shaping the Priscilla movie sets.
A Paramount Attention to Detail
PHOTO: A24
The attention to detail was paramount. While the floor plan of Graceland aligned closely with reality, the decorative elements diverged from strict replication. The sets, primarily crafted in Toronto, manifested an illusion of Graceland’s exterior by adorning an existing house with stone and shutters, replicating the iconic facade for authenticity.
Immersing in Priscilla Presley’s memoir, “Elvis and Me“, provided insight into the emotional resonance required within the interiors. Colors were pivotal in evoking a dream-like quality within Priscilla’s Graceland. Soft pastels, plush textures, and diffused lighting combined, creating an ethereal ambiance and a reflection of memory’s not-quite-reality quality.
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Mirroring Emotions With Set Decor
PHOTO: A24
Distinguishing between the downstairs and upstairs of Graceland was crucial. The downstairs mirrored Priscilla’s world—vibrant, filled with discovery, and later evolving into a gilded cage. The warm white tones deviated from the pure white of the real Graceland, conveying a transition from youthful excitement to the burden of fame.
PHOTO: A24
In contrast, the upstairs, where Elvis’s bedroom resided, exuded a darker, more adult atmosphere. Elements such as a striped tiger statue and remote control curtains were drawn from the reality of Elvis’s space, underscoring the lavish oddity that Priscilla encountered.
PHOTO: A24
The exterior was a true representation of Graceland’s defining features. Deverell meticulously replicated the iconic gates and facade, signaling Priscilla’s secondary role within the estate, a profound narrative detail of the movie.
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Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla movie, through Deverell’s intricate designs, offers an intimate, dream-like glimpse into the life of Priscilla Presley within the legendary walls of Graceland. This meticulous attention to detail not only recreates a significant era in the home’s history but also encapsulates the emotional journey of its former inhabitants—a poetic ode to an enigmatic slice of history.
Did Sophia Coppola and Tamara Deverell succeed in recreating Graceland? Leave us your thoughts on that subject. Browse through the PullCast Blog and find interior design tips and inspiration to transform your spaces into the sets of your dreams. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for more inspiration.
