Design Happens

The 34th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death got me thinking… I’m truly envious of those who can say they attended an Elvis concert. My mother is one of those lucky souls who stood only a few yards from the stage. She said when Elvis grabbed the mic and did his notorious hip movements… she nearly passed out. And I remember when I was a child, Dad would play Elvis’ debut album Elvis Presley on his old record player. There’s nothing like the turntable crackling of “Blue Suede Shoes” bursting through the speakers. I may have been born into the boombox and Walkman generation, but I love the look and sound of a vintage record player. (Even ones for kids!)

1. Vintage Steelman Record Player e :: Etsy / arksendeavors 2. Fisher-Price Record Player :: Etsy / OliveandFrances 3. Vintage Silvertone Record Player :: The Vintage Bazaar 4. Vintage Columbia Record Player :: Etsy / VitalVintage 5. Vintage Michael Jackson Record Player :: TINI 6. Vintage Panasonic 8-Track Tape Player :: Etsy / Retro4U 7. 1927 Hand-Crank Columbia Viva-Tonal Grafonola :: Etsy / dustyatticantiques 8. The Beatles 1983 Picture Album :: Etsy / DaysGoneBye 9. Bob Marley and the Wailers Picture Album :: Etsy / downthepipelines

I know, I know, the device that looks like a TNT detonator is not a turntable, but I had to give some design love to that red Panasonic eight-track player. It’s pretty sweet, especially considering the bad rap eight-track tapes get. And how is it that I hadn’t heard of “picture discs” before now?

What do you think of using vintage electrics as decor? Do you prefer the sound of a record on the turntable over a modern-day digital device? Would you hang a “picture disk” as instant art?

Tell us in the comments below.