Do You Dare Bring Home Some Liberace Razzle-Dazzle?
A new HBO movie highlights the ultimate showman's over-the-top bling all around the house
I just finished watching Making Behind the Candelabra, and it has me more excited than an Austrian rhinestone salesman ready to land a Liberace lover's account. Soderberg, Douglas, Damon, Debbie Reynolds and all of the over-the-top, overdecorated, overbedazzled, overmirrored fabulousness that was Liberace's costumes, sets, cars, mirrored pianos and homes in the late 1970s and early 1980s all in one movie? Yes, please!
Liberace did all of his own decorating, and he loved excess. He likened himself to King Ludwig II, another king of bling. He overshopped, and once one house filled up, he'd buy another place. As someone with an attic full of stuff for "my lake house" (I don't have a lake house, and at this rate, I never will), I completely relate. Behind the Candelabra premieres on HBO Sunday, May 26, 2013, and I cannot wait. Here's a peek at the movie sets and some ways to add just a dash of Liberace's exuberant style to your home.
Liberace did all of his own decorating, and he loved excess. He likened himself to King Ludwig II, another king of bling. He overshopped, and once one house filled up, he'd buy another place. As someone with an attic full of stuff for "my lake house" (I don't have a lake house, and at this rate, I never will), I completely relate. Behind the Candelabra premieres on HBO Sunday, May 26, 2013, and I cannot wait. Here's a peek at the movie sets and some ways to add just a dash of Liberace's exuberant style to your home.
Liberace got lots of fixes of his own image through mirrored walls, doors, bars, cars, pianos ... even some of his costumes resemble mirrors. A candelabra on the piano was Liberace's trademark (not to mention crystal-encrusted and mirrored pianos). He also used candelabras and chandeliers extensively throughout every room in the house.
The moviemakers used Zsa Zsa Gabor's house in Los Angeles to stand in for Liberace's Las Vegas home. Liberace decorated in a style he dubbed "palatial kitsch."
Liberace could not get enough of his own image and had a fantastic sense of humor about it. He had portraits of himself everywhere — meeting a cardinal, his face floating over his Grecian bathtub, etched into mirrors ... everywhere. In this picture, I'm sorry that Michael Douglas is blocking the one of himself as Liberace playing the piano, but you can also see his silhouette to the left of Matt Damon. Portraits e-ver-y-where.
The movie's set designers painstakingly re-created many of the portraits from the originals they accessed via the Liberace Foundation, but with Douglas as Liberace.
The movie's set designers painstakingly re-created many of the portraits from the originals they accessed via the Liberace Foundation, but with Douglas as Liberace.
Liberace not only had lots of bling, but he also had a lot of swag. Windows were adorned with as many layers as possible, in luxe fabrics trimmed out in fringe, tassels and other finishes.
Liberace commissioned his version of the Sistine Chapel for his bedroom ceiling. He also loved to collect things; one of the set designers notes that she bought most items for the sets in pairs, like you see in his bedroom (he even had a pair of elaborately mirrored pianos, which appear in the movie).
He also had a mural on his Grecian bathroom's ceiling.
He also had a mural on his Grecian bathroom's ceiling.
Liberace's had one of the world's most extensive collections of the most elaborate costumes, some of which weighed more than 100 pounds. His $300,000 white fur and crystal coat had a 16-foot-long train. (Don't fret, animal lovers; for the movie version they used faux fur.)
Hints of Liberace Around Houzz?
Mirrored walls have come back in style but with some new designer twists, like the diamond pattern seen here, as well as antiquing. The Venetian style and marble in this bathroom make mirrored walls and furniture glam and sexy again.
Mirrored walls have come back in style but with some new designer twists, like the diamond pattern seen here, as well as antiquing. The Venetian style and marble in this bathroom make mirrored walls and furniture glam and sexy again.
If you watch the trailer, you'll spy a full mirrored wall in Liberace's dining room. The look is dated, but there are ways to enjoy reflective surfaces while dining.
For instance, antiquing gives this centered grid of mirrors today's popular patina-style look in a streamlined way. It's a great mix of old and new.
For instance, antiquing gives this centered grid of mirrors today's popular patina-style look in a streamlined way. It's a great mix of old and new.
Statement draperies stand up to the scale of large rooms and high ceilings. These are opulent yet elegant — streamlined long drapes hanging between custom valances. If you look at the high windows above them, you can get an idea of how much window treatments transformed this room (without going full Liberace).
Statues and busts. Part of Liberace's "palatial chic" included many statues and busts; many many many statues and busts.
The statue in this photo is actually from Liberace's estate. Its classical form is complemented by the new stark, minimalist Palm Springs architecture surrounding it; there is a pleasing balance between traditional and modern here.
The statue in this photo is actually from Liberace's estate. Its classical form is complemented by the new stark, minimalist Palm Springs architecture surrounding it; there is a pleasing balance between traditional and modern here.
Ceiling murals. Today many designers add faux architectural elements via ceiling murals. To me, this bathroom is an elegant, toned-down version of Liberace's.
An apple-green chandelier silhouette is an unexpected touch in this outdoor space.
Luxe closets. Liberace's elaborate costumes deserved an equally fabulous home, like this modern closet. It seems to be channeling Liberace, from the mirrored doors to the chandelier, the blue carpet to the white throw, and it's all a good thing. If you have the means and Liberace style, don't hold back when it comes to the place where you store your outfits.
A grand piano needs not only a lot of room, but a spot that will highlight its acoustics and the player's skill. This beautiful foyer suits its grandeur. I think Liberace might have oohed and ahhed over this curved staircase and intricate railings.
If you watch the movie, please come back and tell us what you think!