This Connecticut Home Makes Us Choose Between Graceland and Howard Johnson’s

It is natural to want to emulate something we really like. A perfect example is Elvis Presley’s Graceland. During my tenure, I have written about three separate homes that have been decorated to look like Graceland. I am sure I will write about three other homes that were decorated like Graceland before I retire.

Without question, the man could dance, sing and was nice to look at for an indefinite period of time. The flaw he had, however, was in decorating his home. I’m just going to put it out there once and for all. The only time a jungle room works in any home is if it’s in the actual jungle. That is peak indoor/outdoor living. I digress.

Well as it turns out, in Connecticut there is a fan, not of the king, but of Howard Johnson’s.

Wait, wait what?! indeed. For you youngsters out there, Howard Johnson’s was a hotel/restaurant chain known for its A-frame, orange roofing tiles and orange sherbert. When the company wanted to update their look they changed their name from Howard Johnson’s to HoJo. It worked as well as you think. Fast forward to home featured in this week’s column.  One could say this home is the Graceland of Howard Johnson’s.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that in between two HoJo’s is a dreadful black modern rectangle.

“This striking double A-Frame, with iconic Howard Johnson’s orange steel roof shingles, is a one-of-a-kind architectural showplace.” It’s a showplace in case you missed that part. A showplace. Oy vey.

To be perfectly honest, I flinched the first time I saw these pictures.

I can’t remember if Howard Johnson’s had floors like these but I do recognize the doors to the bathrooms.

By this point, I was quite dizzy and felt the urge to walk sideways like a crab. But the living room, boy howdy, let me tell you somethin’ somethin’.

It’s like a colorful nuclear symbol. I don’t know how people can stand on this floor.

Exactly Señor Gato. This is how this floor makes me feel.

Perhaps this home is the equivalent of a Graceland. Both are tasteless and have the ability to make you queasy. Anybody have any of Howard Johnson’s orange sherbert they are willing share?

Located in Middletown, Connecticut, this home is listed for $600,000.