Decorating the Nickel and Dime Ranch Headquarters

Of course, everyone has an interior decorator, at least that's how it appears in lifestyle magazines like Country Living and Real Simple. These mags appeal to those who want a simple life in the country and have the money to pay for it. If they haven't paid someone, then the man or lady of the house owns an antique store or has quit being an attorney to become a full time stay at home interior decorator.

Here at the Nickel and Dime, we have a decorator, too. He has an eye for the interesting and unique, so although I protest when I see one of his new "vignettes," I know we are on the cutting edge and any day magazine editors will be pounding down the door wanting to do a pictorial.

In the meantime I will give you a little taste of our decor, kind of like a museum and Ripley's Believe It or Not, combined.

This is Boarus, a wild boar Tom shot in California. Tom didn't want the head, so gave it to his friend, Chuck. Chuck decided it would make an excellent housewarming present and had it mounted and taxidermied. When I returned to the ranch from a visit in California, Boarus was on the kitchen wall.

It's disconcerting when you are cooking bacon and a slavering, tusked pig is watching you. So he resides above our door, instead. Besides, I kept hitting my head on Boarus' chin.

Tom likes to repurpose stuff and his history classroom was a wonder of the campus. At Open House kids would bring their parents to see Tom's classroom decor, which was floor to ceiling posters. Maps, timelines, vintage movie advertisements and other popular culture signifiers were packed onto those walls. He brought most of them home and they are being used once again.

The guest bathroom is devoted to popular culture items, including old photos, posters,  and articles from The Weekly World News , a tabloid devoted to wild conjecture, amazing stories about aliens and odd historical events that never happened.

 

Lots to look at while you are in "contemplation mode."

Morally depraved youth figure prominently

After you wash your hands, you can even learn a little first aid. Ernest came out of the bathroom one day and said, "How to resuscitate a lizard. I never knew that."

The guest room/office has maps and movie posters.

...and the stairway landing has an old time vignette which captures the essence of country life here at the ranch.

Have a great day, from all of us here at the Nickel and Dime Ranch.