JUST HAVIN FUN

By Paul Strickland

While taking a drive down Sand Canyon Road, one can see large estates, Robinson Ranch, an 8 foot rooster.  Yes that's right, when you came across that 8 foot tall rooster, you knew you had hit the home of Dennis & Jan Neice, though the rooster no longer lives in their front yard, it has been replaced by many other unusual and recognizable objects.

Jan & Dennis Neice

Dennis and Jan Neice moved from Granada Hills into this Sand Canyon home in 1997.  The home was built in 1962 and it was originally meant to be a retirement home.  Dennis and Jan bought it from the original owners and were surprised to find that their house was a typical 1960's style California Ranch home, complete with mirrors on the walls, different colored carpet in every room, Formica, and even chained light fixtures!  Dennis and Jan quickly tore out all the out of date material and got to work on their version of a ranch home.

Jan decorated the kitchen herself with items she has collected.  The walls are decorated with a wallpaper pattern that she found on eBay.

Jan found this wallpaper on E-Bay!

The laundry room which is just off the kitchen was also designed by Jan and contains an original refrigerator from the 1920's as well as custom cabinetry. 

Old Refrigerator!

Just on the other side of the kitchen houses Jan's collection of wine glasses from all over the world.  She loves collecting the odd ones!

Jan points out some of her favorite wine glasses!

Let's move on to the living room!

The living room is decorated with all kinds of unique cowboy influenced furniture items including an original 1950's Jukebox that plays 45's!

Inside the den you will find an old player piano and an amazing rock fireplace!

Jan also decorated this bathroom which she calls her "Cow Girl" bathroom!  It is decorated with all cow girls or cow girl inspired designs!

Just down the hall is Dennis' office where he proudly displays his custom welded horseshoe sculptures which he makes in his spare time.

Further down the hall is Janice's exercise room, perhaps the oddest house in the whole room, because it is decorated entirely in an Oriental motif!  Jan lived in Taiwan for a year while she was in high school and fell in love with their culture, so Dennis allowed her one room to show her love for the Orient.

And further down the hall is the master bedroom, which contains an armoire filled with collectibles as well as custom made drawer handles. 

The bathroom, designed by Dennis is the "Cowboy"  bathroom, not to be confused with Jan's.

Let's take a trip outside!

As you venture outside onto the Neice's 3 acres of land, you are greeted by a large swimming pool as well as a scantily clad woman that Dennis named "Janice".  

Venturing further onto the property you will encounter many original covered wagons from the 1800's, including one that was used in the hit 2003 movie "Seabiscuit".  The property even has its own windmill!

And the property is perfect for a country styled party with its fire pit bar-b-que and picnic area!

Let's check out the guest house!

When the Neice’s moved into the house there was an old shed on the property.  They decided instead of keeping it as a shed they would turn it into an elaborate 1 bedroom, one bathroom guest house. 

Its wood paneled interior is really wall paper.  The wall on the other side of the room was made by Dennis himself using plaster, stain, and branding irons. 

Bull horns owned by Cowboy legend Cliffy Stone hang above the doorway.  Many other artifacts owned by Cliffy Stone can be found among the house. 

To take a look at the Distingished Home for October 2007, the Sturgeon home, click here!