From the Springfield News Leader
Published January 20, 2008
by Mark Schiefelbein for the News-Leader

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'Ranch' retains pioneer spirit

With Swan Creek a stone's throw away and the Mark Twain National Forest at the end of their gravel road, Brian and Meloney Russell couldn't be happier about the location of their country home of almost three years, a site locals still refer to as "the old chicken ranch."
"When we moved down here, we'd tell people we bought the old chicken ranch," Meloney says, and Brian displays a quaint picture of the 19th-century log home once in close quarters with five chicken houses.

Thanks to the work of previous owners, the home has plenty of space for the Russells, their miniature schnauzer, Ruby, and the couple's favorite antiques, many of which they've collected through their Ozark business, The Seed Box Antiques. Besides extending the basement and second floor space, an addition built in the '80s gave the home a dining and living room.

And, thanks to previous owners, recent renovations have been in keeping with the home's pioneer spirit: the '80s addition was sided with native rock, hardwood floors were laid to complement original oak planks, and built-in bookcases and cabinets were chosen because they fit the home's turn-of-the-century style.

"We didn't do anything," Meloney says, complimenting former owner Brenda Tunstill, who with her late husband, Mark, made many renovations to the home in the '90s. "We came in here and painted, and that was it."

Changing the home's shabby chic decor is a constant labor of love for the Russells, though --especially for Meloney. A self-taught designer and former florist, Meloney grew up scavenging for antiques alongside her mother, Janice Bowers, so it's second nature for her to be on the lookout for collectibles and furnishings.

And so far, Meloney hasn't hesitated to alter the look of rooms in the old house with new finds.

"We've been here three years in June, and I guarantee this room has changed 10 times," Brian says of the dining and family room.

Done mainly in natural light-catching whites and creams, the room showcases collectibles such as antique flower "frogs," used to position flowers in a bouquet. It also features salvaged architectural pieces such as a collonade that probably came from the porch of another old home.

Yet, Meloney adds, "That's the nice thing about this business. We have to sell something, usually, to keep something."

Brian admits that "it takes two" to keep their business going, so — with what Meloney calls his own "good eye" for design — the former mechanic is happy to go antiques hunting with his wife. The two agree: Given the choice between going on a float trip or going to an auction, they'd rather go to the auction for fun.

The Russells enjoy their collectibles and their old house, but more than that, they say they like being part of their rural community.

And they like the country lifestyle.

"I'd drive an hour if I had to, not to have to live in town," Meloney says.

Brian agrees: "It's just secluded and peaceful."

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