Award-winning Set Decorator Regina Graves SDSA is also a horse-riding maven. She generously stepped in with SETDECOR to talk with fellow New York Set Decorator Rich Devine SDSA, who went West and immersed himself...along with the set decoration...in RANSOM CANYON. Here are Regina and Rich. Thank you, both!
Regina Graves SDSA for SETDECOR:
Fans are already obsessed with all the hype surrounding Netflix’s western RANSOM CANYON, and the romance and family drama aren’t the only reasons why. With gorgeous Set Decoration by Rich Devine SDSA and Production Design by Keith Neely supporting the storyline, how could this show –think FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS meets YELLOWSTONE–not be a hit?
As myself, a huge western, cowboy & anything horse-related fan, I wanted to get the processes and firsthand account experience of working on the show. Rich responded to my questions and also shared some behind the scenes photos he personally took.
Editor's note: Captions by Rich Devine SDSA.
Davis’s Ranch: The tile and wood finishes of the bathroom help visually connect to the land. The lighting is Visual Comfort, the fixtures are Kingston Brass and the vanity mirrors are Rejuvenation. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
SETDECOR: How did you come to decorate this project?
Set Decorator Rich Devine SDSA: I met RC Showrunner April Blair on the revival of GOSSIP GIRL, and she brought me on board. She is so amazing to work with...she planned a very deliberate design ethos for the show. It was to be both traditional American Western and to have sets informed by each character’s history. Production Designer Keith Neely designed such wonderful sets and stitched together amazing locations that really brought the world to life.
Quinn's Lavender Farm: This was shot on a movie ranch outside of Santa Fe. She is a Texas gal who left Ransom Canyon to New York City for a career as a classical pianist. She brought back a design sense that was informed by her life in both rural Texas and New York. Her home is bright, eclectic and full of life. The sofa is vintage George Smith classic rolled-arm sofa upholstered in a Clarke and Clarke floral drapery fabric from JP&G Baker. Rattan club chairs, sofa and Thonet chairs sourced on Chairish. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
Quinn's Lavender Farm: Armchair sourced through Live Auctioneer, Thonet chairs from Chairish. Portraits and kitchen furniture sourced locally at Box Road. Delftware from Koch Antiques Photo courtesy of Netflix.
Quinn's Lavender Farm: Her bedroom is filled with family history, pieces brought together through generations. Victorian and depression era furniture were sourced locally. Chinese Deco found on Chairish. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
Quinn's Lavender Farm: This stage set is the basement of Quinn's farmhouse, where the characters shelter from the tornado. Minka Kelly as Quinn and Josh Duhamel as Staten. Photo by Anna Kooris © 2024 Netflix.
SD: Have you ever decorated a Western before? What kind of research did you do?
RD: This was my first Western, and it was so much fun! I grew up watching old reruns of GUNSMOKE, BONANZA and THE WILD, WILD WEST so I always pictured the sets as almost a send up of that Hollywood version of the period. I tried to lean into a more romantic Spanish and Victorian nature of the interiors. Miss Kitty’s Long Branch Saloon, a set from GUNSMOKE, kept popping into my head.
Gracie's Dancehall: The front room is a stage set. Writer/Producer April Blaire wanted a private ranchers’ club vibe. It was based on our exterior location in Las Vegas, New Mexico. I found the stag head chandeliers at auction. Art is from John Koch, Anastacia’s Antiques and local sources. The majority of the seating was purchased through a single vendor from Chairish. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
Gracie's Dancehall, Grand opening: Staten Kirkland [Josh Duhamel] and his father, Samuel [Brett Cullen]. Photo by Anna Kooris © 2024 Netflix.
Gracie's Dancehall: The main room was a challenge. We brought in furnishings from local antique sources whenever possible. The Buffalo's name is Carl (just because), he's hanging out with an old hand, carved baby Jesus, from Box Road, a great antiques resource. Vintage lighting came from Hudson Valley House Parts, Anastacia's Antiques and City Knickerbocker. Leather club chairs from auction. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
SD: Where did you film?
RD: We shot all around New Mexico. It’s such a beautiful state. The stages and some of the locations were in Albuquerque, but we filmed on location throughout the state. Quinn’s farm was outside Santa Fe. The exterior of the Double K was in Ribera, and the town of Ransom Canyon was actually Las Vegas, New Mexico, which was amazing.
SD: What were the challenges if any working on location?
RD: The toughest part of the job was probably all the travel between locations. Some days we were on the road for 4-5 hours...but the locations were worth it. The other difficulty was just the availability of furniture pieces. There are some spectacular sources in the state, but so much had to be brought in from outside the state.
Fuller Ranch: Another stage set. James Brolin is Cap Fuller, the cranky old, widowed ranch owner. His home shown a deep history, full of memories and a real connection to the land. The house is loved, but shows its age. Photo by Anna Kooris © 2024 Netflix.
Another view of Cap Fuller [James Brolin] at home. Everything was sourced from local vendors. Photo by Anna Kooris © 2024 Netflix.
SD: Speaking of filming on locations, can you share some of your sources?
RD: New Mexico is an amazing place to shoot, but the sourcing can be limited, much had to be shipped in. We searched high and low for the Grand Old Opry stage lights for Gracie's dancehall and City Knickerbocker came to the rescue. Chairish was the perfect source for amazing antique vintage lighting and antiques. Business member shipping is amazing.
Most of our upholstery and drapery fabrics for the ranches and the dancehall were sourced through Kravet, in New York! Jay Podos is great about supplying swatches and getting everything shipped fast to help us meet deadlines. And I can’t forget AMCO American Screen and Window, who supplied all our blinds and shades.
Double K Ranch: Staten Kirkland's office is moody and masculine. The sofa is another vintage George Smith piece, this one is the Tiplady Knole in leather. That amazing wingback chair is a vintage piece sourced in Santa Fe that Assistant Set Decorator Lisanne Scafine ran across. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
AMCO comes through on the blinds, really helping add atmosphere. Andrew Liner as star quarterback Reid Collins. Inset: Ellie [Marianly Tejada] is snooping through Yancy's tack room in the stable at Buena Vista Ranch. This one was set up as a location and then re-created on stage. Photos by Anna Kooris © 2024 Netflix.
SD: What is your favorite set or sets? And why?
RD: I loved doing the interiors of The Double K and the Dance Hall. They were just such massive, gorgeous sets that had such personal and storied histories. We were dealing with generations of family legacy, and it all needed to service our modern story.
SD: Most memorable thing that happened during filming?
RD: I think the most memorable part of the shoot was the amazing people. The crews in Albuquerque were the greatest group of people I could have asked for. Everyone from the production team and the writers to my set dressers and assistants were just amazing and extremely talented. Every day it was a joy to show up for work...and we don’t get to say that so much anymore. Oh, also snakes and massive sandstorms! LOL
