# What to decorate my house with that will upset the neighbors just a little? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 9, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222 "2012-09-09T19:19:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/61 "2012-09-10T20:57:51Z")
How about pink lawn flamingos? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/62 "2012-09-10T21:04:59Z")
Christmas decorations. Lots of them. Never take them down. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/63 "2012-09-10T21:21:05Z")
Back when I lived in Austin, a house had a huge poster? painting? of one of the local bats. Not Halloween-y, very realistic, and it looked great. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/64 "2012-09-10T21:21:27Z")
Glow in the dark paint, so that your house glows at night ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/65 "2012-09-10T21:27:13Z")
A giant portrait of your neighbor. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/66 "2012-09-10T21:28:16Z")
Several easy ideas that don’t require more than basic brush skills. [Mudflap girl](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudflap_girl). Calvin peeing on whatever. Google image search for references. I was going to suggest getting some local taggers to assist you, but it sounds like there might not be many in your area. ETA: [Dark Side of the Moon](http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Dark_Side_of_the_Moon_dark_side_9064.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/67 "2012-09-10T22:07:07Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Neat idea, but in my case it would have to be left-to-right or right-to-left, as my siding is more vertical than horizontal. That gives me an idea - how about a [tv test pattern?](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/SMPTE_Color_Bars.svg/320px-SMPTE_Color_Bars.svg.png) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/68 "2012-09-10T22:17:11Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > That gives me an idea - how about a [tv test pattern?](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/SMPTE_Color_Bars.svg/320px-SMPTE_Color_Bars.svg.png) [Wrong test pattern](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/RCA_Indian_Head_test_pattern.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/69 "2012-09-11T20:43:00Z")
> [@digs](#): > > [_ **DON’T mention the WAR!** _](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xnNhzgcWTk) It’s OK, you might have mentioned it but I think you got away with it… ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/70 "2012-09-11T20:46:59Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Neat idea, but in my case it would have to be left-to-right or right-to-left, as my siding is more vertical than horizontal. Paint artificial lines semi-vertically that make the house appear skewed,like [this](http://www.eye-illusions.com/optimages/vertical.gifhttp://) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/71 "2012-09-11T21:53:22Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > Paint artificial lines semi-vertically that make the house appear skewed,like [this](http://www.eye-illusions.com/optimages/vertical.gifhttp://) bad link ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/72 "2012-09-11T22:00:43Z")
My apologies. [Here](http://www.eye-illusions.com/optimages/vertical.gif). ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/73 "2012-09-12T21:57:58Z")
> [@digs](#): > > … I checked your location, and you’re in Door County. One of the most peaceful, zen places I’ve ever visited… With a name like that, it occurred to me that a little bit of subtle humor might do well. Paint a big giant door, as plain or fancy as you like [Or, encompassing Digs’ description, make it a Shinto tori or a doorway to a Zen temple.], and put… N+1 …over the top Locals will probably understand the joke; people who are just visiting might not get it. —G! A thousand pictures can be drawn from one word Only who is the artist We got to agree . --John Lodge (Moody Blues) . _I’m just a singer…_ . Seventh Sojourn ---
**Author:** ![Imago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@Imago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imago)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/74 "2012-09-12T23:40:27Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > To drive them crazy, how about painting a USA flag, but make it wrong in some subtle but noticeable way? Like, 49 stars instead of 50, or something like that? Swap out blue for purple and red for orange. Weird as hell without being disrespectful. Or, you know, I like the Venus De Millo idea, maybe put a mustache on her ribcage? ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/75 "2012-09-12T23:50:36Z")
If you’ve got the artistic chops, you could make a painted window. The view “through” the window could be what would be seen inside if it were a real window, or it could be a scene of you doing something interesting inside, or it could be a view into a fancy dream house. Or you could go with a very realistic painted door. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/76 "2012-09-14T19:35:11Z")
The power and majesty of the [Three Wolf Moon](http://snakeandsnake.com/3wolfmoon.jpg)can not be underestimated. I’m also partial to See Rock City [barns](http://www.google.com/search?q=see+rock+city+birdhouse&hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADSA_en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=XYZTULKCKZDQ9ATn54DQAw&sqi=2&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=960&bih=517#hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-us%3AIE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADSA_en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=see+rock+city+&oq=see+rock+city+&gs_l=img.3..0i24l10.3016.3016.0.5078.1.1.0.0.0.0.125.125.0j1.1.0...0.0...1c.1.aM8u4vz1Smg&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=74febacf30f9f7dd&biw=960&bih=517)and such… ---
**Author:** ![Turpentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Turpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turpentine)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/77 "2012-09-14T19:48:27Z")
An ear of corn? An anthropomorphic blender? A misspelled word? A really big ruler? Krtek the Little Mole? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222.md?page=3)