Sims 3 - The Official Building/Remodeling Showboat Thread

[TheChronicR]

@Chronic,
the house isn't actually bad.
What I would do is add all those things you want but don't need. Things like a garage, a pool, a hedge maze, and (my personal fave) a playground for the kids. Then throw in a fence so it all seems collective and together. 

Great advice! But, again, the money factor..

[Shenice93]

Money is always a problem at the beginning of Dynasty/Legacy games. Build cheaply when ever you can. Eventually you'll get more money to upgrade all the cheap stuff to expensive stuff. For the garage, just build a rectangle, add some cheap wall coverings (recolored of course) and flooring (also recolored). Then buy a couple of parking spaces. You don't even need the cars yet. For pools, I usually start with a 3x3. That's incredibly small, but it satisfies the need until a bigger one is affordable. Hedge mazes can be made from the "inside" to the "outside." Start with building the "goal" lets say a romantic sitting area (can be done for under $1000 with high quality items). Then build the maze piece by piece. Playgrounds are expensive I'm not going to lie, especially with the new equipment from Generations. For that you'll have to designate the area, then furnish with one slide at a time.

Of course you could always wait until your family is loaded. 

[TheChronicR]

Thanks Shenice, awesome idea and thanks for the help!

[Audren]

I just finished re-designing my own Dynasty house. It's by no means great, but it works well and is unique. Any comments or possible improvements? The house is here, as there's too many screenshots to show here.

[danefaith]

Afraid I'm not very helpful when it comes to Dynasty building.  The emphasis on game function and dynasty strategy are a little foreign to me, so I'm not sure how much help I could be.  I do know, however, that while the discrete bedrooms seems sensible, it would be more cost effective for your rooms to be adjoined.  This way, they share a wall, which reduces the number of necessary wall pieces.

consider that for your next renovation.  you might also want to consider creating another save file for side building projects.  that way when it comes time for the ultimate renovation, you'll be comfortable enough with the building tools to build a brilliant dynasty mansion.

[Audren]

Good point. I could have them connected, but not accessible through the shared wall, if you understand what I mean.

[danefaith]

bedrooms shouldn't share doors with other bedrooms anyway.

[danefaith]

Decided to spread my wings a bit.  I've made one too many moderns, so its time for something new.

I kinda found my inspiration in greek revival, and then just went from there.  Definitely needs some serious landscaping.

[Gogowars329]

Looking good so far Dane! The colour contrast looks great!

[danefaith]

thank you as always for the compliments.  I'm glad the subtle contrasts in the walls and the overt contrast against the wrought iron caught your eye.

moving right along, I landscaped.




I think I like this style. 

[Gogowars329]

The landscaping is nice. The wedding arch idea is very great and smart. Although, you should check if sims can go underneath and through those archs.

[pallyndrome]

danefaith, nice house. Can't wait to see inside. Are those shelves sticking out up high? And where did you get that car?

[danefaith]

Yep, shelves.  Using them to represent a cornice.  And the car is from the Dr. Pepper promo.

[Phyre]

That's looking very nice so far Dane! I think you captured the style quite well; those shelves are a very creative idea! I also really like the fact that you've placed the house a little lower, and then let the terrain slope towards this point where you put the basement door. The landscaping is well done as well, I think the backyard can use some more love, but the front looks beatiful and in harmony with the style of the house.

The only thing I'm personally not sold on is the extension to your "base" with that overhang. It's not something that fits the style, since back when they first started to use this style in building it was a constructive impossiblity to create overhangs like this. I know you have two columns there, but they'd never support the weight of the element since it's got a lot of mass.

[Shenice93]

I love the new build Danefaith. It's very different than your more modern ones.