Sims 3 - The Official Building/Remodeling Showboat Thread

[Ausette]

Awesome work guys! It's nice to see new builders on the Showboat, a big welcome to Yarakisagoa and e1990r! And I mean it, so don't let me hogging the rest of the post put you off. 

Anyway, I've got a lot of works in progress right now but I've only had time to finish the little ones, and I thought I might focus on Sunset Valley for a while. I like doing conversions of existing lots, so I built this little cafe in Maywood Glen:











Sorry for the grid lines in the pictures  . I wanted to change as little as possible about the lot itself, which is why the cafe's so small. I've placed a few tables, a World Adventures food register, coffee machine and bar. What do you guys think? I like how it turned out, but I don't build in this style very often and there's probably a few things I can still do to improve it. Any suggestions?

[pallyndrome]

I love it Ausette, it's gorgeous. And what a great idea to use a WA register for a cafe. I wonder which country's food it will sell?

[Ausette]

It doesn't sell any of the World Adventures food (egg rolls, crepes etc.), but it sells all of the base game food you'd normally get in addition to the exotic stuff. It even sells bar food from Late Night. 

[Audren]

Yes, that is a nice cafe. I could live there if I wanted to, it's so good! 

[danefaith]

Hmm, few ideas.

Emphasize the red painting a bit by using a frame closer to the color of the painting beside it.  the frame at present is too close to the color of the walls, and so it kind of sinks in.

Consider "short, medium-length planks with pegs" for the floor on the side patio, and bring the color closer to that of its deck framework.  The contrast with the entry stairs will help emphasize their unique qualities.

Finally, play with the colors of your window and door frames a bit.  These picturesque colonials can really take on amazing character with subtle hints of color or bold accents in their windows and frames.

that said, it marries perfectly into the previous landscaping in a way which leaves me feeling, it had been there all along.

[danefaith]

So pressed through the last remaining rooms.



Teen's room.


One side of the den, with mini-bar and television.


Other side of the den, with seating and piano.

Now just need to decorate the hallways, review for final touches, and I'll be finished!

[Gogowars329]

Looks very cool Danefaith.

[Katluvr]

I'm running out of idea :|. I'm not good at "painting", so the wall around look .... Any suggestions?

I love the overall layout of the property and the style and symmetry of the main house.  I agree that more landscaping would help add interest to the large open spaces in the yard.

I love how the color of the house carries over to the inside of the wall, but the outside appears dark by comparison.  Is that a trick of the lighting or is it actually darker than the inside of the wall?  I would prefer to see the wall the same color as the house both inside and out.

One really minor thing, but it was the first thing my eye went to...the siding above the main gate feels out of place to me.  It is reminiscent of a Tudor style home and I personally think it detracts from the simplicity of the overall design.

Great job!

[e1990r]

OK. I'm giving the update of the home I am working on. I have worked hard on the exterior and added a lot of details. I know a lot of work is to come. However, I was wondering what you were thinking.

[pallyndrome]

@e1190r: I think you've done well with the landscaping mostly - the pond looks better and the plants are good. The pool is beautiful. I just am not sure about those tall lanterns in the back yard - they look out of place.

[Ausette]

Looking good dane, I can't wait to download it! I always love your modern designs and colours.

e1990r, your house is also coming together nicely. I'd suggest changing the colour of the driveway to something a little darker, and I'd fill up the empty space at the back with trees, shrubs, terrain paint and small hills. I like the landscaping so far, just continue that  . As for the pool area, I agree with pally about the lights. Perhaps you could make a fence and add some lights to that? You're doing great so far, just keep at it and you'll get there.

Also, I just uploaded Maywood Cafe to the Swap Shop after a few changes. Thanks for the advice guys, I played around with the colours a little and now I couldn't imagine it without the pink shutters. 

[Gogowars329]

Looks great!

[RubyLovesSims]

Aw, I love the cafe, Ausette!
It's so cute

[Ausette]

Thanks guys . I'm starting to get back into building, so I've been converting the Red Rendezvous in Twinbrook into an apartment building. I haven't done much to the bar on the bottom floor because I like it so much, but to the second and third floors I've added a starter-priced apartment, two hidden NPC apartments, a laundry (with toilets and waiting area) and a conference room.









I usually just leave the Red Rendezvous as a bar, but I thought I'd give the Private Eye profession a shot and I needed something suitably atmospheric  . I liked the idea of living right in town, too. Sadly the bottom floor doesn't really function as a bar because there isn't a mixologist unless you hire one yourself, but because it's the only apartment in Twinbrook it's always chock full of NPCs. I've almost finished, so what do you guys think? Should I move the dining table across more? Do I need to use different wood colours? Is there anything else I should change?

[RubyLovesSims]

Ausette, I love the look of the apartment. It's so classy, and very elegant.
I think the wood looks fine, as does the table. Actually, I can't think of anything I would chage at all.