Sims 3 - The Official Building/Remodeling Showboat Thread

[ZapKid]

Zapkid, your walls look a bit bare, maybe add some more paintings?
I think  you could do a little more with your landscaping, like adding some trees, palm trees would look good. Maybe you could add a hot tub in the back yard.

I think that I did add a good amount of paintings. Everything wall was either paintings or windows. As for the hot tub: I will do that sometime later!

[Natsuko]

I think that I did add a good amount of paintings. Everything wall was either paintings or windows.

Me and my eyes...curse you failing eyesight! I'm more of the person who doesn't do modern homes because they are just to bland for me. Maybe you could add a colour that contrasts with that blue on the bed, like a green or a teal shade.
Glad to see your adding a hot tub!

[ZapKid]

. Maybe you could add a colour that contrasts with that blue on the bed, like a green or a teal shade.

I'll do that also 

[ZapKid]

I did everything you requested, Natsuko. A beautiful outdoor area, lounge chairs, a little more landscaping and a new color in the bed/aquarium. Here are updated photos:
Updated bedroom (notice different aquarium rock color)

Lounge chairs, new trees/rocks in background

New trees

Outdoor Area


Still want suggestions to make better 

[Saltypaws]

Nice job zapkid.  Really looks alot better.

I tried my had at building a dance club. "Social Club and Lounge".  I think I did it again with making it too big and then I sit and look at it, not knowing what to do.  It has an exclusive club downstairs, so your sims have to get by the bouncer.  I was trying something out and put a firemans pole upstairs to see if sims would use it to go downstairs and get one past the bouncer and it worked, lol.  I have a fog emitter in the hot tub to make it look like steam and it really works well.  I know there are some other touches I can do it, so again, suggestions are welcome.  The outside doesn't look too appealing, so that could really use some help.

Downstairs, exclusive hot tub and sitting area.



Downstairs sitting area.


Regular bar area.


Regular bar restroom area.


This is the outside and yes, it needs some attention.  Looks just like a regular ole house to me, so it definitely needs something.

[Micler]

@Danefaith- Thank you! I agree with you about the foyer and study. I'll try to implement wall edges onto this house. I think that they would make an improvement to the exterior architecture. I've thought since the beginning that it was a little bit bland.

I'll see if I can add a few more windows to that side of the house, and add a railing to the porch.

@Lynely- Thanks! The living room pattern is one from the game which I recoloured. I think a pond is a good idea for that large, empty yard!

I really like your house! I think the rug in the kids bedroom might look better if it's not the same pattern as the blanket. Other than that, I can't really think of anything else. Great house. You should put it in the swap shop once you're done!

[Gogowars329]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I didn't change the colour of the windows in the kids' bedroom as they looked very odd from outside. I've changed the half-walls but no photo.
The kitchen/dining was the next thing on the to-do-list. Having a second look now, I think I should change the tiles. Please give me ideas.

[TheChronicR]

Maybe add a few decorations here and there, recolored? It's looking a bit bare.

[Gogowars329]

Maybe add a few decorations here and there, recolored? It's looking a bit bare.

I always forget decorations! I'm off to go add some.
EDIT:Here's the new version with Decor.

[xFezIsAFreakx]

Hello everyone! Well, I had never thought I'd ever be proud enough of something I had built so much that I would actually feel confident enough to post it here! I feel like, I don't know, the dumbest student at Oxford, maybe? I am so terrible at building that the building I am showing you today wasn't even built by me! It is a modern version of the house built by Curtis Paradis (that Youtube guy) called the 'Paradise Hilltop Mountain'. It is gorgeous and specifically made for 15 SummerHill Court, which I was very happy to hear, as I have been looking for a mansion that suits my needs for ages, for my Dreamer legacy as I really hate the current house I have now.. but, to my disappointment, it was a traditional house. I wanted a modern one. So, the project to turn it into a modern style home began! (And yes, this will be me building, ahem, remodelling that house that I made a horrendous request for a few weeks ago ) This is the fourth house I have ever worked on and is the first remodel I have done. I don't have any pictures of how the outside looked before except the one that is the pic from the actual download on the Exchange:



But I have not touched the inside, yet. Here it is:


First Floor


Second Floor

I plan to turn that little box bit at the right hand side into the area that the master bedroom will be, but I'm still not sure yet. The household moving in is one of eight sims. So, I plan to do this by making the two sets of twins share rooms, and obviously my founder and her spouse will be sharing a room also, so that is five rooms, which is just right!


This is the front of the house. I think I should put a few more trees on the left hand side, especially if that will be the master bedroom, but I'm not sure. There are already trees there, but the screenshot cuts them off so you can't see them, but I think it could still do with more. I put those lights on the walkway to disguise the fact that the walkway is a straight line and looks really unrealistic, so I think that makes it better. You may not be able to see it well, but I put four limelights at the front of the house, instead of the bushes that were there. I put them there simply because my tree graphics are too low to show the bushes, so I think lights look better. Does anyone think the walls are too bright? i used that diamond-look stone.. Same on the stairs and columns although they look very different and sort of grey, but I don't mind. I'm not too sure about that front door, and the one on the top floor, as well? I couldn't really find any other doors that suited, in my opinion..


That is the garage (I prefer it outdoors and also, I got rid of that box that was there which was previously the garage as I didn't like how it looked when I 'moderned' it up.) And yes, that is my idea of landscaping. Is it enough without going overboard? Maybe I could add a pond or something? I have never made a pond before..


That is the back of the house. I haven't moderned it up yet. I only changed the master bedroom bit and am currently working on the garden, as you can see. I am almost finished. What does everyone think of that fence that I replaced? I think the other one was too posh-o so this is my idea of a modern one, as the fun fence does not look right at all, haha. I liked how the bush fence thing looks so I kept it..


This is the kids play area. It was a must to have this as the family consists of five kids. I only have Ambitions and the Base Game so this was everything I could possibly put. I really like it, although the colours aren't really childish, but I couldn't make it any more colourful without it contrasting with the rest of the house. (I suppose that's the problem with modern family homes, haha) Also, this picture is outdated as I have placed three tables at the side (near the trampoline) so there is a space to relax, etc, and to make it more realistic.

Here is a pic of that seating area: 

I have tried to make it more believable by placing little items like magazines, vases, etc on the tables and also thought that the baseballs would be a nice touch. (and would make it easier for me to find when looking for them ) The only change I made since then was move the tables to the left a little so I couold place some trees around that area to landscape a little (and I plan to do that on the other side of the backyard as well) but the laptop shut down, while I was in the middle of it so it's just as well I didn't take any screenies!


Here's the other side of that backyard. It is very bare. The only change I've made is that I've put one of those sleeping gnome things in front of the diagonal bit of the bush fence which is cut off on this screenie, anyway. I also plan to put more landscaping here. I'm not really sure what to put in the middle in between the buffet table and the benches and washing line? Any suggestions? Once again, I thought of a pond as a barbecue by the pond sounds like a nice touch. Hmm..


After I downloaded the house and had a look around, upon finding this bit I just adored it. I plan to change this bit when each legacy heir changes. The current heir is a painter so there is an easel. The little stool will hold an ice sculpture of the current heir. I think it's cool.
Opinions of those column things? Should they stay or should they go? I kept them so they could use up some space but I'm still not so sure.

Thank you for having a look and if you have read all of this then wow, well done! Thank you! Any suggestions would be welcome, any at all. I've tried to drop in some little questions I have. You are all far better builders than me so I would welcome all your suggestions with open arms, haha!

[ZapKid]

@ Salty

Very nice interior, but the outside definitely needs some work. Change the roof to stone: make the door and windows more traditional, And make the entryway surrounded by bushes, put a Medusa's Victim statue in there for effect. Also, add 2 columns in front of the door and make the roof extend out to them. And finally, plop some nice statues / bushes where a parking lot could be. The interior is a bit big, but other than that, it's perfect .

[Gogowars329]

I've completed all the rooms but just need the okay on three of the areas. Any suggestions are welcome!
The three rooms are the entry area, living area and the kitchen.

[Micler]

@Gogowars- I really like your entryway and living room! The kitchen looks good, but I think that you should change the fridge door to match the stove. Tile looks odd on a fridge door. The trim on the upper cabinets could also be changed. Overall, this is a great house!

[Gogowars329]

@Gogowars- I really like your entryway and living room! The kitchen looks good, but I think that you should change the fridge door to match the stove. Tile looks odd on a fridge door. The trim on the upper cabinets could also be changed. Overall, this is a great house!

Thanks! This might sound stupid but, is the tiling on the cabinets the trim or the wood?

[Joria]

@ Fez:  You have just learned the secret of how to become a great builder!  Start with remodeling something you like and without realizing it, you are learning what works and what doesn't work.  Next thing you know, you'll be starting from scratch.  I love the way you have modernized that building!  I really can't critique it because I'm just smiling all over from watching you grow!  It's a good job and it's a house I'd be proud to own.  You gave credit to Curtis too which is really fine!

@Gogo:  so when is this delightful house going in the Swap Shop?  I LOVE it.

@Salty:  Hey, there is nothing wrong with the outside of a club, especially an exclusive club, looking like a house.  You don't want it standing up shouting, "Look at me!  I'm a club!"  Zapkids ideas would spruce it up just enough yet keep that exclusive air about it.  As for the inside, the high back of that hot tub suggests maybe it should go against a wall or half wall.  Other wise I love everything about this build and am looking forward to downloading it.  You are going to share, right?