Sims 3 - The Official Building/Remodeling Showboat Thread

[fortheloveofcake]

Front porch looks much better now! The double column really helped a lot 

[saltpastillen]

After some lovely help yesterday night I'm back for more. Does anyone have an idea for how I should recolor the area above the entry? Right now it's just white and dark grey, but I think something else is needed... Suggestions?

[Odinsdottir]

It's awesome.  I mean, genuinely excellent.  The only two things I'd change may well be impossible, since the interior is done.  I don't like the way the windows don't line up with the dormers in the front and there is something... unsatisfying about the the roofs (rooves?!) on the two little sticky-outy rooms on the front.  Could you make them flat with balustrade?

I would maaaaybe toss some more landscaping in near the pool.

I'd still call it amazing as it is, though.  It's a real quality build, well thought through.  I love your use of colour and tone and it's just overall a great project. 

[saltpastillen]

The windows I can change no problem. They already do line up in the back, don't know why I didn't see it in the front...

I'm unsure about the balustrade... would I need to put doors in to make them functional balconies? Because I don't think that'll fit the facade. But it kind of seems like wasted space. Or is this normal in this kind of building (we only have wooden houses where I'm from lol).

Also I changed the color over the entry to a softer grey and like it way more. Got the veg. garden ready and added some spawners. Now I'm going to see if I can spice up the pool area.



(This just shows how much you can do without store stuff - since I'm building it in my building contest file.)

[Neashaleigh]

Hey Salt

I think the porch looks lovely. I'd probably at the very least change the colour of the bit above to a soft cream colour to blend nicer with the house. White and grey look a little stark. I'd probably then make the columns the same shade of cream. But that's my personal opinion.

In the photo above, I can see you've added more windows. Can I just say that I think it looked better with less windows, but I do agree they need to line up with the dormers. Otherwise it kind of looks a little... off center. I personally don't like that style of window and rarely use it in my builds, but if you're happy with them, then cool

I definitely agree that there needs to be a little more landscaping near the pool. Maybe a nice shady tree and some plants/flowers. You could even add a nice rock border to soften the harsher lines of the pool area, and have a few ferns peeking out between the rocks.

I really love the upstairs colours. So light and airy! Downstairs looks a little dark due to the carpet/flooring? I really like how each room has its own themed colours. It's something I don't tend to do much, but really should because the overall effect is lovely!

I think a hot tub would add a nice touch to the pool area if you can fit one in without it looking crowded. On large mansions I always include a hot tub

The only other thing I'd do differently is to soften the harsh straight lines somehow... especially around the landscaping. I guess I think in curves more than lines, personally hehe, and I love some gardens to have a slap-dash feel to them. Wild but neat... if that makes sense.

Other than that, I think it's an amazing build! You've spent a lot of time on it and it shows. I'm thoroughly impressed

Good luck with the competition and please let me know how you get on with it!

~ Neasha

[saltpastillen]

Thank you for taking the time to give me your opinion. I'm working on some more planting and a hot tub area by the pool. I have so many new ideas flowing in from the great people at this forum so I'm getting inspired to build again.

I decided to go with the added windows, I like less windows myself but it looks of kilter. I agree that the windows are hard to work with, but I wanted to get a colonial feeling with shutters, and they were the only windows I thought looked nice with them.

I lightened the downstairs floors a smidgen, but still wanted to keep the dark wood color.

Of to do some extensive play testing and once I'm done I'll post an update.

[saltpastillen]

I'm sorry for hogging the thread. I won't be much longer - I promise.

And then I'll come back and give feedback to anyone who want's it. It's so inspiring to have everyone chip in and give support when I'm working on such a massive project (going on almost 7 months now.... ). It'll be nice when I'm done.

Anyway, after many kind comments and pm's this I've made some small changes. The columns and the area over the entrance are now a grey marble like the balustrade. I'm going with Odinsdottir's suggestion and have changed the roofs to flat. After some insightful comments from Neashleigh and Vinyl I've managed to create a hot tub area by the pool. And I think it's awesome!

Sharing some pics while my poor tester family are running around upgrading the appliances and filling the chests with treasures.


This is the new and improved front view. Maybe I need to darken the area over the entrance even more?


You might have noticed me moving the fairy castle, it's now by the tree house. It has it's own little secret glen and fits much better.


I'm very pleased with the pond that got some koi fish. I've also added butterfly, small bird, turtle and wild flower spawners. Turtles and birds since the house was built for someone interested in keeping them as pets.


Overview of lot, as you can see I have moved the gnubb set (gotta have one since I'm Swedish) and framed the pool area with even more shrubs. It game me room for a hot tub and some additional seating. I also did the garden.


Pretty standard and well spaced. Has all plants except life fruit and death flowers (I can't make it to easy).


Realized I hadn't shared a shot of the back, here you can see the porch that runs along the entire back side. The first floor has large floor to ceiling windows, and the views are great.


The new poolside area. Added a planting arrangement, seating and a moondail. Am liking it a lot.


Really like how this came out. Added some of the indoor plants such as two of the ivy ones with good results.


I welcome any comments...

[Chuckles_82]

Ok, finally I've had a chance to sit down and read the whole lot, and look carefully at the pictures! My first impression was just WOW! Going into detail, and keeping in mind it is just personal preference,
- I liked the peaked roof better, with less windows. There are some double windows that take up less space, that already have shutters - they look like a single window, and have a slight curve on the top. They may help line up with the windows above.
- For the roof above the porch, I'd try a wallpaper that has a baseboard, to help define and trim the lower edge. Also, you could place flat roof tiles underneath all the roofs. Then colour any edges that are showing, which also helps to give definition, and also if you take screen shots you won't see the world outside (if you haven't already).
- The new gardens match really well with the building style and flow nicely
- The only outdoor thing that stands out too much and doesn't match is the umbrella over the lounges by the pool area. I think an older style might suit it better.
- Indoors I love the layout and the colours. Personally I find it difficult to see what a house looks like from an overview, except to see that it has a functional layout - because I can't get a feel for each room at a quick glance, but looking closely the large spaces and fire places give it a luxurious feel.
- I love that the drive goes down the side of the house with the trees lining the sides, and the little area out the front right.

Good luck with the competition!

[saltpastillen]

Good luck with the competition!

Thanks!

I'll be going over and tweaking some last things today, then I'm going to play test it some more (thanks Twinmum for reminding me to do it after I uploaded!). I can't be changing things any more - I'll never get done!

As soon as I've entered it into the competition I'll upload it here so you can have a look-see yourself. The Gallery is going to be jam-packed with pictures to show it all off.

[ladybug53]

Good luck on your competition !  All the tweaking you did to your lot looks great . That's a large lot to fill and you did an amazing job . Your landscaping looks awesome !   

[saltpastillen]

Good luck on your competition !  All the tweaking you did to your lot looks great . That's a large lot to fill and you did an amazing job . Your landscaping looks awesome !   

Thanks! I've managed to load it to the exchange now I just have to take pictures. Can you imagien that I didn't even top §500,000 for it all? If we get a building contest with a minimum of 500,000 to spend it's going to be tough - because I've packed loads into this one and I'm still about §50,000 short.

[bubbles]

I absolutely love this house! Could you post a link to it on the exchange, or do we have to wait until the contest is over?

[saltpastillen]

I'm planning to post it here too, but wanted to take screenshots first. But my game kept crashing

Hopefully it's going to work today.

[bubbles]

Fingers crossed your game doesn't completely die! Maybe make a backup like right now, just in case.

[saltpastillen]

Just wanted to let everyone who helped me out know that you can view the finished product in the SwapShop. It's called the Ers'Ors Manor.