More Awesome Than You!

By popular vote this months house is:
25 Toboggan Way (Note: OFB required)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/nz_witch/bluewater%20residential/Bluewater_250209013.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/nz_witch/bluewater%20residential/Bluewater_250209014.jpg)

Rules copy and pasted from last month:

1. No CC.  Please indicate stuff packs so people who wish to download your lot know what to expect.  Pictures are required, either available for download, on a slideshow, or posted in this thread.

2. By entering this challenge, you agree to take constructive criticism.  If you wish to judge someone else's entry, you should be respectful but honest.

3. Your lot does not have to be Awesomespec, although it is encouraged.

4. You may move internal walls and add external walls but you may NOT move original external walls.

5. Lots may be furnished, unfurnished, or partially furnished.  You can even upload both furnished and unfurnished versions.

Bonus rules:

6. The outside stairs, porch, walkways, and pond should stay.

2009/04/01: Added clarification about stairs.

6. The outside stairs, porch, walkways, and pond should stay.

Bah!

This one looks relatively easy compared to last month though :)

It sure does. Last month's was a slightly large lot compared to this one.

Hrm, yes. Olivia's residence for sure. Won't be able to wait until the 11th hour to finish it like last month.

Do they need to be the exact same stairs, or are physically identical, cosmetically different ones acceptable?

Physically identical, cosmetically different stairs are completely acceptable.

Well, I voted for it (late) but can't seem now to get any real idea what to do.  :-\

Idea:  keep original groud floor footprint.  Expand upper floor(s) to form an improbable mushroom shaped building.  Put swingset and slide on the roof - kids love to play on the roof.

Just a suggestion, but don't be surprised if I do that as well.

For my first one, I'm basically ignoring the base. I stripped it and painted it red so I don't demolish it. But I'm building something enormous and awesome around it, then will incorporate the shape. I only have the outside done so far, but it's looking great and different from my norm.

For the second, I'm going with the shape and just building off it while trying to make it look as unusual as possible.

Damn, there goes my schtick. I might go tiny this month.  :P

In real life do you live in a bachelor apartment with a shared bath and a hotplate?  ;D

No, she has a shared plate and a hot bath ;)

I've done the outside of mine, just have to furnish it. It isn't really awesomespec though.

I have speculated as to the cause(s) of my grandiosity before now.  :D

In real life, I have a suburban three bedroom box. I like it and it suits.

Hmm, I've just had an idea for a thread.

I'm back and with more ramz!!!

I bring you 25 Pagoda way.  I've been downloading things for an asian themed neighbourhood and wanted to attempt another asian inspired house.  I still phail at interior decorating, especially with the uninspiring Maxis collections, but oh well.

Front;
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/25%20Pagoda%20way/frontofhouse.png)
Back;
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/25%20Pagoda%20way/backofhouse.png)
Top floor of the Pagoda (library/reading room);
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/25%20Pagoda%20way/topofpagoda.png)
2nd floor of house and pagoda;
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/25%20Pagoda%20way/2ndfloorofhouseandpagoda.png)
1st floor of house and pagoda;
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/25%20Pagoda%20way/1sffloorofhouseandpagoda.png)

download here: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=c6d09d9a6bb6c22bab1eab3e9fa335ca53df296e50ead8a7

I have all EP's and SP's.  I did playtest to make sure everything works... the only problem I saw was that the sink in the bathroom of the 1st floor of the pagoda causes a detour.  The bathroom is still usable/accessible, and that was the only routing issue so I left it how it was packaged. And when I checked the lot in clean pack I noticed the phone line tagged along.

I have a fairly sizable 1-bedroom with two walk-in closets and eat-in kitchen. I've lived in a tiny studio before, though. Eh.

Here's my submission: 25 Toboggan Way Lofts (http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=d5515f661319125de7c82ed4b8f0c380c062d58fb2735bd75621d66e282a0ee8) <<<download

Requires: All EP. M&G and Ikea SPs for full display. K&B and H&M owned but not used.
Type: Apartment lot with seven units. The units vary in floor plan and features. A lot.

(http://i43.tinypic.com/rk8042.jpg)

(http://i43.tinypic.com/zk4xv9.jpg)

(http://i40.tinypic.com/ir3sb5.jpg)

Apartment stats:
Unit A - $1,122/week rent. Unfurnished base cost: $5,207. Furnished base cost: $10,430
         - 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
         - 1 floor. Features great room and dining bar.
Unit B - $2,231/week rent. Unfurnished base cost: $9,932. Furnished base cost: $17,491
         - 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
         - 2 floors. Features separate (lockable) kitchen.
Unit C - $2,414/week rent. Unfurnished base cost: $9,148. Furnished base cost: $17,185
         - 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
         - 2 floors. Features lofted dining area, separate kitchen, and lofted area in smaller bedroom.
Unit D - $2,378/week rent. Unfurnished base cost: $8,076. Furnished base cost: $16,724
         - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
         - 1 floor. Features separate kitchen and dining area.
Unit E - $1,679/week rent. Unfurnished base cost: $5,677. Furnished base cost: $11,914
         - 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
         - 2 floors. Features lofted kitchen and dining area.
Unit F - $1,178/week rent. Unfurnished base cost: $5,019. Furnished base cost: $10,453
         - studio, 1 bathroom
         - 2 floors. Features lofted kitchen and dining area.
Unit G - $1,286/week rent. Unfurnished base cost: $5,441. Furnished base cost: $9,636
         - 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
         - 2 floors. Features lofted bedroom and dining bar.

I've been looking at a lot of showhomes lately and decided to come out of my lurking to try this house of phail thing...here goes!

I don't usually build tropical houses, but this one looked really good on the beach in Belladonna Cove so I just went with it.

$63,303 (wanded)
Download Here (http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=8633b3ef41d59aacd1014a7a667fa2b4a2d14648d80307c4c95965eaa7bc68bc)
Playtested
I have all EPs and SPs.


(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv355/skagenem/frontview.jpg)
(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv355/skagenem/rearview.jpg)
(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv355/skagenem/mainfloor.jpg)
(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv355/skagenem/secondfloor.jpg)
(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv355/skagenem/4rooms.jpg)

The house layout works really well despite the fact that the house is split in half and the only way to get to the upstairs bedrooms is by using the outdoor staircase. In playtesting there weren't any complaints except for the fact that the center bookcase in the 'Library' is rendered unusable by furniture placement, but I love the way it looks, so I left it in. Easy enough to delete if it bugs you. I designed it for a family of four and it was a bit annoying when the kids would walk through each others bedrooms because of the shared bath, but that was easily fixed with some locked doors. I hope at least one person likes it!

My version, it is a 2 double bedroom, 3 bathroom, fully furnished residential. Not quite awesomespec, for example, the front door is on the second floor and opens into the kitchen/dining room! On first floor (accessible from 2nd floor) there are 2 double bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms. Spiral staircases have been used internally. 2nd floor is the kitchen/dining room, living room, a bathroom, and a double nursery (with its own bathroom). On the third floor there is a skilling room which leads out to a covered rooftop deck with a hot tub. There is also a large uncovered part with axe-throwing, stargazing and a small seating area. There is also a small balcony with seating leading from the 3rd floor room. Garden still has the pond, and now has a playground and fruit and veg growing area. This has been playtested briefly and no issues, apart from the mailgirl trekking up to the second floor to place the newspaper by the door can be slightly annoying.
All EPs/SPs, costs about §179k.

Front of Lot

(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/Emma_M_71/25_Toboggan_Way/snapshot_0000000b_36e533dd.jpg)

First Floor

(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/Emma_M_71/25_Toboggan_Way/snapshot_0000000b_f6e53606.jpg)

Second Floor

(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/Emma_M_71/25_Toboggan_Way/snapshot_0000000b_96e53607.jpg)

Third Floor

(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/Emma_M_71/25_Toboggan_Way/snapshot_0000000b_56e53609.jpg)

Back of Lot

(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/Emma_M_71/25_Toboggan_Way/snapshot_0000000b_96e535d9.jpg)

Slideshow with more pics. (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/Emma_M_71/25_Toboggan_Way/?action=view&current=b56e8dbc.pbw)

Download Here. (http://www.4shared.com/file/97211024/765dee95/25_Toboggan_Way_Emma.html)

Hi.
I've been following EAxis house of Phail for a while and this month I managed to do something I can share: Toboggan Way Hotel.
The hotel has ten rooms.
I downloaded the lot from this thread, used not cc, played with the hotel for a while to make sure everything was ok, saved it using clean installer and went back again to take the pictures.
EPs: I have all EPs
I have Family Fun, Glamour, Ikea, Kitchen & Bath, Mansion & Garden SPs.
I'm showing pictures of all floors except 4th because its just like the 3rd.

(http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv156/ilfords/Toboggan_Way_Hotel_01_f.jpg)

(http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv156/ilfords/Toboggan_Way_Hotel_02_b.jpg)

(http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv156/ilfords/Toboggan_Way_Hotel_03_bs.jpg)

(http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv156/ilfords/Toboggan_Way_Hotel_04_1.jpg)

(http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv156/ilfords/Toboggan_Way_Hotel_05_2.jpg)

(http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv156/ilfords/Toboggan_Way_Hotel_06_3_4.jpg)

(http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv156/ilfords/Toboggan_Way_Hotel_07_5.jpg)

My lot: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=74952aed4ff16bc0931c7453395df025e04e75f6e8ebb871 (http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=74952aed4ff16bc0931c7453395df025e04e75f6e8ebb871)

I'm posting this here because the problem I'm experiencing arose with this house, and I'm hoping someone might know the solution.

I've made over the house twice, neither of which I'm posting, because they're not particularly interesting. The first one is a bit meh, but it functions ok. I kept the original walls, deleted all the interior floors, and built round it, keeping the original door, stairs etc. as required. The second one I didn't alter at all, other than refurnishing it, and adding, off the upstairs balcony, an entirely separate building, to be a home business art gallery. This one doesn't function at all, because the car pool never shows up to take my tester to work. If I make him walk to work, he never comes back and all his needs nosedive into red.

I've tried it with two different (both EA made) testers, and in two different (EA made) hoods, always with the same result. I clean installed it, so it shouldn't be carrying any bizarre hacks, but the problem's still there. Does anyone know what I've done wrong, so I can avoid doing it again some time? 

[I have searched for answers on Maty and the internet at large, so please - no warnings about getting people's goats.]

Have you tried bombarding with the ffs debugger, jim? When I don't know what's happening (which is most of the time), I do things like delete scenario controllers etc etc. Sometimes this helps.  ::) If the lot is in a testing environment it doesn't much matter as you will have copies.

When I'm on my big machine later I'll test the lot in my game, see if it does the same. At least that will tell us if it's the lot or your hood.

Just tried that, but it didn't make any difference. Thanks for your help, but please don't go to the trouble of testing the lot on your pc. I've just deleted it permanently. I was hoping this was a known problem with an easy solution, but if it's nothing obvious, the lot's not worth wasting any more time on. I've evicted so many testers here, I was actually dreaming about being evicted the other night. I really need to get away from this now!

Oh mate!  :D

Jim, I'll try retesting with mine when I get home. When I did the photoshoot, I did it with a household of four teens, so all that was tested was the ability to rent and the move-in van.

Well Here's my effort for this month, and actually posted on time. ;D

(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt7/WeezySueWong/25%20Weezy%20Wong%20Way/snapshot_0000002d_96f53465.jpg)
Front view.
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt7/WeezySueWong/25%20Weezy%20Wong%20Way/snapshot_0000002d_f6f53433.jpg)
Back view.
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt7/WeezySueWong/25%20Weezy%20Wong%20Way/snapshot_0000002d_d6f53493.jpg)
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt7/WeezySueWong/25%20Weezy%20Wong%20Way/snapshot_0000002d_96f534d0.jpg)
Second (main) floor.
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt7/WeezySueWong/25%20Weezy%20Wong%20Way/snapshot_0000002d_b6f535ad.jpg)
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt7/WeezySueWong/25%20Weezy%20Wong%20Way/snapshot_0000002d_16f535b1.jpg)
Lower level.
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt7/WeezySueWong/25%20Weezy%20Wong%20Way/snapshot_0000002d_f6f53616.jpg)
Night view (front).
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt7/WeezySueWong/25%20Weezy%20Wong%20Way/snapshot_0000002d_f6f5363c.jpg)
Night view (pond).

http://www.box.net/shared/eqbf8sl4js

Oh now that would be lovely for a mountain vacation cabin. I like all the little nooks downstairs and the terraces at every level. The kitchenette fits the theme really well.

I'm doing something similar in a lighter wood, although it's my version of small - which is still three bedrooms.  ::)

Rules question: Is it okay to just completely hide the existing house and build a new one elsewhere on the lot?  I'm thinking of raising the terrain around the existing house as much as possible, and putting trees on top of that.  Then build a steep climbing trail to an overlook platform at the top of all that.  The house gets completely hidden, can't be entered or used by sims, but is still there.  Is that allowed?  This is just a hypothetical question because my build-fu is weak, but I am curious about it.

I can't picture how it might be done but feel free to go loose.  :D

Although the spirit of the competition is about making over the lots, so it seems kind of redundant?

That seems to break the rules... the whole purpose is to make the existing house usable.  However, there's no reward for following the rules and there's no penalty for breaking them...  Perhaps you could at least try to maintain an entrance to the existing house, so that sims can use it as an underground bunker?

I love Mootilda's idea of making a secret hidden bunker.  Not sure how I would go about it though.  My idea of hiding the original house with hills and trees could be rather problematic when playing, due to view obstruction.  Perhaps surround the existing walls with another building?  Shopping center or something else innocuous.  Then put PMBD Super Sekrit Headquarters in the hidden house, or under it.  Might try this for fun, but don't think I'll be uploading anything until I learn to make basements that don't look like a sinkhole opened under the house. ;)

True sunken basement tutorial. (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=326029)

Jim, I finally got to testing and had no issues. Did you happen to move the mailbox far off the original spot? That can screw up portals.

I didn't touch the trash can, but there was obviously confusion about where the front door was. The paper boy always left the paper at the garden gate; nobody ever used the front door. To read the paper, they went upstairs by the internal stairs, downstairs by the external stairs, trailed over to the gate, and retraced their steps back to the sofa. Then they had to make the whole trip again to get rid of the paper when they'd read it. I tried putting a sofa next to the gate, but they still went the long way round.

Notice the past tense, though. This house is no more, it has ceased to be, it's expired etc. etc. Plus my eviction dream has progressed to the point that I've found storage and a good removal firm, so no worries.

Double posting because I finally managed to get a house where people can go to work and come back at the end of the working day. It sleeps 4, and tests out ok, but I haven't tried children in it, so I don't know for sure if the playground equipment functions where it is.

4 Closure

Cost: $82,241. Nothing fancy, but comfortable.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/3464020332_7bc002d01b.jpg?v=0)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3463202539_6766af6f8a.jpg?v=0)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3463203107_f7569dee7d.jpg?v=0)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3463202095_73a4fd5180.jpg?v=0)

Slideshow: http://tinyurl.com/cl5lcs (http://tinyurl.com/cl5lcs)
Download: http://tinyurl.com/dhoh6m (http://tinyurl.com/dhoh6m)

I have all EPs and M&G SP.

That's it. I'm going out.

I reckon we're getting some good family lots this month. I like yours Jim, the frontage is enhanced by the lovely star garden. I'm glad I thought of it. I see the climbing frame stretched over the water - very effective and cool use for the kids, must try it out.

Using all the ball rugs in one room is something I wouldn't have thought of but which looks really effective.

The links don't work for me for some reason :(. I had to do a copy/paste with both  :P. House looks pretty great though ;).

That's because I hyperlinked it up all wrong, but it should work now - I hope.

I love that house jim.  It really looks beautiful!

It doesn't, of course. You have to build a land bridge. On the plus side, if you then delete the land bridge, wussy kid gets really fit - well, for a while, anyway.

Just a quick post, I'll be back tomorrow with a finished house (hopefully). I started this a few weeks back, lost interest, and forgot about it. I looked at it today, thought it wasn't too bad. Maybe I'll go and finish it. Maybe this house belongs to an Irish old lady who has moved to the coast of California. I tried to do tacky, Ive been kind of in a tacky mood recently. (hmm.. maybe I'm always in a tacky mood?)

I like Weezy Sue's lot, very woodsy. I like woods...

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky1.jpg)

Salix, do finish it. It's green. Me likes green very much!  :D
Oh yes, I'm doing "tacky" this time too.

P.S. Weezy says "thank you". I can speak for her since she is my daughter and I'm responsible for getting her into this "competition" in the first place. LOL

Salixtree: I love the bathtub out front with flowers in it, hell, I love the whole garden. I have a house ready too, that just needs the garden finished and I planned a casual style very similar to yours, hopefully it won't be too much alike although I'm so taken with the bathtub idea.  :D

Let's pretend Kyuss was flipped by the same designer that did It's Apartments, my submission from last month.  The two lots share tons of physical and stylistic similarities and would look good as neighbors, but Kyuss is a single family residence.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Spikus/snapshot_0000000e_56ffac20.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Spikus/snapshot_0000000e_b6ffa960.jpg)

Pod-style and fully furnished from the first floor up, wiith three bedrooms, five bathrooms, a pool/hot tub area and huge unfinished basement, this lot will run your sims $77,000 (wanded down from $141,770).


Grounds: There is minimal landscaping as this is a house designed for the young at heart who have better things to do than garden or weed.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Spikus/snapshot_0000000e_f6ffa96a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Spikus/snapshot_0000000e_b6ffaac8.jpg)

First floor: Foyer with desk, large living/fun room with a corner arcade. The kitchen/dining room decor is condiment inspired and there is a small bonus room off of the kitchen that can easily function as a nursery. Sims can cut through the greenhouse section to go directly from the front porch to the back porch.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Spikus/snapshot_0000000e_d6ffa976.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Spikus/snapshot_56ffa571_56ffa84e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Spikus/snapshot_56ffa571_96ffa752.jpg)

Second floor: Master bathroom with attached bath, small single with attached bath (and the only room that can't be accessed from inside the house) and a double-single with a lounge and private bath. I grew up in a bungalow with no doors between rooms (save the bathroom) so I love the idea of having the bedrooms be almost like their own private clubhouses. :D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Spikus/snapshot_0000000e_b6ffa983.jpg)
(http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Spikus/snapshot_0000000e_16ffb849.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Spikus/snapshot_0000000e_96ffb7e6.jpg)

No CC was used in the making of this house.  I have all EP's, SP's, Store Stuffs and Pre-order items.  While not AwesomeSpecs, Kyuss was, as usual, briefly tested by a family of five.  There were some stupid routing decisions, mostly due to the exterior staircase (I recommended nuking that thing) but otherwise everything seems to be accessible.

Download:  Kyuss (http://www.box.net/shared/4ayk8ukqj4)

Witch, do the bathtub! Do do do! Yours will probably be slightly different than mine anyway.

So here is 25 Tacky Way:

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky01-main.jpg)
view from the back pond

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky04-front.jpg)
view from the front. (someone's big head fell into the ocean)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky14-sitting.jpg)
first floor, sitting room

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky13-sitting.jpg)
view from the kitchen. Sims can watch TV while cooking and eating

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky15-snacks.jpg)
snack machine, so Sims don't have to feed freeloaders

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky16-kitchen.jpg)
view of the kitchen

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky17-bed.jpg)
bedroom

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky18-comp.jpg)
computer area, with old man in toilet, leaving the door open.

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky02-back.jpg)
close-up of the back, curtained in lounges, so Sims don't get sunburned

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky05-front-tub.jpg)
Bathtub planter and many flamingos

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky06-flowers-and-gnomes.jpg)
tacky front garden

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky08-flowerbed.jpg)
outdoor eating area and flower "bed"

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky11-maze.jpg)
hedgemaze

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky12-pond.jpg)
no idea how this happened

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/Tacky20-cutaway.jpg)
birdie's view

slideshow: (http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/th_Tacky01-main.jpg) (http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/Tacky%20Way/?action=view&current=621885e9.pbw)

I have all expansion packs plus M&G. Lot costs 40,000

download here: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?zmlgdmtojnk (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?zmlgdmtojnk)

I think it's a great house.

I nearly made a comment about how you had to crash the car into the pond but then I've realised that it made a good effect. Does that have insurance?

I usually quietly just read, look and download, but I just have to say something this time. SalixTree, this is AMAZING!!! I LOVE IT!!! I totally MUST HAVE IT in my game!!!

P. S. Since I'm writing something here anyway, would it be ok to post in some older house of fail threads if I happen to have a makeover of a house that was already done some time ago in one of them? I really have one that I like how it turned out and I'd love to share it.

As this is not an actual competition but a challenge, I personally can not see any reason you should not go ahead and post yours. I'd definitely like to see them. ;)

I took a little bit of liberty with the bonus rule. The stairs and porch haven't been moved, but I did enclose them within the house walls.

Download lot here. (http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way.zip)

The house looks a little odd in the neighborhood. I'm assuming that it's because of the slope of the roofs on the porches (15 degrees).

Outside:
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Outside_2.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Outside_3.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Outside_4.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Outside_5.jpg)


Entry:
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Entry_1.jpg)

Hall with stairs:
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Hall1.jpg)

Kitchen (Island seats 10):
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Kitchen_1.jpg)

Living room (Includes reading nook):
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Living_Room.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Living_Room_2.jpg)

Bar:
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Bar_Nook.jpg)

Two bathrooms, both on the second floor:
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Bathrooms_1.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Bathrooms_2.jpg)

Master bedroom:
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Master_Bedroom_2.jpg)

Bedroom #1:
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Bedroom1_1.jpg)

Bedroom #2:
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/April_2009/25_Toboggan_Way_Pics/Bedroom2_1.jpg)

I've screwed with this lot for 23 days now. It's been epic and silly. But here it is. Not awesomespec, scanned squeaky clean. I've got everything but Happy Holidays installed. Linking out to my website because I fail photo-hosting sites.

(http://www.cuptowels.com/sims/snaps/snapshot_25TuesdayCommons.jpg)

More pictures and the download here: http://www.cuptowels.com/sims/lotpages/25tuesdaycommons.html (http://www.cuptowels.com/sims/lotpages/25tuesdaycommons.html).

Inspector Clouseau?  Looks like his MO.

OK, here's my one for this month. It's a rental home, 4 bedrooms, nursery, 3 & 1/2 baths.

(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/25%20Chobee%20Court/snapshot_0000001a_37038f03.jpg)
Front view.

(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/25%20Chobee%20Court/snapshot_0000001a_d7038f1b.jpg)
Front view.

(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/25%20Chobee%20Court/snapshot_0000001a_17038f4c.jpg)
Side play area view.

(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/25%20Chobee%20Court/snapshot_0000001a_37038f6f.jpg)
Backyard view.

(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/25%20Chobee%20Court/snapshot_0000001a_f7038f9e.jpg)
Backyard view.

(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/25%20Chobee%20Court/snapshot_0000001a_77038fdd.jpg)
Nursery, Nanny's room, Master Suite.

(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/25%20Chobee%20Court/snapshot_0000001a_d7038fee.jpg)
Livingroom, Diningroom, Kitchen.

(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/25%20Chobee%20Court/snapshot_0000001a_97038ff8.jpg)
Boys' Bedrooms and Bathroom.

http://www.box.net/shared/ymfp79x799 (http://www.box.net/shared/ymfp79x799) (CC)

IMPORTANT EDIT: I just realized I forgot to pull my CC downloads folder out of my game before I uploaded this and there is quite a lot of CC piggybacking on it. Either be sure to use the clean installer to remove unwanted content or I can remove this link and reupload a "cleaned" lot. Let me know which option is best.

http://www.box.net/shared/ks2sv3kjnd (http://www.box.net/shared/ks2sv3kjnd) (clean)

Are you bothered by meddling kids? Are you batshit crazy? Is bathing a crazy fad? Then may I present Crazy Swamp Hermit House :
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Modya/sims%202/sims%202%20challenges/swamp2.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Modya/sims%202/sims%202%20challenges/swamp1.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Modya/sims%202/sims%202%20challenges/swamp3.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Modya/sims%202/sims%202%20challenges/swamp4.jpg)

I see that crazy swamp hermits have gone solar, and have installed greek columns (oh, instead of a bathtub).  :D

I like this idea.

Just because the swamp hermit is crazy doesn't mean he wants to smell like it (there's a shower, not a bathtub). :D

I also like this lot.

Really?  I thought he did:

The shower has to go.

Ah. Good point. However, perhaps we could argue about the definition of "bathing". The mechanics involved in showering are different than when bathing in a tub. No? Damn. Foiled again.

Looks like it's that time again: end of the month; time to discuss next month's lot.

Shall we go back through previous challenges and see whether there are interesting lots which were suggested but that we haven't done yet?

Ho shit, that means I have to get my act together and finish the garden. :D

oh no. I missed this one. I haven't even started. Damn RL getting in the way. Can't believe the month is over already

Yeah, I'm in the same situation.  I had to keep my spawn busy (actually this is a recurring thing), and since a couple of my sims just became vampires, we've been building a castle for them.  My 6 is very interested in architecture, without having any sense of stylistic vision.  It's a very odd castle.  Anyway, I should have just based it on the house for the month, but I was not thinking clearly the day we started.

Inspired by the words of Mootida and Jesslla, I may some very important changes to Crazy Swamp Hermit house.
Note the fab new outhouse downwind of the hammock.  There is no shower. There is no bath. Crazy Swamp Hermit knows that those things destroy dirt and dirt keeps out the germs. True That.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Modya/sims%202/sims%202%20challenges/SWAMP6.jpg)
And to who scoff at solar power, it is to keep off the grid. You can't use their electricity. They use it to read your mind!!!
And with that bathroom gone, I present the new and improved wall of Paranoida.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/Modya/sims%202/sims%202%20challenges/SWAMP5.jpg)
Your crazy swamp hermit could try to figure out the evil link between magic, aliens and pay sites.

Excellent. The young Padawan learns quickly.

Oh good, I'm glad I'm not the only one waiting 'til the last moment!  I am turning it in a bit unfinished, but I like this well enough to share it with you as is...

- - - - -

Can't afford a house?  Family too large for the average apartment?  Try a duplex!  It's like having your very own house, right on top of somebody else's!

http://www.box.net/shared/295rqjizuk (http://www.box.net/shared/295rqjizuk)

- - - - -

Hi guys, I have a modest duplex for your sims- it is still set as residential, because I want you to tweak it to your own standards before apartmentizing it.

I tried to keep Awesomespec in mind while I was working.
I pulled out my downloads folder to make sure nothing could sneak in, and checked it with the Clean Installer anyway.
It is only EAxis stuff, nice and tidy - and I have all EPs and SPs.

Space: I didn't set this house with lots of children in mind (but because I inevitably add sprogs to all of my households - there had to be room to grow as well).  The secondary bedrooms easily fold up into study rooms, or punched out to be larger entertaining rooms etc.  I tried to keep it flexible.

Deco: I don't like the Maxis curtains, so I left the windows bare - I also use GunMod's Radiance Light mod, and so I left the lighting simple because I don't know how my setup will look against yours if you don't have it - and I prefer to set the flowers and bed sheets per family, so I left that simple as well.

- - - - -

http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/pentabet/Sims/simlot25toboggan/?albumview=slideshow (http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/pentabet/Sims/simlot25toboggan/?albumview=slideshow)
- - - - -

GROUND FLOOR

<cracks knuckles>

OKAY!  So we have the first floor entryway and living room... As you can see, we have a nice skilling area, with easel, violin, and bookcase.  The TV and the desk are separated by a wall that I couldn't get a clear shot of when the walls were up, and the double glass door leads to a short hallway outside.

Clockwise from the living room, we have the kitchen.  The dark, earthy colors of this room hide any dirt brought in by spawn introduced into the place.  How lovely!

Continuing our clockwise movement, we have one of two bathrooms on this level, all four bathrooms in the duplex are identical in size and coloring, but two have base game tubs for pets and toddlers, and two have the Seasons curtained shower stalls for children and up.

There are two bedrooms for children, set for a boy and a girl.

The master bedroom and neutral gender nursery:


SECOND FLOOR

Very similar in shape, really the only difference is the central hallway and the back bedrooms.

- - - - -

My favorite part of this house has to be the secret hammock behind the lake.

- - - - -
Edited because I moved the pics.

Not without a download link, he can't. Be mine, that is. LOL

Yes, but she's not great with names.

Outhouse and wall of paranoia are good ideas.

She got the important name right. Got both the two s's and the two l's. I'm impressed. ;)

@Anebrd: Do you have a place to upload the house for us? I'd love to have a crazy hermit shack in my neighborhood. If you need hosting box.net is free and good.

@pentabet: I love your duplex. The hidden hammock is great. Don't be surprised if I steal that idea for future House of Phails.

@Mootilda: Going back through old House of Phail posts to find unloved lots is a great idea.

I'd be honored, jesslla.  ;D

Obviously, I'm new here. I did have a login once upon a time, but I guess it was purged.
I ran across this thread today and thought I'd like to try it.
I don't really know the rules for picture size and limits, so I stuck my pictures in a slideshow at photobucket:

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f65/ciane/new/?action=view&current=efadc275.pbw

(Hopefully "direct link" was the right choice.)

I didn't upload the house as I don't think anyone really would want it; I just enjoyed making it.
I have all EPs, but not all SPs on this computer - no holiday, family fun, celebration, or mansion&garden.
The house was just under $70,000.

Nabbed pentabet's duplex and ciane, DO WANT. The house is nice, clean, and looks like the kind of place I'd like to live in.

Oops, okay. I'll go bad in game tomorrow and package it. (And I am glad to know that you like it. Thanks.)

Since I fail repeatly at editing my previous posts, I shall post the link to Crazy Old Swamp Hermit's House here >>> http://www.box.net/shared/vzzak1m6n2

I have all the expansions and I am not afraid to use them. Be sure to use Clean Install.

Here's the link I left off earlier for the download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/46966743/25_Toboggan_Way-Ciane.rar.html

And the link again to the slideshow, so they are in the same post. (I did try to edit the other post, but it wasn't working for me.)
http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f65/ciane/new/?action=view&current=efadc275.pbw

It has all EPs, but no M&G SP.

Same here. My 6 yr old likes to play too, he likes bodyshop though, but has no sense of style, you should see some of his sims  :-\. My 20 yr old loves to decorate the houses, but she also loves to use way too much cc.

That's me (+10 years). Most of my houses only have EAxis walls and roofs.

Here's Witch's post with a bunch of Bluewater homes (http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,14350.msg416191.html#msg416191). I don't have the default neighborhoods, so I can't view other possibilities. We've done 25 Toboggan Way and 74 Gondola Way. My suggestion is 407 Edgewater Parkway. It'll be a pain, but it needs help. With pond for optional restriction. Maybe 223 Idlewild Street as an alternative, keep the garden (flower bed and surrounding pavement/edging). 32 Eagle Lane has some interesting possibilities considering the shed (or whatever that's supposed to be) in the backyard. 

I'd like to see what other players do with their "4 Danish Drive", the original 'Duplex' from Academie Le Tour.  I always end up either demolishing one of the homes, or just plopping a foundation between them and make something waaay to big for my needs.  I know the grounds have no challenges (there is a path in the back), but I'm sure some restrictions could be implemented.

(http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/1516/4danishdrive.jpg)

Maybe a restriction on not combining the two buildings into a giant misshapen blob?  Actually, since Pescado made apartments at uni possible, I'd thought about building another building between the two existing ones and turning it into an apartment lot.  Never really got around to it, though.

Hope I am not too late, but I think I am. I present Casa della Scimmia Felice, a Mediterranean inspired home with beautiful outdoor spaces. I managed to keep the outside stairs and porches and the pond. This is a 3 bed/3 bath home, plus nursery, game room and green house. Cleaned and wanded it can by your sim's for just under 90,000 simoleans.

(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/1HappyMonkey/Casa%20della%20Scimmia/Casa-Title.jpg)

(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/1HappyMonkey/Casa%20della%20Scimmia/Casa-Floor1.jpg)

(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/1HappyMonkey/Casa%20della%20Scimmia/Casa-Floor2.jpg)

(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/1HappyMonkey/Casa%20della%20Scimmia/Casa-Outdoors-1.jpg)


Download here
Casa della Scimmia Felice (http://www.mediafire.com/?zzymqonjmtm)

Nay, that would limit the creativity severely.
I don't know anything else that would fit the description.

HappyMonkey, it's still April here, so I think you're OK.

I vote for 4 Danish Drive too, but we definitely need some restrictions.  Anyone know whether the lot has flat edges?

Aren't Uni houses only supposed to be used in Uni hoods?

Using a Uni house outside of Uni makes the baby Jesus cry, yes.

You saying this makes me inexplicably happy.

Why are there not more Kuttos in grah? We could have moar Netreks if there were more Kuttos.

I have to ask, what happens if you take a Uni lot somewhere else?

BTW HappyMonkey, I do like your lot. The inside, particularly the kitchen and dining room look authentically Mediterranean and the outside areas are indeed spacious and lovely. Your rooms are nicely proportioned and it looks like a good family home.

We could rebuild the house on a non-uni neighbourhood plot using pics as a guide. Heck I've managed to replicate houses before and it's not that hard.

DO EEET!

I wouldn't mind having a go at that duplex. Ideas, I can haz.

Various controllers get locked in permanent Uni mode, for instance, aging.

My rental home, 4 bedrooms, nursery, 3 & 1/2 baths posted earlier in the thread.
IMPORTANT EDIT: I just realized I forgot to pull my CC downloads folder out of my game before I uploaded this and there is quite a lot of CC piggybacking on it. Either be sure to use the clean installer to remove unwanted CC content or download the uploaded "cleaned" version.

(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv302/chobeegal_photos/25%20Chobee%20Court/snapshot_0000001a_37038f03.jpg)
Front view.

http://www.box.net/shared/ymfp79x799 (http://www.box.net/shared/ymfp79x799) (CC)

http://www.box.net/shared/ks2sv3kjnd (http://www.box.net/shared/ks2sv3kjnd) (clean)

If you're going to rebuild, it would be a good idea to use the AnyGameStarter to make it base-game compatible.

I have redone 4 Danish Drive in Uni before and do agree it is a good one for our purposes here if someone can make it compatible. I am phail at that sort of thing I think.

Well, if no one is volunteering, then perhaps we need to choose a different lot for this month.  How about a Downtown lot?  Some of those seem to have potential.

I'm too busy right now (working on my next program) to consider remaking a lot, although I'm willing to level edges on an existing lot.

Does anyone else feel TS3 looming?  I have so many things that I'd like to accomplish before TS2 becomes obsolete, although I'm hoping that much of what I've done will be portable to TS3.

That DT white house in the lot bin could be good.

I made the 4 Danish Drive on my new Vista system that only has the base game loaded (and very little cc or maty hacks). It can be downloaded 10 times for free at rapidshare, so it will need to be rehosted after that. It looks like this:

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f65/ciane/new/snapshot_00000006_d70712ab-1.jpg)

I called up the lot on my old computer for comparison. My new computer just has the base game, so the kitchen table is different.

http://rapidshare.com/files/227988308/4_Danish_Drive.Sims2Pack.html

I simply put it on a very level piece of land and flattened it with the in-game tool.

There are still several Bluewater lots that look quite suitable.

7 Carriage Lane
15 Lake Meadow Circle
146 Pebble Drive
32 Eagle Lane
22 Toboggan Way
407 Edgewater Parkway
223 Idlewild Street

Why not one of these?

I have no plans to install/play TS3, tho I will aarquire it (just to show my displeasure with EAxis) and then let it sit and seed for a few weeks.

As for Downtown, I rarely have sims living there, tho the two times I did, i tried out the "House of Fallen Trees" (The Ancestral home of the Tricou's, and it has those graves that'd have to be dealt with).  I do remember laughing when i first moved in tho, i expected lavish furnishings, and the kitchen had a cardtable for a dining area.   hur

The rest of the homes don't seem to have any extra 'ground' space to do anything with.  35 King Street (and 107 Custer Boulevard - looks like the same type of home/different furnishings maybe) are kinda interesting, but i hated the floor plans.

(Edit: I was ninja'd on this last paragraph.)
For Bluewater Village?  There's always that Purple Monstrosity on 407 Edgewater Parkway (that EAxis completely messed up by having part of one outside wall of a completely different color and a room on the 3rd floor that has no door).  Big yard/pond/several decks/balconys..

2nd Edit:  We could have a 'special' rule for that Purple home.  A P&L at EAxis, one outside wall MUST be of a completely different color/texture/whatever.  The most mismatched, the better.  ;)

I'm thinking of that Base Game lot (sorry, not at my game compy) with the little turret:  Victorian something. 

You know, looks quite nice from the outside, and completely unworkable on the inside in a "put any furniture in and you end up with routefailures" sort of way.  I think it had yellow siding.  I always felt that it epitomized the idea of "house of fail" - so much promise, with so little actual delivery.

I rediscovered it the other day when I had to regenerate my EA Games folder.

407 Edgewater Parkway actually gets my vote, since 4 Danish Drive is probably not feasible without a rebuild for compatability.

407 Edgewater Parkway is so ugly it makes me eyes bleed! I throw in for that one.

Not to make too fine a point of it, but if you look up a few previous posts, I believe that this is exactly what has already been done by ciane.

I vote for 4 Danish Drive. ciane's gone to all that trouble and it would suck to see it go to waste. Make a note for 407 Edgewater Parkway for June.

I'm fine with that too.  As I mentioned before, I'd be thrilled just to see what someone MOAR talented than I, can do with that Duplex.

See if you can make it look like a person with really short fat legs.  Oh, good idea - glad I thought of it.

Assuming that we go with ciane's version of 4 Danish Drive, what restrictions do we want?

I'm flattening it now (no, not quite flat edges).  Then, I'll see whether I can compress that file so that it can be hosted here.

Leave the space between the buildings intact. You can connect the duplexes in front or behind the original walls, but can't join them together in the middle. (If this makes no sense I'll post a picture)

I can also host the lot on my server if it can't be compressed enough.

May's lot is up, but I still need to get some pictures.

Oh well, better late than never.

Here's my April offering. Just an average family home, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths. Please appreciate that I really struggled to keep it this small.  ;D, it's a very Kiwi sort of house and garden. I didn't even try any fancy SalixTree garden tricks, I know when I'm outclassed!

I have all EPs.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/nz_witch/25%20Toboggan%20Way/April_090502002.png)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/nz_witch/25%20Toboggan%20Way/April_090502004.png)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/nz_witch/25%20Toboggan%20Way/April_090502006.png)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/nz_witch/25%20Toboggan%20Way/April_090502007.png)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/nz_witch/25%20Toboggan%20Way/April_090502011.png)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/nz_witch/25%20Toboggan%20Way/April_090502005.png)


Slideshow: (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v730/nz_witch/25%20Toboggan%20Way/th_April_090502001.png) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v730/nz_witch/25%20Toboggan%20Way/?action=view&current=9c56292c.pbw)

Download (http://www.box.net/shared/f6nxp757fy).

OOOhhh, aaahhh, ZOWIE! Very, very nice! I really love the diagonal walkways of the porches and the offset box-like walls to the bottom floor, and I like the color scheme a lot too.