EAxis house of FAIL: December

[SalixTree]

I like that too, devilsrope. I prefer smaller lots as well, this is much better than that huge lot the original was on! Your lot looks neat and tidy, something a Sim family could live in. Lovely.

[devilsrope]

Thank you, witch and SalixTree. A question, for either of you, or anyone else: I was wondering how you feel about my decorating style? I tend to leave things fairly plain, especially compared to many of the lots I see others create (here and elsewhere). It is too plain, and if so, is that an issue, or do you like to personalize a lot anyway? I know I tend to just buy things for my sims as needed, instead of having a ton of stuff for them. I also like to force my sims off their lot for entertainment, for example, make them go to a gym rather than give them a treadmill at home (well, ok, not the best example of entertainment, but you get the idea). I appreciate any feedback.

[witch]

Well, your style of décor is not my preferred choice, but IMO that's the whole point of sharing our lots. When I see different styles I find things I both do and don't like which gives me new ideas, and influences my style and helps develop it.

My parents had a style similar to yours, I found it quite boring as a child so I've moved toward a more cluttered, old-fashioned look. It's totally a personal preference though. Plus you've done the style well, it looks classy and matching, not random. The heavier furniture is thematic in the context of the house style.

[Minena]

I have all EP's and SP's (minus Holiday)

I did it as a working ranger station and visitors center. There are dorm rooms for the rangers while on duty, an office, receptionist area, learning center, lovely grounds and axe throwing for fun. The upstairs is cordoned off as the public is not allowed upstairs where the rangers live and work.

Front



First floor



Second floor



Shower room



Dorm room



Office



Reception



Reading/Information area



Office door, seating, vending machines



View to outer courtyard



View over courtyard back to building



Another view from exterior overlooking the courtyard



Working lookout tower and axe throwing area below



Entrance



Download the file HERE

[Liz]

I *love* what you've done with it, Minena! Great use of the theme throughout, and the observation tower is the perfect touch.

[PirateFaafy]

Wow, that's a really original idea! One question, though, what kind of lot zoning is that on? I'm guessing owned community lot + sleep on commlot hack, in order to allow the commoners to mill about and purchase things, but I might be wrong.

[Tingeling]

You did a good job on this one, Minena. I wouldn't have thought of using that theme. I think the lookout tower and the courtyard is fabulous.

[SaraMK]

Wow, Minera, that's really amazing. The theme is so well done. Not a single thing looks out of place.

[witch]

I like this too, as others have commented you've kept true to the theme throughout. I particularly like the Polar Bear statue and the antlers in the office. Nice tidy public gardens as well; just enough to make it look like a garden, yet still be easy-care.

[Minena]

Wow, that's a really original idea! One question, though, what kind of lot zoning is that on? I'm guessing owned community lot + sleep on commlot hack, in order to allow the commoners to mill about and purchase things, but I might be wrong.

Unfortunately I built this in situ..still a residential property on the original lot. I don't mess much with changing lot sizes or fiddling with too many hacky things.

It's been a while but wouldn't changelotzoning make it a community lot? Then just go into build mode and place the phone booth and maybe some souveniers etc in the reception area. I didn't do this for fear of screwing the lot up.

[rosess]

I'll give it a whirl.  This is a pretty casual lot; I wanted to try a few ideas and build a fun place to raise kidlets.  It's a departure from my usual more formal style and dark palette.  There are a few places I dearly miss the CC and cheats, but I'm pleased that the lot seems to encourage a variety of simmy activities.  The house is designed to get sims moving around, and they seem to enjoy it.  Such spoiled children, though.   

111 Castleswim Way - $208,362

Front view:



Side view:



And the main attraction:



The castle playhouse includes a variety of activities: a toybox, chess, whirly-whatsit, easel, darts, ballet barre, monkey bars, slide, water slide, and diving board.  With so many activities that bring them sliding and swinging in and out of the castle, they seem much less inclined to become obsessed with any one activity.  After a couple of days of free range simming, the pixel folk acquired a nice mix of new skills.

The monkey bars have a bit of an oddity until body skills increase (see below), but that happens rather quickly on this lot.  For more realism, you could fill in the small waterway, but I prefer the moat intact.  Also, does anyone know a way to hide the floor/ceiling edging without cc?



Here is the first floor:



Features include entrance way with piano, sitting area with tv, 2 bathrooms, study, kitchen, dining area, outdoor dining, game area, nursery, and a private entrance to the upstairs master bedroom.  The nursery is located halfway between the master bedroom and the refrigerator for easy baby care.







Second floor:



The second floor offers five bedrooms (master, double, 3 single), four bathrooms, a gym area, telescope, chess, and lounge.

Just the bedrooms:



Master suite (private spiral stairs and door to the kids' hall) and smaller rooms:



And here is the file.  Pictures are included. 

I think everything is in order, but this is the first lot I've packaged for sharing.  It's been through Clean Installer and is free of miscellaneous thingmabobs.  I'm playing on a laptop and it's a bit laggy, but on a real computer, I think it should be fine. 

This was much fun - I look forward to January's challenge.

[keirra]

You did a really great job on this lot, rosess. I play on a laptop, but, downloaded it anyway. It looks like lots of fun for the sim kids.

[HomeschooledByTards]

Love this lot rosess. I just adore the castle playground.

[witch]

Absolutely brill! The way you have the slides and monkey bars set up is just so innovative. I love the concept and the execution. This is definitely my favourite house for the month!

[Emma]

I love it The monkey bar entrance is a great idea.

[Tarlia]

That play castle is one of the most awesome sim constructions I've ever seen.

[Minena]

I have to chime in with the other comments, that play castle is just fantastic!

[eevilcat]

Here finally is my offering for this month's House of Fail and just in time. The politest thing I can think to say about the whole apartment build process is that EAxis don't make it easy, so here after no small amount of blood, sweat and tears I present 111 Stratford Street reworked as a 4 apartment block and renamed to 111 Shakespeare Street. There is one ground floor apartment and a further three split level apartments, all offered fully furnished - just supply your own computer and a few deco items to add that personal touch. Relax in the hot tub or sauna after going for a swim or chill with friends in the communal bar area. Each apartment has its own private balcony or garden area in addition to having the run of the communal gardens and play area. The apartment block has been fully playtested with four families hence the comments on the build process - having to move everyone out to replace the fixed/updated block then move them all back in is not my idea of fun game play!

Exterior front day:


Exterior front night:


Rear with landscaped gardens and play area:


Ground Floor:


First Floor:


Second Floor:



More pictures available at http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j136/spacedcat/Lot%20Building/111ShakespeareStreet/ as I know there are still some of you on dial-up.


Made with all EPs and most SPs upto and including M&G though I don't think I used any M&G stuff, thought I'd save that for January's House of Fail. Weekly rental costs 1467 - 2590 simoleans,

Download it from here: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=293267ffc45b6ab9d2db6fb9a8902bda

[Minena]

eevilcat: Very nicely done. The apartments look roomy and the common areas are great. Landscaping done beautifully too.

[SaraMK]

That's a very nice apartment building. I especially like the outside of it, and the roof angles are great.

[witch]

I like this too. Luckily I have a hood where the high ground is all modern and the valley by the water is a bit quaint. I get away with a wide variety of building styles.

This lot looks really urban and upmarket. It also looks like it might not lag too much (like the ones I build).

[jim]

I always like your buildings. They have such clean lines, quite understated and elegant. I've tried to copy your style several times, and it never works for me. You can understand that it gets frustrating - but I'm sorry I kicked over your bin. I'll send someone round to clean it up.

[Faizah]

I've been trying to bang out a community lot for half of the month here, it wasn't until recently, at Kyna's (away from my computer) that the final idea hit me. So this one is a bit late, but, hopefully, worth it... I turned it into a community lot because I never quite know what to do with those, and this was the perfect opportunity to try one.

Exterior:




Downstairs:

(There is a slight weirdness with the diagonal fish tank, Sims seem to only recognise one tile as 'tank', and will happily stand inside the tank chatting to one another after poking at the empty tile gets dull. If I wasn't so late entering, I'd fence the thing in.)


Upstairs:






The tower is nothing fancy, just a series of empty 3x3 rooms. I have all EPs, as well as FFS, GLS, Celebrations, and H&M SPs.

Download it here!

[witch]

That swimming pool roof is awesome, pity they didn't do that glass in a two-storey format. I like the concept of this lot, although I would have liked more decorations, it looks a bit sparse to me, but then again, I guess you were running out of time! 

BTW we haven't picked a January house yet. I've just re-installed the sims so I have the original hoods again, I might have a look later today. Although if we have the base game starter thingy, maybe we could look at later lots? That Blue-something village had houses, plus there's Desiderata and RiverBlossom. There's quite a large farming type house in Riverblossom I always thought would look good with a makeover.

[Faizah]

I actually did the roofing and exterior work earlier in the month, but the interior was difficult to suss out. I had the downstairs pretty much as I have it now, but the salon area actually had a DJ booth and dance floor before. It didn't really suit the feel I was going for, a sort of austerely fashionable place to be. Dinner out under the stars, by the grand piano, fine clothes, jewels, cologne... The DJ booth didn't quite fit, no.