-REJECTED- 2 Humble Way - No CC Starter

[MCO798]

I made this 2 Humble Way not much ago: it was rejected. Below is the full DL thread text.

I finally got to making a new house for upload. But this time it's not only a house, they're a whole series!

Why ''Humble''? Well, years ago Mr. Humble gave some people a computer wich costs 1.000 Simoleons and could help the family, student or couple with a bit more entertainment. This little Santa now has grown and gives every couple, sim, or family a computer for them to enjoy, and Simland made an street at SimCity named to him. I'm now showing the first home, wich was early the home for Mr. Humble, who formerly lived in SimTown, but he left and his house was demolished and reconstructed here.

This small, starter home is the perfect home for your single sim. Featuring a hall, bath, kitchen, living room, bedroom and patio, this house has pretty of room to grow. Fully furnished. All this for an astonishing (I think) 17.390 Simoleons!

This home has no CC, but to have the hose be exactly as pictured, you'll need to get the lovely White Roof Trim Defaults (http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=327787) by Phaenoh.

Oh and, forgot it- This is my Christmas present to MTS!

Hope you like. Remember to hit the ''thanks'' button!


Rejection PM:

# Lots - Architecture
When creating the architecture of your lot, please strive to create a unique overall look with an interesting layout. It's very easy to create a boxy lot with poor aesthetics in Sims 2 - and it can take a lot of practice, work, and effort to create a unique lot that not just anyone could build.

* Try looking at real lots and houses in the style you want to create. You can get great inspiration on unique and realistic architecture by looking up real life building plans, or searching for images on Google Image Search.
* See: Building Great Realistic Houses - From the Ground Up .
* See the Build Mode Tutorials for new techniques, cheats, and tricks which can help in your building efforts.
* Use the Creator Feedback Forum to get help and feedback on your specific upload.[/url]


# Other reasons (these may be clarifications of above points, or additional reasons)
I approved the last lot with some reservations, as it was very plain and simple. We do understand that building starters that are unique is very difficult, but we do have to draw the line somewhere. I hope you understand. I certainly do not 'like' rejecting lots for this reason.

Images attached, dunno how to post them in-thread.

[VoiceIHear]

Well first off, the house is very... Bland.

When you upload a lot you want it to be eyecatching. Even though it is a starter (I don't do much of) but you can still have a lot of variation.

For example, the inside is very minimally furnished, even for a starter, and the outside lacks neccessary landscaping in order for the "wow" factor, so to speak.

Also, I STRONGLY reccommend the use of terrain paints, - in build mode they are free - and it creates a much more realistic look. And gives the exterior a much nicer appeal.

Now, wall covering, (particularly on the outside) is just ick. It's just too bland. Mix it up with some wood or even mansionary covering. Or even just a couple changes in colour. I suggest adding some colour to the inside of the house as well...

I also don't like the window/door placement, it looks very.... unorganised I guess you could say.

I would also increase the roof pitch, not much, but just a little. IMO it would look much better.

... I hope I don't come accross as being mean, If I do, I don't mean to. :P

[MCO798]

It's late at Spain here, might move on to this tomorrow.

Just to let you know i'm not going to post or something.
Thanks for the suggestions. And no, you wasn't mean. :p

[coquirana123]

I agree with Brendon that the outside needs to be changed. I don't like how you can't even tell that the hall sticks out, since the exterior wall just blends together. Try something with more texture :) Also, I'm not really sure if I like the hall. Honestly, it just seems like a waste of space to me. Sure, halls are great, but I think in starter homes you should try to conserve more space. But, if you really like the hall, I would suggest switching up the floorplan a bit. The living room seems kind of odd anyway, since when your sims buy more furniture the layout would just be awkward. What I think you should to is move the bathroom to right behind the hall, so both the hall and the bathroom are 3x3. Then, delete the walls between the kitchen and hall, and the living room and current bathroom and the hall. Place 3 countertops across the far side of the kitchen, and put the fridge and stove on the left side of them. Then, put a 1 tile table in the bottom left corner of the kitchen. You could put a door to the bathroom from the hall, kitchen, and living room to make easy access. Next, see the empty space that juts out between the bedroom and the living room? I would delete that by moving the bedroom forward and deleting the back part of the room, and extend it on the left by one tile. This will make enough room for a double bed. Then, you can put the living room in the front of the house. I hope that made sense lol. If not, let me know and I can draw a pic.

Also, I think the windows are a little expensive compared to the doors. Either of the windows that cost 90 simoleons would look nice, and then you could use the extra money to invest in some better doors :) Also, try to work on your window placement.

[MCO798]

Well, it would be nice to see a pic, this is kinda confusing. But I make an idea anyway. I'll post pictures soon. Thanks for the ideas, I always thought of the living room having a bit weird layout. That will be OK.

EDIT: I made some changes to the windows and terrain-painted a bit. Also I added a fence around the tree and increased the roof pitch. Also I changed the color of the house.
I'll post the new layout when coquirana posts an image... Her post is quite confusing...
FORGOT: To VoiceIHear: The interior actually HAS wallpaper. Might be tricky to see, I agree.

[VoiceIHear]

I know it has wallpaper, I think I said mix it up, and make it brighter and such. If I didn't, my bad, sorry. :P

I suggest you use a different floor covering for the outside patio. It clashes with the house in my opinion.

I agree with everything that Coquirana has posted as well. :)

Window placement still needs to be addressed though.

[MCO798]

I knew you were gonna say that about the windows. Well, I have no idea of what you're thinking of. A bit more specification?
Will do floor covering and wallpaper.

[MCO798]

I tweaked the interiors and changed floors and wallpaper. I managed to keep the price at 17.000. (Man, paintings are expensive) And coquirana if you notice something you didn't mean to, report.

[coquirana123]

Okay, I drew a pic for you. The green boxes in the kitchen are countertops, the pink is the stove and fridge. The red lines are where I think the walls should be, I think you could leave it open between the hall and kitchen, and same with the living room. This is not what you have to do, it is just a suggestion :) I also think the bed should go on the wall opposite the door.

As for the patio, I think you should just delete the tiles. Some of the terrain paints would look nice, like maybe the woodchips. To get straight lines, fill the entire area with the terrain paint, lay down some carpet or something where you want the patio, then use terrain paint to change the outside to grass. Then, just delete the carpet tiles. You could fence it in with a cheap fence, or one of those tiny border things.

[MCO798]

Nope, I prefer fine sand. Or the tiles at the previous update.
Your layout is a nice idea. Added some halfwalls to the kitchen. I like to experiment with halfwalls.

[VladCrau]

That's an improvement, MCO. What's the current price of the house?

[MCO798]

A stunning 15.971 Simoleons. It's price has lowered more than I awaited. Might as well add some more deco. Any suggestions?

[coquirana123]

I know I said this before, but I really think the bedroom should be bigger. That way, with a double bed, I think it would appeal to more people. Also, I think it is weird that the table is on the opposite side of the house than the kitchen. Try a smaller table in the corner of the kitchen instead.

[VoiceIHear]

I agree, a double bed would be better, and about the table, I didn't even notice that. :P

I think that you should follow Coquirna's floor plan about the bedroom, it would be a lot better that way, and then I can tell you the best place for windows as well. :)

Also, the halfwall in the kitchen, in my opinion, doesn't work. It makes it smaller, which is a big disadvantage (and the complete opposite) to what you want to do in a starter home.

EDIT: oh, just expanding on the kitchen table thing, remove the halfwall (like a said) which would open it up for more room for the table, it would look a lot better. I can't remember the exact objects in TS2 but a small round/square table with 2 chairs should be sufficient enough to stick at the empty end of the kitchen.

[MCO798]

VoiceIHear, remember halfwalls doesn't make the space smaller, it's just ''deco''. So a table placed there without an halfwall would do the same as with one. Just as walls.
Anyways I could remove them to lower the price for the bedroom upgrade.
I'll put some paintings maybe... Or other cheap deco... But i'm very bad at decorating anyways... I'd be happy if someone helps...

[VladCrau]

MCO, those aren't called half-WALLS for nothing. It's about separation of the rooms and the overall feeling it gives.

[MCO798]

Ok, so I can't separate dining room and kitchen for the ''overall feeling it gives''? Those are separate rooms in larger homes right?

[VoiceIHear]

I live in quite a big home, and our kitchen is connected to our dinning room.

I'm sorry, but a half wall does INDEED shut a room off, moreso than what it would be if it wasn't there. (Vlad has a point. :P)
Espically in a starter home, it is strongly recommended that you avoid separating dinning and kitchen in a starter home. In my opinion anyway...

I believe I'd be happy to help you though

[MCO798]

OK. My kitchen is also connected to the dining room, well, we have other dining table at the living room only used for special dates btw...
Thanks VoiceIHear, well, could you give me any suggestion about deco?
Here's the floorplan now:
OK, so no halfwalls at the kitchen. But could I put some to separate kitchen and hall, and hall & Living Room?
(Current price:15.327)

[VladCrau]

Just for the sake of trying, add a \_/ thing on the side of the house, starting right after the couch and ending right after the second window, towards the bedroom. That should bring a little geometrical diversity.

[MCO798]

Sorry but it looks really wrong. And I get an big roof problem. Also my floorplan gets screwed up.

[VladCrau]

Post a pic, please. To see how wrong it is.

[MCO798]

Well, I've looked into your suggestion and it has, in addition, a few more problems.
The flowerbeds would not look right, the bedroom would be one tile too long, and not symmetrical (what I want), and the roof problem is fixable, only I've seen a lot of houses with that and I always hate it. So I'm not doing something I hate with a lot of mine.

[VladCrau]

I believe I should clarify this. The \_/ I was suggesting was for the larger side of the house, the one parallel with the couch, not perpendicular.

[MCO798]

I know.

[VladCrau]

Then what's the problem with the flowerbeds? Or the bedroom being "too long"? Or "symmetrical"?

[BackyardBottomslash]

I like Vlad's suggestions.

I see what could be a problem with the \_/ thing and the flower beds, having to move them around and such. Believe me, I am OCD when it comes to building sims houses, but a little diversity goes a long way. If you put it on the front of the house, use the little triangle flowers to go along the slanted walls, put one on the corner things maybe and then a normal square one on the straight wall.

[katalina522]

The revisions look good so far, although the house is still very empty inside. One suggestion, since you have so much money leftover: use a nicer door for the front/back doors instead of the cheapest one.

[MCO798]

@BackyardBottomlash: I have two colors of flowers. It's impossible to put two diagonal flower things rotated so it becomes two colored. So, I like the outside as it is.

@katalina522: What door?
It could be the one used at 2 Humble Way (link in signature), but I like this one 'cause I don't want the same door on every house.

[katalina522]

It is not impossible to place two diagonal flower patches. Turn on MoveObjects and place the flowers.

I mean use any of the single-tile doors except the cheapest one. The cheap one is generally meant to be used inside a house, not outside, and it looks like it belongs on a closet. Since there are no windows on either side of the front door, you need one with a pattern or a design or... something.

[BackyardBottomslash]

Do you think it would be possible to package a test version for us so we can see exactly what all of us are working with? It may help all of us help you out a little.

[MCO798]

Really? Is that allowed?

[Guardgian]

OK Mco, you're doing great up to now.

Though I want to give you some advices which I hope will be useful. I think the general vibe of your house is a little bit too reasonable :)

I would get the flowers out of the flowerbeds an spread then around using several colors. Use a little bit of terrain paint to give some contrast to the grass. Play with two different walls on the facing to highlight it. Perhaps use also 2 different roofs. These are very law costs change you could make.

You can also use some CC for the decoration. Some creators are making stunning paintings and deco for a very law costs in game (That's a trick I am also using LOL)

I have build quite a lot of houses and I know that building a starter is difficult, so keep up the great work and I hope this message will help :)

[MCO798]

I'm using several colors at the flowerbeds, and I don't undersand what you mean with "spread then around using several colors".
I'll try using more terrain paint, and I'll experiment with your suggestion about the walls. I used 2 types of roofs.

I want this house No-CC, like the others on the series.
Thanks for your suggestions.

[katalina522]

From your photo, it looks like you are using one type of flowerbed that is multicolored. Guardgian means to use several different types of flowerbeds, that have several different groups of colors.

[VladCrau]

Care to post some pics, so we can see how's it going?

[lewjen]

The furnishing is a bit... sparse, isn't it?

[VladCrau]

Well, it IS a starter... *scratches head*

[lewjen]

Well... make the house smaller then.

[HugeLunatic]

A starter home does not need a lot of decorations or outside plants. Start with the basics, make sure to have several skilling objects and all the basic necessities. The house itself seems a bit larger than necessary for a starter. But then again, I use starters on 1x1 lots. :)

[Honeywell]

This is a cute little house you have started here, MCO. The one thing that really stands out to me is your patio in the back. Without it your house is pretty boring so I'd spend some money on the patio to really make it special and give the house a feature you can showcase. So with that in mind:

Take a look at some cheap linolium tiles and see if you can't come up with an actual patio again--a $2 or $3 tile, nothing expensive.

Cut out a diamond shape in the patio tile towards the outer edge (you don't want to center it and make the patio unusable) and move the birch tree there. Add some flowers and a flamingo or garden gnome with moveobjects and snapobjectstogrid near the tree as well--just something cheap.

All of those flowers and that expensive fencing out front cost a lot of money and don't give much impact to the front of the house. Get rid of the black fence altogether--it's too expensive/fancy for you house and move some of those flowers to frame your patio. Use the money you saved from the fences to get a couple of bushes to frame the front door.

Now that you've spruced up the patio area move your bathroom over and add a door off the kitchen that leads to the patio so you can use it for grilling. While you're changing the floor plan maybe add another couple of squares to your bedroom so there's room for a dresser?

Good luck with whatever you decide to do with your house--I can't wait to see the finished result. :)

[Guardgian]

I'm using several colors at the flowerbeds, and I don't undersand what you mean with "spread then around using several colors".
I'll try using more terrain paint, and I'll experiment with your suggestion about the walls. I used 2 types of roofs.

I want this house No-CC, like the others on the series.
Thanks for your suggestions.

Oops sorry MCO I made a typo. I wanted to say that instead of having all flowerbeds following the facing of your house you could spread them all around the garden. You could then remove the flowerbeds fences which would save money - as I thing the flowerbeds fences are a bit expensive.

Sorry again !