MrsFlynn's House of Tacky

House of Tacky => Sims 3 Library => Let's Build => Topic started by: MrsFlynn on September 22, 2022, 09:42:37 PM

Title: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 22, 2022, 09:42:37 PM: Alrighty, Here's Magnolia. She looks to be a 4 bedroom/2 Bath, grand 2-story home with possible excavated basement.

Click image to see larger view, click the F key to see full-size.

Everyone is invited to join in!! We'd love to see your interpretation of this house!! Share progression photos and info as you go along.

Thank you Lapaige for the challenge!! :)

.... Now Ready... Set... Build!!

✽ ~ . ~ . ~ -=>.<=- ~ . ~ . ~ ✽

Links to Past House Build Challenges:

House Build Challenge #6 (https://jadekitten.net/mfhot/index.php?topic=429.0)

House Build Challenge #5 (https://jadekitten.net/mfhot/index.php?topic=415.0)

House Build Challenge #4 (https://jadekitten.net/mfhot/index.php?topic=395.0)

House Build Challenge #3 (https://jadekitten.net/mfhot/index.php?topic=369.0)

House Build Challenge #2 (https://jadekitten.net/mfhot/index.php?topic=263.0)

House Build Challenge #1 (https://jadekitten.net/mfhot/index.php?topic=249.0)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 23, 2022, 08:31:15 AM: Good Mornin' Are you ready to build?! lol

I'll be in a little bit. Thinking it's a good morning for some coffee. :)

Question, can I maybe swap the kitchen and dining room spaces? I don't know why, but when I saw the floorplan for this house that seemed like a good idea to try.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 23, 2022, 09:42:52 AM: You can do whatever you like. :) Kitchens were a lot smaller in those day because they weren't family gathering places like they are today. Most large homes had a butler's pantry which is basically just an extention of the kitchen. If you wanted to make the kitchen larger, just remove the wall separating the butler's pantry. There are also service stairs there similar to the other house we did that leads to the second floor to a tiny bedroom where it was likely a staff bedroom.
I'm going to try to keep it as true to the plan as I can but with some modifications.

This house came up in my FB feed today and I recognized it immediately. It's very similar to the Magnolia house but I used to drive by it a couple of times a week when I lived in Atlanta. A bit of a coincidence, I'd say. I have a few regular chores to do before I get started and I have to go to the store at some point today.

(https://i.ibb.co/VDH6xHT/Marietta.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VDH6xHT)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 23, 2022, 10:01:15 AM: Now that I'm trying to draw out the first floor, I'm leaning more towards having the kitchen w/breakfast nook out back.

I do like the idea of taking out the butlers pantry and using some of the room for the kitchen.

I have decided not to go with the service stairs. Just one staircase to the 2nd floor.

Love the photo of the house, it is similar to the Magnolia house. :)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 23, 2022, 10:56:31 AM: I started my build on a 30x30 lot and still have it on the 30x30 lot. I was going to add a basement and have stacked stairs, but decided against that as then I feel I'd be hitting up closer to the back of the lot than I'd like.

Rough draft of what I started with.

This is what the 1st floor looks like so far.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 23, 2022, 11:06:40 AM: I'm trying to remember to take progress shots. It's on a 30x30 lot for now and will be moved to a 50x50 lot.

The initial layout testing for size to see if it will fit on a 30x30. Adding main floor walls and porches and second floor layout.

(https://i.ibb.co/rcBksJV/Screenshot.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rcBksJV) (https://i.ibb.co/QCvP5dQ/Screenshot-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QCvP5dQ) (https://i.ibb.co/gZfBhxV/Screenshot-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gZfBhxV) (https://i.ibb.co/VLxT5m5/Screenshot-4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VLxT5m5)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 23, 2022, 11:11:15 AM: Looks to me like you have lots of room for your basement stairs under the main floor stairs. I know you like basements so now would be the time to do it.

It took 5 mins.

(https://i.ibb.co/86NjkfQ/Screenshot-5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/86NjkfQ)(https://i.ibb.co/ydsZyrg/Screenshot-6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ydsZyrg)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 23, 2022, 11:32:38 AM: (https://i.ibb.co/q0CdV9W/Screenshot-7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/q0CdV9W) (https://i.ibb.co/Y3GwBnM/Screenshot-8.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y3GwBnM) (https://i.ibb.co/b7R3zL7/Screenshot-9.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b7R3zL7) (https://i.ibb.co/Jcdktrm/Screenshot-10.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Jcdktrm)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 23, 2022, 11:42:06 AM: Now comes the hard part.
(https://i.ibb.co/VV2FnnZ/Screenshot-12.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VV2FnnZ)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 23, 2022, 11:43:04 AM: I like giving a little room behind the stairs, that's why I was saying I don't feel like I have enough room to add stairs to the basement.

The brown wood flooring is where the stairs to the basements would end up being. When I tried adding basement stairs earlier It took about 7x2 squares in total.

I did keep a copy of the build before adding walls, so I might go back to it later.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 23, 2022, 11:49:13 AM: Ah. I see. Your house is wider than it is long. If you'll notice on the floor plan, the house itself is perfectly square. But you should be able to place your basement stairs directly under your main floor stairs.
If you place your basement stairs where you want them dropping them down from the first floor, you can then go up to your second floor and drop your stairs in over top of the basement stairs. They'll take up no more room than your main stairs. Did that make sense? :)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 23, 2022, 11:50:53 AM: I took my flooring out to show you what I meant.

(https://i.ibb.co/BKsVWJ4/Screenshot-13.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BKsVWJ4)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 23, 2022, 12:22:53 PM: I am counting 20 wide (not including the deck with the pillars under it) by 19 long. So it's somewhat square. lol

When I tried earlier, I was using the basement tool and when you do it that way you need to leave room for a landing. That's why I mentioned 7x2.

You mentioning how you did it just a little bit ago got me to thinking about the dig-out basement method of making a basement.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 23, 2022, 01:37:55 PM: See my series from a few posts ago. I did the 3 sets of stairs off to the side, then leveled the terrain under where I wanted the basement. You will have to remove the floor above (just the floor, not the walls) in order to place your stairs and lights. Then it's a simple matter of replacing your floors and you don't need a landing. So much easier to do before furnishing. :)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 23, 2022, 05:22:58 PM: Ready for doors and windows.

(https://i.ibb.co/d5RNyD5/Screenshot-15.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d5RNyD5)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 24, 2022, 06:09:21 AM: I went with an offwhite clapboard siding. Then tried to choose what the foundation wall covering would be. Recolored the brick foundation and tried a concrete swatch. I like it, so I went with it. Looked more pleasing to me.

Wasn't feeling the basement and stacked stairs, and wasn't able to get a wall around the staircase. I didn't want to make the hallway to narrow, so I took out the basement. I feel good about doing that as it flows better.

Here's what the house looks like currently:

It looks a lot more modern than it should. I tried some CC, but ultimately decided to try to go with what the game has already. All in all, I feel it's coming out nicely.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 24, 2022, 07:28:31 AM: You were up and at it early. :) I still have a few details (I know. I'm all about the details), and real life things to look after so I will be putting mine up a bit later.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 24, 2022, 07:49:19 AM: Having the idea of taking out the butlers pantry was a great idea!! I'd like to get rid of the wall that separates the kitchen/dining room from the front door. Make it more of an open area, maybe. It will give it more natural light. Still not sure on that. I've still got a few things to do on the house. My mind keeps drifting off to what to do about the landscaping. lol

Take your time on yours. It'll be worth the wait!!
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 24, 2022, 08:41:46 AM: The FB group I'm in does these Sears kit home challenges with the added challenge of keeping the cost within a budget. The cost of the house on the original listing is 5,140 but we get to add an extra 0 making it 51,400. I have just squeaked under the budget with what I have and I've had to "economize" by eliminating some of the downstairs walls.
So, keeping the exterior details true to the original, I've "modernized" the interior. :D

I have also not placed the fireplace yet and I still have some trim details on the exterior to figure out. I'm also having a problem trying to work out some of the exterior details (again with the details!) that the game won't let me do. I'm not going to worry about landscaping yet until I move it to my large lot.

Now I need to go and do some stuff before I even load up the game, or I won't get anything else done.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 24, 2022, 09:19:23 AM: Saying that really makes me want to see what you've done with the inside walls. lol

I've deleted most of the inner walls on the main floor... What a difference it makes!!

Here's what I'm thinking for my kitchen/dinning room layout.

That makes it look so homey. :)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 24, 2022, 01:24:19 PM: I've done as much as I can. As usual, I'm trying to make the game do things it's not designed to do no matter how many tricks I tried. I chose to work with the budget of §51,400 and I came in at §51,365. Yay! It took an awful lot of fiddling around to do that. I eliminated closets and the butler's pantry as well as the service stairs. I also removed walls and went the the post/beam look for definition.

Coincedently, this showed up on my Facebook just before I started this build. The house is in Marietta, GA and I have driven past it when we lived in the area.

(https://i.ibb.co/9hFnwMv/Marietta.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9hFnwMv)

(https://i.ibb.co/d7s4yJp/Screenshot-16.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d7s4yJp) (https://i.ibb.co/kgpBjyV/Screenshot-20.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kgpBjyV) (https://i.ibb.co/RgTs7tY/Screenshot-22.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RgTs7tY)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 24, 2022, 04:00:03 PM: You did a wonderful job!!
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 24, 2022, 04:04:36 PM: Thank you. I'm happy with it. I've moved it to it's new lot up on the hill with the Tudor and the Whistler. She looks right at home.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 24, 2022, 04:44:59 PM: It's nice to see the similarities in our builds. :)

Here's what mine looks like before furnishing. I've got some ideas for the kitchen/dining/breakfast nook and living room but not sure what to really do with the bedrooms.

* Name: Maisie
* Bds/Ba: 5Bds/4Ba
* Price On Lot: §46,551. ~ UnFurnished
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 24, 2022, 04:56:51 PM: Nicely done. Mine is going to have to remain unfurnished for the time being. I started working on the landscaping but ran out of steam.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Mpart on September 25, 2022, 08:26:45 AM: I'm a little late to this challenge and I'm a bit rusty from not building for so long. I'm at the fun part of building where I'm trying to figure out what the Sims 3 will let me get away with:

(https://i.imgur.com/YRhX6Y1.jpg)

I'm not crazy about the double roofs (I wanted the height but they stand out a little too much) and the pillars being different shades of white (even though they are the exact same color, grrr), but an attempt is being made!
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 25, 2022, 08:42:00 AM: You are doing great!! I actually like the roof height.. I wasn't able to figure out the roof with the little window piece. Totally spacing what those are called at the moment, so I went with what I did.

The reason the pillars are a different color of white (I'm thinking) is because of the material they're made out of. For example, different wall coverings could be the same color, but depending on what type of wall cover you use it could look a different shade.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 25, 2022, 09:10:26 AM: Yay!! Glad to see someone else in the challenge. :D

MrsFlynn, that's a dormer. Putting a regular dormer in there didn't look right because it was too big. So what I did was lower it using CFE and was very happy that it actually worked. The problem arose when I tried to place a window. A dormer window sat too low and a privacy window was too high. Fortunately, thanks to Bau5, I found a window that fit.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 25, 2022, 09:28:09 AM: Ah!! Thank you for the reminder - that it's a dormer. I was hoping you knew. :)

I jumped into game getting ready to furnish the place to find the fireplace was off-center.. That drove me nuts!! lol so I added some wall to make it even.

Then saved it as my unfurnished build. :)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 25, 2022, 09:47:28 AM: When I put my fireplace in, the stack when right up through the middle of one of the bedrooms. So I eliminated the chimney where it was showing inside because I wanted to have back to back fireplaces as per the original plan. I kept the part that is showing on the roof.

Turn MOO on, go to Buy mode and remove pieces of the chimney stack with the hand tool. You can separate
it completely from the fireplace itself.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 25, 2022, 10:05:08 AM: Thank you for the reminder. I too deleted the chimney stack from the upstairs middle bedroom. I couldn't make it blend with the room, so I deleted it. I like it sticking out the top of the roof though. lol

-- Need to add that tip to the tips thread!! :)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 28, 2022, 12:31:12 PM: Building the Magnolia house isn't really the kind of house I usually build, but I still wanted to try because there was something about this house that spoke to me. I did take more of a modern spin on the inside of the house, more so because I just couldn't wrap my head around what felt like closed rooms. When I saw the interior of the home in my minds eye I saw a beautiful open living space with the diningroom, kitchen breakfast nook and livingroom being all one room.

Here are some progress photos of how furnishing/decorating is going. Not real confident in my furnishing/decor abilities with this house, but do love how the kitchen, breakfast nook and diningroom came out. The livingroom not so much. There's just something about it that I don't like still.

Though the little sitting area in front of the front window is oh so cute!!

Almost forgot to add the "overview" shots

I'm currently using pieces in the diningroom and Livingroom from Kardofe - TSR

kardofe_Ethnic Dining Room
https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims3-sets-objects-diningroom/title/kardofe-ethnic-dining-room/id/1491715/

kardofe_Living room Odin
https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims3-sets-objects-livingroom/title/kardofe-living-room-odin/id/1494002/
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 28, 2022, 02:54:07 PM: What attracted me to the Magnolia was the challenge of reproducing the "Grand" appearance and that was my focus. One of the first things I realized after I started furnishing it was that it was too small. It wasn't "grand" enough. I debated starting over but decided to just go with what I had. I started on a 30x30 lot with the intention of placing it on a 50x50 lot in Riverview. I'm not sure why I didn't just go with that size in the first place. I guess I didn't have my hindsight glasses on.

Magnolia, part 1 - Magnolia is a 1918 Sears kit house.

§107,345 Unfurnished on 50x50 lot
§170,972 Furnished.

4-beds, 2.5 baths
Full unfinished basement.

Created by Laurel - Sep 2022

(https://i.ibb.co/xLpjd9G/Screenshot-37.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xLpjd9G) (https://i.ibb.co/Zzdmv1z/Screenshot-38.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Zzdmv1z) (https://i.ibb.co/Wkp7RTN/Screenshot-39.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Wkp7RTN) (https://i.ibb.co/GJPhD9N/Screenshot-40.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GJPhD9N) (https://i.ibb.co/8x3WtcB/Screenshot-41.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8x3WtcB)

(https://i.ibb.co/vmqBRGR/Screenshot-14.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vmqBRGR) (https://i.ibb.co/tXLYdRF/Screenshot-15.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tXLYdRF)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 28, 2022, 03:00:38 PM: Magnolia - Part 2

I started out with an open floor plan but decided to go with a more traditional look. Typically houses in those days did not have big kitchens and rooms were more closed off.

(https://i.ibb.co/X8jdPZy/Screenshot.jpg) (https://ibb.co/X8jdPZy) (https://i.ibb.co/QYwzqyT/Screenshot-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QYwzqyT) (https://i.ibb.co/7QKdcpC/Screenshot-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7QKdcpC) (https://i.ibb.co/G259mvC/Screenshot-4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/G259mvC) (https://i.ibb.co/CKjxz1x/Screenshot-5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CKjxz1x) (https://i.ibb.co/YPwqwk7/Screenshot-6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YPwqwk7) (https://i.ibb.co/p1ttMzL/Screenshot-7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/p1ttMzL) (https://i.ibb.co/chxWhSY/Screenshot-8.jpg) (https://ibb.co/chxWhSY) (https://i.ibb.co/swJfCqF/Screenshot-9.jpg) (https://ibb.co/swJfCqF) (https://i.ibb.co/d54QHrr/Screenshot-10.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d54QHrr) (https://i.ibb.co/27HXJ4q/Screenshot-11.jpg) (https://ibb.co/27HXJ4q) (https://i.ibb.co/VWLYVVK/Screenshot-12.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VWLYVVK) (https://i.ibb.co/7kyTVD8/Screenshot-13.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7kyTVD8)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 28, 2022, 03:25:27 PM: You did a wonderful job!! Maybe the story could be that it was grand? I think it grand to me. Fits perfectly where you added it. :)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 28, 2022, 03:45:28 PM: Thank you. :) I think it looks pretty grand on the outside. I'm just disappointed that I didn't make it bigger. Even just another 2 or 3 rows to the square would have made a big difference.

Oh well. Onto my next project. :D
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 28, 2022, 04:06:33 PM: I'm still working on mine. Not quite happy with the livingroom, so that's most likely going to change. I've also got the upstairs to do. lol
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 30, 2022, 05:02:35 PM: I've finished the build have have uploaded it to share. Maisie (https://jadekitten.net/mfhot/index.php?topic=469.msg5729#msg5729)

Screenshots of the finished house ~
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 30, 2022, 05:20:10 PM: Very good! Your house started out much bigger than mine. My bedrooms are tiny.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 30, 2022, 05:28:42 PM: Side to side it's 25 squares by 20 squares going front to back. It didn't start out that big though, if I remember correct I started with 16x16 square.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 30, 2022, 05:45:24 PM: Wow! You really expanded it. Are you including the porches or is that just the house? I don't know off-hand what mine is before or after.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 30, 2022, 05:50:33 PM: Yep, that includes porches and car port or whatever that is called on the left side of the house.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 30, 2022, 05:52:25 PM: Porte Cochiere - French for Coach Door.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on September 30, 2022, 05:55:55 PM: Ah okay. I'm laughing at myself. I've seen some of those types of things attached to houses, but never really knew what they were called.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on September 30, 2022, 05:58:02 PM: You weren't wrong. In today's world they are car ports. But in Magnolia's posh world, it's a porte cochiere. :D
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Mpart on October 11, 2022, 08:07:19 PM: Okay, so this house turned out to be a much bigger project than I expected and will probably take me a few months to complete. Reading what worked for you guys and what didn't work helped me A LOT when I was struggling building this house, so if you see any similarities, it is likely because I learned from you guys! I didn't mean to copy or anything, I just know that the Sims 3 can offer some building challenges and I like to take notes on what works and what doesn't work.

(https://i.imgur.com/0t9HLWA.jpg)

This is the current exterior of the house. I plan on landscaping and trying to follow the original houses's landscaping as much as possible. I tried to go for a roof pattern that made the clipping of the two roofs less noticeable and I think I achieved that? I'm not sure.

(https://i.imgur.com/eIjh6On.jpg)

This is the first floor of the house. It's HUGE. I overestimated the size that I wanted this house to be in an effort to follow the original layout (which I ended up tweaking anyways). If you guys have any ideas for what to do with all of this space, let me know. This house gives me dynasty vibes, but I'm not sure if I want it to be specifically geared towards that.

(https://i.imgur.com/vrPqR4M.jpg)

This is the second floor. I haven't done much to it yet.

The takes you guys have on the Magnolia house are GORGEOUS! They have been really inspiring to see. I wanted to go for a more traditional interior like Lapaige did, but wasn't able to pull it off, so kudos to you, Lapaige! The interior is absolutely stunning. I also love how cozy Mrs. Flynn's take on the house looks. It makes my heart happy.
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: MrsFlynn on October 11, 2022, 09:01:22 PM: Thank you for the progress report!! lol It's turning out quite lovely!!

I love what you've done with the roofline!!

The area in the livingroom could be another sitting area or skill area maybe? The room behind the fireplace I left empty, but thinking it could be a study/office or bedroom for baby. And of course a sundeck to the right of the livingroom where your gardening Sims could grow produce all year round.

To the left of the house front room is the diningroom and what could be a butler's pantry in the kitchen. I opened it all up and have a breakfast nook, kitchen and dining with a little sitting area in front of the front windows.

Bedrooms are mostly upstairs, but you could put an office/library/skilling along with kids, teen and a couple of rooms with a double bed in them. Depending on how many bedrooms you have in the upstairs. I'm sorry I can't really tell. *Blush*
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on October 11, 2022, 09:14:46 PM: It's looking really good, Mpart. May I make a couple of suggestions to make your shots a little clearer?
If you type the "G" key, you'll turn off the grid within the house. It makes it a bit easier to see the interior.
Also, of you make your screen shots while you're in landscape mode, you lose the grids there too.

Those are just my initial observations so now I'll go and take a good look. :)
Title: Re: House Build Challenge #7 - Magnolia
Post by: Lapaige46 on October 11, 2022, 10:08:15 PM: For me, my interpretation was to focus on the elegance of the era and that involves a lot of "stuff" (I can see MrsFlynn cringing.) :)
Everyone has a different design esthetic and in real life I'm a designer and builder at heart and a collector in fact. You could say my many real life homes are not exactly what you'd call minimalist. ::)
I see you have no problem using CC. I have a serious CC addiction so my builds are loaded with it. I think it adds character, but that's just me. :)

The large living room needs a "quiet" space in the front. A reading area with an elegant bookcase and cozy chairs, maybe a chess set. I'd place a sideboard with some candles and ornaments. I think I see where a grandfather clock would go.

Using MOO you could double up one of the long tables and create a very formal dining room with a china cabinet and a couple of sideboards.

MrsFlynn suggested a butler's pantry in the kitchen and that's what was on the original plan so I'd fill in some of the kitchen space with that. I'd also put a couple of cozy chairs in front of the fireplace in the kitchen.

On the original plan, the room behind the livingroom shows a back-to-back fireplace and you have lots of room in there. You can eliminate the chimney on a second fireplace by using MOO and in "buy" mode, use the hand tool to removed pieces of the chimney. I'd make that a family room with couches and a tv.

Because I made my house smaller than I'd have liked, I eliminated the closets upstairs. I just realized I didn't get many pictures of the upstairs. My suggestion would be to eliminate the chimney piece that is plugging up that one bedroom unless you want to keep it authentic. :)
The room in the back corner on the right is actually a screened sleeping porch rather than another bedroom. Lots of room for a study up there.

And in case you hadn't noticed, I tend to get a bit carried away.... :D

Edited to add: Maybe you aren't using CC and some of the objects you've used are from different EPs or SPs that I don't have. My apologies if that's the case.