I noticed this right after the patch and thought it was just me cause I could not find anyone else affected - thanks for posting! Here is my experience:
Platform: PC
Packs: Discover University, Island Living, Get Famous, Seasons, Cats & Dogs, City Living, Get Together, Get to Work, Realm of Magic, Jungle Adventure, Vampires, Dine Out, Spa Day, Outdoor Retreat, Moschino Stuff , Fitness Stuff, Vintage Glamour Stuff, Romantic Garden Stuff, Cool Kitchen Stuff, Perfect Patio Stuff, Perfect Party Stuff, Holiday Celebration
Starting with a save that had an existing Vet Clinic with 'Beautifully Decorated' +3 throughout the lot prior to updating. This moodlet was originally achieved by mods (invisible emitters for a clean modern look). After the update, the rooms gave only 'Decorated' +1 moodlet.
I noticed the Inspired moodlet was still at the expected +2 level. Added extra Inspire based objects; was able to achieve 'Inspiring Décor' +3 as expected. Also tested with 'Cheerful Décor' (in a different room) and was able to get it to +3. Only 'Beautifully Decorated' +3 seemed to be affected.
Thinking perhaps the way this is calculated changed and simply requires more, I tried stacking numerous (30+) +10 Environment invisible emitter objects. But cannot get the room past 'Nicely Decorated' +2.
Knowing mods could be an issue, I removed & disabled them and reloaded the same save. Now there was no decor related moodlet at all, but that is expected as it is fairly bare at this point because of mod removal. So I re-do the walls & floors with ones that have +1 Minor Environment and add in a few +10 Environment statues and paintings. I try them hidden at first (bb.moveobjects + shrink size), and when that fails to make a difference I place them again without size change or move cheat. But cannot get the room past 'Nicely Decorated' +2.
Repaired the game and started a new save (mods still removed). Gave my new sim sufficient cash for testing (money cheat) and built a new room making sure walls and floors were not bare and even added some nice windows. Again, well over a dozen each +10 Environment statues and paintings at full size and no move cheat, but cannot get the room past 'Nicely Decorated' +2.
I also found that 'Decorated' and 'Nicely Decorated' moodlets now have timers on them; other moods (like 'Inspiring Décor') do not. My research found various videos and articles which confirm my memory is correct, just like Desideratus1986 stated: we expect these moodlets to be permanent so long as the sim is in the room. The timers refresh immediately on expiring if the sim stays in the room.
To summarize:
- Cannot achieve 'Beautifully Decorated' Environment +3 moodlet even with no mods, no move object cheat, no object resize, game repaired, new save, new room, & new sim.
- Only 'Beautifully Decorated' Environment +3 moodlet affected.
- 'Decorated' and 'Nicely Decorated' Environment moodlets now have timers on them.
- Other moods do not have timers for their Environment moodlets.
