Takissis Shell Challenge - October Challenge

Well @Takissis I've completely gone off the rails. Still plugging away though. WIP

Your Gallery ID: AlJay2000
Lot name & link : Von-Windenburg Estate
Slideshow Link: May Shell Challenge
Feedback Requested?: Yes please
Additional Information/Backstory: I chose to remove all the interior walls from this shell and replace them. I wanted to make this build appear as if it had an open basement, so the second floor is actually the main floor. Thanks for creating this challenge @Takissis I had a lot of fun with it!
https://i.imgur.com/8vJ7s5n.png

@AlJay Von-Windenburg Estate is gorgeous. I love the gazebo and the tudor style is perfect. I'll place it today as soon as I can and give it a walkthrough for a proper review. I'm on my way out the door in about 10 minutes for a meeting. I'll take a look as soon as I get back.

My meeting got delayed, so I've got a little bit of time to run through this. Yay!

First, I love the pond. Absolutely gorgeous. Such detail in the design. I had to let my sim play while I was looking around. It looks like so much fun! I like the added touch of the beach towels laid out nearby and the greenery added. I could just gush on this alone. I love it so much.

The gazebo is cute with added little touches that don't clutter it up. I like the lanterns nearby and the birdhouse for the sims to watch while relaxing. So pretty! Oh the wishing well in the back! How do you make builds that look so perfect with such tiny little touches? I mean really. Just on the outside, nothing is cluttered Everything is nice and spread out, but perfectly placed. I love it.

I'm going to have to learn how you did this with the building itself. Making the basement the first floor. It looks completely natural and so well thought out. Lovely little touches on the porch. It reminds me of my brother's house where we used to sit outdoors drinking and enjoying the night. Of course, it wasn't was extravagant as this, but... Can I have this house in real life?

I haven't even gotten inside yet!

Okay, heading indoors and taking a deep breath.

First Floor

Oh my goodness. At first glance, I love the color pallets. I started in the blue bedroom. I love that painting over the bed, I didn't know it could be so blue. I think I always used the lighter version. The laundry room is to die for. I'm clicking on items to find out what they were and how you did this. It looks clean and so well put together, but it also looks lived in. How can it be both?

Okay, now I'm frustrated. I have a good vocabulary. I really do. I'm a freaking writer! I am at a complete loss of words. How many ways can I say I love this? I need my thesaurus.

What gets me is the use of items that I've never used before. So many little touches made with objects that I've dismissed and never utilized. I love the pastels in the gameroom. Everything ties together so well. I've never made a gameroom in a house, but I love this. I want that painting.

Oh cupcakes in the bedroom room. I want! Again a lovely use of pastels. I'm so bad at that. I've never seen those doors either or that mirror!. Grr. I thought I was getting better at looking through swatches.

Well crap. What would I change about the first floor. Um..nothing? I can't. Nothing is wrong, everything matches and contrasts well. Nothing is overly cluttered, but nothing is empty or plan. I can see a family living here. I mean a clean family, my house looks like a wrecking ball hit it, but I digress.

Just yeah. no moving on.

Second floor.


I want this kitchen. I mean like really. It's white. It's plain. There's no color. But it's perfect.

The living room looks so cozy, but still posh and refined. I like the choice of lamps. Which furniture is that? That's basegame! How did I miss it?

Ooo...The office is awesome. I love that the desk is in the middle of the room instead of against the wall. And the ottomans under the window is perfect. I never would have thought to put the fireplace in here, but I love it so much.

Changes to the second floor? ......

The only thing I see even remotely pause worthy is the stairs from the first floor. There's some blinking in the wall because of the railing, but I don't see how that could be fixed, and it's easily ignored.

Third floor.

Okay, I'm done. That's it. What the heck, Aljay! How do you do this? I mean...I don't even know how to describe it. I love everything about this floor. The archway with the ottoman is so inspired. Perfect use of coloring on the whole floor. Everything is beige but it looks like it's supposed to be! And putting the bathtub at the window! And the closet!

I have absolutely no idea how to critique any of this. My review is me just oh! and there's this! and this! and look at this!

There is a couple blinking issues on the third floor, the bookshelves in the first room, and the middle wardrobe in the closet. However, it's nothing so distracting that I wouldn't play here.

Overall, I'm flabbergasted and just blown away. There are so many little things here that are just perfection. I love it.

@JojoMOMSTER, I love what you have posted so far. I can't wait to see the rest!

Aww thanks so much @Takissis I'm blushing <3 I'm glad that it brings back good memories. I'm sure that if you brought pictures to a builder they would gladly build this house for you ;) The reason that I put the archway on the third floor was so that the roof didn't cut through the room, when I removed the wall it got weird. Anyway, thanks for such a kind review!

**General Disclaimer - I debated when I put the challenge together, whether or not I would offer feedback with my opinions on what worked and didn't. I decided that although I'm still learning and very new at this, I want everyone's opinions regardless of skill on my creations. Therefore, I'll offer mine, and those I'm critiquing can either take them or leave them. They have the option of asking for no feedback in the entry. Everyone should be aware that these are only my opinions and should be taken with a grain of salt. **

Hi @JojoMOMSTER, I finally got time to look over your version of my first shell challenge. I'm so happy that you got to join in this month.

My first thought at my quick glance over was how well it was put together. I love the ideas you had in some rooms, which I'll go over more. You did things I would have never thought of, but worked so wonderfully. I'm so happy with this design. You did great!

Okay, starting with the outside.

I love the work you put into the landscaping. It has the look of being well cared for, but not overly manicured. I love the addition of rocks in the flower beds. It looks real. The stilts is an interesting touch that I love. I wish I knew a good way to explain why. It's an interesting contrast to the backyard. They are different feels that tie in together well.

The wraparound porch is beautiful. I love the stairs on each side, and using the white plank flooring gives it the plantation style look. The backyard is a wash of color that is awesome. I'm so bad at putting this many colors together without it looking like a mishmash. You managed to put similar colors together, but still made it bright and colorful. Well done. And the curvy pool is great. I even love the tilework you chose for the inside. I think I like the firepit the best out of the backyard. It looks welcoming and fun. I imagine kids jumping around in the pool while the parents sit and relax together around the fire chatting about what Timmy did in school last week (or is that just me?)

Okay, what would I change about the outside. As far as problems, I only see one. At the backyard stairs, there is a flickering floor tile next to the lounges. I'm assuming this is because the house is on stilts. When I change to a different foundation, it stops flickering. When I put the stilts back, it flickers. The only way I can think to fix this is to either use a different foundation, or move the lounge area so it doesn't interfere. Minor really, up to you.

Hmmm. I think I would have put some benches or chairs on the porches, but that is a personal preference. You did put a little, but it looks a bit bare. The second floor balcony is great in the back. I might have turned the chairs to look out to enjoy the view though.

I keep coming back to the landscaping though. You did such a good job.

And on to the inside, first floor.

I have to say the entry to the front doors is so creative. I can never think of a good reason to use that wallpaper, but it looks good here. Maybe I've just never looked at the white on the wall. I almost didn't recognize it.

I love the Jazz theme that you chose for the first floor rooms. The artwork and furniture tie in well together. There are so many things in this house I would never have thought of. The Jazz Music lights art in the dining room, is that yours? Whether yes or no, it's perfect. And you used one of my paintings! The purple in the room brings out the colors in it so well! Now I'm giddy.

I like what you did in the kitchen. It isn't overcrowded or overdone. It's just a kitchen and it looks perfect. I like the orange and yellow colors, very inviting. I also like the half wall, giving it a very open feel.

Damn hun. All of this is so different but awesome!

Oh you used the light up chess pieces near the TV!

Okay, what would I change....

....

....

I need to stop offering feedback I think. I'm just not good enough to make suggestions to people that obviously are so much better at this than I am. What am I supposed to say? umm..I can't even find something to mock make fun of! grr...um...You used circles in the music room. I like squares better. There I said something.

With that said, I love the music room. I like the pillows on the floor and the keyboard instead of a piano is a good touch. I can see a family sitting here together playing music and singing as one. So much fun. I gotta go to the second floor, or I'm going to write pages about this one.

I don't even know where to start on the second floor. Again, I like what you did with the porch, the enclosed area is great. I like the little wicker ottomans. So cute.

Alright, green room, henceforth so named by the leafy wallpaper, my lack of thought processes at the moment, and well...it's green. I love love love the headboard. I am so ste...erm...using that for inspiration (Yep, that's it). I'm beginning to think you grabbed every item you had never used before and started putting them together. Not that it looks bad or put together wrong. Everything looks awesome. I've just never seen these combos before (course, I have limited experience.)

I think, if I had to change something in here, I would have tried to add a contrast color. Maybe a yellow or even tan. Not that I am good at taking that advice at all (if you look at my rooms, you know it).

For example, adding a little light brown

https://i.imgur.com/SAZentV.png

I like the black bathroom. It has an older feel to it. Who did those paintings? I want them. I like how you chose things from the same pack to make it complimentary. The rug matches the wallpaper that matches the cabinets that matches the shower.

Orange room. Again, love the headboard. The artwork compliments well. Much better job in here with not overwhelming with one color. I like the plants on the headboard. I always use a lot of plants in my builds. I don't know why. I can't keep them alive in my real life house, but in Sims I don't have to!! Yay! Okay, so digression there. I really like how you added in the wardrobe to each room. Perfect!

I would never have thought about putting the utility room in the middle of the floor like that. I like it! And I like how you did the shape of the room to give access without removing area from the other rooms around it. It makes it look bigger than it is. So creative!

Yellow Room..I'm sensing a theme here. Different, but similar headboard. Still loving it. While I'm noticing it, each bedroom has it's own little bathroom. I just now got the reasoning with it being a rental property! Now it makes sense! I was like...why so many bathrooms!!!! okay, moving on.

OH my! I love the green and blue room it's so cute! The little teddy bear, and the artwork and the lamps!! and and and !!!!! This room is definitely my favorite. Which is weird, I don't normally gush over the cute.

Okay, moving on to the third floor. What waits there?

There is the mysterious conference room. I had wondered if the dining room was what you meant in the description. Now I know. It looks like a conference room. Like little kitchette, soda machine and place to get coffee. A TV on the wall for video conferencing. Chalkboard for playing hangman. (That's what they do in conferences right?)

I almost missed the office! I was distracted by the piano on the porch. Actually, I was distracted at how the vines on the wall blends in so together with the planters, as if they belonged together. It looks like it is actually growing up out of the planters and up the wall.

There is nothing wrong or changeable that I can see on the third floor. I'm not even going to try.

I absolutely love what you did everywhere in this build. You did such a good job. Thank you very much for taking the time to do my little challenge!

I've been called in back to work, so I'm going to be a bit more limited on time. I'm still here, but it will be in the evenings and my days off. And oh my Goddess, I hurt so bad. They had me cleaning machines today, which is so not in my job description. However, my department doesn't open up for at least another two weeks, and I'm salary, so they found something for us to do.

I used muscles I've never used before today. I think I need to go soak in a hot bath.

Anyway, so my point. If I'm a bit slow on responding, please bear with me. I promise, I'm still here. Just my time is a bit more limited again.

Your Gallery ID: Kate2450
Lot name: Should be Wild Bear Saloon, but I forgot to update before loading so is called May '20 Shell Challenge
Gallery Link: https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/pc/gallery/C2DC52F2A00E11EA8E95A7FFEF289D9E?searchtype=ea_origin_id&time=all&category=all&searchquery=Kate2450&sortby=newest&max=50&maxis=false
Slideshow Link:?
Feedback Requested?: Yes please
Additional Information/Backstory: I went back and forth on the kitchen set up- I think the cabinet choice is too modern. Perhaps I should have gone with a hutch... not play tested

I've been doing some research and might know how to upload- testing



first thing the toddler did- poor pony



All set w/ links @Kate2450

first, thank you @JojoMOMSTER for posting my links.

And huge thanks to you @Takissis for your detailed review. I really appreciate the consideration. I am not sure what happened with that mailbox- I think when I moved lots it placed it because it was not meant to be there. I actually didn't place a mailbox now that I think of it. I did not realise the talking john lit up - but the colour and look felt so right! The hidden door to the attic is so no one discovers the toddler in the attic. It definitely won't work for gameplay

Hope you do another challenge next month :)