2 years ago

Victorian homes real life vs. Sims

I actually couldn't really think of a good title to encapsulate what I wanted this to be about, lol. However, it's equal parts meant to serve as a reassurance post, and also point out that sometimes what homes look like in real life doesn't really translate over into the Sims. Victorian homes are a great example of this!

Also, did you know Victorian home is an umbrella term for ton of different styles? Like they share some things in common, but the styles sometimes are completely different. And in truth the more you look at some of the more decedent styles, the more it starts to become clear...Victorian homes are just...extra. They aren't as sensical or nice I think as most of us think, and the ones we are thinking of are more modern takes on them.

See, much like the clutter of Victorian homes (which is something Sim builders like to achieve in their homes lol) was to showcase their wealth. Same with the more molding and wood trimming, clearly the more money you had! But it made the homes one, a giant fire hazard, as most chimneys hadn't been properly built for ventilation and such. And they were so tiny despite their large appearance because off all the extra stuff tacked onto the home, not just people being smaller back then. If you've ever been in a historic Victorian home, those stairs are deadly, and everything is cramped. The house feels more messy than decorative.

But yeah they come in a variety of shapes and styles I want to show here, and next time you think your Victorian home looks off, it might be closer to the real deal than you think! They are an odd style for sure!

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/812453201562828883/1101188090426568734/5fe600ed7821d8cddf33dd95cea67fd6l-m897758263xd-w1020_h770_q80-2-696x407.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/812453201562828883/1101188090804051988/Castle-Victorian-in-Nebraska-for-Sale-3.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/812453201562828883/1101188091139588206/180887029.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/812453201562828883/1101188091663888514/a55ddfe452bb253219aa860475746b47-e1488305662499.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/812453201562828883/1101188267891757156/2acc8e9b736f3bfa0172fe390264abb0.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/812453201562828883/1101188268458000454/91a0a45e1cf603dd38151351c8b3b37b.jpg
Sometimes they were simple too. So if the over-the-top styles aren't for you, or you're just starting out here is some inspo for you!
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/812453201562828883/1101188268164395028/Folk-Victorian_Home_.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/812453201562828883/1101188268831281202/folk-victorian-built-with-vinyl-siding-vinyl-siding-institute-imgec31e2fa0ff1f697_14-3016-1-ceccfdf.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/812453201562828883/1101188092339167314/italianate-architecture-michigan.jpg
(Yup sometimes there were just nice squares lol)

alphaffrog
Seasoned Traveler
2 years ago
Phew! I've never fully got my head around the American Victorian style and it's made me to afraid to build one, so this is so reassuring! Thank you :)
Simmingal
Hero
2 years ago
Yeah I don't really tag my builds as specific styles
since I am sure they are quite inaccurate in way or another

for one because of my minimalist perfectionist tendencies
and modern comforts I want my sims to have

but also because the game just doesn't have the correct assets
and the proportions can be all kinds of wonky
where huge mansion homes turn into small homes
and small homes turn into huge ones
all because you were trying to match how the windows look

also as for the stairs I see so much love for spiral stairs for how they look
but as someone who lives in a house with spiral stairs in it... it's a death trap. absolute death trap :lol:
nothing against it though I'd still love them but its just funny to me how these things become such wanted build assets
Amondra
2 years ago
"AlphaFFrog;c-18261415" wrote:
Phew! I've never fully got my head around the American Victorian style and it's made me to afraid to build one, so this is so reassuring! Thank you :)

I think most people think of the Queen Anne style or the Second Empire, and they are incredibly intimidating and the hardest to recreate because of limitations in the game, via what is available and how things are allowed or not allowed to overlap. This is why I added in the more simple-looking homes, as it really shows just how vastly different homes looked during this era.
Amondra
2 years ago
"Simmingal;c-18261425" wrote:
Yeah I don't really tag my builds as specific styles
since I am sure they are quite inaccurate in way or another

for one because of my minimalist perfectionist tendencies
and modern comforts I want my sims to have

but also because the game just doesn't have the correct assets
and the proportions can be all kinds of wonky
where huge mansion homes turn into small homes
and small homes turn into huge ones
all because you were trying to match how the windows look

also as for the stairs I see so much love for spiral stairs for how they look
but as someone who lives in a house with spiral stairs in it... it's a death trap. absolute death trap :lol:
nothing against it though I'd still love them but its just funny to me how these things become such wanted build assets

I feel this, and like I said above the building limitations on what can overlap, and if you use the build mode cheat sometimes can cause some unpleasant clipping.

I felt the mansion into small home and vice versa in my soul. There is a lot of issues transferring real-life homes into the game. Also because we have dead space in walls for insulation and such, plus spaces for water heaters and so on that the game doesn't need and it's amazing how much that changes how the home will look. Which might be why older era styles are preferred to build for so many? Or the wild modern homes that don't need to make much sense, lol.

Omg, spiral staircases are terrible. Love looking at them, but I do not want to use them, lol.
RouenSims
Seasoned Traveler
2 years ago
I’m always surprised how many real life Victorian buildings in my area look so much like base game builds.
BissenNess
Seasoned Veteran
2 years ago
The green one with the Christmas ornaments looks like it belongs in Willow Creek.
Amondra
2 years ago
"Eleri;c-18261562" wrote:
The green one with the Christmas ornaments looks like it belongs in Willow Creek.

It does, doesn't it? Lol.
Amondra
2 years ago
"Rouensims;c-18261544" wrote:
I’m always surprised how many real-life Victorian buildings in my area look so much like base game builds.

The more simple ones really have a Willow Creek vibe, the Queen Anne style does fit the richer area. It's just wild how chaotic and just extra these homes look, lol. But I thought it would be nice to show that Victorian is a huge umbrella and sometimes the roofing, most notably, is just wild.
SimplyJen
Rising Spectator
2 years ago
Great thread topic. Victorian homes are so interesting and breathtaking in person.

I'm looking at these house plans from 1877 and I can't figure out what's that section on the second floor - top right. A mansard roof I assumed but building this house in the sims looked odd. Mostly because sims don't need closets so I was trying to rearrange rooms while keeping the house shape. Think I'll have to give up on this one. :sweat_smile:
Spoiler
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/93/b7/80/93b780fdd6a7d2254791189da637bcd4.jpg
GalacticGal
Seasoned Ace
2 years ago
I was gobsmacked when I read that the Jessica Fletcher house was a Victorian. I always thought part of the prerequisite for that term, was the wrap-around porch. Thanks for the 'lessen'. :)