I've been playing all night and oscillating between genuine enjoyment and intense frustration. I'll start with the positives. I really like having small goals to achieve, especially in terms of colour and decor style. I've used items today that I've never used in builds before, built in completely different styles than I usually do, and been pushed outside my comfort zone. I've really enjoyed doing that and having a reason to try new things that I wouldn't have otherwise.
But the negatives have been incredibly frustrating. I've done 5 renovations so far and only 2 clients have been happy with the final product and paid me, despite the fact that I've used the colours and decor styles that they like and not used a single item from styles and colours that they don't like. Out of desperation, I even went into CAS to check ALL the likes/dislikes of the clients to make sure that I wasn't accidentally doing something that hadn't come up in the panel of three that are displayed. I've made lists of every liked/disliked style, colour, hobbies in the households and honoured these wishes. Even still, for three jobs I've been paid zero simoleons. Each time, the clients say, "It might not be what was asked for, but I like it! Definitely appreciate the effort!" and then I get paid nothing and lose reputation.
I'm thoroughly confused about what I'm doing wrong. I have no idea what's going on. To reiterate, I have respected their likes/dislikes with every single item placed (and I've gone back and redone rooms a couple of times just to double check that everything is, in fact, what they asked for) and have stayed within budget and they still don't like it. I've tried everything I can think of, changed up furniture in the same room multiple times, and no matter what I do, they won't accept it.
So like I said, I have been really enjoying aspects of it, but the frustration has been a serious barrier.