Forum Discussion

Seasoned Ace

3 years ago

I'm building a Royal Estate - (merged with "what kind of rooms are in yours?")

***** two threads merged, so both 1st and 2nd post are openers. Moving on with input and reports from the progress of building the biggest thing I ever did.

Since this thread got a bit messy, here's links to each update with more pictures on my blog:
Part 1 - 1st floor - Royal/Official (1 of 2)
Part 2 - 1st floor - Royal/Official (2 of 2)
Part 3 - 2nd floor - Formal (1 of 2)
Part 4 - 2nd floor - Formal (2 of 2)
Part 5 - 3rd floor - Private (1 of 2)
Part 6 - 3rd floor - Private (2 of 2)
Part 7 - basement - Servants +++

I have many manors and even a palace, but somehow they always lacked the space to add rooms that are not necessary for everyday life and a few parties. Now, building my largest thing, knowing it will happen just this once, I can't come up with enough ideas to fill 3 floors + a basement.

Would be cool to hear about anyone's special rooms. I mean, I know they need a dining room, but special rooms and combinations of specific features/usage would be great. Also other ideas and experiences that might relate to a big building like a royal estate.

Well, I went for 3 floors + basement. This time I decided to place kitchen & servants in the basement, wanting a big kitchen and additional raw kitchen/storage etc would take up to much space on the cost of all those "once in a lifetime" silly rooms that I can actually allow in a royal estate.

I try to class the floors like royal (1st), noble (2nd) and private (3rd). Plus servants (basement).
1st floor is tall height, the other two are mid height (that is my favorite for the finer homes).

1st floor

The MAIN HALL spans both 1st and 2nd floor, with stairs and windows facing south for nice sunlight effects. There are also a couple passage "balconies" on 2nd floor.

Also a CHAPEL spans both 1st and 2nd floors. It's meant for big family events like weddings and funerals. Might also be used for charity events, who knows.

And there is of course the THRONE ROOM which is huuuuge although on 1st floor only. I might reduce it a bit as it will only be used for coronations and the very big gala dinners (which won't be that easy to play with a household of 8, anyway ;)

This is all I got for 1st floor, but there is plenty more space. There is a WIDE CORRIDOR where I intend hanging old paintings, as in their most valuable gallery. And there is a section where I plan the Monarch's office, but it could be include much more. I have no idea what I might be missing here, as I never focused on royals in the past (despite actually living in a RL kingdom :) )

2nd floor

By tagging this floor "noble" I mean it is good for the smaller parties, meetings, with several DINING ROOMS (color themed?), SALOONS and BARS etc. Perhaps some extra STUDY and a LIBRARY, but I need some ideas to make them stand out from what I normally build.

There could be a SUITE on this floor intended for either stately guests or elders of the House who might hate walking all those stairs from 3rd floor, LOL.

3rd floor

This floor will be less formal, mainly with 5-6 BEDROOMS/BATHROOMS, and LIVING/DINING sections. I think the royal household will dine up here mostly, but they might also use 2nd floor dining rooms. Anyway, a SMALL KITCHEN could also be good on 3rd floor, for easy cooking on days when the "staff" has some time off.

There is a huge TERRACE on 3rd floor, facing south and with a splendid view. It would be weird using it for parties as it is only accessed from this private floor, but perhaps it can function as the family's favorite outdoor space, including normal activities for all ages.

Basement

I won't pay much attention to the basement, but obviously a KITCHEN and simple bedroom facilities for live-in servants. I assume there will be just 2 live-in servants, but it might depend on the size of the royal family. I normally have a butler and a cook, but for this estate I think there could also be a "estate superintendant"/chief of staff. I was also thinking of a Maid, but it will take up too many of those 8 slots.

Basement will also have space for STORING old heirlooms when not on display, I imagine there might be some adjustments in certain rooms when it comes to items exhibited in monters etc.

NECTAR CELLAR including the nectar making machine, and of course some dark "MAZA CORRIDOR" leading nowhere.

Oh - and a CRYPT for family graves, although those graves might have enough room in the chapel.

I assume all of these mentioned, will take half the available space, so I really need to come up with more ideas... It's a project that will take a while, so I thought a thread like this might gather some input over time, no hurry :) I'll need several days only to plan the corridors and where say the butler shall walk. Servants obviously don't use the same routing as the royals.

build and buy

Simmerville
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
"haneul;c-18064860" wrote:
It's coming along really well. I liked the blog entry about the rest of the first floor. <3

Thanks! I'm now busy on 2nd floor. Must admit that a project like this is a bit overwhelming in he sense that it's more fun equipping salon number 1 than salon number 10, LOL.
Admiral8Q
New Spectator
3 years ago
"Simmerville;c-18074077" wrote:
"Admiral8Q;c-18074048" wrote:

@Simmerville I love what you've done!
Keep in mind though, and staying with the Sims having to use the toilet... to be authentic, you will have to create 'gong pits'. :D :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uBs0rPOCsg

Haha! I'm happy to live in 2022 :) Re my sims, I must admit that the UI Cheat is a blessing!

I'm glad you get my humour. :D
In a Sim game, I prefer 'fantasy' over 'realism' heheh!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5QcZQ2AY7w
crocobaura
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
"Simmerville;c-18077556" wrote:
"jbadger12;c-18077409" wrote:
@Simmerville I like that you have decorated ceilings. It's a minor thing, but it adds a lot to the room. I especially like the pattern on that last bedroom.
I don't think anyone in this thread answered the three questions you posed above, so I'm going to throw some stuff out there.
1. Not an official answer, just supposition. In countries like the UK, the functions for which monarchs originally held court are undertaken by other parts of the government, now, such as the Justice department or Parliament. There may be some ceremonial occasions, such as knighting someone, for which the King or Queen might still hold court.
2. Queen Elizabeth II of England usually wears her crown once a year at the official opening of Parliament, and may wear a tiara at other special events.

Thanks @jbadger12 It's actually a tad boring being a Monarch these days, compared with previous eras. Means my King and Queen might take up knitting, LOL.

I've been playing my 3rd floor for a couple days. And - it's working fine but the long walks really ruins the fun. I dislike that I can't cancel actions, so if a child decides to walk down to ground floor to chat, if I cancel they need to walk down two stories before they realize that the action is canceled. So, it's a lot of walking, I might need to lock them inside a group of 3-4 rooms on daytime, or even better - send the princes and princesses away to border school. A full household in such a big house is not working well.. sigh.

You could try locking the ground floor rooms when not using them.
Simmerville
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
"crocobaura;c-18077579" wrote:
"Simmerville;c-18077556" wrote:
"jbadger12;c-18077409" wrote:
@Simmerville I like that you have decorated ceilings. It's a minor thing, but it adds a lot to the room. I especially like the pattern on that last bedroom.
I don't think anyone in this thread answered the three questions you posed above, so I'm going to throw some stuff out there.
1. Not an official answer, just supposition. In countries like the UK, the functions for which monarchs originally held court are undertaken by other parts of the government, now, such as the Justice department or Parliament. There may be some ceremonial occasions, such as knighting someone, for which the King or Queen might still hold court.
2. Queen Elizabeth II of England usually wears her crown once a year at the official opening of Parliament, and may wear a tiara at other special events.

Thanks @jbadger12 It's actually a tad boring being a Monarch these days, compared with previous eras. Means my King and Queen might take up knitting, LOL.

I've been playing my 3rd floor for a couple days. And - it's working fine but the long walks really ruins the fun. I dislike that I can't cancel actions, so if a child decides to walk down to ground floor to chat, if I cancel they need to walk down two stories before they realize that the action is canceled. So, it's a lot of walking, I might need to lock them inside a group of 3-4 rooms on daytime, or even better - send the princes and princesses away to border school. A full household in such a big house is not working well.. sigh.

You could try locking the ground floor rooms when not using them.

Yup, am doing that but every now and then a child returns from school and needs to pass 1st and 2nd floor to "get home", and typically someone initiates a chat and walks downstairs. It really bothers me that activity cancellations are not taking immediate effect, but I assume it is thanks to the size of the household = lag.
Simmerville
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
"EmmaVane;c-18077695" wrote:
1. Will a modern Monarch hold Court?

No, as this is something handled by the judicial system (courts) these days. It doesn't mean they can't in game, however.

2. Is there any occasion at all except coronation that the Monarch will actually wear the crown?

When sitting for official photoshoots or portraits, maybe. Maybe they like to be extra formal for weddings or press conferences.

3. If your Monarch hold Court (events), how do you play them out?

If you have your monarch in the Law career as a Judge then they could judge cases and make decisions on law breakers (I think this is done via the computer, so more of an admin/paperwork thing). This is a WFH career, so doesn't take much time daily and frees the sim up the rest of the time for royal duties.

If you have them be famous with a good reputation, they could hold fundraiser events for charities, read fan/hate mail (petitions?) and donate items to fans (subjects)/gift money to sims to help out sims that appeal to the royal house for help. You could also do meet and greet events at public venues, maybe playing it out as "opening" new buildings etc.

Thanks for input, Politician seems like the perfect career for a royal. I need some job that can be performed rom his office, and short hours per day won't hurt.

I guess I will need to just make up some rules and routines for court/crown whatever. I already have a big nobility system (the large peerage) which can easily keep my Monarch busy. There is also the Royal Chamber which I referred to "for ages" but never really played until now. Gala dinners and such will mostly be like photo sessions, though, as I don't quite see how I could play a dinner with 50-100 guests anyway ;)
Simmerville
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
"JestTru;c-18077866" wrote:
The biggest I've ever made was a remake of the Croft Manor in Sims 3. I added everything I could from the games. A security room, garage, the hedge maze, indoor pool and gym, music room, secret passages between rooms.
You could use the bookcase door for secret passages between rooms in Sims 4.

Yeah, that hidden door is cool. I was thinking of a secret room but why not adding a passage or two, as well :)
EmmaVane
Seasoned Veteran
3 years ago
"Simmerville;c-18078341" wrote:
"EmmaVane;c-18077695" wrote:
1. Will a modern Monarch hold Court?

No, as this is something handled by the judicial system (courts) these days. It doesn't mean they can't in game, however.

2. Is there any occasion at all except coronation that the Monarch will actually wear the crown?

When sitting for official photoshoots or portraits, maybe. Maybe they like to be extra formal for weddings or press conferences.

3. If your Monarch hold Court (events), how do you play them out?

If you have your monarch in the Law career as a Judge then they could judge cases and make decisions on law breakers (I think this is done via the computer, so more of an admin/paperwork thing). This is a WFH career, so doesn't take much time daily and frees the sim up the rest of the time for royal duties.

If you have them be famous with a good reputation, they could hold fundraiser events for charities, read fan/hate mail (petitions?) and donate items to fans (subjects)/gift money to sims to help out sims that appeal to the royal house for help. You could also do meet and greet events at public venues, maybe playing it out as "opening" new buildings etc.

Thanks for input, Politician seems like the perfect career for a royal. I need some job that can be performed rom his office, and short hours per day won't hurt.

I guess I will need to just make up some rules and routines for court/crown whatever. I already have a big nobility system (the large peerage) which can easily keep my Monarch busy. There is also the Royal Chamber which I referred to "for ages" but never really played until now. Gala dinners and such will mostly be like photo sessions, though, as I don't quite see how I could play a dinner with 50-100 guests anyway ;)

Another option is Environmental Manager. This job role actually allows your sim to set laws for environment related things. I know it applies in Sulani, but not sure if it applies globally? The name is "Global Policies", though?

https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/careers/islandliving/conservationist/
EmmaVane
Seasoned Veteran
3 years ago
@Simmerville Regarding the dinner parties with 50-100 guests... If your computer can handle it, there's a mod for that.

https://modthesims.info/d/558097/longer-parties-amp-more-guests.html
Simmerville
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
"EmmaVane;c-18078498" wrote:
@Simmerville Regarding the dinner parties with 50-100 guests... If your computer can handle it, there's a mod for that.

https://modthesims.info/d/558097/longer-parties-amp-more-guests.html

Thanks! I doubt that I will ever play such a big event, but you never know - Good to know there is a mod for it :)
Admiral8Q
New Spectator
3 years ago

@Simmerville It's getting quite impressive. I love how you're also playtesting it as you build and modify. :smiley: