The sims 4 has a few throw back objects from past games. The cowplant being the most obvious, but over the years and a few different packs, the catalogue does have a few nods to past games. Eco Living has the table and dining chairs from the Newbie house in TS1 that you can find while dumpster diving for example. I don't think that TS4 is that different from the past games in this aspect, and I think each game brought new items as well as some classics. TS4 does seem to have less, but I think that stems from still feeling like it just has less overall. Hopefully they will still add back a few more of the iconic things that some of us long time simmers remember from previous versions of the game. :)
I've also noticed wallpapers and floors used in past games, so it's not just objects but also some hints in build mode too!
