ABC Issue 2

“I just finished reading this and you have done excellent work. I really like the building tips and your interviews with builders are very nicely done. Great work.” – svlyn

“Well done it looks fantastic. The content is really well put together. I love the articles; you guys obviously put a lot of work into this. Well done.” – YOTEAMO

“What a fabulous job you all did. My sincerest CONGRATULATIONS for a magazine that will be so useful and enjoyed by many Simmers. I love the copy, lay-outs, tutorials, features, pictures. I really liked the kitchen section and all the selections that were used to demonstrate a theme. You should all pat yourselves on the back for a job very well done.

The magazine has a very professional look and feel. I will look forward to reading every issue.” – gokukaren

“I read the magazine yesterday and joined the site. I highly recommend it. The magazine is very organized and easy to read. The articles are great, I especially like the interviews of some of the builders and tutorial, tips are an added plus. Please give it a try you won’t be disappointed, in my opinion.” – sheri19a

“I have read it...it is great! I do not read magazines normally, but this changed my mind. It stands out from other magazines, and it is great about showing tutorials! They helped me out so much, and I would like to thank all its creators.” – 7410852963

“I read it the day it came out! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I especially loved how well it is put together. I will state my favorite part. Actually, Rawr, your part (Nik’s Cozy Corner) was my favorite. The interviews were really entertaining and some things actually helped me to improve on building in The Sims. (I ABSOLUTELY SUCK AT BUILDING) Also, the buildings were amazing! I loved BakingNerd’s beach house especially. Overall, I really loved it. I would never be able to pull something like that together.” – hi54321

Editor’s Note Dear Readers, I would like to start out by saying thank you for all of your support, and thank you to the staff for pulling this thing together! The staff, contributors, and contest participants were all amazing.

Especially the staff, for being able to put out TWO issues this month!

We hope you all enjoy this issue and the mini-zine as much as we enjoyed creating it for you. The theme for this month was “Fall,” so we hope you all find something that suits you.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them on our Magazine’s Site. If you would like to submit a build, design, blog, etc. to be considered by our staff, please post them on our forums. Feel free to leave us feedback as well!

Thank you all, again, for your support.

pepper090889

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http://abcmagazine.webs.com/holidayissues.htm

Curb Appeal K y l i e S 2 1

“If there were any lots that needed a face lift in Sunset Valley it would be the garish monstrosities opposite the local hospital. With their bright colors and questionable architecture, they are blights on the landscape. So here is a quick way that these three buildings can be updated without changing the build itself into something a little nicer on the eye.

Observe a transformation from garish communal dwellings to chic and cozy coastal apartments.�

A quick change of exterior colors has already altered the building drastically.

Exterior coverings have been replaced like for like. The yellow siding has been replaced with a more palatable cream, the red with a softer hue and the green with a soft gold to compliment the other two colors. The brick was then changed to match, as was the roofing and fencing. The result is something much more appealing and warm.

That’s the build changes done; now for the landscaping.

Curb Appeal

I always place plants using the “alt� key. It allows for more flexibility with placement and it also looks more natural.

Make use of central areas. Here I have added a courtyard garden, creating an urban oasis. The addition of white flowers in this area prevents the oranges and red from becoming too over powering against the brick.

Placing a plant bed here softens the sharp angular corner of the drive, making the lot more at home in its landscape.

K y l i e S 2 1

Curb Appeal K y l i e S 2 1

Warm oranges and reds of the flowers compliment the warm tones of the external coverings. The palm tree enforces that sea side feel.

Continue themes from the other building by using the same fountain, plants, and exteriors. This ties the three buildings together, maintaining that community feel. Again, the same fountain and plants have been used. Be careful when placing trees. You do not want to block the front of the house with foliage. The trees should frame the house, not obscure it.

Now you have a new upgraded exterior, simply done by changing the external colors, fencing, and plants.

KylieS21

http://compositionmagazine.web s.com

The Design ABC Magazine’s Project

First Place Winner: missroxor [ A huge thank you to gr1zzly for sponsoring the 1,000sp ] Interview by pepper090889

What interested you into joining this contest?

I’m always on the lookout for contests to join but I hate working with big lots because I take so long decorating so I often pass on contests that require big lots or too many rooms. When I saw this one and realized I only had to decorate one room it seemed perfect...though somehow I still managed to take forever on my entries, lol.

Which design was your favorite that was not your own?

That’s a toughie; there were so many really awesome and creative designs but the one that really made me say, “Wow!” when I saw it was YOTEAMO’s Spa bathroom http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/450/440754.page#669925 Her layout was interesting and she really thought outside the box, using cheats to help make unique objects and using objects in ways they’re not intended to be used to good effect. As well as it looking awesome, she followed the brief to the tee using a soft, natural color palette and fantastic lighting to give the relaxing, luxurious spa feel that the client asked for.

Which entry was your favorite that you designed?

I think probably the Asian kitchen/dining room I did for round 3. It might not have been the best looking but I was so far out my comfort zone working with that palette and a style I’d never done before that I was pleasantly surprised I’d been able to rise to the challenge and come out with a half decent entry. Also, I loved how the kitchen turned out; I might have to re-use a slightly modified version of that idea in a future build. :P Do you have any tips for anyone that is just getting into decorating?

Inspiration: If I’m stuck for inspiration or want to do a certain theme but I’m not sure how, I use Google. Often the images help but sometimes even looking at online furniture/accessory shops can help steer you in the right direction. Ehow.com is worth a look too; sometimes they’ll list exactly what color schemes or furniture shapes you need to achieve a certain look. Lighting: Even the most beautiful room can look dull and dingy or cold and stark without the right lighting. Instead of going over the top with ceiling lights or lamps, use the debug lights to highlight any dingy spots in your room. You can also change the color of them so if the room is looking a little cold you can add a flame colored light in there to give it a bit more warmth. Realism: In reality most people don’t have their furniture at right angles with evenly spaced gaps. Go off grid occasionally! Try using MOO and hold down the ‘alt’ key when you’re placing objects to place it off grid. Just be careful you don’t cause a routing fail.

What is your favorite cheat to use when decorating? Why? I do love using all build cheats but if I had to decide on just one I’d say buydebug. It opens up a lot more objects including the invisible debug lights which I use in just about every build. They allow you to brighten up a room or add mood lighting without cluttering the space up with actual lamps. The fog emitter which I use a lot for special effects can also be found in buydebug.

The Clinic by missroxor

Click the title to be taken to download

What is your favorite style to use when decorating? Why? I’ve been told I do my best work with modern styles but I prefer making things look a bit old and worn, even grungy. Sometimes that’s country cottage style; sometimes it’s more industrial or post-apocalyptic.

Did you learn anything new from this contest?

I wasn’t really expecting it, but I did. It was great to see the way people use objects in different ways or CAST objects in ways I’d never thought of. I also learned there’s a lot more nice stuff in the store than I thought there was, lol.

The Clinic A build by missroxor

In the summer of 1976 in the small, sleepy town of Twinbrook lived a jovial young man named Sidney Reeves. In this town Sidney wasn’t just any man, he was Dr. Sid, and he was much loved by all one hundred and twelve of his patients. Dr. Sid was the senior doctor in the town’s only clinic where he worked alongside his protégé Dr. Alvin Forks.

One hot, sticky evening that summer Dr. Sid had gone back to the clinic to fetch the reading glasses he’d left behind when he heard muffled grunts coming from Alvin’s office. He cautiously approached the door and peered through the frosted glass window. He saw the blurry outline of what he thought was a struggle between two people, ‘someone’s attacking Alvin’, he thought alarmed. Without further hesitation he flung the door wide open and launched himself at the two writhing bodies ripping them apart. Stumbling backwards he gasped, “...No! This can’t be!?” Dr. Sid grasped his temples and breathed hard as the truth of the matter slowly sunk in. Alvin. His protégé and best friend... was fornicating with Anna, his beautiful and sweet young wife. Suddenly he felt hot with hurt and anger. He could hear muffled voices in the distance; probably Alvin and Anna trying hard to explain why it looked like it did without actually admitting the truth. Sidney could barely hear them over the sound of his blood pulsating through his body. He looked at his friend whose thick bushy eyebrows tensed together with worry or maybe guilt and then at his wife, once so wholesome and angelic, now an adulterous whore and he could feel the rage inside him peak...

Nobody ever saw or heard from Alvin and Anna again, it was assumed that they’d eloped. The town rallied round, giving their support to Dr. Sid but he was unresponsive at best, downright mean at worst. That night had changed him, broken him. As the months, then years passed people stopped trying, stopped visiting. A new doctor’s practice was opened on the other side of town. Dr. Sid became a complete recluse hiding away in the clinic which he refused to leave ever since that fateful night.

Thirty-four years later...

It’s been a long time since Sid practiced medicine on humans...live ones at least. Over the years Sid’s love for science and healing mutated into a twisted obsession with raising the dead. He cared about little else, barely looking after himself enough to survive. People avoid him on the street on those rare occasions he ventures out for supplies. They say he’s creepy, crazy even.

On dark evenings neighborhood kids dare each other to go to the old clinic and see how close their fear will allow them to get.

One boy claims to have gotten inside the garden where he swears he saw three monsters in cages that snarled and howled at him. These outlandish claims have not yet been confirmed...

The Clinic by missroxor

Click the title to be taken to download

Once a pretty little family clinic with a pond and raised planters has been allowed to decay into a rundown shack with a murky swamp in an overgrown and weed filled garden. A while ago Sid converted the planters into cages to store his creations in, he liked the fact that they would have to learn to swim if they wanted to escape. It doesn’t matter that they’re out front, nobody comes to this part of town anymore.

Lot Comprises: Large Doctor’s Office, Patient toilet, Living Room/Waiting Room, Bedroom Shower Room, Kitchen/Operating Room, Greenhouse (with flame fruit, omni, life and death plants), Pond (with Mummy, Death and Robot fish spawners), Gazebo, 5 car parking spaces Fog Emitter effects included: Fog around the gazebo, Rats at the front door and the car park, Billowy clouds above the lot (as seen in front view), Rain effects imaged are not included Living Room/Waiting Room What was once the clinic’s waiting room and reception is now....well, pretty much still the same. Dr. Sid, being a man of substantial intelligence, felt he had no need for a television which in his opinion is the second most effective cause of brain deterioration in modern society, second only to listening to boy bands. In 1982 he relented and bought a second hand television once he’d discovered by accident one day that he’d been so out of touch with the outside world he’d completely missed the fact that his idol, the king, had died five years previously. In 2001 Sid was waiting for a documentary on the serious health ramifications of using pesticides to start when he found himself idly watching the program that he was waiting to end. Before he knew it Sid was irrevocably addicted to Big Brother.

The next day he went out and purchased a second hand arm chair for comfort and in only 24 short years he had bought himself the very basics of a living room.

Kitchen/Operating Room This was once the clinics operating room with a small pharmacy at the back.

When Sid moved in he replaced the pharmacy with a small but adequate kitchen. He also created storage space for his potions/drugs which he makes from the various plants in his greenhouse. Sid still carries out operations and experiments in this room.

Bedroom When Sid moved into the clinic he decided he couldn’t live with the constant reminder of having Alvin’s office around exactly as it was that night so he threw out Alvin’s furniture and medical equipment and created a bedroom for himself.

The Doctor’s Office Sid kept his own Doctor’s office almost exactly as it was right down to the examination chair since he always found it a good place to relax and think through his problems. The only additions he made were a couple of pin boards for brainstorming and a work bench for small experiments.

Back Yard/Greenhouse/Parking Lot For the most part, the surrounds have been allowed to fall into ruins, a place for Sid to discard his failed experiments and materials which no longer have a use. In ‘85 Sid cleared a small section of the garden and built a greenhouse extension so he could grow plants and herbs for his potions.

Gazebo There is one small corner of the garden where the grass is lush and flowers bloom. If anyone cared to look they would know that Dr. Sid visits the gazebo religiously every day. He sits on the bench and talks to the pot of flowers that sit atop a mysterious mound of packed earth. Passers-by assume he’s crazy but Sid doesn’t care. He had built the gazebo with Anna when they first bought the clinic and he had watched lovingly as she planted her favorite flowers all around it. He feels closest to his wife here and talks to her openly with passion in his voice, begging forgiveness and mourning his loss. “One day, my love,” he says solemnly, “...one day we will be together again”.

Download here: http://www.modthesims.info/d/417418

ABC Magazine’s Second Place Winner: oilbasedoleander

Interview by pepper090889

When designing a room, what ‘drills’ do you follow? [ What do you do for inspiration or preparation ] Well I find a point of interest. A person, a place, a certain thing, and I use that inspiration for decorating! Wow that was so general, haha.

What are some of your favorite items to use when decorating?

Shelving! OH and plants are my favorite! Since I don’t possess a green thumb myself, and manage to kill them in little under a day, Sims plants are amazing!

Who is your favorite Sims builder or designer?

There are so many of you! And they’ve become good friends ever since I started posting on the forums. :] Do I even need to name names? You know who you are! I draw inspiration from you all! <3 Which assignment was your favorite? Why? The kitchen, because it became very refined and had a strict color palette. That darn blue threw me off. But I learned that you CAN make even the weirdest color choices look just awesome with good practice and a good eye.

Did you learn anything new from this contest?

Yes! I learned a lot of new designs for MOO and how to kind of push it to a new level and go outside the comfort zone and take (sometimes good and bad) chances. :]

The Design Project

The Greenhouse Eco A build by Oilbasedoleander

Featured: 10/06/11 Created: 09/24/11 English Occupied: No Type: Residential Lot Size: 30 x 30 Residents: 0

A studio, 1 bath two-story-eco-friendly home, nothing but deck and wooden floors/walls from here on out! Features small kitchen and living room with burning wood fireplace, eco-friendly washer and clothesline for fresh air scented clothes, and a water filtration system located behind the house! Recycle, reduce, re-use!

ABC Magazine’s Third Place Winner: Jaguwar

Interview by pepper090889

Which EP or SP provided your favorite décor items? What are they?

Actually, at the beginning of this contest I didn’t have any EPs, just the base game. I got Late Night, Outdoor Living Stuff, Ambitions, Town Life Stuff, and Generations within a few days of each other, just in time for Round 5, and I’m still discovering some mighty gorgeous new-to-me items.

For the Design Project contest, my favorite item is actually wallpaper, the “Trio of Wood” series from Late Night.

Because my design style tends to the modern, this set of wallpapers is very versatile. You can create bold stripes of color top to bottom (as I did in the final round), or color the whole wall in one color and/or pattern to blend in the panels to each other. I love that the middle section is just above counter height, too: perfect for a kitchen backsplash, an effect I found it difficult to create convincingly before.

What is your favorite design style? Why? I like the clean lines of modern design. Although I can and do appreciate a variety of styles, from French Romantic to Gothic, I find the modern style both more complex to achieve convincingly and simpler to execute. Clean lines, simple, frill-less decor suits my love of all things simple.

Did you learn anything new from this contest?

I learned a lot of things about myself, actually. I learned I really, *really* don’t do anything but modern well! *LOL* I also learned new and creative ways to use MOO (Move Objects On). I discovered more build limitations, too. Mostly, though, I learned to think outside of my own usual box: trying to design to please someone else (someone you don’t know, at that!) is very different from doing it for your own pleasure. Oh and bold color is not for everybody! LOL! Where some things pleased me thoroughly, they had to grow on me. Oh and one more thing I learned: I actually can build and decorate a house in a week or less! But I’m still no good at building within “starter home” prices. That last entry came in at over §90,000! Ouch!

The Design Project

Monotone-No-More A renovation by Jaguwar

“Monotone-No-More” is my very first contest entry, actually. Using the EA house “Monotone” at 73, the job was to redesign the house for a family of four who had inherited the house from the husband’s aunt. This complete remodel of a classic, simple ranch has been expanded for kids and the environmentally conscious.

Price: §30,980 Bed / Bath: 2br, 2ba Lot size: 30 x 20 Lots of natural light, ready-made playground, basic garden already started, bicycle racks: this house is meant for the environmentally conscious.

Be sure to visit Jaguwar’s Blog!

ABC Magazine’s Honorable Mentions

The Design Project

What is your design inspiration?

“I find a lot of inspiration in the real world in travelling magazines, TV shows about old mansions and my own travels. However I fell into a creative hole a few months ago but then discovered the gifting forum with its great contests which gave my imagination a challenge and a new life. One of my long term plans is to substitute all in game community buildings and homes with my own loosely based on my current home town in England.” – Sandrachen87

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“I’m not very creative so I tend to go looking for ideas on various home design websites but I also see potential Sim builds everywhere I go. I’ve been known to go out for dinner and spend the evening drawing the restaurant layout on my napkin. But of course the best source of inspiration has to be my fellow simmers.” – Docusat

Weathered Historical Homestead A build by gngrsnp

I am proud to say I live in one of the three remaining working homesteads out of the original 50-odd that once existed, though itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only 1/5 its original size. Both the house and the barn are adorned with our family crest combined with a protector spirit. It encircles the house as our blood encircles our bodies. Because of this, our property was declared a historical landmark.

As the eldest son in my family, it is my duty to see that we remain true to our heritage: self-sufficiency, harmonious with nature, and resourcefulness (which includes never taking more than we need or suffering from greed).

When our parents passed, my sister Lelani and her husband Amir moved home to raise my cousins and me.

My cousin Genne already had my sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old room.

My cousin Kala moved into mine so that my baby nephew, Allen, could have his own room.

Lelani and Amir took over mom and dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bedroom, of course.

My sister hired a gentleman to help around the house. He got the field hand/guest room. Oh, I almost forgot: Here is Kalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play space, out on the second floor balcony.

Much of the furniture in the house is hand tooled. In the living room alone you have the water tank my great-grandfather converted into a chimney with mortar (also in parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room); the couch and side chair; the stairs and wooden arches. Even the wallpaper was designed and made by people my grandparents and great-grandparents knew.

In the kitchen, my great grandmother wanted the frilly iron bars (instead of glass) to keep her work area cool and comfortable all year long. She also made use of a large window to look out toward the barn in case she was needed.

The front hall was used for chatting, shelling peas, and knitting; perfect for the days when it was rainy, too hot or too cold, making the back porch unusable. Now the front hall is our cat and dog’s favorite place.

Outside the house is like any other farm. You have the stables and the taking area. There’s a corral for the horses, a pond, orchards and the garden. This home has nearly everything a family could ever need. We are 95 percent selfsufficient, only going to town in order to buy the odd sack of sugar or to trade. My family has been living this way for five generations now, and I intend to uphold our way of life. This is my home and my heritage, and I’m so proud of it.

Download link: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4761674

Bate’s House A build by PEACHES327 Review by Rawr2019

I was surfing through contest entries when I saw this house, and knew immediately where it was from: Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, an American classic! What better lot to re-create for Halloween than this one? After reading her story and seeing her fantastic pictures, I just had to have her sit down with me for an interview. This issue I have PEACHES327 with me, talking about her lot “Bates House”.

How long have you been building/decorating?

I’ve been building and furnishing houses since Sims 1. (I know, I’m old!) But I didn’t start sharing my creations until Sims 3. Shortly after sharing my builds on Sims 3, I joined a popular build team and took on the challenge of building people’s dream homes under budgets and working only with the EPs and SPs they had.

If you had to pick one item that you decorate with the most, what would it be and why do you like it so much?

Well, before OLS I used the tropical fruit bowl (available in the Store) to accent my kitchens. I find that kitchens can be sterile, but throw a bowl of fruit in and it seems like someone really lives there. Now, I use OLS clutter like the lemonade pitcher and fruit bowl collections.

What made you want to re-create this house?

When I was thinking of what Halloween-inspired lot I wanted to re-create, my first thought was Hitchcock’s Psycho. The movie itself is a classic so it just seemed to be the right choice. In researching the actual house, I got excited about the challenge of re-creating the home in my own way. The house is a Gothic-Revival Victorian (one of my favorite styles). But, in the movie you never see the real interior—the outside of the house is a prop, not a real house. They used the studios to make a set for interior shots. The interior of the home is completely my take on what the interior could have looked like. The outcome, I felt, seemed realistic.

What advice do you have for a first time builder?

Clutter is your best friend! Use the miscellaneous décor items to your advantage and be sure to place plants here and there. That’s what makes a Sims house look more realistic.

If you had to name another simmer as your favorite builder/decorator who would that be and why?

Well, I do have many that I enjoy, so I couldn’t name one. There are a great number of fantastic builders in Creative Corner, but if I had to choose, I’d say I admire a lot of Bluebellflora, Yanti, and Garbuckle’s studios.

To download Bate’s House, http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4582127

go

here:

Witch’s Hat Victorian A build by ruthless_kk Review by Rawr2019

Halloween? Check! Autumn? Check! Both?? Check! Lucky for me, I have great friends that help me find the most amazing builds The Exchange has to offer. If it wasn’t for mwjessica723, I wouldn’t know this house existed. I’ve never really been into the Victorian style, but this house makes me want to try my hand at one. ruthless_kk was a dear and agreed to this interview, as well as share some of her trade secrets.

What inspired you to build this lot?

I was playing around with an idea for a roofline and accidentally made the roof that looks like a witch’s hat...so, of course, I had to follow that. Since it was a little early for Halloween, I was not sure if I wanted to do a “creepy” kind of build, but that roof really inspired me. I could imagine an Addams family or Munsters kind of family living in a house like that, so I designed everything with that sort of family in mind.

About how long does it usually take you to build and decorate a house this size?

I usually build a larger house in maybe 6-8 hours. Since I pretty much CAS everything inside and out, the decorating part tends to take longer than the actual construction. Generally, the amount of time is directly proportional to how inspired I am.... When I am very excited about an idea I can churn out a house very quickly; if I am not feeling it, it will take much longer. When I do moderns (not my forte at all...lol), it takes a looong time.

How long have you been building/ decorating?

I started with Sims 2, about midway through that series. I got the game for my kids and we all played it together.

I started building with them directing me as to what they wanted (they didn’t like or have the patience for the building part but wanted certain things) and really got hooked on the creative aspect of it. I like to decorate in real life, but Sims games make it so much more fun and painless.... If you pick a bad paint color in Sims, you can click another one instantly, whereas in real life I once repainted my living room four (!) times in the space of a month until I got the right color I wanted...lol.

What is your favorite room to decorate? Why? My favorite room to decorate is the living room. This is because I always use the living room as the “jumping off” spot for the whole rest of the house.... The colors, style and feel of the living room end up being the blueprint for the rest of the house. I think a house feels more cohesive and flows better when you carry themes throughout it. Once I can get the living room done and settled, the rest of the house usually falls into place.

Do you have any advice or tricks for a first time builder/decorator?

The two main mistakes I see new builders make are the same ones I made myself when I first started: 1) not paying attention to landscaping. I always say house is like a gem and it needs a proper setting to truly shine. It’s true. Some nice landscaping will really make the difference in how your house looks, and can enhance the theme of it as well. So, always landscape. A lovely house sitting on an otherwise bare lot just looks lonely.

At least give the poor thing a few trees and bushes. :) 2) Making things too big. This is my biggest (pun not intended) pet peeve. Smaller proportions just look better...cuter even. And huge rooms are impossible to make feel warm and cozy no matter how much furniture you put in them. Even intentionally big houses, like mansions, look better when they are made up of many smaller parts put together instead of a big flat box. I strongly suggest that people scale down then they are first building. I have to do this myself all the time...sometimes things just get bigger than you intend and you need to go back and bring the walls in a couple of squares before you get something that looks right.

As far as other tips or tricks, I have made a few tutorials that might be helpful. They are here: Using Colors and Patterns: http://www.thesims3.com/contentDetail.html?contentId=137970 Making Interesting Exterior Shapes: http://www.thesims3.com/contentDetail.html?contentId=163813 How to Layout an Interior: http://www.thesims3.com/contentDetail.html?contentId=197187 To download, go here: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4575678

The Old Granary A build by idlesim Review by Rawr2019

Fall is here and pets are on the way! So what better way to celebrate than with a large farmhouse estate? I am horrible when it comes to building large lots, so I set out on a mini adventure to find a house perfect for fall and the new Pets Expansion Pack. Thanks to my good friends, hi54321 and Vlntnbaby83, I was able to find this little treasure. After a few days of conversation, idlesim agreed to have this interview with me. Boy, did she give me some great tips!

How long did it take you to build, decorate and landscape this lot?

It took me just over a week to plan, build and landscape this lot. This was around 2-3 hours in the evenings and most of the weekend. There were certain aspects which took a long time, such as the bridge that leads to the orchard. I’d never tried bridges before, and that took a good few hours of tutorials, trial and (many) errors. It was such a relief when I got it right and my Sims could walk over it! Another of the big time-takers was the layout—it was originally just going to have the ground floor and basement. However, as the build was primarily for a contest, I had to build the second floor, adding further bedrooms to meet the requirements. I think it’s better this way though, and by far a better house for a family. Decorating also took up a lot of time—there are 15 rooms in this property! I had a particular family in mind when I built it and wanted to tailor it to their style.

Have you always been a builder/decorator?

No! I’m a complete novice. I’ve had quite a long hiatus from playing The Sims. When I started playing again recently I checked out the official forums and became truly inspired by the great builders there. I’ve still got so much to learn, and want to learn it all!

When did you start playing The Sims?

I started playing The Sims 1 around 10 years ago after playing SimCity and wondering about the lives of the people living there. I became instantly addicted because it was so much fun and had so much humor (guinea pig disease! Frankenstein! Weird Clowns!). I moved onto The Sims 2 and was astounded by the improved graphics, particularly in the Sims themselves. When The Sims 3 came out, I thought it was beautiful, but found the game play lacking in the absence of expansion packs—I’ve solved that now though!

If you had to name an EP, SP or set as your all-time favorite, what would it be and why?

My favorite would definitely be Makin’ Magic for The Sims 1. I read a lot of books in the fantasy genre, so this really captured my imagination. I hope they do a similar EP for The Sims 3 (and introduce fencing as a hobby)!

Do you have any advice or tricks for a first time builder/decorator?

Have a rough idea of what you want to achieve before you start building. Ask yourself questions like, ‘What do I want the house/garden ratio to be?’ and ‘Where do I want the house to sit on the lot?’

Then plan your space accordingly, otherwise you may get frustrated later when running out of room.

Also…tutorials! They are so helpful when you are stuck with a plan or want to try something new—I’ve seen things I would never have imagined possible and am so grateful that such talented simmers have been kind enough to share their knowledge.

To download The Old Granary, go here: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4611667

http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/441826.page

Color of the Month Hot Cinnamon

By Mom2Elias

As the name implies, this color is rich and warm, perfect for those chilly autumn days. Whether your Sim is working from home or crafting gifts for the upcoming holidays, she is sure to be inspired by her Hot Cinnamon Office and Craft Room.

M o m 2 E l i a s

The image I used for inspiration was a tree with brilliant foliage. To discover how I pulled the color palette for this room, consult â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting the Right Fall Color Paletteâ&#x20AC;?

(Page 56).

Colors in Order (left to right): Temptress, Hot Cinnamon, Dark Burgundy, Drover, and Crete Photograph Found Here: Dramatické barvy (Dramatic Colors) by Kryšpín (John)

Enjoy some of the re-colors found in this room? Find them here: Hot Cinnamon Love Seat Hot Cinnamon Swirl Burgundy and Drover Nightstand Drover Desk Hot Cinnamon Pet Bed Hot Cinnamon Tulips The Hot Seat Cinnamon Drover

M o m 2 E l i a s

http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/453919.page

To Buy, or Not to Buy?

Su Su! This week you’ll be getting a quick review of the entire October 2011 Compilation set!

Included in this set are: the Boho Vintage Men’s Collection, Fall Fruition, Vineyard Villa Furnishings, Viva Las Vegas Bedroom and Regency Arcade.

Boho Vintage Men’s Collection It’s nice to finally see some men’s clothing for once. But I don’t think the design team has any male clothes designers on their team. I see plenty of good looking clothes in the shops, so why don’t we ever get any good items in Sims? Fortunately, there are some great hair styles included. Whilst the “Way-out and Wild” t-shirt just barely makes it worth buying, the “Shawlarf Rhapsody” top is a really interesting design. The hair is fantastic. My personal favourite is “Dusty Peepers”; however, the glasses on the head would be more favourable as an accessory. The rest of the hairs are nice additions that I will probably use in moderation, but still of good standards nevertheless. I don’t understand the appeal of the hair that covers half the Sim’s face. Overall, this is quite a simple set.

You’ll find a lot of these items are slightly similar to content already released and, at 1,100 SimPoints, that’s not nearly worth your money. But there are some items definitely worth buying; however, you may consider buying them separately from this bundle.

Fall Fruition Fruit! Turkeys and fruit! Yay? I don’t think there is a particular need for fruit and harvest, but they’re free and may look good in Pets for those of you with the game. They could look equally as good in Riverview or in any Sims home as long as you make them blend in. This little Thanksgiving gift gives us a turkey and harvest centrepiece, as well as two different candle lights. Go ahead and get these if you like them—they’re free, and with only four items, it won’t take up too much space.

Vineyard Villa Furnishings This set has a certain romantic and European feel, which makes it almost irresistible to buy, and for only 900 SimPoints! Included are all the general items you require for a bedroom, bed, lamp, wardrobe etc. The items I find most appealing are the guitar and the door. This set has given a real vineyard twist on the typical stylings of the typical guitar, making it look a lot more like the guitar from the Steampunk set. The door has a fantastic pattern around the edge, and this pattern is also reflected through to the lamp, used in a creative way to make for an inspiring design. I would definitely recommend this set if you like this style of furniture, and it’s worth the 900 SimPoints by far.

October 2011 Compilation Set Review

Viva Las Vegas Bedroom This set is probably my most favourite from this month’s compilation. The dice and cards have been used in such imaginative and creative ways. This set includes a lot of more interactive items in comparison to the previous set, including the “King and Queen of Steam” hot tub, which is both luxurious and comical. Also, the “Lustrous Lucky Fish Tank” includes dice in the centre, which adds a brilliant touch. All the items are influenced by cards or dice in some way. My favourite in creativity are perhaps the card chair and partition as they use cards very cleverly in their design yet look so simplistic. These items are definitely unique, and for the cost 950 SimPoints, are probably worth it if you like the style.

This set is an addition to the previously released “Viva Las Vegas Living” set, also available at The Sims 3 Store both as a set and part of the September Compilation.

Regency Arcade The Sims 3 Store has a new interest in releasing lots with custom content built-in. I for one would take a random pick from The Exchange over some of the lots they throw into their games, but this one looks both exquisite and entertaining. The set is quite expensive, costing 1,700 SimPoints, but that’s the price to pay for this custom built lot and the additional 18 items (including a premium item).

Some of the fun items included are the arcade games, which are becoming ever more popular on The Store, and spring rides for all kids to enjoy. The premium content is the real eye catcher in this set: This gumball machine allows you to receive gumballs for a little cash in return. However, if you’re the rebellious kind, you may find a way around that. It’s the Build Mode items and the decorations that make this set so lavish and sophisticated. The intricate geometric designs make these quite marvellous items. Overall, I would recommend this set, even for its price. However, don’t splash out all on this set if you don’t have the money even just buying a few little items from here separately would be enough to make a fun and luxurious lot.

Now the big question: Is it worth buying the compilation? Well, only if you like all the items would I suggest it. If you do go for it, you’ll save almost 1,000 SimPoints and have everything downloaded in a couple of clicks and a tea break. You can, of course, buy all these sets from The Sims 3 Store in one compilation pack. However, if you prefer to pick and choose the items you like, you can always buy them as the sets shown above or as singular items.

The rating for this one is 4/5 PlumbBobs This is a great set full of wonderful creative items, however some of them items let it down so it doesn’t quite reach the 4.5 or 5 mark.

Degg Degg, Keep On Simming!

To buy or get further look into the items within the sets discussed in this article please go to – http://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?categoryId=&scategoryId=13166&index=0&produ ctId=OFB-SIM3:41094&pcategoryId=&ppcategoryId=13165

Homeowners for a Greener Tomorrow – “Promoting smaller, eco-efficient and environmentally friendly homes.”

The Small House Movement is a group of eco/future-minded individuals and families who believe in leaving a small impact on the environment. They do this by downsizing their living spaces. Many singles and couples live in 500 square feet of living space, some no bigger than a tool shed, and larger families (four or more) live in 800 to 1200 square feet. These houses are downright beautiful and functional, equal to Craftsman homes in their use of built-ins and multi-functional room space. They offer quality construction with high energy efficiency, allowing buyers to own homes costing less than $16,000 with no long-term debt. These are springing up in Riverview, Twinbrook, Appaloosa Plains, and Sunset Valley; even Barnacle Bay and Hidden Springs. (Not available in Bridgeport due to high land cost.)

How do they differ from other homes?

 Cost effective. (Government-refundable materials: peg planks, heated flooring)  Maximizes usable living space verses unusable decorative space. This means fewer rooms and less furnishing needed.  Eliminates walkways and repetitive hallways.  Rooms that serve multiple functions, ensuring that no space is wasted.  Decreased maintenance – less to manage and keep clean, which saves you money and time to do what you love in life. (less clutter = less waste and impact on environment)

Testimonials Hank Goddard, his Fiancée, Ana Marie and sons 3Trees and Timmy: (Tangerine Dream)

“I was tired of having nothing to show for a long day’s work,” said Hank Goddard. “In less than a year we will own our home, have money for the kids’ college funds and our retirement. Maybe even a little extra cash to add on a room.”

Ana Marie explained, “Because the home is so easy to take care of, we have more time for the kids and ourselves.”

“And,” said Timmy, “after daddy and Ana Marie get married, I’m gonna be a big brother!”

“How’s that eco-friendly?” scoffed 3Trees.

Tu and his daughter Cleo: (Custom Conversion)

“My ex got to keep her Dolce & Gabbana, the house, and our old lifestyle, and I got my daughter,” beamed Tu, an avid Lakers fan. “Best settlement in the world. I wanted a simpler life: more time with my daughter and less time trying to make enough to keep up with the Joneses.”

“My dad takes me to school and he picks me up!” exclaimed Cleo. “We play dress up. Before, he was very tired and grouchy. We never played then.”

Homes styles available thus far: Tangerine Dream (2 + 1) Green Gremlin (1 + 1) The Red Baron (Mock barn 1 + 1 with barn) Custom remakes available New models coming soon!

Tangerine Dream

This Stylish, eco-friendly 2 bed/1 bath has an open living space and a full kitchen and bath. It features wood and solar energy for the electrical and heating and heated concrete floors. This home also includes a washer, eco-smart line drying, and an ecofriendly jungle gym for kids. Quality Construction and high energy efficiency means this home pays for itself! – Homeowners for a Greener Tomorrow: “Promoting smaller, eco-efficient, environmentally-friendly homes.” by gngrsnp

Download here: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4725149

Green Gremlin

This stylish, eco-friendly 1 bed home has an open living space and full kitchen. The upstairs includes a partially open bedroom and a 3/4 bath. It features wood & solar energy for the electrical system and heated concrete floor. Washer with eco-savvy line drying. Quality construction and high energy efficiency this house pays for itself. – Homeowners for a Greener Tomorrow: “Promoting smaller, eco-efficient and environmentally friendly homes.” by gngrsnp

Download here: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4742603

Red Baron

This small mock barn is eco-friendly, has 1 bath/1 bed, and boasts an open living space. You will be pleasantly surprised by the large kitchen and bath, not to mention an upstairs loft. It features wood and solar energy for the electrical system and heated concrete floors. This home includes a washer, eco-smart line dry, and enclosed garden. Quality construction and high energy efficiency this home pays for itself. – Homeowners for a Greener Tomorrow: “Promoting smaller, eco-efficient and environmentally friendly homes.” by gngrsnp

Download here: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4753788

Weathered Silo

This 2 bed/1 bath, converted apple silo is spacious and stylish, but also kid friendly! Unique features include a cathedral ceiling with an open great room. And don’t forget the wood heating, heated cement floors! This lot will require a solar panel upgrade. – Homeowners for a Greener Tomorrow: “Promoting smaller, eco-efficient and environmentally friendly homes.” by gngrsnp

Download here: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4753251

http://simsrelations.forumotion.com/

British Autumn Garden A community lot by mattgstl

There are many reasons to visit this park: the scenery, the pond, the play area or to just relax from the stress of life. This garden will not be a disappointment for your Sims.

Set in autumn (as the name suggests), this park houses a cafĂŠ for Sims to eat marvelous food or just sit and drink a hot beverage. There is a pond for your Sims to fish (even though the sign says not to), and next to it there is a nice picnic area along with music, great for families or group outings. Or, if your Sim brings the younger family members, then the play area is perfect for them.

British Autumn Garden A community lot by mattgstl

The lot is set in Bridgeport and is one of the only places for Sims to experience the countryside in the middle of the city. But this lot may not have been here today if it was not for the mayor of Bridgeport. The lot was one of the many places marked for development at the time of the city’s big boom, when rich Sims came and made their fortune in developing the land into luxury high rises.

However, when the mayor visited the gardens (before they were to be shut down), he was star struck. “How can such a beautiful plot of land be destroyed to make way for ugly high rises?” From then on, the park has been protected under the “Green Bridgeport” campaign.

British Autumn Garden A community lot by mattgstl

There are many other activities for Sims to do: go apple and vegetable picking, listen and perform at the bandstand, see the animals in the pen, or have a romantic relax beside the pond.

So, get your Sims ready for the trip of a lifetime to this magnificent lot, and just hope they leave someday.

Download here: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4709173

Get Organised!

By Jonny24900

Are you the kind of person who dreads the thought of decorating because you just don’t know where to put that flower pot, or what to put on that empty shelf? Well, hopefully this tutorial will help you on how to decorate and organise your living space. To make this tutorial as of much use as possible, tips on how to decorate the living room and the kitchen have been explored. This also branches off into decorating dining and study areas.

So, read on and maybe you too can get organised!

For this tutorial, the picture identifies the space that will be decorated in blue. As previously mentioned, a kitchen, dining room, living room and study will all be incorporated into this open space.

<> Tutorial<> First, we’ll start in the kitchen. A half wall has been used to help section it off from the rest of the room. This is useful for getting a boxed-in effect to make sure it stands out as a separate part of the room. In the first picture, the decorating is clumsy and large, the curtains don’t fit the window, and the picture takes up a lot of room on the wall. Now, look at the second picture: A small curtain and small picture make the space look wider and less cluttered. Speaking of clutter, kitchens should always have at least two empty counter tops. Sims need room for preparation of food, and the space makes the room seem less cluttered, and therefore, more organised. Don’t try to over-decorate. Most of the time, decorating in moderation can be the best way to decorate. Remember that one good decoration is better than five okay ones. You don’t always need every object from the category in a room. If you have only a few Sims, a washing machine and garbage compactor aren’t needed.

The next section is the dining room. People tend to think “the more the merrier” with dining rooms, but that doesn’t need to be the case. Make sure your dining room is big enough to cater to all the members in your household, and then build it around that. In the first picture, you can see that there are a lot of chairs around this giant table. This takes up a lot of space and you can end up with a lot of Sims tapping their feet because they cannot reach the chairs up against the wall. The second picture provides lots of room for Sims to access the chairs. Try to keep the centrepieces small. It’s unrealistic that a large vase would be placed on a dining table as in the first example, and some items may even prevent the use of the table spaces next to them. Always take into account where Sims can move and what spaces they’ll need to use.

Living rooms are very dynamic and complex when it comes to decorating. Some houses can have up to five living rooms because they have so many purposes. The living spaces below include a bookcase, TV and games console in both. The door is in the way here, so we have to work around it. The first picture works well enough to allow someone to walk to the door; however, Sims will be walking in front of others watching the TV, and this is very unrealistic. The second space provides a walkway, which is emphasized with the different coloured furniture on either side. The first picture includes a TV mounted on the wall. This leaves a blank space, below which can be difficult to fill properly. To get past this, use a floor TV. The one used in the second picture looks both expensive and takes up that room. Lights can look nice when decorating; just try not to use ceiling lights all the time, as floor lights can help achieve warm and homely effects.

Symmetry is a complicated subject. Sometimes it’s useful, and sometimes—when there is too much—it can make a room look off or wrong. The first picture shows both the hanging plants and the floor plants symmetrically. It makes the entrance look fake, as too much symmetry is unrealistic. The table from the picture is not in the right place. It narrows the path that should be walked to enter the house. Using objects to bulk up a room in certain places can make it apparent where Sims are likely to be walking and therefore, where there should be space in order to allow them to walk past. Lastly, the rug looks odd as it is a circular object placed against a wall. Circular carpets are of best use when in the centre of spaces.

This final area is the study. A study requires a lot of objects: bookcases, computers, writing tables, easels, chess boards, telescopes, etc. They are limitless in the world of Sims. Usually a study can be kept small though, and most objects such as writing tables, telescopes and chess boards can be moved to outside areas to save space. The first example shows how objects can take up a lot of room. In front of this double door leading to the back garden, a lot of space is required to allow Sims to pass through with ease, so leaving it spacious helps. The use of curtains and carpets can brighten up the dull space that it left around the doors. Since a bookcase is already nearby, the one from the first picture has been removed and replaced with a light to brighten up the area. Once again, the phrase “bigger is better” does not apply as the bigger picture takes up a lot of room, making the desk feel cramped and the room cluttered. Different desks allow the chair to be placed in different spaces. The first makes the chair placed on the right of the desk, and the second is the middle. For this room, the second desk is better as there is more room in front of the door.

<> Expert Builder Trick <> By holding “alt” when placing items, you can place or rotate items freely. If you combine this with the “moveobjects on/off” cheat, you can achieve some really interesting effects and even create new items.

<> Top Tips <> <> Bigger is not always better <> The expensive objects aren’t always the best objects <> Some objects can be placed in multiple rooms <> Make room for how many Sims will use the house, don’t overdo it <> Don’t crowd rooms with plants or objects <> Think about how Sims will exit/enter or walk through a space <> Use a lot of different objects, such as lights, mirrors, rugs and sculptures <> Get the basics in first, then decorate around that <> Don’t use every object because you think you need them <> Use symmetry in moderation The house used in this guide is available at The Sims 3 Exchange and requires the World Adventures and Ambitions expansion packs. http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4745289

Getting the Right Fall Color Palette

By Mom2Elias

When I imagine fall, I can smell the cold crisp air with a hint of fireplace smoke. I hear the rustle of leaves as they dance in their vibrant costumes with the wind. My mouth waters with the taste of crisp apple pie and savory green bean casserole. I sigh as I pull the soft fleece throw closer while I read on those rainy afternoons. Autumn makes me feel secure and cozy and you can replicate these feelings as you design your rooms with the right colors.

M o m 2 E l i a s

Now, stealing is wrong, so very wrong, but right now, I’m telling you to pilfer from Mother Nature. She has more stylish outfits than Sarah Jessica Parker with unlimited credit. There are two ways you can snag her style: Google (or another search engine) or your own photography skills.

Snap a picture of fall scenes: a day at the pumpkin patch, a tree with foliage in gold and red, corn partially husked or a bushel of ripe apples. Or if you are lazy, like me, enter terms like ‘autumn’, ‘fall’ or ‘harvest’ on your search engine and you’ll have your pick of images to select from. As my example, I found this beautiful picture of a mountain trail in autumn.

Captured by flickr user a4gpa in Provo, Utah

Once you have an image that inspires you, find an online color palette generator. I personally like the one provided by CSS Drive, but find one that works for you. Using the image you chose, upload it to the generator.

Almost instantly, you are greeted by your color palette! I’d recommend selecting a range of five to six of the colors for your room. Choose a variety of hues, some dark and some light, to allow for contrast.

When you have the colors you want to use in mind, write down the Hex code of each color as shown below.

To use the color for an object, select the Create a Style icon, a paint brush and palette, while in Build or Buy mode. Select the pattern you want to use and change the color of that pattern by entering the hex code in the ‘#’ Section. I entered ‘4e1100’, the hex code shown in the above image. Notice when I entered it in Create a Style, the hex code changed slightly. This is due to the texture of the pattern I chose; do not be alarmed if your code isn’t showing up exactly as you entered it.

Inspiration is all around you. Take what you love about fall and design your room or house around it.

M o m 2 E l i a s

Fall Color Palettes

By KylieS21

Autumnal

Featuring the signature orange associated with autumn, this was a tricky palette to work with. The key here is to find the balance as the orange and blue battle for attention.

With such bold colors, patterns and prints are kept to a minimum, which makes the feature walls all that more eye catching. Similar rule of thumb was used here as with autumnal, balancing the colors by using the same colors on the walls and rugs and then the furnishings and curtains. This helps to ensure that the room has balance. I used the cream color as my base, to tie the whole room together. The orange was used strategically through the room as an accent color. Its use was minimal to prevent it from over powering the other colors. The result is a contemporary living room that feels warm and bright but also with a modern twist thanks to the pop of bright colors.

Fall Color Palettes

By KylieS21

Alice and Carrot Cake

Fall Color Palettes

By KylieS21

Autumnal

Though not your traditional autumnal colors these soft pastel hues combine to create a calming and comfortable palette, with the rich pink and cream bringing warmth to the light blue. I used the pinks and creams on the soft furnishings, making these the focal point for the room, creating a comfortable place to gather. I then used the cream and blue/turquoise hues on the wall almost as a contrast to the furnishings. Bringing the same color into the rug balances of the room ensuring that the colors are not concentrated in the same area, likewise with transferring the colors from the sofa to the curtains. Rich damask patterns finish the room off with an elegant feel and provide some textural interest.

Fall Color Palettes

By KylieS21

Autumnal

By pepper090889

Some of your favorite colors are? a. Cool Colors. b. Dark Colors. c. Warm Colors. d. Neutrals.

When you choose artwork, you prefer... a. A sparkling seascape. b. Dark framed portraits or movie posters. c. A color photo of a sunlit field dotted with flowers. d. Simple black and white photos.

What would you describe your dream room as? a. Fresh and relaxing. b. Lots of curtains and dim lighting. c. Loud and bright. d. Sophisticated and quiet.

By pepper090889

Imagine the colors as they appear at different times of day. Which description is most appealing to you? a. The dewy fresh colors of dawn shining over water. b. The intensely deep hues of a moonlit night. c. The glowing radiance of a desert sunset. d. A placid blue sky of midday.

What natural elements best express the colors you are drawn to? a. Air and water. Transparent colors that are light and pure. b. Metals. Rich colors that are dark and cold. c. Earth and fire. Warms tones that are spicy and exotic. d. Rock and stone. Common colors that help you feel grounded.

Now add up your scores!

A’s___

B’s___

C’s___

D’s___

Soothing

Greens, blues, purples, and browns. Your decorating color palette should stick to the cooler side of the color spectrum. Browns will make your room feel confident, yet remain restful and quiet when paired with a cooler blue or green tone. Greens are soothing because it reminds one of nature. It stimulates feelings of harmony and peace. A darker green is said to promote concentration and absorb glare, while a lighter green is a fresh, neutral color, making for a good background color. This is a popular color for homes because it is warm and cool at the same time. Blues create a sense of calmness and tranquility, making it a favorite in bedrooms. Though, these shades are usually associated with spas, as they have a way of â&#x20AC;&#x153;pamperingâ&#x20AC;? a hectic lifestyle. Browns and light greens will work if you want to create a more modern design, while blues with a little more yellow are as soothing as a seaside retreat.

Dramatic

Metallics, Purples, and black. Your decorating palette should stay in the darker shades. These colors add drama and depth. Purples have a powerful connection with romance. It is considered to be meditative, spiritual, and ritualistic. When slightly redder, purple can be vivacious and exciting. When slightly bluer, it is as restful as a sunset. This is ideal for a bedroom, den, or library. Black is the inclusion of all colors. It creates a sense of intrigue, depth, and high drama. Some people find it to be magical and very masculine. For others, it is somber and uncomfortable. Used sparingly, it can be extremely elegant and can highlight framed art as well as setting off other colors near it.

Vibrant

Reds, Yellows, and Oranges. Your decorating palette should stay on the warmer side of the spectrum. You shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use red as the main color in your home, as it is a power color and full of passion. Use it sparingly, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll add drama to the room. Red represents the core of rustic textures. For a vibrant look, try painting the doors, window frames, and other trims red. In a formal room, use deep reds, such as burgundy, to compliment the dark woods. Yellow is all about energy. It makes us think of vitality and intellect. Pale, warmer hues, such as lemon, are commonly used in kitchens and dining rooms. Darker shades like saffron and sunflower are primarily used as accent colors. Orange is associated with health and wellness. It brings optimism and adds a welcoming note to entryways and hallways. Orange will brighten any space.

Classic

White, Black, Grays, and Browns. Your decorating palette should stick to neutrals. White lacks color of any kind, making it the most popular background color choice. There are many different shades and tints of white, from cool whites to warm whites. By mixing cool whites with cool colors and warm whites with warm colors, you will find the best blend. Black is very masculine, especially when used as a background color, but when used sparingly, it becomes very elegant. Gray is generally used in contemporary and modern styles. It also works well with other colors. By itself, it might appear a bit dull, but used correctly, it is very effective in setting off bold and colorful artwork.

Brown is most associated with aging. Darker shades feel a bit murky, while you get an earthy feeling from lighter shades such as tan and beige, making it an effective color to use in rooms with harsh light.

Simmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spot

Rawr2019

In this issue we are introducing a new section of the magazine called Simmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spot. Here you will find my reviews on blogs and showcases to some wonderful creations found on the The Sims 3 website. This month I found four amazing simmers who have agreed to let me review their showcase threads. I have svlyn from Canada, imoger from Hungary, masonjackson from Texas and Sarademoor from Belgium. These four have such unique styles and ways of building that I just had to let them be the first ones here.

Simmer’s Spot

Rawr2019

svlyn started building by creating a world, which she ended up deleting due to some corrupted CC. She then realized it was much more fun to build lots. One of her favorite community lots is “The Mall,” which is just that: a mall.

Here you will find many interesting “stores” for your Sims to visit. Another great creation by svlyn is her lot “The Demeter,” which is a haunted vampire lair. svlyn is a master at making creative and inventive lots that are perfect for your Sims to have great adventures.

She says, “Creative Corner is an amazing resource and has taught me a lot in the past two years. I think each day I visit, I learn something new there.” I agree with her. If it wasn’t for the Creative Corner, I never would have found her wonderful creations. http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4593012

The Mall

http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=3816722

Demeter

http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/427939.page

Showcase Thread

Simmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spot Demeter:

The Mall:

Rawr2019

Simmer’s Spot

Rawr2019

imoger started building and decorating about two years ago, and boy, has it paid off. I see her creations as flawless and very detail-oriented.

I can tell she spends a great deal of time perfecting these creations. When I go to her showcase thread, I expect to see nothing but the very best from her. When I asked imoger to pick her favorite lots, she had a hard time, saying her creations are like her children. That shows you she’s a dedicated builder. She ended up picking “Little Zen Garden” and “Tigh-Na-Mara,” both extremely beautiful lots that I know your Sims would love to live in. imoger also makes Sims that are very well done and look very human, if you ever have a need for those.

Tigh Na Mara

The link to my studio: http://www.thesims3.com/mypage/imoger/mystudio

The link to my showcase-thread: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/355436.page

Simmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spot Little Zen Garden

Tigh Na Mara

Rawr2019

Rawr2019

Simmer’s Spot

masonjackson began building on professional architecture software called Punch, and in 2009 he bought his first Sims game and began building there. I was very surprised when I learned that he is only 17 years old! When I was 17 I could barely make a box on my Sims game. I really love Mason’s style and how his creations look so real and tangible. I feel like I could actually find one of his houses in my neighborhood and move right in. They all have such exquisite landscaping and a warm homey feel to them. The two lots Mason picked are “Texas Acres” and “Costa Mesa,” both lots would be wonderful for when Pets comes out. They are large and roomy and show the best building capabilities The Sims 3 has to offer.

My Forum: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/418857.page

Texas Acres: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4478950

Costa Mesa: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4619318

My Studio: http://www.thesims3.com/userExchange.html?selectedAsstType=all&p ersona=masonjackson

Simmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spot

Texas Acres

Costa Mesa

Rawr2019

Simmer’s Spot

Rawr2019

Last but not least is Sarademoor, who says, “I have been building since The Sims 2. My mom bought it for me and it didn’t take long to get totally hooked.” That’s something with which I can relate. Sara’s lots always seem so magical and fairy-like to me. She has a wonderful amount of creativity and it makes me very happy to share her favorite lots with you. The first is “Enchanted Fairy Dwelling” and the second is “Weynon Priory.” If your Sims like magic and wonder, these lots will be perfect for them.

http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4412500

Enchanted Fairy Dwelling

http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4450110

Weynon Point

http://www.thesims3.com/userExchange.html?selectedAsstType=all&per sona=Sarademoor

My Studio

Simmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spot

Rawr2019

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to thank svlyn, imoger, masonjackson and Sarademoor for letting me review their showcases.

Cottonwood Park

By Jonny24900

Cottonwood Park is a place for families of all kinds. When that cold autumn wind begins to blow, families hesitate to go to the crusty-leaved parks. Cottonwood Park is here to show that families need not fret when fall comes around, but to rejoice in the wonderful sunset of the seasons and make the most of that fading summer air.

This park offers more than just crunchy floors; a cat jungle gym playground and entertainment areas are more than enough to keep the family entertained. Let the dogs have their bones whilst the kids play on their swings. Gramps can have his chess tables and the teens can gossip amongst the fire. Day or night, the park offers a variety of options for animals and Sims of every age.

Cottonwood Park

By Jonny24900

What are you waiting for? Let your Sims have the best fall whilst they still can.

Before you know it, the Christmas decorations will be up and those Sims will be retreating back next to their cosy fires and cookies.

Cottonwood Park requires the Pets expansion pack, and can be downloaded from The Sims 3 Exchange.

Cottonwood Park can be downloaded from here â&#x20AC;&#x201C; http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=4729099

Copper Falls [ Preview ] An autumn world created by VanillaTwilight93 Review by IceBro

Are you bored with your “same old, same old” world. Is Sunset Valley too sunny and Bridgeport too gloomy?

Are you yearning for something a bit more surreal, maybe even mystic? Where neighbors can talk to each other over the fence about the previous night’s poker game, and not about who is going to sue whom? Where imagination is your only limitation, a place so warm and fuzzy, never too sunny and never to gloomy?

Then I am excited to welcome you to Copper Falls. A place where values are life and morals still obliged. A town where technology is overthrown by the happiness of the people. Where people would not have to fear the censor and life could evolve without the usual beating on the door from the outside world.

ABC Magazine has gotten an exclusive interview with VanillaTwilight93 herself, as she talked to us about the ins and outs of Copper Falls.

The interview went as follows:

Copper Falls [ Preview ] An autumn world created by VanillaTwilight93 Review by IceBro 1. What inspired you to build Copper Falls?

I really wanted an autumn-themed world for my Sims, in which I could play Pets. But, I couldn’t find one anywhere, so I decided to make my own! As I’m from England, I decided I might as well do an English theme, as I’ve not seen many completed English themed towns. I was on holiday in Cumbria (a county in England which is mainly countryside) at the time I thought of this idea, so I got quite a lot of inspiration from the beautiful landscape there!

2. What is the theme of your world? Tell us a little more about it.

The theme is an old English countryside village, with lots of cottages and farms. I wanted to capture the feel of an old village where everyone knew each other and grew up together. This is why I arranged the cottages in small groups, so hopefully each Sim will get to know their neighbors well!

3. What is your world’s back-story?

Copper Falls is an old, English island just off the coast of England. The inhabitants are a few years behind the rest of the world, and mainly live in old stone cottages in small villages of about ten inhabitants each. There is a fishing village near to the sea with a large fishing spot and a secret tomb; an industrial village with a junkyard and some warehouses; and a woodland village—for richer inhabitants—that includes a woodland walk and a camp. There are also plenty of secluded lots in the hills for the super-rich who want to own a lot of land for horses or farming.

4. The architecture: What is your plan with the houses, shops and rabbit holes?

I’m planning to make most of the houses resemble old English stone cottages with lots of flowers and trees. Most of the rabbit holes will be in the same place, on top of Rabbit Hill. This will be the commercial area with most of the shops, the theatre, the spa, the bistro and a park.

5. The waterfall mountain near the beach area: Is it inspired by something else, or a creation of your own mind?

Well, I had always planned to have a waterfall as one of the main features of the town, so I Googled “waterfall” to get some inspiration, and found a lot of beautiful pictures that I attempted to reconstruct. It took quite a few tries before I was happy with it, though!

Copper Falls [ Preview ] An autumn world created by VanillaTwilight93 Review by IceBro

6. Will all the rabbit holes be included? If not, which will not be included?

All of the rabbit holes from World Adventures, Ambitions, Late Night, Generations and Pets will be included, and the Ambitions job buildings!

7. Are there any places of interest in Copper Falls?

Of course! My favorite place is the large church that overlooks the whole town. It is the perfect place to hold a wedding or the annual village dance! I also really like the old library and the hidden tomb.

8. Will the town be populated?

Yes, it will be populated using a save file which people can add to their game separately. I have already started making the families. So far, there is the rich MacDonald family, which is one of the founding families. William MacDonald is currently head of the Copper Falls council, but which one of his sons will take his place? The loud and obnoxious Fergus, or the quiet, charming Ronan?

There is also Mildred, Copper Fallsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; evil resident ghost. She was killed by the council in the 1600s after being accused of being a witch. But why has she returned now? Is it for revenge? Or maybe it has something to do with the recently discovered tombâ&#x20AC;Ś 9. Is this a joint project with other creators, or is this your own creation?

This town is my own creation. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hopefully going to finish all the lots on my own too! I may possibly end up asking for Sim donations though, so if anyone has any Sims with exciting stories that would fit into the theme of the town, let me know. ;D 10. Roughly how many residential and commercial lots will there be?

There will be about 50 commercial lots and 30 residential.

Copper Falls [ Preview ] An autumn world created by VanillaTwilight93 Review by IceBro

11. Will Copper Falls be a city or a suburb world?

It will be a suburb world. I thought this would best fit in with the village feel I’m aiming for.

12. Are you including special features like custom weather and water?

Probably not this time, I may possibly try and change the sky colour so it looks more “autumn-y,” but I still haven’t decided yet!

13. Which expansion packs and stuff packs will be used in the world, and will store content be included?

I am planning to use all of the EPs (including Pets) and only the Town Life stuff pack. I will probably use some store content, but I will limit it as much as I can.

14. Do you enjoy using Create a World?

Yes. I love it! It can get quite frustrating and repetitive at times, and it tends to crash a lot, but it’s very rewarding when you can see your world taking shape. I really love building, too which comes in handy when you plan to build over 80 lots on your own!

15. How long have you been using this tool?

I’ve been using it for about 6 months now. I usually play around with Create a World for a couple of months, then get bored and play Sims for a couple of months, then go back to CAW and so on. I get distracted easily, lol!

Copper Falls [ Preview ] An autumn world created by VanillaTwilight93 Review by IceBro

16. Is this your first project, or have you worked on other worlds too?

I have worked on a few other worlds too, but some of them are from when I first started, and are so bad that I never posted them up! Or, some I just never really liked after I started making them. I currently have another world I’ve been working on for a while, actually. It’s a small farming island that doesn’t yet have a name. I’ve been planning to create a post about it for a while, so keep checking the CAW forums if you’re interested!

17. What is the best advice you could give to any new CAW creator out there?

Don’t expect to have a brand new world straight away! Most good worlds take months to create. Also, don’t take on too much when you first start out. It’s best to start with a small island, then gradually work your way up to a large world. Some of the tools are quite hard to work out. Terrain painting took me a while to get right. There are some really helpful tutorials in the Create a World forum though, which is a good place to start if you get stuck!

18. And finally, why did you choose Copper Falls as the name of the world?

As I had already decided that the main feature would be a waterfall, it made sense to call it (something) Falls. Then I decided that the first part of the name needed to relate to autumn, so I played around with quite a few autumn names, like Autumn Falls and Orange Falls. Then I thought of Copper Falls and it seemed to flow well, so I chose that!

Copper Falls [ Preview ] An autumn world created by VanillaTwilight93 Review by IceBro

I was very excited when I heard I was going to do this interview, and even more when I heard who it was with, as I have seen Copper Falls on the Create a World forum a few times.

To fully analyze this world, we will have to break it down and look at all the puzzle pieces; then we can see what the world is worth. Copper Falls is an old, small English village built on a coastal island. It is a severely unpopulated island, featuring only about 10 families, but a thriving community nonetheless. Early signs of infrastructure and separation are noted as the town is broken down into different areas, all of which are connected with either roads or walkways. There are also more extravagant areas up in the mountain for the wealthy Sims.

The next part of my review is centered on the overall build, look and feel gone into the world. The thoughts on the world are as follows Architecture: The town has beautiful cobblestone homes all centered near the main town area. The feeling of warmth and happiness emanates from the buildings when you look at them. It should be noted that almost all buildings look the same, which would make finding your home a little more difficult than you would have hoped. Lack of individuality is made up by the neatness they proclaim and the overall English look.

Atmosphere: This town has undoubtedly one of the best atmospheres around. From the orange and brown leaves of the trees on the island to the beautiful landscape that fits so well with it.

The only problem found here could be that orange color of the sidewalks, which could be rather distracting to some players and may also be a bit too overwhelming at times.

Copper Falls [ Preview ] An autumn world created by VanillaTwilight93 Review by IceBro Terrain Painting: About the terrain painting I can almost say nothing. The up close parts that I have seen are flawless in every way, creating a warm and inviting look. Some players may think that the green grass could be too much for an autumn world; I disagree. The green grass gives it this wonderful English countryside look, although a shade darker green could be nice in some areas.

Terrain Sculpting: For me, the sculpting of this world could still go a long way. Even though the world has its rolling hills and plains at some points, a few more curves and nicks and corners would do it for me. But her mountain and hill sculpting is very nice. The world has very clean lines and there was neither excessive terrain bugs nor was over-smoothing noticed.

Noticeable Buildings: To me, the buildings play just as big a part in the construction of the world as the painting and sculpting. It should be noted that if one perfects the art of sculpting and painting, but cannot build a decent house, the world will be an overall flaw at the end most of the time. Although, this is not the case for this world. The world features a very nice library, though some more light could be used, that leaves a good impression of that of dark and spooky building; very fittingly with an autumn world. There are also a lot of small shops and parks that light up the world in all means.

Overall Input from Creator: I honestly think that the creator has put a lot of effort and work into this project. She used her skills perfectly and really showed me what an autumn world looks like. The world is an inspiration to all world builders. Although the world is still not complete, I think she has done a very good job so far.

Copper Falls [ Preview ] An autumn world created by VanillaTwilight93 Review by IceBro

Now, in the end I can fully lay down what I think of this world after I looked at the different parts of Copper Falls. It is a well-balanced world with features that range from shops, forests, waterfalls and even a bit of an intriguing back-story. This world will be perfect for all simmers, and especially for those who want a little early taste on a seasons expansion pack. I recommend this world and can’t wait for it to be released, and I believe you can’t too.

Interviewed and Reviewed by IceBro Attractions: 7/10 Architecture: 7/10 Atmosphere: 9/10 Overall Input: 10/10 Terrain Painting: 8/10 Terrain Sculpting: 6/10 Overall World Score: 47/60 Visit VanillaTwilight93’s Thread for more updates: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/437802.page

Visit her MyPage: http://www.thesims3.com/mypage/VanillaTwilight93

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Credits Curb Appeal – KylieS21 ABC Magazine’s The Design Project Contestants: -Blysscia -computertech82 -DeathNoteSim -Sabrosa -ciane -Sandrachen87 [ Honorable Mention ] -missroxor [ 1st Place Winner ] -Docusat [ Honorable Mention ] -YOTEAMO -TEXASKIITTYKAT -sheri19a -Oilbasedoleander [ 2nd Place Winner ] -joreygomes -heaven_sent_8_18 -Jaguwar [ 3rd Place Winner ] [ To view all entries and scores, go to the gallery on our website ]

Weathered Homestead – gngrsnp Nik’s Cozy Corner – Rawr2019 -Bate’s House – PEACHES327 -Witch’s Hat Victorian – ruthless_kk -The Old Granary – idlesim Color of the Month – Mom2Elias To Buy, or Not to Buy – Jonny24900 Green Home Movement – gngrsnp British Autumn Garden – mattgstl Get Organized – Jonny24900 Getting the Right Fall Color Palette – Mom2Elias Fall Color Palettes – KylieS21 Quiz: Which Palette is Best for You? – pepper090889 Simmer’s Spot – Rawr20149 -svlyn -imoger -masonjackson -Sarademoor Cottonwood Park – Jonny24900 Copper Falls Review – IceBro -Town created by VanillaTwilight93

Downloads: Contest Winners: -The Clinic -The Greenhouse EcoMod -Monotone-No More Weathered Homestead Nik’s Cozy Corner: -Bate’s House -Witch’s Hat Victorian -The Old Granary Color of the Month:

Hot Cinnamon Love Seat Hot Cinnamon Swirl Burgundy and Drover Nightstand Drover Desk Hot Cinnamon Pet Bed Hot Cinnamon Tulips The Hot Seat Cinnamon Drover To Buy, or Not Buy: -10/2011 Compilation Set Green Home Movement: -Green Gremlin -Tangerine Dream -The Red Baron -Weathered Silo British Autumn Garden Simmer’s Spot: -The Mall -Demeter -Little Zen Garden -Tigh Na Mara -Texas Acres -Costa Mesa -Enchanted Fairy Dwelling -Weynon Priory Cottonwood Park

On behalf of the team at ABC Magazine, I would like to thank all of contestants that took the time to join The Design Project. I would also like to thank all of the contributors and interviewees for agreeing to be a part of this issue, as well as our readers. Your comments and feedback helps a lot and we love hearing from all of you!

And a huge thanks to the entire staff. Without them, this issue wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been possible. They do amazing work. pepper090889 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Editor The Staff Jobs for this issue

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