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#1176
7th Sep 2013 at 9:23 PM
Posts: 4,228
Thanks: 10340 in 107 Posts
Catherine what do you play? I sing in a choir
Want a specific style of house or community building? Why not take a look at my profile and see what I build and then come ask me to make it!
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#1177
7th Sep 2013 at 9:54 PM
Posts: 816
Thanks: 792 in 8 Posts
/hugs Cat you're like super BF now xD ooohhh a musician~ what do you play? what do you sing? what kind of stuff do you do?
I hope they like it, I'm applying for a children's TV animation company, they make stuff for Guess how much I love you, Silly Bitty Bunny and Zou
I hope they like it, I'm applying for a children's TV animation company, they make stuff for Guess how much I love you, Silly Bitty Bunny and Zou
#1178
7th Sep 2013 at 10:36 PM
Posts: 4,228
Thanks: 10340 in 107 Posts
Lol Kanzen, I liked your art too
I sing in a traditional 4 part choir and we sing anything and everything from the Messiah to modern pop songs. I'm an alto.
I sing in a traditional 4 part choir and we sing anything and everything from the Messiah to modern pop songs. I'm an alto.
Want a specific style of house or community building? Why not take a look at my profile and see what I build and then come ask me to make it!
#1179
7th Sep 2013 at 11:17 PM
Posts: 816
Thanks: 792 in 8 Posts
oooh cool~ o3o I've never been in a choir before. puberty got me before I got to any choirs at all hahaha
I used to be a soprano now I just sing for myself OTL
/hugs you too :DDD
I hope they reply to me soon! they allow fuzzy slippers in the office! fuzzy slippers!!!
I used to be a soprano now I just sing for myself OTL
/hugs you too :DDD
I hope they reply to me soon! they allow fuzzy slippers in the office! fuzzy slippers!!!
#1180
8th Sep 2013 at 12:46 AM
LOL - fuzzy slippers (My first thought is - but do they have arch support?)
I play everything except brass and strings. I'm an alto too, and I love to direct. I directed church choirs for over 20 years. Now I'd rather direct plays/musicals at our local community theatre. Hubby and I are also a Steel Drum band called Steel Baroque ( because we are... still broke ~ ba-dump-bum)
Anyway - you can go hear us here. Let me know what you think!
Please ~ support my TS2 habit! Shop at my Etsy shops:
I play everything except brass and strings. I'm an alto too, and I love to direct. I directed church choirs for over 20 years. Now I'd rather direct plays/musicals at our local community theatre. Hubby and I are also a Steel Drum band called Steel Baroque ( because we are... still broke ~ ba-dump-bum)
Anyway - you can go hear us here. Let me know what you think!
Please ~ support my TS2 habit! Shop at my Etsy shops:
CatherinesJewelry ~ Artisan Jewelry
Catherine's MOUSE ~ Up/Recycled Jewelry
and Vintage Stuffeths
#1181
8th Sep 2013 at 7:39 AM
Posts: 816
Thanks: 792 in 8 Posts
steel baroque...still broke
OTL
you guys sound wonderful~ I guess a lil eerie, the instruments sound like bones being banged against each other xD not that its a bad thing I actually love the rhythm too!
OTL
you guys sound wonderful~ I guess a lil eerie, the instruments sound like bones being banged against each other xD not that its a bad thing I actually love the rhythm too!
#1182
8th Sep 2013 at 9:46 PM
Catherine, I gotta say, thanks for the entertainment! I clicked on the sample on your website and my cat immediately woke up and tried to figure out where the music was coming from. She got scared and started running away from everywhere at once. She kept looking around trying to figure it out and just kept running crazy. lolz.
#1183
8th Sep 2013 at 10:09 PM
HaHa I'm glad ya'll like it :-D
Our kitties love when we play - I think the vibrations, that the drums set up in the house when we practice, tickle their whiskers LOL! We have tile floors - and they lay right beneath the drums rolling around like they found a large yard of catnip
Please ~ support my TS2 habit! Shop at my Etsy shops:
Our kitties love when we play - I think the vibrations, that the drums set up in the house when we practice, tickle their whiskers LOL! We have tile floors - and they lay right beneath the drums rolling around like they found a large yard of catnip
Please ~ support my TS2 habit! Shop at my Etsy shops:
CatherinesJewelry ~ Artisan Jewelry
Catherine's MOUSE ~ Up/Recycled Jewelry
and Vintage Stuffeths
#1184
8th Sep 2013 at 10:15 PM
Posts: 816
Thanks: 792 in 8 Posts
ugh I haven't slept all night yet
I'm just so restless...
oh hey, do you think sims 2 runs on windows 8? o3o
I'm just so restless...
oh hey, do you think sims 2 runs on windows 8? o3o
#1185
8th Sep 2013 at 10:23 PM
Some people have no issues Kanzen and others do. There are a few threads on here about running the game on Windows 8.
All you artistic clever people. Drawing and Brass Bands. My daughter is into drawing, me I draw stick figures.
Catherine, I do like your jewelry.
All you artistic clever people. Drawing and Brass Bands. My daughter is into drawing, me I draw stick figures.
Catherine, I do like your jewelry.
"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives." - Unknown
~Call me Jo~
#1186
8th Sep 2013 at 10:28 PM
Posts: 4,228
Thanks: 10340 in 107 Posts
Quote: Originally posted by CatherineTCJD
LOL - fuzzy slippers (My first thought is - but do they have arch support?) I play everything except brass and strings. I'm an alto too, and I love to direct. I directed church choirs for over 20 years. Now I'd rather direct plays/musicals at our local community theatre. Hubby and I are also a Steel Drum band called Steel Baroque ( because we are... still broke ~ ba-dump-bum) Anyway - you can go hear us here. Let me know what you think! |
Want a specific style of house or community building? Why not take a look at my profile and see what I build and then come ask me to make it!
#1187
8th Sep 2013 at 10:54 PM
Expenses paid?
I've played timp for the Messiah before... a long time ago... Never did own a set of timpani, though they are my favorite "drums" to play. Well, except Steel Drums, but they're not really drums.
Do you like Eric Satie? We play several of his - I like the Gymnopedies best. I don't know if hubby has those up on the web or not. He manages the SB website - I manage my jewelry sites.
...I just checked - if you click through to 'Discography' you can here more of our classical pieces. Just click the triangle before the name of the piece, and you'll get a sample.
Thanks!
Please ~ support my TS2 habit! Shop at my Etsy shops:
I've played timp for the Messiah before... a long time ago... Never did own a set of timpani, though they are my favorite "drums" to play. Well, except Steel Drums, but they're not really drums.
Do you like Eric Satie? We play several of his - I like the Gymnopedies best. I don't know if hubby has those up on the web or not. He manages the SB website - I manage my jewelry sites.
...I just checked - if you click through to 'Discography' you can here more of our classical pieces. Just click the triangle before the name of the piece, and you'll get a sample.
Thanks!
Please ~ support my TS2 habit! Shop at my Etsy shops:
CatherinesJewelry ~ Artisan Jewelry
Catherine's MOUSE ~ Up/Recycled Jewelry
and Vintage Stuffeths
#1188
8th Sep 2013 at 11:16 PM
Last edited by karen lorraine : 8th Sep 2013 at 11:27 PM.
Posts: 4,228
Thanks: 10340 in 107 Posts
Quote: Originally posted by CatherineTCJD
Expenses paid? I've played timp for the Messiah before... a long time ago... Never did own a set of timpani, though they are my favorite "drums" to play. Well, except Steel Drums, but they're not really drums. Do you like Eric Satie? We play several of his - I like the Gymnopedies best. I don't know if hubby has those up on the web or not. He manages the SB website - I manage my jewelry sites. ...I just checked - if you click through to 'Discography' you can here more of our classical pieces. Just click the triangle before the name of the piece, and you'll get a sample. Thanks! |
Been for another listen. Just getting into the mood for Christmas My favourite is still Fur Elise. Forgot to say, I love your waistcoats!
Want a specific style of house or community building? Why not take a look at my profile and see what I build and then come ask me to make it!
#1189
9th Sep 2013 at 12:32 AM
Sorry to ask again, but any update to scores Jones?
Rome wasn't built in a day
Need help finding building items, check out my building blog https://bestbuilditems4sims2.wordpress.com/
Rome wasn't built in a day
Need help finding building items, check out my building blog https://bestbuilditems4sims2.wordpress.com/
#1190
9th Sep 2013 at 2:03 PM
So sorry guys. Still don't have scores from one judge, but I PROMISE, I'll at least put the feedback I have up before I sleep tonight. I know you guys have had to wait a while. I don't know why this contest has gone so crazy this time. Guess RL does that sometimes for everyone.
#1191
10th Sep 2013 at 3:48 AM
Last edited by jones7659 : 12th Sep 2013 at 2:34 PM.
Ok, here's what I've got. So sorry it's been so long. Will add in the rest when I get it.... I have feedback from Phae, too. I will post that tomorrow.
Judge 1
Overall Design: 5/5 OH. MY. GOODNESS!! I am soooooooooo in love with this lot. It's so real. Every little detail is amazing! I love the news stand. I love the Pac-Man table. I really have nothing bad to say about it. My jaw literally dropped when I first saw it.
Theme: 5/5 It's not the cliched retro, but it is certainly vintage. Which still fits with in the retro theme. Also not what I'd typically think of when I hear furniture store. But it is a store that sells furniture.
Playability: 5/5 Plenty of room to move around and nice space in front of the register.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (5/5) You were really smart with the items you used - the atmosphere of this place is almost tangible. The dimness is very appropriate for this type of antique curiosities store. There's a wonderful eclectic variety of items on display, and I think it's great that it looks like someone started to put things where they made sense in correlation to other items but then almost gave up after a while. I love all the foot prints on the carpets and the suitcase stairs. The license plates and the ceiling tiles are perfect. The exterior is also really nice - the newsstand is super charming.
Theme: (5/5) All good here!
Playability: (5/5) There seems to be adequate space to move around everything and check out.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
Whilst I’m sure dark was what you were going for, I think it’s just a tad too dark for my liking – I’m not a fan of the ceiling tile and wall panel combination. I love the unorganised merchandise; it really fits in well with the aging building.
Theme: 4/5
I think some of the items are very 50s inspired, but others seem more from the 20s and 30s. I still it looks great though.
Playability: 4/5
I can’t imagine there’d be any problems playing this lot – I think it’s just a shame that the shower is so far from the bedsit.
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 2/5 The outside is again very bland. Landscaping can go a long way. Even just a few bushes, trees and a front walk. Inside isn't a whole lot more interesting. At least it has some color. There isn't much of interest here, and everything is shoved against the walls.
Theme: 3/5 The walls you've chosen, as well as the windows, are modern. However it just really doesn't feel that distinctly modern.
Playability: 5/5 There is, unfortunately, more than enough room for sims to get around.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (1/5) Once more, there's no landscaping outside to increase curb appeal or give off an indication of what the building is. The interior is also too sparse - everything is shoved up against a wall, so the floor space is not being used adequately. This applies for the upper floor as well - all that space and only some chairs and a dining table? I'm not crazy about the super symmetry of the clothing racks or the pink-and-blue sides.
Theme: (1/5) Nothing about this design reads particularly modern.
Playability: (5/5) Sims can get to everything.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 2/5
I like how you tried to incorporate the theme, but this lot still falls short of a lot of the other entries. Really try to focus on design and decorations; hit the internet if you’re stuck for ideas!
Theme: 2/5
It’s clear you were aiming for modern; it just wasn’t modern in any exciting way. It’s just geometric shapes and glass. It doesn’t have an edge.
Playability: 3/5
As always, plenty of space to play but that’s due to the emptiness of the lot!
Requirements 9.5/10 - those are closets, not shop clothing racks. I'm only docking .5, because I did say earlier in the contest, they didn't have to be functional clothing racks, but these are clearly closets, not shop racks.
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3.5/5 I like where you were head, but there are a few things I don't like. I would have prefered a different color for the exterior walls. I really like all the fantasy themed plants. The practically floating roofs don't really work for me. I like that all the toys are seperated by type. I think a different fence for the lower roof would have been better.
Theme: 4.5/5 It's very kiddy, but the exterior wall color is a bit too girly for all 5 points. A more gender neutral color would have been better.
Playability: 5/5 Seems good to me.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3/5) I think as far as the use of the storybook theme being used, you did better than expected. However, the sense of proportion outside is really off - the windows are huge, and really ornate, and with the super tall conic roof pieces the front of the store looks heavy. Almost like it could tip over. The side wings don't benefit from the windows either with those fences. The walls just look stumpy. The back is way better. The playground and train will attract a lot of kids! Inside, you've got a nice variety of toys on display. I love that all the plush animals are in one place, and all the dolls in one place, and so on. I think that's a much better way to separate the toys than signifying strict gender areas... but wait, you did that upstairs. A girl might like supernatural bears too, you know! I'm not sure how I feel about the restroom where it is with those huge windows displaying all the action. The overall sense of adventure would make this a good place to hang out for an afternoon.
Theme: (4.5/5) I get that you wanted to cater to parents too, but the upper floor doesn't seem very exciting. It's just a bit lackluster compared to the ground floor and the exterior.
Playability: (5/5) There looks to be plenty of room to run around stabbing your friends with invisible swords.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
The castle looks exciting and inviting, but the front of it could maybe have had smaller windows as they look a bit oversized to me.
Theme: 4/5
I would have been nice to have more kid-friendly walls and floors, like those in the dressing up room. Inside feels a lot more muted compared to the brightness of the exterior.
Playability: 5/5
Plenty of space to play!
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 5/5 Very nice design. And kudos on the use of no CC. I really like the roof top runway, the secret garden and the added spa.
Theme: 5/5 Definitely modern.
Playability: 4.5/5 Maybe could have placed the registers a little better. But not horrible.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (5/5) Weirdly enough, my favourite part of this entire place is the walls in front of the restroom and changing room doors. That's a great way to make the place look classier and fill up the floor space, which is necessary in a place this light and clean. The salon is a nice touch, and doesn't overpower the store itself. I like the idea of the runway. It's really nice that the upper floor is almost exclusively for fitting rooms. The urinals in the men's room are great. I also like your choice of ceiling tile.
Theme: (5/5) It definitely looks modern, especially in the front shot.
Playability: (4.5/5) Huge love for the restrooms. Space ahoy! The cash registers are maybe not in the most ideal places, right in front of a rack and the door like that.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
I like the unusual elements you’ve added to the lot, but I’m not sure you needed the secret garden or the massage tables. I do love the runway, mind. I think the inside could be improved by swapping the floor and ceiling tiles for each other!
Theme: 4/5
I like the addition of gold to the otherwise white interior, but it could have been bolder to really make it stand out.
Playability: 4/5
The Sims won’t be able to use the runway, which is a shame as a few simple stairs could have fixed that.
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 5/5 Very nice design! Lots of little details.
Theme: 4.5/5 From the pics you provided, it fits the Southeast Asian country style, but it feels a tad formal for the "family restaurant" part. I think the biggest reason is the curved double staircase.
Playability: 4.5/5 Looks good, though the one table by the stair wall on the second floor seems a little tight.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (4.5/5) This place looks so Mediterranean and I love it. The overgrowth of plants and the ivy vines are great. I like the exposed beams both inside and out. The kitchen is nice and spacious, and the little pantry section looks great. The ceiling fans are perfect lighting choices. I like the variety of seating choices but I feel that the tables inside are balanced a little oddly with some against the wall and others not, and that table at the lower left corner not lined up with the two above it. The other side of the floor is a bit blank. The booths are just right, and I love those little two-seater tables on the upper terrace.
Theme: (5/5) I'm not much of an expert when it comes to Asian country style, so I'm trusting that this fits the theme for that.
Playability: (4/5) The lower floor and the outdoor seating should not have any problems, but looking at the bird's-eye view of the second floor, it'll be a tight fit to get past the stair wall and some of those chairs. Your restrooms are plenty big enough, but I'm not sure why the men's seems to be smaller.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 5/5
I love love love love love this lot. The attention to detail and the consistency of the style are just great!
Theme: 5/5
I like the idea of interpreting the “country” theme a little differently, and from what you’ve shown of the Philippine country style, I might have to research it a little more!
Playability: 5/5
There’s enough space for everybody to eat and move around!
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3.5/5 There's a LOT going on here. Most of it works ok together, but not great. there are a lot of different textures. The modern style upstairs really throws the design off for me. The flower beds are FANTASTIC!
Theme: 2/5 There is a Parisean feel, excepting the second floor. But I really lost the cafe vibe. It feels more like some fancy mall or something.
Playability: 5/5 Good here.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3.5/5) I kind of don't know what to make of this. I like the exterior a lot, particularly the little produce stand, and the landscaping is nice and lively. The seating outside fills up the space nicely. It looks like a restaurant or bakery of some sort. And then I go inside and get a little lost: there's not much direction or distinction between the different parts of the business. The coffee counter is down here, but the tables are outside or upstairs. The restrooms are very small and one-Sim-at-a-time, but at least there are three for customer use. I love the left side of the second floor overhead shot - that's a lovely little place to sit down - but there's absolutely nothing on the other side. I like the gold ceiling tiles, but with the paneled wall in the main space it's a little much. The cow rug in the book shop is kind of awesome.
Theme: (2/5) I feel like the flower shop, book store, fitness studio, and balloon rides overpower a business that is supposed to primarily be a cafe. The coffee counter seems more like an afterthought than the point. Additionally, while some of your elements have quite a bit of Parisian influence, too much of the business does not: the yoga studio, for example.
Playability: (5/5) There appears to be plenty of space to move around and partake in every aspect of the business.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
The lot has a very continuous look (except for the studio, which feels more generic) and the ornate walls and decorations look very nice.
Theme: 3/5
Whilst this is a great looking lot, I feel like the café gets a bit left out with all the other businesses crammed into the building. It feels a bit like a shopping centre. A very nicely decorated shopping centre, but still...
Playability: 5/5
I can’t forsee any problems playing this lot!
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3/5 It's a fairly good design. It's a bit busy. I understand the use of different wall covering for the different areas, but it is a bit distracting. I think the curtain room is odd, I think just using different curtains in existing areas and having them "for sale" would have been fine. The sign on the front, or well, not really on the front, is odd. It's kind of just floating there.
Theme: 4/5 It's fairly retro, and not distinctly modern, but could have been a bit better.
Playability: 4/5 Most of it is pretty good, but some of your display rooms are rather cramped. And the bathrooms are small.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3/5) Your sign is floating! Also the slanted roof piece? I'm not sure why it's there at all. The windows show off the displays nicely. You've set those up interestingly, but they more or less work. The sudden cutoff of the wall coverings irks me a bit, but at least you've divided the floor up with the walls and floor dividers. The upper right hand corner of the ground floor shot seems empty. I'm gathering that it's to show off window treatments, but at least a chair or table or plant in the middle could have filled up the floor. Your restrooms are small and I can hardly see anything in them, so I have no idea if sinks are included or not. Atomic rug in the red paneled dining room aside, the cohesion of most of your displays is pretty good.
Theme: (3.5/5) Throwing a retro decoration item or carpet into a space does not make the space retro: the bedrooms struggle with this problem. The displays by the door on the ground floor are definitely a classic retro style, though, and your living rooms are all right on this count too.
Playability: (3/5) Your living room displays are a trap: everything is very close together. Navigation through the bedrooms might be problematic as well, and if there's a line at your cash register you're effectively blocking off part of the store.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 3/5
I think some of the wallpaper and flooring choices are a little to contrasting – there’s a way to make the rooms feel different without resorting to these very loud, harsh patterns. I also feel like the outside café area is a little sparse.
Theme: 3/5
There are a few pieces of furnitures styled around the decades, but a lot of the furniture feels quite generic. I think if it was spaced out more, and decorated as little room you’d be able to evoke the feel of the different decades with more than just the furniture.
Playability: 4/5
Some of the gaps between chairs and tables/other chairs seem rather narrow, it could lead to unhappy, stuck Sims.
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 4.5/5 The inside is so fun and vibrant! My only real complaint is that I don't feel like the outside echos that as well as it could. Never had ice cream at a furniture store, but I'm all for ice cream anytime, anywhere!
Theme: 5/5 Funky, fun retro!
Playability: 5/5 Good here.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (5/5) I have no idea why there's an ice cream bar here but I love it anyway. I'll take vanilla ice cream with a caramel sauce and pretzel crumbs please! The displays are pretty great - a very clichéd retro, but still tasteful somehow. The windows out front highlight the ground floor displays really well, and I like the lava lamps a lot. The little gnome-infested garden and restrooms are perfect.
Theme: (5/5) This is classically retro without blinding me.
Playability: (5/5) Lots of walking space, and everything is placed with some sense.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
It would have been nice to tone down the carpets and let the vibrant furniture speak for itself, at the moment it’s a bit of a slap in the eyeballs with all that colour. The very natural fountain also looks quite out of place.
Theme: 4/5
You can’t deny you’re looking back a few decades for your inspiration, but it would have been nice to add some contrast by maybe adding some pieces from other styles to break up the grooviness.
Playability: 4/5
I can’t see any issues with playability.
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3.5/5 Wow, that's colorful. It's not too bad, but I think maybe a little bit less vibrant inside could have been better. Maybe just using the red carpet as "rugs" over a wood floor. The layout is nice. The landscaping is nice as well. Some of the wall decor feels a bit random.
Theme: 4.5/5 It's very kiddie. The second floor feels a bit older, but still at least teen.
Playability: 4.5/5 Nice and open. Bathrooms are a tad small.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3/5) Holy primary colours Batman! I was not expecting that interior at all based on the outside of the building. Playground equipment is nice outside and I'm glad to not see any of it indoors. I think you probably should have picked either red or blue to be your main colour; both at the same time in that concentration is way too much. Maybe a solid, neutral carpet would have softened the blow. I love that you have freezer bunnies on display - your variety of toys is pretty decent. The upper floor is all right, if a little awkward somehow. It feels a little disconnected, and again you've used the bold red and blue a bit liberally. I don't think the Hello Kitty audience is going to be interested in purchasing Servos, and vice versa. Your registers have plenty of space for lines.
Theme: (4/5) The ground floor fits the criteria, but the second story doesn't feel particularly kid-friendly.
Playability: (4.5.5) Cash registers are placed okay, but at least one of the restrooms could have contained stalls for more public use.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
The downstairs looks like a wonderland that little kids would love to find their new favourite toy in, and the upstairs is cooler whilst still being engaging to the eye. I think it’s just a shame the building isn’t a more exciting colour!
Theme: 5/5
The downstairs would certainly appeal to little kids, and there’s a great selection of toys.
Playability: 5/5
There’s lot of space ready for all the screaming children.
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3.5/5 It's very pretty, but a bit bare. The outside is lovely. The window boxes and use of the awning above the windows is very nice. Inside just feels unfinished to me. There's so much empty space. And all the white doesn't help with this feeling. The inside feels much more modern and the exterior more classic. They don't mesh as well as they could.
Theme: 4/5 The exterior feels very Parisean, and the interior has it's Parisean hints. But as I said above, they don't feel like the same Parisean. And it's not as strong on the inside.
Playability: 5/5 More than enough room.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3.5/5) The exterior is very charming and even without a sign it's not hard to tell what it is. The window boxes are a nice touch. Because you've used a lot of white inside, it feels very open and sparse, and the use, or lack thereof, of your floor space doesn't help offset that. I feel that you should have either embraced it and went all-white like the booths and counters, or stuck to bolder choices like those blue chairs. Your bathrooms are pretty good, and I like your kitchen a lot too. I think you could have put a few more tables in - I understand why there's all that space in front of the coffee counter, but the door upstairs doesn't need quite that much clearance. The podium is placed sort of weirdly at that corner. I love the seating in front of the windows outside.
Theme: (3/5) I get that Parisian feel from the exterior just fine, but it doesn't match the indoors: one's warm and textured and the other is sleek and modern. I'm also not getting a lot of French atmosphere inside.
Playability: (5/5) There appears to be adequate space to move around and use all facilities.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 5/5
I love the difference between the traditional stone exterior and the cool, crisp interior. It evokes two very different times but marries them together well!
Theme: 4/5
It would have been nice to see the external furniture made of metal to match the fences. The wood looks a little out of place to me. I love the awnings and the little bus stop.
Playability: 5/5
No concerns!
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3.5/5 I'm sure it's an oversight since you were rushed, but there's no front walk and the outside is a bit bare. Other than that, it's a very nice design. I'm not a huge fan of the abrupt wall paper changes, but they all go fairly well together, and I understand that it's to separate the areas.
Theme: 4/5 Pretty retro in general. But sometimes it's a fine line between modern and retro. Some of the furnishing lean more towards modern for me.
Playability: 4/5 Pretty good, except the registers are a bit oddly placed. not a whole lot of room for lines.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3/5) Some sort of walkway or sign outside would have been appreciated to make it look like a business. As it is it looks like the home of someone who likes showing off his things to passersby. Your displays are set up pretty nicely, and the wallpapers don't just suddenly cut off into something completely different. You chose odd stairs, and they're positioned a bit weirdly - they're very off-centre upstairs and I'm not crazy about where they are downstairs either. I think a single set closer to the back wall there would have looked better. I like that some of your displays look very cohesive, as if the same client could buy two sets of furniture here. The overall layout works pretty well, but some of the spaces are kind of sparse. There's little to no decoration in the spaces beyond some pictures on the walls. Plants, vases, even rugs could have made the displays more interesting.
Theme: (4/5) Some of the sets are wildly retro, some more subtle, and others I don't just don't get that feel from at all, like the living room with the green couches.
Playability: (4/5) The displays are spaced nicely, but the cash registers are in really awkward places. Very little room for lines, especially the one facing the door.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
Each ‘room’ has its own style, which is great. The lot could do with a bit more landscaping and I think that the yellow/orange carpet upstairs really upstages the room. I think the long corridor along the bottom floor could have been used bette – it feels a bit empty.
Theme: 5/5
I like the nods to different decades – and different budgets!
Playability: 3/5
There are no toilets and no staff room! I don’t think I’d want to work here!
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
I'm just going to paste Phae's comments down here all together, instead of under your spoilers like I have before.
ekrubynaffit
Absolutely loving the grunge atmosphere you’ve created! The lot feels old and has character. The large paving stones seem to be at odds with the rest of the house, perhaps some overgrown cobblestone terrain paint would have been better. The roof is suberbly done. The attention to detail with both the cornice and the fencing is very fitting. You are prolly going to hate me for all the WCIFs, but you have used so many lovely pieces! I’ll try to keep it to the top things I’m really interested in. The roof ladders, are they functional and wcif, similarly the fire escape stairs. The red chairs are lovely, wcif, and are they stacked with OMSPs? Clever use. Also the fantastic luggage recolor of that weird tiered maxis dresser I never use because weird texture is weird.
PSDuckie
You are still making poor use of space. You don’t really seem to be learning much from the judge’s comments and from the entries of the other contestants. Please go through the MTS building tutorial section and you’ll find lots of helpful articles.
joandsarah77
Little purple castle! How cute is that!? It seems a bit disjointed, but the concept is adorbs. I think it is the roof and the fence wall that is throwing me off. Inside seems a bit dark and not cheery enough. OMG, wcif the toddler ride-on giraffe and small grey car? Also the building block set inside their race track. I absolutely love the dress up stage play area. Such a clever idea!
Loaf
One of the first things that always strikes me with these buildings, is whether or not the roof has been built up. The buildings just look more real that way, props on doing that. The unfinished aesthetic is an interesting one, and while not my taste, it is well done. I like that you used a bit of the space to include a salon. Overall, very nice.
kanzen
I disagree that country style can be interpreted as you have. Country doesn’t mean country like “the nation’s style” it means “open farming land style”. This is a fantastic Spanish/Philippine style restaurant and you shouldn’t try to shoehorn it into ‘country’. That being said, I know jones gave you a pass on it, and I’m glad she did. IMO country is usually boring as hell (though we have had some truly remarkable country entries), and this is really really pretty! I’m in love with all of your landscaping. I would have no idea how to implement this myself. WCIF the side table in the entry way? The carrots, watermelon, and pumpkin are some of the best I’ve seen, wcif please? I wish I could give more opinions about your build, but it’s all so cohesive and pretty (and slightly unfamiliar) that I can’t think of anything to add about it anywhere! The front is just drop dead gorgeous with all the greenery and the overhangs/balconies. Truly stellar.
CatherineTCJD
The story you’ve written up is so much fun! The third image is truly stunning. So often the lighting in pictures is sub par, but this one is vibrantly lit and so perfect the ceiling seems to glow. I love dramatic pictures. Scrolls down, wow, another dramatic image with the book nook! Loves! Ok, wcif time: wrought iron spiral staircase, ivy hanging plants, and that comical brown cow rug?
anna220
First off, I love your parking lot and that you’ve raised the roof line by adding the halfwall. Some of the parking spaces are a tad confusing, but you have a parking lot, and most don’t, so yay! From the outside it looks a bit somber, but I like it that way, often sim comm lots are just too bight, it’s very different from the inside! I love all the little rooms you set up, each is charming in its own way. A few of your pictures are dark, don’t forget to turn on the lights, and a bit of photo-tweaking afterwards won’t go amiss. If you’ll humor a few wcifs: the green living room set, the white and glass coffee table in the bent wood modern living room, and the large black metal wall ornament?
karen lorraine
I love that you’ve added a bit of height on to your building. It really helps with the façade. The front drop off drive is an interesting detail, I like it. Inside is both a little too bright (light wise) and a little too bright (60s wise), though the second one still works. The roof top seems remarkably out of style with the rest of the building and it just kinda throws me off, I know it’s for the ice cream parlor, but it doesn’t seem to fit. While my tastes aren’t usually so colorful, I know some of my sim teens would love to get their hands on your lavalamp, and the curtain/wall hanging deco near the breakroom. Some of my grannies would like to purchase the ceiling lamp in the orange bedroom, wcif these items please?
sugar50
That is a lot of different dark colors all going on at the same time. It’s not really a cohesive color palette on the outside. The inside looks better, but still could use work. I love that you used a Sir Brixalot edging around the window display. Wcif it please? Also, the wooden scooter. I thought the blue walls and the blue starry ceiling might be a bit much, but it oddly works. The red white and blue theme is nice.
TheDeadSim
You really do know how to make a first impression. I’m in love with your front façade. Everything about these screams French café to me, it is gorgeous. Unfortunatly, I’m not as sold on the inside. The outside is older and quaint looking, and the inside is modern. While lovely, it’s not what I was expecting and it’s a little bit of a disappointment. I’ve never used those awnings before and only once used awnings at all like you did over the windows, but I’m totally going to steal that trick now, it’s very pretty and adds so much detail and character. The brick texture along with the low roof and the pretty blue shingles, aw! I could go on! So pretty. Thank you for the lovely inspiration. Wcif the street lamps?
Cyshix
Wow, you were able to do a lot in 2 hours! Looks like the landscaping took the biggest hit. There isn’t even a front walk! You have some lovely CC pieces and wallpaper. My rooms are never bold enough to sport even the tamer patterns and it’s a shame, these are lovely! Most of the pictures are a bit dark, don’t forget lights, some of these would look truly stunning if they had proper lighting! Wcif the cream colored kitchen chairs and their brown wood table? Also the blocky little red tv and the white chair and sofa in the 4th to last picture? Gah, /me gives in, where *do* you get such lovely wallpaper? The 3rd to last picture’s paper in particular.
Contestant | Overall Design | Theme | Playability | Requirements | Structure | Round Total | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ekrubynaffit | 14 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 62 | 238 |
PSDuckie | 5 | 6 | 13 | 9.5 | 10 | 43.5 | 163 |
joandsarah77 | 10.5 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 58.5 | 235.5 |
Loaf | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 61 | 233 |
kanzen | 14.5 | 14.5 | 13.5 | 10 | 10 | 62.5 | 250.5 |
CatherineTCJD | 11 | 7 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 53 | 222.5 |
anna220 | 9 | 10.5 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 50.5 | 202 |
karen lorraine | 13.5 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 61.5 | 250 |
sugar50 | 10.5 | 13.5 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 58 | 227.5 |
TheDeadSim | 12 | 11 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 58 | 240.5 |
Cyshix | 10.5 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 54.5 | 213 |
Judge 1
Overall Design: 5/5 OH. MY. GOODNESS!! I am soooooooooo in love with this lot. It's so real. Every little detail is amazing! I love the news stand. I love the Pac-Man table. I really have nothing bad to say about it. My jaw literally dropped when I first saw it.
Theme: 5/5 It's not the cliched retro, but it is certainly vintage. Which still fits with in the retro theme. Also not what I'd typically think of when I hear furniture store. But it is a store that sells furniture.
Playability: 5/5 Plenty of room to move around and nice space in front of the register.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (5/5) You were really smart with the items you used - the atmosphere of this place is almost tangible. The dimness is very appropriate for this type of antique curiosities store. There's a wonderful eclectic variety of items on display, and I think it's great that it looks like someone started to put things where they made sense in correlation to other items but then almost gave up after a while. I love all the foot prints on the carpets and the suitcase stairs. The license plates and the ceiling tiles are perfect. The exterior is also really nice - the newsstand is super charming.
Theme: (5/5) All good here!
Playability: (5/5) There seems to be adequate space to move around everything and check out.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
Whilst I’m sure dark was what you were going for, I think it’s just a tad too dark for my liking – I’m not a fan of the ceiling tile and wall panel combination. I love the unorganised merchandise; it really fits in well with the aging building.
Theme: 4/5
I think some of the items are very 50s inspired, but others seem more from the 20s and 30s. I still it looks great though.
Playability: 4/5
I can’t imagine there’d be any problems playing this lot – I think it’s just a shame that the shower is so far from the bedsit.
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 2/5 The outside is again very bland. Landscaping can go a long way. Even just a few bushes, trees and a front walk. Inside isn't a whole lot more interesting. At least it has some color. There isn't much of interest here, and everything is shoved against the walls.
Theme: 3/5 The walls you've chosen, as well as the windows, are modern. However it just really doesn't feel that distinctly modern.
Playability: 5/5 There is, unfortunately, more than enough room for sims to get around.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (1/5) Once more, there's no landscaping outside to increase curb appeal or give off an indication of what the building is. The interior is also too sparse - everything is shoved up against a wall, so the floor space is not being used adequately. This applies for the upper floor as well - all that space and only some chairs and a dining table? I'm not crazy about the super symmetry of the clothing racks or the pink-and-blue sides.
Theme: (1/5) Nothing about this design reads particularly modern.
Playability: (5/5) Sims can get to everything.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 2/5
I like how you tried to incorporate the theme, but this lot still falls short of a lot of the other entries. Really try to focus on design and decorations; hit the internet if you’re stuck for ideas!
Theme: 2/5
It’s clear you were aiming for modern; it just wasn’t modern in any exciting way. It’s just geometric shapes and glass. It doesn’t have an edge.
Playability: 3/5
As always, plenty of space to play but that’s due to the emptiness of the lot!
Requirements 9.5/10 - those are closets, not shop clothing racks. I'm only docking .5, because I did say earlier in the contest, they didn't have to be functional clothing racks, but these are clearly closets, not shop racks.
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3.5/5 I like where you were head, but there are a few things I don't like. I would have prefered a different color for the exterior walls. I really like all the fantasy themed plants. The practically floating roofs don't really work for me. I like that all the toys are seperated by type. I think a different fence for the lower roof would have been better.
Theme: 4.5/5 It's very kiddy, but the exterior wall color is a bit too girly for all 5 points. A more gender neutral color would have been better.
Playability: 5/5 Seems good to me.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3/5) I think as far as the use of the storybook theme being used, you did better than expected. However, the sense of proportion outside is really off - the windows are huge, and really ornate, and with the super tall conic roof pieces the front of the store looks heavy. Almost like it could tip over. The side wings don't benefit from the windows either with those fences. The walls just look stumpy. The back is way better. The playground and train will attract a lot of kids! Inside, you've got a nice variety of toys on display. I love that all the plush animals are in one place, and all the dolls in one place, and so on. I think that's a much better way to separate the toys than signifying strict gender areas... but wait, you did that upstairs. A girl might like supernatural bears too, you know! I'm not sure how I feel about the restroom where it is with those huge windows displaying all the action. The overall sense of adventure would make this a good place to hang out for an afternoon.
Theme: (4.5/5) I get that you wanted to cater to parents too, but the upper floor doesn't seem very exciting. It's just a bit lackluster compared to the ground floor and the exterior.
Playability: (5/5) There looks to be plenty of room to run around stabbing your friends with invisible swords.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
The castle looks exciting and inviting, but the front of it could maybe have had smaller windows as they look a bit oversized to me.
Theme: 4/5
I would have been nice to have more kid-friendly walls and floors, like those in the dressing up room. Inside feels a lot more muted compared to the brightness of the exterior.
Playability: 5/5
Plenty of space to play!
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 5/5 Very nice design. And kudos on the use of no CC. I really like the roof top runway, the secret garden and the added spa.
Theme: 5/5 Definitely modern.
Playability: 4.5/5 Maybe could have placed the registers a little better. But not horrible.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (5/5) Weirdly enough, my favourite part of this entire place is the walls in front of the restroom and changing room doors. That's a great way to make the place look classier and fill up the floor space, which is necessary in a place this light and clean. The salon is a nice touch, and doesn't overpower the store itself. I like the idea of the runway. It's really nice that the upper floor is almost exclusively for fitting rooms. The urinals in the men's room are great. I also like your choice of ceiling tile.
Theme: (5/5) It definitely looks modern, especially in the front shot.
Playability: (4.5/5) Huge love for the restrooms. Space ahoy! The cash registers are maybe not in the most ideal places, right in front of a rack and the door like that.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
I like the unusual elements you’ve added to the lot, but I’m not sure you needed the secret garden or the massage tables. I do love the runway, mind. I think the inside could be improved by swapping the floor and ceiling tiles for each other!
Theme: 4/5
I like the addition of gold to the otherwise white interior, but it could have been bolder to really make it stand out.
Playability: 4/5
The Sims won’t be able to use the runway, which is a shame as a few simple stairs could have fixed that.
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 5/5 Very nice design! Lots of little details.
Theme: 4.5/5 From the pics you provided, it fits the Southeast Asian country style, but it feels a tad formal for the "family restaurant" part. I think the biggest reason is the curved double staircase.
Playability: 4.5/5 Looks good, though the one table by the stair wall on the second floor seems a little tight.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (4.5/5) This place looks so Mediterranean and I love it. The overgrowth of plants and the ivy vines are great. I like the exposed beams both inside and out. The kitchen is nice and spacious, and the little pantry section looks great. The ceiling fans are perfect lighting choices. I like the variety of seating choices but I feel that the tables inside are balanced a little oddly with some against the wall and others not, and that table at the lower left corner not lined up with the two above it. The other side of the floor is a bit blank. The booths are just right, and I love those little two-seater tables on the upper terrace.
Theme: (5/5) I'm not much of an expert when it comes to Asian country style, so I'm trusting that this fits the theme for that.
Playability: (4/5) The lower floor and the outdoor seating should not have any problems, but looking at the bird's-eye view of the second floor, it'll be a tight fit to get past the stair wall and some of those chairs. Your restrooms are plenty big enough, but I'm not sure why the men's seems to be smaller.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 5/5
I love love love love love this lot. The attention to detail and the consistency of the style are just great!
Theme: 5/5
I like the idea of interpreting the “country” theme a little differently, and from what you’ve shown of the Philippine country style, I might have to research it a little more!
Playability: 5/5
There’s enough space for everybody to eat and move around!
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3.5/5 There's a LOT going on here. Most of it works ok together, but not great. there are a lot of different textures. The modern style upstairs really throws the design off for me. The flower beds are FANTASTIC!
Theme: 2/5 There is a Parisean feel, excepting the second floor. But I really lost the cafe vibe. It feels more like some fancy mall or something.
Playability: 5/5 Good here.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3.5/5) I kind of don't know what to make of this. I like the exterior a lot, particularly the little produce stand, and the landscaping is nice and lively. The seating outside fills up the space nicely. It looks like a restaurant or bakery of some sort. And then I go inside and get a little lost: there's not much direction or distinction between the different parts of the business. The coffee counter is down here, but the tables are outside or upstairs. The restrooms are very small and one-Sim-at-a-time, but at least there are three for customer use. I love the left side of the second floor overhead shot - that's a lovely little place to sit down - but there's absolutely nothing on the other side. I like the gold ceiling tiles, but with the paneled wall in the main space it's a little much. The cow rug in the book shop is kind of awesome.
Theme: (2/5) I feel like the flower shop, book store, fitness studio, and balloon rides overpower a business that is supposed to primarily be a cafe. The coffee counter seems more like an afterthought than the point. Additionally, while some of your elements have quite a bit of Parisian influence, too much of the business does not: the yoga studio, for example.
Playability: (5/5) There appears to be plenty of space to move around and partake in every aspect of the business.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
The lot has a very continuous look (except for the studio, which feels more generic) and the ornate walls and decorations look very nice.
Theme: 3/5
Whilst this is a great looking lot, I feel like the café gets a bit left out with all the other businesses crammed into the building. It feels a bit like a shopping centre. A very nicely decorated shopping centre, but still...
Playability: 5/5
I can’t forsee any problems playing this lot!
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3/5 It's a fairly good design. It's a bit busy. I understand the use of different wall covering for the different areas, but it is a bit distracting. I think the curtain room is odd, I think just using different curtains in existing areas and having them "for sale" would have been fine. The sign on the front, or well, not really on the front, is odd. It's kind of just floating there.
Theme: 4/5 It's fairly retro, and not distinctly modern, but could have been a bit better.
Playability: 4/5 Most of it is pretty good, but some of your display rooms are rather cramped. And the bathrooms are small.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3/5) Your sign is floating! Also the slanted roof piece? I'm not sure why it's there at all. The windows show off the displays nicely. You've set those up interestingly, but they more or less work. The sudden cutoff of the wall coverings irks me a bit, but at least you've divided the floor up with the walls and floor dividers. The upper right hand corner of the ground floor shot seems empty. I'm gathering that it's to show off window treatments, but at least a chair or table or plant in the middle could have filled up the floor. Your restrooms are small and I can hardly see anything in them, so I have no idea if sinks are included or not. Atomic rug in the red paneled dining room aside, the cohesion of most of your displays is pretty good.
Theme: (3.5/5) Throwing a retro decoration item or carpet into a space does not make the space retro: the bedrooms struggle with this problem. The displays by the door on the ground floor are definitely a classic retro style, though, and your living rooms are all right on this count too.
Playability: (3/5) Your living room displays are a trap: everything is very close together. Navigation through the bedrooms might be problematic as well, and if there's a line at your cash register you're effectively blocking off part of the store.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 3/5
I think some of the wallpaper and flooring choices are a little to contrasting – there’s a way to make the rooms feel different without resorting to these very loud, harsh patterns. I also feel like the outside café area is a little sparse.
Theme: 3/5
There are a few pieces of furnitures styled around the decades, but a lot of the furniture feels quite generic. I think if it was spaced out more, and decorated as little room you’d be able to evoke the feel of the different decades with more than just the furniture.
Playability: 4/5
Some of the gaps between chairs and tables/other chairs seem rather narrow, it could lead to unhappy, stuck Sims.
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 4.5/5 The inside is so fun and vibrant! My only real complaint is that I don't feel like the outside echos that as well as it could. Never had ice cream at a furniture store, but I'm all for ice cream anytime, anywhere!
Theme: 5/5 Funky, fun retro!
Playability: 5/5 Good here.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (5/5) I have no idea why there's an ice cream bar here but I love it anyway. I'll take vanilla ice cream with a caramel sauce and pretzel crumbs please! The displays are pretty great - a very clichéd retro, but still tasteful somehow. The windows out front highlight the ground floor displays really well, and I like the lava lamps a lot. The little gnome-infested garden and restrooms are perfect.
Theme: (5/5) This is classically retro without blinding me.
Playability: (5/5) Lots of walking space, and everything is placed with some sense.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
It would have been nice to tone down the carpets and let the vibrant furniture speak for itself, at the moment it’s a bit of a slap in the eyeballs with all that colour. The very natural fountain also looks quite out of place.
Theme: 4/5
You can’t deny you’re looking back a few decades for your inspiration, but it would have been nice to add some contrast by maybe adding some pieces from other styles to break up the grooviness.
Playability: 4/5
I can’t see any issues with playability.
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3.5/5 Wow, that's colorful. It's not too bad, but I think maybe a little bit less vibrant inside could have been better. Maybe just using the red carpet as "rugs" over a wood floor. The layout is nice. The landscaping is nice as well. Some of the wall decor feels a bit random.
Theme: 4.5/5 It's very kiddie. The second floor feels a bit older, but still at least teen.
Playability: 4.5/5 Nice and open. Bathrooms are a tad small.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3/5) Holy primary colours Batman! I was not expecting that interior at all based on the outside of the building. Playground equipment is nice outside and I'm glad to not see any of it indoors. I think you probably should have picked either red or blue to be your main colour; both at the same time in that concentration is way too much. Maybe a solid, neutral carpet would have softened the blow. I love that you have freezer bunnies on display - your variety of toys is pretty decent. The upper floor is all right, if a little awkward somehow. It feels a little disconnected, and again you've used the bold red and blue a bit liberally. I don't think the Hello Kitty audience is going to be interested in purchasing Servos, and vice versa. Your registers have plenty of space for lines.
Theme: (4/5) The ground floor fits the criteria, but the second story doesn't feel particularly kid-friendly.
Playability: (4.5.5) Cash registers are placed okay, but at least one of the restrooms could have contained stalls for more public use.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
The downstairs looks like a wonderland that little kids would love to find their new favourite toy in, and the upstairs is cooler whilst still being engaging to the eye. I think it’s just a shame the building isn’t a more exciting colour!
Theme: 5/5
The downstairs would certainly appeal to little kids, and there’s a great selection of toys.
Playability: 5/5
There’s lot of space ready for all the screaming children.
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3.5/5 It's very pretty, but a bit bare. The outside is lovely. The window boxes and use of the awning above the windows is very nice. Inside just feels unfinished to me. There's so much empty space. And all the white doesn't help with this feeling. The inside feels much more modern and the exterior more classic. They don't mesh as well as they could.
Theme: 4/5 The exterior feels very Parisean, and the interior has it's Parisean hints. But as I said above, they don't feel like the same Parisean. And it's not as strong on the inside.
Playability: 5/5 More than enough room.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3.5/5) The exterior is very charming and even without a sign it's not hard to tell what it is. The window boxes are a nice touch. Because you've used a lot of white inside, it feels very open and sparse, and the use, or lack thereof, of your floor space doesn't help offset that. I feel that you should have either embraced it and went all-white like the booths and counters, or stuck to bolder choices like those blue chairs. Your bathrooms are pretty good, and I like your kitchen a lot too. I think you could have put a few more tables in - I understand why there's all that space in front of the coffee counter, but the door upstairs doesn't need quite that much clearance. The podium is placed sort of weirdly at that corner. I love the seating in front of the windows outside.
Theme: (3/5) I get that Parisian feel from the exterior just fine, but it doesn't match the indoors: one's warm and textured and the other is sleek and modern. I'm also not getting a lot of French atmosphere inside.
Playability: (5/5) There appears to be adequate space to move around and use all facilities.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 5/5
I love the difference between the traditional stone exterior and the cool, crisp interior. It evokes two very different times but marries them together well!
Theme: 4/5
It would have been nice to see the external furniture made of metal to match the fences. The wood looks a little out of place to me. I love the awnings and the little bus stop.
Playability: 5/5
No concerns!
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
Judge 1
Overall Design: 3.5/5 I'm sure it's an oversight since you were rushed, but there's no front walk and the outside is a bit bare. Other than that, it's a very nice design. I'm not a huge fan of the abrupt wall paper changes, but they all go fairly well together, and I understand that it's to separate the areas.
Theme: 4/5 Pretty retro in general. But sometimes it's a fine line between modern and retro. Some of the furnishing lean more towards modern for me.
Playability: 4/5 Pretty good, except the registers are a bit oddly placed. not a whole lot of room for lines.
Judge 2
Overall Design: (3/5) Some sort of walkway or sign outside would have been appreciated to make it look like a business. As it is it looks like the home of someone who likes showing off his things to passersby. Your displays are set up pretty nicely, and the wallpapers don't just suddenly cut off into something completely different. You chose odd stairs, and they're positioned a bit weirdly - they're very off-centre upstairs and I'm not crazy about where they are downstairs either. I think a single set closer to the back wall there would have looked better. I like that some of your displays look very cohesive, as if the same client could buy two sets of furniture here. The overall layout works pretty well, but some of the spaces are kind of sparse. There's little to no decoration in the spaces beyond some pictures on the walls. Plants, vases, even rugs could have made the displays more interesting.
Theme: (4/5) Some of the sets are wildly retro, some more subtle, and others I don't just don't get that feel from at all, like the living room with the green couches.
Playability: (4/5) The displays are spaced nicely, but the cash registers are in really awkward places. Very little room for lines, especially the one facing the door.
Judge 3
Overall Design: 4/5
Each ‘room’ has its own style, which is great. The lot could do with a bit more landscaping and I think that the yellow/orange carpet upstairs really upstages the room. I think the long corridor along the bottom floor could have been used bette – it feels a bit empty.
Theme: 5/5
I like the nods to different decades – and different budgets!
Playability: 3/5
There are no toilets and no staff room! I don’t think I’d want to work here!
Requirements 10/10
Structure 10/10
I'm just going to paste Phae's comments down here all together, instead of under your spoilers like I have before.
ekrubynaffit
Absolutely loving the grunge atmosphere you’ve created! The lot feels old and has character. The large paving stones seem to be at odds with the rest of the house, perhaps some overgrown cobblestone terrain paint would have been better. The roof is suberbly done. The attention to detail with both the cornice and the fencing is very fitting. You are prolly going to hate me for all the WCIFs, but you have used so many lovely pieces! I’ll try to keep it to the top things I’m really interested in. The roof ladders, are they functional and wcif, similarly the fire escape stairs. The red chairs are lovely, wcif, and are they stacked with OMSPs? Clever use. Also the fantastic luggage recolor of that weird tiered maxis dresser I never use because weird texture is weird.
PSDuckie
You are still making poor use of space. You don’t really seem to be learning much from the judge’s comments and from the entries of the other contestants. Please go through the MTS building tutorial section and you’ll find lots of helpful articles.
joandsarah77
Little purple castle! How cute is that!? It seems a bit disjointed, but the concept is adorbs. I think it is the roof and the fence wall that is throwing me off. Inside seems a bit dark and not cheery enough. OMG, wcif the toddler ride-on giraffe and small grey car? Also the building block set inside their race track. I absolutely love the dress up stage play area. Such a clever idea!
Loaf
One of the first things that always strikes me with these buildings, is whether or not the roof has been built up. The buildings just look more real that way, props on doing that. The unfinished aesthetic is an interesting one, and while not my taste, it is well done. I like that you used a bit of the space to include a salon. Overall, very nice.
kanzen
I disagree that country style can be interpreted as you have. Country doesn’t mean country like “the nation’s style” it means “open farming land style”. This is a fantastic Spanish/Philippine style restaurant and you shouldn’t try to shoehorn it into ‘country’. That being said, I know jones gave you a pass on it, and I’m glad she did. IMO country is usually boring as hell (though we have had some truly remarkable country entries), and this is really really pretty! I’m in love with all of your landscaping. I would have no idea how to implement this myself. WCIF the side table in the entry way? The carrots, watermelon, and pumpkin are some of the best I’ve seen, wcif please? I wish I could give more opinions about your build, but it’s all so cohesive and pretty (and slightly unfamiliar) that I can’t think of anything to add about it anywhere! The front is just drop dead gorgeous with all the greenery and the overhangs/balconies. Truly stellar.
CatherineTCJD
The story you’ve written up is so much fun! The third image is truly stunning. So often the lighting in pictures is sub par, but this one is vibrantly lit and so perfect the ceiling seems to glow. I love dramatic pictures. Scrolls down, wow, another dramatic image with the book nook! Loves! Ok, wcif time: wrought iron spiral staircase, ivy hanging plants, and that comical brown cow rug?
anna220
First off, I love your parking lot and that you’ve raised the roof line by adding the halfwall. Some of the parking spaces are a tad confusing, but you have a parking lot, and most don’t, so yay! From the outside it looks a bit somber, but I like it that way, often sim comm lots are just too bight, it’s very different from the inside! I love all the little rooms you set up, each is charming in its own way. A few of your pictures are dark, don’t forget to turn on the lights, and a bit of photo-tweaking afterwards won’t go amiss. If you’ll humor a few wcifs: the green living room set, the white and glass coffee table in the bent wood modern living room, and the large black metal wall ornament?
karen lorraine
I love that you’ve added a bit of height on to your building. It really helps with the façade. The front drop off drive is an interesting detail, I like it. Inside is both a little too bright (light wise) and a little too bright (60s wise), though the second one still works. The roof top seems remarkably out of style with the rest of the building and it just kinda throws me off, I know it’s for the ice cream parlor, but it doesn’t seem to fit. While my tastes aren’t usually so colorful, I know some of my sim teens would love to get their hands on your lavalamp, and the curtain/wall hanging deco near the breakroom. Some of my grannies would like to purchase the ceiling lamp in the orange bedroom, wcif these items please?
sugar50
That is a lot of different dark colors all going on at the same time. It’s not really a cohesive color palette on the outside. The inside looks better, but still could use work. I love that you used a Sir Brixalot edging around the window display. Wcif it please? Also, the wooden scooter. I thought the blue walls and the blue starry ceiling might be a bit much, but it oddly works. The red white and blue theme is nice.
TheDeadSim
You really do know how to make a first impression. I’m in love with your front façade. Everything about these screams French café to me, it is gorgeous. Unfortunatly, I’m not as sold on the inside. The outside is older and quaint looking, and the inside is modern. While lovely, it’s not what I was expecting and it’s a little bit of a disappointment. I’ve never used those awnings before and only once used awnings at all like you did over the windows, but I’m totally going to steal that trick now, it’s very pretty and adds so much detail and character. The brick texture along with the low roof and the pretty blue shingles, aw! I could go on! So pretty. Thank you for the lovely inspiration. Wcif the street lamps?
Cyshix
Wow, you were able to do a lot in 2 hours! Looks like the landscaping took the biggest hit. There isn’t even a front walk! You have some lovely CC pieces and wallpaper. My rooms are never bold enough to sport even the tamer patterns and it’s a shame, these are lovely! Most of the pictures are a bit dark, don’t forget lights, some of these would look truly stunning if they had proper lighting! Wcif the cream colored kitchen chairs and their brown wood table? Also the blocky little red tv and the white chair and sofa in the 4th to last picture? Gah, /me gives in, where *do* you get such lovely wallpaper? The 3rd to last picture’s paper in particular.
#1192
10th Sep 2013 at 11:00 PM
Yah scores!
haha somehow I knew the judges would not care for mine. But I really didn't want to download more cc although I did a couple of things, but fairy tale was what I wanted so that's what I did. :P
Judge 1: Floating roofs? I take it you mean the cones. They are firmly on the surface but that's as good as I can do cones. I went through a heap of fences and low wall combos so that was as good as I could do. I'd love a suggestion on what fence I should have used.
Judge 2: The lot is probably a bit small for my vision I guess. The boys area was done because someone else got a comment about no boys area on her girly toy shop so I did a boys cave on purpose to balance the girly things. I would have rather not had a boys section as sim kids don't care one way or the other.
Stabbing your friends with swords is what it was all about. :D
Thank you judges for your comments.
haha somehow I knew the judges would not care for mine. But I really didn't want to download more cc although I did a couple of things, but fairy tale was what I wanted so that's what I did. :P
Judge 1: Floating roofs? I take it you mean the cones. They are firmly on the surface but that's as good as I can do cones. I went through a heap of fences and low wall combos so that was as good as I could do. I'd love a suggestion on what fence I should have used.
Judge 2: The lot is probably a bit small for my vision I guess. The boys area was done because someone else got a comment about no boys area on her girly toy shop so I did a boys cave on purpose to balance the girly things. I would have rather not had a boys section as sim kids don't care one way or the other.
Stabbing your friends with swords is what it was all about. :D
Thank you judges for your comments.
"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives." - Unknown
~Call me Jo~
#1193
10th Sep 2013 at 11:40 PM
Posts: 4,228
Thanks: 10340 in 107 Posts
Phae: curtain wall hangings, not sure which ones you're after but the curtains are Mustluvcatz ambrosia curtains http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=456294. the other curtains are from -maylin-'s pop70s set http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=282693. the lava lamps are by Kate at Parsimonious. the ceiling light in the orange room is the orion by holysimoly.
I researched 1970s buildings and that is one style that popped up on google images.
It is quite common to have 'drop off drives' or laybys as they're known in the UK in front of shops.
I researched 1970s buildings and that is one style that popped up on google images.
It is quite common to have 'drop off drives' or laybys as they're known in the UK in front of shops.
Want a specific style of house or community building? Why not take a look at my profile and see what I build and then come ask me to make it!
#1194
11th Sep 2013 at 12:44 AM
Unfortunatly Phae the ladder is not functional and neithr is the fire escape stairs, but you can find the stairs here and a new mesh of it to fit under windows here, the ladder came in a great set here The luggage recolours isn't a dresser its stairs, and they are working can get that here, the chairs are stacked using omsp, the chairs are from an older set by Najimu2 called Syokudou Dining, Not sure where I got this colour from but heres some here , so at least you have the mesh and a few recolours. It may be from simscave just not sure! If you wanted anything else let me know, I reall don't mind looking and thanks for all your great feedback, and to the others Judges, and also to JOnes for hosting, its been a blast! :D
Rome wasn't built in a day
Need help finding building items, check out my building blog https://bestbuilditems4sims2.wordpress.com/
Rome wasn't built in a day
Need help finding building items, check out my building blog https://bestbuilditems4sims2.wordpress.com/
#1195
11th Sep 2013 at 4:49 PM
I have just sent jones my scores, apologies for holding up the final result.
As I explained to jones, this last round closed just as I started making preparations to move to another country, so I've really had to focus on that (including overtime at work!) I found some time this afternoon to finish up my scores and comments, so hopefully you can get them soon and we can finally find out who won.
Well done to everyone who submitted an entry, it's been a great contest and some of the businesses have been phenomenal!
As I explained to jones, this last round closed just as I started making preparations to move to another country, so I've really had to focus on that (including overtime at work!) I found some time this afternoon to finish up my scores and comments, so hopefully you can get them soon and we can finally find out who won.
Well done to everyone who submitted an entry, it's been a great contest and some of the businesses have been phenomenal!
Like this post? You'll love my Tumblr! 😉
#1196
11th Sep 2013 at 4:59 PM
I've added in the rest of the feedback, but I'm leaving fairly soon, so the table will have to wait till later.
#1197
11th Sep 2013 at 8:12 PM
Phae - thank you for enjoying my lot
WCIF's infos...
Wrought Iron spiral stairs = tbudgett's here on MTS2
Ivy hanging plants = yggHangingBrooklynIvy - Yggdrasil (???) was with Spiffysims; now I have no idea where to get her stuff
Brown Cow rug = by Windkeeper @ TSR
Thanks for posting the latest comments - I'll let you do the "adding up" I know I didn't come in first But, I am curious to see who did! There were some really great builders in this group. I feel like I learned a LOT! Thanks everyone
Please ~ support my TS2 habit! Shop at my Etsy shops:
WCIF's infos...
Wrought Iron spiral stairs = tbudgett's here on MTS2
Ivy hanging plants = yggHangingBrooklynIvy - Yggdrasil (???) was with Spiffysims; now I have no idea where to get her stuff
Brown Cow rug = by Windkeeper @ TSR
Thanks for posting the latest comments - I'll let you do the "adding up" I know I didn't come in first But, I am curious to see who did! There were some really great builders in this group. I feel like I learned a LOT! Thanks everyone
Please ~ support my TS2 habit! Shop at my Etsy shops:
CatherinesJewelry ~ Artisan Jewelry
Catherine's MOUSE ~ Up/Recycled Jewelry
and Vintage Stuffeths
#1198
12th Sep 2013 at 5:34 AM
Theme: 4/5
I think some of the items are very 50s inspired, but others seem more from the 20s and 30s. I still it looks great though.
Its odd you thought that as most items were downloads from doing searches for vintage/Retro/50's, cant win em all though
Playability: 4/5
I can’t imagine there’d be any problems playing this lot – I think it’s just a shame that the shower is so far from the bedsit.
I forgot to put in there about that, was meant to say that the exercise to the bathroom helps his arthritis lol
Rome wasn't built in a day
Need help finding building items, check out my building blog https://bestbuilditems4sims2.wordpress.com/
I think some of the items are very 50s inspired, but others seem more from the 20s and 30s. I still it looks great though.
Its odd you thought that as most items were downloads from doing searches for vintage/Retro/50's, cant win em all though
Playability: 4/5
I can’t imagine there’d be any problems playing this lot – I think it’s just a shame that the shower is so far from the bedsit.
I forgot to put in there about that, was meant to say that the exercise to the bathroom helps his arthritis lol
Rome wasn't built in a day
Need help finding building items, check out my building blog https://bestbuilditems4sims2.wordpress.com/
#1199
12th Sep 2013 at 9:15 AM
Phae, for the WCIF I think you actually asked about the street lamps from my first entry lol
To save you scrolling back though I've found the link again; http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=302150
Thanks for all the nice comments regarding my entry. I wish I had more time to actually put effort into the interior. I rushed my choices on furniture and had not time to fully furnish and decorate so I just did what I could.
To save you scrolling back though I've found the link again; http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=302150
Thanks for all the nice comments regarding my entry. I wish I had more time to actually put effort into the interior. I rushed my choices on furniture and had not time to fully furnish and decorate so I just did what I could.
◄ TDS - TheDeadSim - Cam ►
#1200
12th Sep 2013 at 2:39 PM
TDS, likely! I haven't had a chance to load my game with all the lovely new things you've all shown me this contest. I'm just glad I liked them enough to want them a second time! I'm often finding myself going to these WCIF page links and then deciding they weren't as awesome as I thought, or get them downloaded and in game and end up deleting them there. Thanks for the link again! >.<
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