Originally I started this on Boxing Day because I needed something for my Sims to do to "report" about - that combined with the desire to build a house for them in Windenburg. So far I have posted my updates on this in the Favorite Screenshot and Exited for Get Together threads, but as it is turning into quite a bit of a story (may eventually just be a dairy of my main save
) I have decided to actually dedicate a thread to it. I'll copy the previous chapters/episodes, so you can all get up to speed without switching to other thread
~*~ This Could Be the Perfect Lot! ~*~
Stephanie and Adam are taking a look at a lot that is for sale on the Windenburger Insel (or is it Île de Windenbourg?
).
It's a lovely spot, perfect for building a dream home.
"Do you like it as much as I do?"
Just behind the lot there's a nice bit of beach, with a bonfire (they took off their sweaters for a moment, that fire is rather hot).
(so romantic
)
"Do you think we should buy the lot?"
Once they've returned home, it's time to call the estate agent...
...who, surpsingly, is at work
and happy to make a sale.
Now this calls for a celebration
Doesn't a "Sold" sign look wonderful?
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In the meantime, Sanders Architects have been hired to design the house. Gareth Alleyn, CEO, and Trevor Warwick, master architect, are going to check out the lot - together with the estate agent (because a lot of people said they liked her ).
The guys are going to do a bit of measuring (it's 40x30, oh really? )
Trevor immediately has some inspired ideas for the house.
While he's putting the most important ideas in his phone, the estate agent shares some info with Gareth.
Then the three of them discuss a couple more things (love this shot - the way she's taking a sneak peek over their shoulders )
The next day Stephanie and Adam have an appointment at the Sanders Architects Headquarters, to talk about the plans for their home.
Gareth comes to greet them (he doesn't like just sitting in his office being "the boss").
Then they sit down with Trevor, who starts revealing his ideas.
Stephanie and Adam are listening carefully.
And get to share their own ideas and opinions.
Looks like they're pleased about the plans...
...and so are the architects Obviously there will be follow up meetings and everything (but that would be seriously dull to depict ).
Trevor just got the results on the further measurements and test they did on the lot.
Something rather troubling catches his eye, time to ask Gareth's opinion.
Gareth wants to visualise the issue, so a few prints are thrown on the table.
Turns out that building the basement will be extremely difficult, due to the very hard rock the Island consists of - coupled with potential ground water issues that might arise when digging too deep.
They sit down to discuss and decide that Gareth should pay a visit to the estate agent.
She was unaware of the lot being unfit to build on. It may not be her fault but Gareth makes it very clear to her that she has to deal with this - or it will be very bad for both their businesses.
The next day Stephanie and Adam have an appointment at the estate agent's office.
They're rather shocked by the bad news.
And most certainly not happy about it!
Adam tries to cheer Stephanie up by telling her that they'll sure find a new lot that's equally good. The estate agent immediately tells them she knows of lot on a prime real estate location in Windenburg. Even though it's not even officially for sale yet, she says, given the circumstances, she can sure arrange something.
They're hardly convinced, but Stephanie and Adam decide to join the estate agent, it won't hurt to take a look.
Once they arrive on the lot, the estate agent, starts her sales pitch.
The couple are not at all impressed.
The estate agent tries even harder, talks about the beautiful surroundings of the Windenburg countryside, that must be at least as pretty as the Island.
Adam responds that she might be right about that, but ask if maybe, by way of compensation, something can be done about the price of the lot.
Desperate to save her reputation, her business and to avoid having to face the wrath of Gareth Alleyn, and maybe because she kind of feels sorry for her customers, she agrees ( causing her to have to deal with a rather greedy previous owner - she won't make a profit out of this sale, a significant loss is more likely).
Eventually everyone seems pleased (not sure if the estate agent is though!) Let's hope things work out better this time!
A little note on why I made this little detour - I found out that, should I move my Sims to the Lighthouse lot on the Island, which was my original plan, it would literally take an hour or more for guests to arrive - that really is a bit too much for me, especially now my Sims tend to host parties more often. So, the countryside it is! (where the home I intend to build will fit just as well )
The latest update on the house, while Stephanie and Adam are on vacation in Granite Falls...
...the estate agent and architect have arranged for the building permit to be given.
After that Trevor started digging holes for the basement, foundation and pool.
A few days later the concrete has been put in the pool (not filled it of course ) and the beams in the basement have been placed.
Once the foundation is in place, Gareth takes Stephanie and Adam (who in the meantime have returned from Granite Falls) to have a look at the progress.
That's looking good!
I will (probably) post the next update tomorrow
This is the build (that I stumbled upon in the Gallery) that inspired me to "build" in stages, rather than everything at once: https://www.thesims.com/en_GB/gallery/43D8B5529A1311E58A057B5F533B83B9
~*~ Brick by Brick ~*~
The ground floor beams are in place.
The porches have been built as well.
Columns have been added to the porches to support a bit of roofing that will be added at a later stage.
...and a tiny pier! The first floor of the house is almost done as well.
They applaud the architects' excellent work.
A.I.T.M (Alone In The Mars)
Forgotten Swans tribe
Hemera's Sims-story Corner
Hemera plays Sims 3
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
Let's take a look inside the house, Trevor is working hard on finalising something about the bath.
In the meantime Gareth is showing Adam and Stephanie the progress on the kitchen.
There's still a lot that needs to be done, but the couple is happy, things are slowly being put into place.
This causes Adam to make ridiculous suggestions about yellow walls and purple furniture.
Stevie explains that he's just joking and that they would prefer pastels.
When exchanging ideas on the bedroom interior, Nadia is mainly talking about the curtains, particularly how they would "frame" the beautiful view, privacy is a lesser concern.
Nadia tells Stevie that the writing room is going to make an awesome work space, especially when using lots of pink pastels combined with white.
Stevie is hardly convinced, but she just pretends to be interested, she'll decide on the interior for this room all by herself.
When Stevie joins them, Andreas is excitedly rambling about flower borders.
While flowers are alright, Adam tells him he does expect a decent amount of lawn, as well as a nice barbecue spot.
To which Stevie adds that she'd like a gazebo and would rather have a hedge around the garden than a fence.
Andreas is happy about the input and says there's plenty of room for all that and probably even a fountain as well!
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
Andreas invited Adam and Stephanie over to the Sanders Architects HQ. He starts a lively report on the plan fro the house and its progress.
Nadia pops in to say hello and says they really should make an appointment to look at some furniture.
Andreas asks Stevie and Adam to join him at the hot house where they can have a look a the new flowers that arrived last Tuesday. After a long story about flowers, Andreas asks what flowers they'd like and in what colours, and, apparently, his enthusiasm is contagious.
Next, they move on to have a look at the house, the large trees have been planted and the gazebo is ready too.
Indoors, all things in the way of plumbing and electrical are finished. The kitchen has already been furnished with cupboards and the large appliances.
Stephanie takes a look in the writing room, where several bookcases have been placed.
While Stevie is taking a relaxing bath.
A romantic breakfast for two
Adam takes Stevie to the park on a date.
They retreat to a quiet little nook, they'd like something like this in their own garden.
A little while later they take it to a sunnier place, by the fountain.
Adam, prepared as always, pulls a rose out of his back pocket.
Then there's a kiss..
Now what would they do after that?
Inspecting the shrubbery...
Like all good things, the date comes to an end (in style though).
Stevie is feeling postive and decides to make a wish - she's in luck, the wishing well grants her a nice contribution towards the new house.
Back at home, there's a romantic diner for two.
Followed by a bit of movie watching - it's not "Simder", but "Diamonds are for Sims" - which seemed more suited as both Stevie and Adam recently swithed to the Secret Agent career (but I didn't tell you that), no doubt caused by their friendship with the Goths.
As the credits roll, they retreat to the bedroom (which got a mini-makeover for today)
Best way to end Valentine's Day...
I also love it how you change Stevie's hair for different moments !
I actually wanted to post the next episode last weekend, but seeing as I've run into some issues in my main save (the one used in this story...) I wasn't able to. That basically means I was so frustrated I went back to playing TSM and left things as they were. Considering I will restart this save from scratch (I know I don't have to do that, but I want to), it may be a while before I will post a new episode. There's one chapter I can better make in the old save, and, in spite of the issues, I can - but I just have to put my mind to doing it.
For those of you who don't know it yet, I started a blog, to place this story (and others) on. https://mdianasanders.tumblr.com/
The direct link to this story (as I copied it there) is: https://mdianasanders.tumblr.com/tagged/thedreamhouseproject
In case you're interested, I'll also be sharing a new story soon, I may start a forum thread for it, but it will definitely be on my Simblr.
Things have been improved in the garden, the hedge has been planted, the gazebo is a little bit expanded and some of the larger structures have been placed. Andreas is pleased about the progress.
Just a quick check on the plans, it seems as if we're ready to start on the flowerbeds and grass.
Andreas does another check on the front of the house, things are looking good there too.
He makes a call to tell his customers that the house is ready to be used - the final work on the inside of the house was already finished yesterday.
Adam is just tending his plants as he gets the call, he's happy to hear about the progress. It's time to start planning the move.
A few days later Stephanie and Adam finally find the time for a party - not all their neighbours do though, apparently a lot of them work in the evenings.
The ones that are there are happily chatting, dancing and eating.
Of course, Adam en Stephanie sneak a kiss when they think no-one's watching, but Erin sure saw something
Stevie tells her neighbours that they should drop by in Windenburg for a cup of tea, and of course she plans to visit to Rivulet Street every now and then.
When it's time to say goodbye, it's words and hugs for Golluma...
...and Erin (whom they'll no doubt see again soon, they're in the same club ).
And waving goodbye to the others as well.
Then, it's time to clean, not just the mess from the party, but stuff needs to be packed, and some of it won't be going to the new house - more about that in the next episode.
As for the story, I do intend to make the next chapter soon(ish), after which the focus will shift towards my Sims for a while. I realised that you see them building their dream home, but you know next to nothing about them, but I've got a plan for that.