Who needs a realtor when you can just open a catalog and order your new home right out of its pages?
Back in the 1920s, people actually had the opportunity to do just that! Buyers had the ability to order their new home straight out of an annual catalog, choosing everything they wanted...from the house model and style, exterior and interior colors, and any extras that they wanted to include in their new home (at additional cost, of course).
Then-famous department stores Sears and Montgomery Ward were two of the leaders of the catalog home industry. Aladdin "Built-in-a-Day" was another...and, as the name suggests, these homes were constructed, painted, wired, plumbed, and finished within just a matter of days!
Despite the quick construction, these were good, quality homes. They were no different than any other house that was built using the "conventional" construction method, except that their materials were pre-measured, pre-cut, and pre-tested inside a manufacturing facility. The home pieces were then delivered to the new home site, where several workers assembled the home's many pieces, much like a puzzle.
I have always been fascinated by these homes, and have had the opportunity to even see some of them in person. Thousands upon thousands of catalog homes still exist throughout the United States...and, as you may have guessed, many of these houses also exist in my Sims' worlds! While these homes are much smaller than most of the large, awesome, sprawling houses that many simmers have built and shared on the gallery, my catalog homes each possess a 1920's charm that serve my Sims' well.
The purpose of this thread is to offer other Simmers a peek at some of my catalog home creations...and, if there is enough interest in them, perhaps I will upload them on the gallery sometime soon. Cheers!!
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3 bedrooms, 1 bath (which was not included in original floorplan)
FYI: Replaced the first floor pantry with a bathroom. Sims have needs, you know!
A Sears home.
4 bedrooms, 2 baths
A Sears home (and also my FAVORITE catalog home!)
4 bedrooms, 2 baths, butler's pantry and rear sunroom.
http://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/817478/hello-come-and-introduce-yourself
http://tinyurl.com/OneRoomOneWeek
http://tinyurl.com/rosemow
My Showcase thread https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/948861/rosemow-s-rooms-showcase
A Sears home.
2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and includes a small den/music room
A Sears home.
3 bedrooms, 1 bath.
An Aladdin Built-in-a-Day home
3 bedrooms, 1 bath
The Legacy of Bamboo Girl Updated 9/3/16
A Sears home.
2 bedroom, 1 bath, and a great starter home for Sims!
2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Never heard of Catalogue Homes. I always thought prefabs were a more modern "invention". Thanks for the info, it's fascinating. I just wish homes today had the same prices!
I like playing with the big mansions sometimes, until the sims go way across their house to wash their dishes or something, instead of using the sink two feet away!
Fun Fact: Built a few Sears Plan homes in Sims 3 but have not done so in Sims 4 yet.
Thank you for the compliment. These were fun to build in sims 4. We just need some more window and door and stair options because there are not many to choose from. You should post a few pics of your sims 3 houses, if you still have them!
I'm still waiting for two story columns so I can start working on the biggest Sears house---Magnolia.
A 1940's catalog home. Unknown vendor.
2 bedrooms, 1 bath.
A 1940's catalog home. Unknown vendor.
3 bedrooms, 2 bath.
2 bedrooms, 1 bath.
A 1940's catalog home. Unknown vendor.
A 1940's catalog home. Unknown vendor.
2 bedrooms, 1 bath.
I'd love, love, love to use some of these! Having them on the gallery would be ace!
Everything is more colourful in black and white
Really cool to see these. I had built a couple in Sims 3 and it was fun. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing
Let’s keep in touch on Answers HQ until the new EA forums are launched in July!
MY SIMS 3 STUDIO *** MY SIMS 3 SHOWCASE - Residential and Community lots with NO CC
CAPE ALBACORE WORLD COLLABORATION VIDEO TOURS
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