WEEK 2 - IDC Country Charm - Kitchen & Dining
Isabeau D'Arbanville
I couldn't wait to get started on decorating the country style home I had created for the Focal Point Challenge - http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/0/235254.page#2932164 - read the details here but here is the brief:


Esther Rockwell wrote:

Hello again, I have forwarded the floor plans to the family and they love the designs. Mrs. Leawater sent me a lovely letter with a picture she would like to be used to as a design inspiration for her kitchen. Remember she is a Natural Cook so she will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

Enclosed with the note are two familiar pictures of famous prints
THE INSPIRATION
The Pictures are shown in the middle of my mood board (below)...and these were the starting point for my design. For me, the pictures are about textures, colours and shapes, and I needed to find a way to incorporate the yellows and blues and the 'roughness' of the textures with the country charm theme that will run throughout the Leawater's home.
Click on the image for a close up...

THE TEXTURES
For me, the Impressionist School of art is, principally about textures, but more than this, it conveys a rich, earthy and rustic appeal. I love yellows and blues together so I knew I wanted those as the main focus for the colour theme, but I wanted to choose textures that had a tactile element. For the walls I chose a sunshine yellow paint which has a faint flower imprint that becomes more visible the closer the viewer gets. I chose tiles that are uneven and irregular to continue the rustic theme; so the lving/diningroom zones are painted with the floral texture with a thin dado of cracked, lilac paint running along the crown. The kitchen has the same yellow paint but with a tiles crown and the bottom is tiled.


Click on the image for a close up

THE FURNITURE

The Kitchen was sourced from a fabulous craftsperson over at Vita Sims http://www.vitasims3.com/donation3.php - It is the perfect kitchen for a country style house, with oodles of charm and decorative details, truly a kitchen that someone could imagine spending the whole day baking, in.
We added thick beech wood worktops and painted the floor cabinets in pale lilac, crackled paint, whilst the wall cabinets were left in plain wood.


Click on the image to see a close up

KITCHEN DETAILS

Click on the image for a close up

A Belfast, porcelain sink and orange, patchwork curtains finished the look and the cabinets were placed in the kitchen nook in a U-Shape with a sturdy kitchen Island, dividing the living and cooking areas of the room. The tiles on the floor are handfired, small tiles, uneven and irregularly placed with colours in pale lilac, pale yellow and off white.

THE DINING ROOM

I wanted the dining area to appear friendly, inviting and homey, so I resisted the temptation to go for anything too formal. The table top was replaced with a solid granite in deep cornflower blue and the rustic, country chairs were upholstered with a plush cornflower blue fabric.
Clcik on the image for a close up

The cabinet maker made us a beautiful china cabinet for Mrs Leawater's collections and we picked up a wicker basket rack which can be used for a number of things, including magazines, knick-knacks or fresh or dried herbs.

BRINGING THE THEMES TOGETHER



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Country Charm - Week 1 The Plan
Isabeau D'Arbanville
To start with, I had to make a decision about whether I did an English style Country House or an American Style. I live in the UK so if the brief says the family is moving to your area, I suppose I should have done an English style property...However, English architecture is really boring, unless you have a few million to spend...and that wasn't in the brief :)

So I decided to look at American Country Style...and then asked my American Husband what his idea of country House Charm was. We looked at a few pictures and floor plans and finally I decided what I wanted to do...


EXTERIOR - FRONT
I was keen to make a house for the Leawater's that would be interesting and quaint - hopefully this hits the mark as far as "Charm" is concerned. I also wanted an open plan layout for the living area, as I think this is important for family living. And Mrs Leawater is a keen cook so I wanted to give her a kitchen where she would be able to spend the day or evening cooking, without being isolated from the family activities and, in this respect I think a dining area is a very important consideration for a family - it's often the only time a family sits down together and talks about the events of the day.

GROUND FLOOR PLAN








So here is the ground floor layout, with the open plan living, dining and kitchen areas and an adaptable guest suite that could be used as a study or library, if the family decided to do that.


1ST FLOOR PLAN

On the first floor are 3 further bedrooms, with 2 large bathrooms. I toyed with the idea of a master suite, but decided that, if this were my house, I'd rather have a larger bedroom, in preference to a smaller bedroom with an attached bathroom or shower room.

BASEMENT AND SUNKEN TERRACE
The most interesting (IMHO) feature of the property is the terrace and basement. I decided not to make a stairway from the main part of the house, as this would have swallowed up a lot of the space, and, since the family are only likely to use the basement for storage or as a den (I'm thinking somewhere the teens and their friends can go to hang out and listen to music) I felt it was unnecessary to have it accessible in this way.


BACK ELEVATION

I have left the landscaping for a future date (week 5, I believe) but the house is on a 40 x 40 plot set beside a river with woodland around, so I think there is plenty of scope for some shrubbery, ponds and pretty floral displays - especially on the top of the walled garden terrace, which will be perfect for barbeques and sunbathing.


Do keep watching the blog for updates on how the house progresses from this shell to a fully deocrated and furnished property.

:)
You can see from this view of the back elevation that the decking (off the livingroom) makes for a nice covered area, and behind that, are the doors to the basement.
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Focal Point IDC Challenge - Country Charm Chapter 1
Isabeau D'Arbanville
I have entered a Home Design Challenge over at the TS3 Creator's Consortium

http://builders.forumotion.net/forum.htm and thought this would be the place to showcase my design and also post updates as this month's challenge is spread over a few weeks...

If anyone else wants to give this a try - they are a fantastically friendly bunch - here's the direct link to the challenge thread...

http://builders.forumotion.net/idc-challenges-f101/focal-point-idc-81-progressive-challenge-country-charm-t891.htm#15435

Focal Point IDC #8.1 Progressive Challenge - Country Charm -Week 1 -Making the Plan *Due Tuesday July 20 MN EST*
Week 1 -Making the Plan -design a floor plan that meets the need of the
client(s) for this series. You can also get ideas for colors and style
at this stage.< Planning stage: This week will focus on the overall layout of the home and some of the landscape features. Here are some key points to consider. No decorating is required this week. You may paint the walls if you like but only basic colors. There will be more specific guidelines as we progress. •Read the Scenario including the letter and facts about the family. •Start planning your layout for the home. Use the following information to create your floor plan. •Moderate size lot 30x30 or 40x40 at most. •Country style homes with modern updates. This will be more important in the decorating stage. •Plan on 3-4 bedrooms. •2 full baths and a half guest bath. •Minimal Landscaping at this point. We will be doing Curb appeal and outdoor living space on Week 5 as final touches before uploading the lot. •Have Fun playing along in this design challenge


Focal Point IDC #8.1 Progressive Challenge - Country Charm


This challenge will be a Mini-Series over the course of multiple weeks. It is called a Progressive Challenge because each week is another step toward the completion of the final lot.

Each week will focus on a different aspect of Interior Design with the end product being a finished house to post for download. Here is an outline of how it will work.

I am going to create a scenario for a family that is requesting the home. The same family will be used thru this Mini-Series. *Creating the family will be optional.

Any one can jump in at any time. Complete the assignment for each week by creating a picture presentation of your design of the week. At the end of IDC#8.5 you will have the opportunity to showcase your completed lot and post it to be downloaded. Remember the idea is to test your creativity and have fun.

Background story for IDC #8.1 Progressive Challenge - Country Charm

Esther Rockwell wrote:

Dear Focal Point IDC Team:


Our clients are seeking a new home in your area. They are planning to move at the end of summer before the beginning of school. Cricket and Foster Leawater are a family of modest means and simple tastes. They both love older Country style homes with modern updates. Garrett is a teen and his sister Pearl is in Elementary school. They will need plenty of room to bring over a few friends now and then. The Leawater’s would like a moderate sized lot (30x30 or 40x40 at most) just big enough for a cozy home and maybe a small pond. The house will need at least 3-4 bedrooms and 2 full baths and a half bath for guests close to the main living area. Storage in a shed or attic or basement would also be a plus.

The family is on summer holiday at the moment but will be checking in once a week to see your progress. They will also be giving you a list of ideas to design the different spaces in the home. We are hoping you will help this lovely family find a beautiful home full of Country Charm.


Thank you,


Esther Rockwell

Rockwell Home Location Service

Here is what we know about the family so far:

•Foster Leawater YA [Dad]
Color: Yellow
Brave
Loves the outdoors
Excitable

•Cricket Leawater YA [Mom]
Color: Lilac
Green Thumb
Natural Cook
Eclectic

•Garrett Leawater [Teen]
Color: Brown
Loves the outdoors
Excitable

•Pearl Leawater [Child]
Color: Purple
Eclectic
Loves the outdoors

Will be posting my floor plans and a couple of teaser, exterior shots later....



Jude xox

Here is the brief:
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She who Darer's Wins
Isabeau D'Arbanville

Day One - Monday 1.30pm
After a spot of lunch on the run, it was time to go to my next job...in the swamplands in the pit of despair that is the Darer House...
Client: Juan Darer
Traits:
Handy
Kleptomaniac
Inappropriate
Neurotic
Insane
Brief:
Painting Room, with Easel
Budget $2,300


Arriving at the Darer house found my heart sinking...what a mess, this poor, poor man, what has society come to when we can't even provide out elderly and mentally ill members with a decent place to see out their remaining days?


It's only redeeming feature is the lovely pond with excellent fishing...I told Juan to go into town and have a coffee at the Red Rendevous, while I set to work on his house!
I basically demolished it - this was going to be an extreme makeover Sims3 edition :)


The budget was tight, so I salvaged his inventors table but really that was the only thing that was fit for purpose. I rebuild the house into an L shape, skimming a little on the budget by making the foundations into pillars - doesn't save much but it does save a little cash.


You can see by this picture that the kitchen/livingroom/diner was tiny and very grubby...and it smelled terribly :(
I gave him a brand new modern kitchen and included my trademark Trash compactor and Dishwasher. Between you and me, I also left him some Laundry equipment so he could, at least keep himself clean. Downstairs toilet and 2 bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs all in my signature blues and whites, and it was on to the large living room, painting room.


I decided to leave the downstairs very open plan...with large archways between the 3 zones. Gave him a large TV and a games system to play with as well as a desk and computer so he could chat to his friends on lonely evenings. I did a bit of landscaping in the garden and, to be honest with you, I used buydebug and left him with a little garden of Life Fruits to play with :)


He did like it, but, unfortunately (and unusually) I had left 3 of the walls in the downstairs cloakroom bare and undecorated - Juan thought this was "shoddy" and I have to agree...oooh La La


Anyway...home to bed and hopefully tomorrow I will get some more fantastic jobs ...
ID xox
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My First Design Architect Job - Curiouser & Curiouser
Isabeau D'Arbanville
Sunday 8am

My first day in Twinbrook and I had a lot to do before I could get to bed! Here's a brief rundown:
1) Register for the Design Architect Profession at the Twinbrook City Hall...
2) Take an Art Class at the local School for the gifted.
3) Take a Charisma Class at the City Hall - should have done this while I was there registering for the DA Profession - Doh!
4) Visit the consignment store and peruse their wares - perfect, they have a camera and a photography skills book.
5) Take some photo's around town...before it gets too dark.
6) Buy an easel and practice painting....
MONDAY 6am

Got up and practiced painting for an hour ---Fibeelay---Grab a bite to eat before I have to start work...

DON'T FORGET TO PUT THAT SKETCH FROM THE EASEL INTO MY INVENTORY


8am - First Job of the day

Name; Marshall Curious wants a writing room.

I visit Marshall and chat to him a little bit - I'm only level 1 so I can't take measurements and I can't "discuss Renovation" yet but I do learn a few of his traits:
He's a workaholic and a bookworm so (note to self) he'll need a computer, desk and bookshelves.
While I'm chatting I manage to snap a shot of him and his wife (who, BTW, is Family Orientated)...BUDGET = $4,500 and the requirements are - Desk; 2 x Dining Chairs; Computer; Living Chair; Sofa.
This is what their livingroom looked like when I arrived...Now, call me rude and snobbish if you like, but I think this is truly revolting. How do people live like this?

Some Sims have no taste or style and it's fairly obvious that the folks in Twinbrook really need my services :)I am going to be so, so busy over the next few months...


I start by, basically, deleting everything on ground floor, as well as all the windows and doors, lights, rugs, curtains...it all just HAS to go. I find that my $4,500 left in my budget has grown to about $23,00...yippeee...I can really improve the lives of these poor people.

I use some of that money to redecorate the outside - transforming it from the mud grey wood siding to a nice Ivory siding. All the floorboards are then bleached and lightened and then I choose a nicer window - larger, wood framed and slightly cheaper than the ones they had so it lets more light in. Also added a new front door and changed the roof colour to a nice forest green.LIVING ROOM




I chose a Pale and Dark blue colour scheme
- not that these people would notice, but I take pride in my work so I like to make it
nice, even if the client doesn't care what colour it is.I gave them a nice big TV and a brand new fireplace (both cc) because fires make for a cozy atmosphere. I put some nice deep blue velvet curtains at the windows and changed the stari carpet to a matching blue. A couple of expensive sofa's and a brand new comfy dining table with chairs and a recoloured rug to finish off the look and then it's onward and upward to the kitchen...blah!

KITCHENI don't know who the previous interior designer of Twinbrook was, but I suspect it was a heterosexual computer geek with a penchant for turquoise checks and old country style kitchen's.Anyhoo...I deleted everything - apart from the filthy soppy (and, may I add) stinking clothes on the floor - I just moved them to another part of the house, while I worked - the smell was making me retch :



I tiled the walls with a large stone effect tile with a pale blue ceramic tiled frieze along the ceiling line, then tiled the floor with the same stone effect tiles. This gave the room a lovely neutral canvas of pale stone for me to work my magic.
I then added essential appliances, top grade cooker, fridge, cabinets and microwave, as well as a trash compactor and dishwasher - no modern family should have to live without them.


THE BASEMENTI didn't even see this room until I'd almost finished the other 2 but there it was, a nice large basement with a designer's easel, sculpting station and TV. I deleted the desk, sofa and chess table but decided to leave the easel and other arty items.

Floors and walls were tiled with my favourite, stone effect tiles and I put a couple more lights in and around the room.

Then in went a Foosball table, TV, Comfy Chairs and a large desk with an expensive computer and not forgetting a couple of Bookcases for my bookworm client.

What an improvement :))

I finished off the job by checking that I hadn't left any walls or floors unfinished - always a HUGE no, no! and then I added some of my photographs, sketches and a few decorative items from Misc. Decor...I always try to use all my budget - except when the client is Frugal or Evil - and I had quite a bit left over so I bought them a pickup truck....

TURNING IN THE RENOVATION

Marshall was over the moon..he loved all the art and the personalised items (the photo's I'd taken of him and Rosy) and talked about how he was really going to be able to fulfill his dream of becoming a writer. He loved that I included bookcases, too...though he never mentioned the cool white pick-up in the driveway...or the garden ;)

Hoped you liked reading about my first day at work...email me if you have any questions...isabeaud@hotmail.co.uk

Bo'ana Fatu

And here is the Curious' House, after I had worked my magic...
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