Richmond Manor

Created by: Estatica

The Richmond Manor sidesteps the McMansion look by appearing on a thoughtful lot that includes the always desirable feature of a moat. Sure, this moat does not go all the way around the house, but such a prominent feature affects your first impression.

The house itself is a smart collection of rooms that organically feed into each other. Inside the manor, the areas make sense in the context of each other.

The Moat

After creating the base of the house, sinking a moat is actually pretty simple with the Water tool. Hold down the left mouse button and simply trace the main line of the moat, and then go back over it, sinking the earth where desired and watching it fill back up with water.

After completing a pass or two, switch to the Smoothing tool and sand down any rough edges. When you have nice, smooth declines into the water, you can start on the bridge.

To create a patio or deck that extends out from the base of the house and goes partially over the water, you must create supports. Use the Wall tool here to create 1x1 squares on the ground.

Paint those walls with brick so they look like stone pillars inside of interior walls and then go up one level to place your patio/landing on top of it.

The patio needs a feature. An outdoor chess table is the perfect fit. It provides both Fun and Logic development.

Use the terrain textures to create rock paths around the grounds. There is no charge for this tool, so make good use of it like this designer did.

House Interior

The inside of the Richmond Manor is smartly detailed with very little wasted space. Note the clean line from the front door to the door leading on to the back patio with the chess set. Off this main drag is the staircase, which provides a natural division for the ground floor.

The kitchen is just off the main entrance. The kitchen incorporates an informal dining area in addition to the main dining table in the larger section of the ground floor. This small dining area is constructed of cheaper objects because it is off from the main entrance.

Sims entering get the benefit of Nicely Decorated when they come in the front door. They don’t need an expensive dining nook to maintain a good mood.

The study is tucked almost beneath the stairs as a way to place a solitary activity like using the computer away from more community-oriented living spaces.

The upstairs in the manor is nicely sectioned, too. The stairs lead up to a simple, tastefully decorated landing. Off this main landing is a sitting area for gathering with friends. Two bedrooms flow off the landing, each

with a small bathroom that uses a space-saving shower.

The table in one of the guest bedroom is decorated with accent items like Stack o’ Mags and a Beauty Box. These simple, inexpensive objects bump the room’s environment rating.