Building a Dynasty House

[VampirePlasma]

So this is like my 5th attempt for a Dynasty, and so for it's good I got Anges to move in and am using her money wisely. I've been starting at the computer screen for 30 minutes because I have no idea how to build a dyasty home, how big or how it should look. Anyone want's to share their inspiration? Any tips would be appreaciatte it. I am desperate  

[TheChronicR]

I believe starting with a small cottage that will eventually evolve into a mansion is the best option. If you have roommates other than Agnes or are going to (and don't plan to expand until a third generation is born or so) have, I suggest making "extra" rooms whilst keeping the initial shape of the build. Try not to spend all the money, and invest wisely.

[VampirePlasma]

That should work and I still need to keep space for the garden and the museum.

[TheChronicR]

That should work and I still need to keep space for the garden and the museum.

Don't worry about space. As experience has proved, a 60x60 lot is more than enough to satisfy all the needs. But not the darn 40x30 one in Bridgeport...

[VampirePlasma]

I tried the 40x30 in Brigdeport, ya that wasn't working.

[TheChronicR]

I tried the 40x30 in Brigdeport, ya that wasn't working.

But remember that you have Matthew Hamming and Lola Belle there. Of course you also have Thornton Wolff and Agnes Crumplebottom in SV, but who can resist the urge of catching that blue-eyed and thin-mouthed fella called Chris...

[kiko94]

But not the darn 40x30 one in Bridgeport...

I think there is an empty lot a little bigger, not sure how big exactly

[VampirePlasma]

Anges and her beautiful car... 
is there any fireplace that's fireproof? I could get the fireproof homstead thing, but I just want to know.

[kiko94]

about your last question I can't help, but for the general Idea here is somthing that Katluvr told me *it's a secret* *wisper*
  - bathroom:   small - 3x3    large - 5x5
       - powder room:   3x2
       - bedroom:  small - 6x6   large (includes sitting area for adults or play area for children) - 10x10
       - dining room:  6x8
       - kitchen:  small - 4x4   large (eat in) - 8x8
       - living room/study:  8x8 to 10x10
       - laundry room:  4x4
       - gym:  6x8 (can go bigger if you are placing more than 1 of each machine)
       - studio:  10x10 (bigger if you have more than 1 of each item - e.g., easel, inventing bench,
                     sculpting station, chemistry set)
       - nectar cellar:  10x10 minimum (bigger if you have multiple nectar machines, also, I like to add a
                              nectar bar/lounge area, so my nectar cellars can get quite big)
it really helped me figure out some basics when building

[Natsuko]

Start off with a cottage or small home, also, get your museum ready.
Make sure that you still have alot of money left to decorate.

Make enough rooms to prepare you for another generation. Also, make sure you have skill items, ect.

[kiko94]

Also I think carl's guide on building is quite good you should check it

[VampirePlasma]

about your last question I can't help, but for the general Idea here is somthing that Katluvr told me *it's a secret* *wisper*
  - bathroom:   small - 3x3    large - 5x5
       - powder room:   3x2
       - bedroom:  small - 6x6   large (includes sitting area for adults or play area for children) - 10x10
       - dining room:  6x8
       - kitchen:  small - 4x4   large (eat in) - 8x8
       - living room/study:  8x8 to 10x10
       - laundry room:  4x4
       - gym:  6x8 (can go bigger if you are placing more than 1 of each machine)
       - studio:  10x10 (bigger if you have more than 1 of each item - e.g., easel, inventing bench,
                     sculpting station, chemistry set)
       - nectar cellar:  10x10 minimum (bigger if you have multiple nectar machines, also, I like to add a
                              nectar bar/lounge area, so my nectar cellars can get quite big)
it really helped me figure out some basics when building

Start off with a cottage or small home, also, get your museum ready.
Make sure that you still have alot of money left to decorate.

Make enough rooms to prepare you for another generation. Also, make sure you have skill items, ect.

Very Helpful! Thanks!

[samoht04]

Room by room, that is how I first started off, then I wiped clean and built a mansion. My usual style.  This Chapter from my Dynasty shows you how I spent Agne's  Money, the first three pictures are the same room. I couldn't find any overhead pictures.

[VampirePlasma]

I just finished building! You could say I was all afternoon on 3 rooms. By the way, I skipped to the last page of your Dynasty. Samoth, the mansion is great. I don't have words to describe how beautiful that house looks! I am stunned. You have special building skills!

[samoht04]

Thanks Vampire! 

[Pam]

@Vampire:

If you haven't already, take a look at my Immortal Dynasty thread.  If you don't want to take the time to read it, maybe just scan through the pictures.  I tried to detail my house in the story as I built it from a simple one room house to a 5 or 6 level monstrosity.  The link is in my signature below.

[Seabody]

The tour starts on Page 18.

[VampirePlasma]

Thanks Pam, I have read your Dynasty, which I love and was what inspired me to do mine, but I looked at the house anyways because it's lovely. You can;t get tired of looking at a house like that!

[Pam]

The tour starts on Page 18.

Ha!  Thanks for that.  There are pictures of the house before that, though, when it was small and unremarkable.  Those pictures might be helpful, too.

[CarlosLordofTacos]

Wow! Out of sheer curiosity, I  just checked out the tour on page 18 to see how different dynasty houses look compared to "ordinary" houses, and Pam, that house is absolutely amazing!

I love it's zany charm and looking back to earlier chapters, I can really see how it's evolved. You have a lot of store stuff it seems, and you sure were pretty eager to use it all! Hahaha. (Now I wonder why I haven't seen anything by this exceptionally talented builder on the swap shop, hmm? )

[Seabody]

Ha!  Thanks for that.

Don't thank me, thank my Maths whiz mother. She calculated the page from the page it was when there were ten replies on a page.

[Hosfac]

I always find it remarkable when someone can start off with a one room shack and have it actually evolve into a house that's livable.  I've never been able to do that.  It always turns into "Frankenhouse."  Then I get scared of it, transform into a mob of angry villagers, and end up killing it with fire (figuratively speaking, of course).

[RunAmokSims]

I've never done a dynasty but I have done some multi-generational families.  I always love starting with a small house than can be built onto. One of my favorite authors, Norah Lofts, did several books on houses like that. If you ever get the chance read her trilogy of the Old Vine house. I think it's "The House At Old Vine,The Town House and The House At Sunset.  It will really spark your imagination.

[Sportsfan]

How I do it is probably the worst way possible, but I just have my sims live outdoors, and as they get money I spend it to slowly build the house. I have an idea from the start of what I want it to look like, including all the rooms for every generation all planned ahead, and then I build on it when I can. The problem with this is that it can be unfinished for a long time.

[Pam]

Wow! Out of sheer curiosity, I  just checked out the tour on page 18 to see how different dynasty houses look compared to "ordinary" houses, and Pam, that house is absolutely amazing!

I love it's zany charm and looking back to earlier chapters, I can really see how it's evolved. You have a lot of store stuff it seems, and you sure were pretty eager to use it all! Hahaha. (Now I wonder why I haven't seen anything by this exceptionally talented builder on the swap shop, hmm? )

Thanks so much!  I have a long standing disagreement with the members here regarding my ability (or lack of) to build houses.  I say that I don't have any creativity and that I'm not a good builder, then they point to my Dynasty house and say I'm wrong.  Haha!  But really, I can't just start with an empty lot and design a great house.  My mind just draws a blank. 

I have to admit that my Dynasty house is pretty fantastic, but it was built little by little over a long period of time.  You probably saw the first version where it's just one big room for Carina and Christopher.  I just added to it as the need arose.  I do have a lot of stuff from the Store and some was purchased specifically for use in that house.  A lot of the room colors have a rhythm to them (aside from the obvious living areas that go with each Immortal).  For example, Cinnamon's room was red and her daughter is Scarlet.  Scarlet's room was pink and her daughter is Bubblegum.  They were hints as to what the name of the next generation would be.  I didn't do that all the way through, but that's an example of where my mind was at the time.  Of course, each bedroom absolutely had to be a different theme, too.

I submitted a small house to our first building contest that wasn't too bad.  I've lost the file in my current installation, but I might be able to retrieve it from the Exchange and put it in the Swap Shop.  It's a starter house for around $16,000.

[samoht04]

I have to admit that my Dynasty house is pretty fantastic.

Looks like our side is starting to win here!  Also you said you added as needed but really, if I did that I'd end up with a sprawling complex rather than a house, you thought about where to put stuff, you must have done it right because you kept the same house till the end. I'm on my fifth Legacy House and my Second Dynasty house now, although I am hoping this Dynasty one will last my ever changing moods.  I'm nearly ready to do a House Tour of my Dynasty House, I'm going to have to expand it though, I just realised the Bedrooms are too small and there are only 7. So once that is done I'll get the Tour done and post a link here as well.

[Seabody]

Thanks so much!  I have a long standing disagreement with the members here regarding my ability (or lack of) to build houses.  I say that I don't have any creativity and that I'm not a good builder, then they point to my Dynasty house and say I'm wrong.  Haha!  But really, I can't just start with an empty lot and design a great house.  My mind just draws a blank. 

I have to admit that my Dynasty house is pretty fantastic [...]

Well, after that, my debating mind is now trying to get rebuttal on the points that you brought up...
Debate-talk aside, I now see where you were coming from in those "arguments". I still remain adamant that you are a fantastic builder, and I am waiting with baited breath for the Dreamweaver house to be uploaded (should you choose to).

[TheChronicR]

It's also worthy to note that if you're on the first generation and are dependent on the money of Agnes/Thornton/whoever it is, you might not be able to make all your illusions come true. This is where the money factor kicks in, and you can't help but satisfy yourself with the current build, in hopes to earn enough to expand it as soon as possible.

If anyone wants, my Dynasty house in Bridgeport can bee seen here. It's actually a tad bit difficult to make something decent in BP, because the Dynasty/Legacy lot is on a slope and is comparatively smaller than those in Sunset Valley etc.

[samoht04]

It's also worthy to note that if you're on the first generation and are dependent on the money of Agnes/Thornton/whoever it is, you might not be able to make all your illusions come true. This is where the money factor kicks in, and you can't help but satisfy yourself with the current build, in hopes to earn enough to expand it as soon as possible.

I also suggest keeping a large amount of money back for Real Estate. Now at Generation 4 I have earned back all the money I have spent on Real Estate.

If you have a Dynasty in Twinbrook and don't mind moving in several people, DeAndre Wolfe has a Car worth $105,000 and briings in $20,000. Then move in another rich Sim and you could get another $50,000. 

[TheChronicR]

I also suggest keeping a large amount of money back for Real Estate. Now at Generation 4 I have earned back all the money I have spent on Real Estate.

If you have a Dynasty in Twinbrook and don't mind moving in several people, DeAndre Wolfe has a Car worth $105,000 and briings in $20,000. Then move in another rich Sim and you could get another $50,000. 

Twinbrook is good, but Bridgeport is better. You have Lola Belle and Matthew Hamming (who are mighty rich and the latter is rather handsome). I also recommend moving in the "Bridgeport Hagness", Olive Kipling and maybe partners for the ladies -- Jack Porter (maxed out Mixology (oh well), level 5 Cooking, two need bars are permanently frozen) and Like Reddy (level 5 Painting, maxed out Mixology/Gardening) are good choices.

As a matter of fact, I'm using this exact plan in my official dynasty, except I move in Michael Sleep instead of Olive Kipling, as a spouse for Lola and the father of the second generation. I realize that when the second generation is born there will already be 8 Sims in the house, but since Matthew and Lola are Adults (I believe Lola is halfway through it already), and I'm going to make all my Sims wait till they are nearing their Adult birthday to try for baby, I don't have much to worry about. Oh, and Michael, Jack, Liko and Olive are all homeless townies, so it's still a question whether they'll be in the Dynasty household or not, as there is a sheer possibility of them becoming vampires.

[Anushka]

I'm not shore how, but I have way to much money very soon in dynasty. First day(s) they don't really need a home, bed and fridge and toilet will do. When I started just with Jamie Jolina (she bring around 20.000), until generation 2 became YA there was more than enough money for nice house, and until generation 3 is born they had thousands of simoleons.
In last attempt (still active) I moved in Agness too,  and join firefighter career for founder, so by the time second generation reach YA they are worth around 750 000 plus 2 properties! At first I made them small home that has only 2 small bedrooms, just a regular home up to 50.000 furnished but with all that sculpting, painting, photography, writing and medical and firefighter career, they are already insanely rich (and Agness is still living on normal lifespan). Only now I'm building huge home, that is still not as huge as in previous attempts because of the file size. One large bedroom for all immortals to sleep in and one large bedroom for current immortal too be (and it's spouse and child). I'm not planning to add nursery etc. One empty room for sculpting, and outdoor party/skilling areas. Museum is part of basement that has no stairs - to keep portraits and ambrosia out of reach. First mansion I made for dynasty had 9 bedrooms including tomb themed hideout, and so many things, but file became so huge and eventually I had to gave up on them because of that, so keep that in mind from the start.

[TheChronicR]

...but file became so huge and eventually I had to gave up on them because of that, so keep that in mind from the start.

Yes. Exactly that. And now, with memories, save files tend to get huge in literally no time.

[Joria]

Can you turn memories off?

[TheChronicR]

Can you turn memories off?

You can only turn off the pop-up notifying you that your Sim got a memory, but memories will still register, both for townies and your Sims.

[Sportsfan]

In a dynasty house; is it necessary to make 8 bedrooms or could I have some share?

[samoht04]

In a dynasty house; is it necessary to make 8 bedrooms or could I have some share?

Nope, Metro himself only had two bedrooms. One for Reproductive Purposes and then a 'Communal Area' for anyone not in the breeding season.

[Sportsfan]

Nope, Metro himself only had two bedrooms. One for Reproductive Purposes and then a 'Communal Area' for anyone not in the breeding season.

I saw that. Can two of the immortals sleep in the same bed if they aren't married?

[TheChronicR]

I saw that. Can two of the immortals sleep in the same bed if they aren't married?

If they are friends, yes. If they are less than friends, then they will throw a tantrum and refuse to perform the task given to them.