Created for: The Sims 3

Ok, so I got some heat over my last build, which I had advertised as a 'Starter' for $32,000. Considering my usual monstrosities typically pork-out somewhere between $400,000 and $600,000, I thought bringing in a starter home under $32,000 was showing incredible restraint. But, as nice as my last 'Start Here' lot was, it really didn't do anything for the new (or seasoned) game player who might want a stylish, but purist, 'non-cheat-code' starter home to plunk a freshly-baked Sim into. And since Christmas isn't really much fun without some panic-last-minute shopping, I decided to challenge myself and build (and furnish) a true starter home for less than $16,000. In two hours.

I really had to pull out all the design secrets and stops on this build. I used every build-option I could think of to save money - everything from colouring the grass into the flagstone interior floor, to pasting up the cheapest wallpaper available, then re-colouring it into brick, wood and tile. I used pattern, colour and texture to create the illusion of wall art and expensive area rugs, and each furniture piece was selected simply because it was the least expensive available (then re-coloured to match the interior). All the landscaping plants (baby bamboo trees and hydrangeas) were selected because of their price-point - the hydrangeas are only $1 a piece.

There were a few design splurges, like the clear-storey windows and glass entry door, but some of the best design, like the interesting roof lines and the lot contouring, were free (and yes, even the mailbox and garbage can have been designer-matched - sorry, I just couldn't stop myself....) Best of all, if placed on any small 20 x 30 $1,200 lot (like this one on Maywood Lane in Sunset Valley), 'New Day' comes in at $14,603.

So why dump your poor, new Sim into a dreadful, run-of-the-mill EA starter house? Don't you think all the plucking and pulling they just went through in the CAS system was torture enough? Why not show them some mercy? Let your Sim's 'New Day' begin here!

All build and decor items are available free of charge, compliments of the talented artists who take the time to create these incredible objects and patterns, and then simply share them. Most are available here on TSR for download, so please take the time to download the patterns and objects to completely enjoy this lovely home.

Additional items that are available off-site as free downloads:

Living room Regency chairs (only $15 each!!!) are available from MK Sims:

http://mk-sims3.blogspot.com/2009/12/blog-post_20.html

And the living room sofa (only $99.00!!) is compliments of XM Sims:

http://www.xmsims.com/sims3/ehtm/object/livingroom001.html

If you would like to view the 40 photos and slides of this build, please visit my .mac mobileme gallery:

http://gallery.me.com/bigmusclepaul#100095

Short URL: https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/939998 Copy

ItemID: 939998

Revision: 2

Filesize: 5 MB

The TSR Creations below were used in this Creation.

14 Creations in this set

Select all

Select none

1

Table coffee

Item Description + Polygon Count

Table coffee

2

Lighting floor

Item Description + Polygon Count

Lighting floor

3

Black and White Collection v2.1

Item Description + Polygon Count

Black and White Collection v2.1

4

Black and White 1 - by aloleng

Item Description + Polygon Count

Black and White 1 - by aloleng

5

country counter plain

Item Description + Polygon Count

country counter plain

6

VegaChair

Item Description + Polygon Count

VegaChair

7

Privatev3-1Tile

Item Description + Polygon Count

Privatev3-1Tile

8

Plain-1 Tile

Item Description + Polygon Count

Plain-1 Tile

9

Fabric14_Floral

Item Description + Polygon Count

Fabric14_Floral

10

Mocha Brick Wall

Item Description + Polygon Count

Mocha Brick Wall

11

Black Rose

Item Description + Polygon Count

Black Rose

12

Classic Decking

Item Description + Polygon Count

Classic Decking

13

Hangeul (the Korean alphabet)

Item Description + Polygon Count

Hangeul (the Korean alphabet)

14

Blue Mosaic v2.

Item Description + Polygon Count

Blue Mosaic v2.