Creating an Upright Piano

This information was first passed along to me by Okester although I've seen several use the technique.  I think it's fairly ingenious!  I love having a piano that takes up less space without needing to download custom content.

This method of making an upright piano requires the Late Night expansion as you must have the keyboard!

First, turn on Move Objects.  This will allow you to place the keyboard and the furniture used as the upright in the same location.  Press Control+Shift+C and, in the text field at the top of your screen, type moveobjects on.  Press Enter.
Choose a bookshelf or dresser that is at least as wide as the keyboard.  One of the shorter ones will look more realistic, but the choice is yours.  Place it so that it is facing the wall and against the wall.  You should no longer be able to see the front of the object.

Now place the keyboard so that it is inside the bookshelf/dresser with the keys just sticking out the back of the object.  The keyboard should snap to this position when  using the placement grid.

Just recolor your two objects to match and you're ready to go!  I've heard that if you're using a wood grain, you may need to choose opposing grains on each item to get them to flow the same way.  I haven't experimented with this.  Don't forget to turn Move Objects off by using the above command but entering moveobjects off instead.


If you'd like to see and recommend Okester's tutorial over on the Sims 3 site, click here!

Placing a Wine Rack on a Kitchen Counter

Welcome to the new phase of my blog... useful design tips, no budget, no rules!  You know that architect's laptop you got when you joined the architecture career?  No?  Go get one!  You need to have a computer to do what I'm showing you as we're going to be using some special tips, also known as cheats, to get around the physical limitations of Sunset Valley.  Don't be scared... you won't ruin anything.  Or well... just make sure you have a copy of what you're working on before you try the more complicated tips.  ;D

When I was completing my last design challenge for SHGC, I started with the idea that a wine rack sitting on a counter in the kitchen would be easily accessible and at a convenient height.  It would be perfect for someone who enjoys wine but doesn't have the time or money to dedicate a basement to storage.  I thought "I'll just set this rack down on this counter."  Wrong!  The silly thing doesn't stay!  It's just another one of those quirks we live with in Sunset Valley.  Can't set a wine rack directly on a counter.

I got around this by stacking a wine rack on top of another wine rack, placing them against the wall, and then placing the counter right where the lower wine rack was sitting.  Seems like a physical impossibility, but we designers have our little secrets.

Want to know the trick?  Grab your computer and press Control+Shift+C all at the same time.  You should see a long blue bar come up on your screen.  In this, type moveobjects on and press Enter.  Now you can move design objects so that they overlap others!  When you're finished, just press Control+Shift+C again and then type moveobjects off to turn off the feature.  It's a neat little tip we designers use all the time, and you'll get even more practice with it if you follow this blog!

My one caution in this situation is to make sure the lower wine rack is the same color and material as the kitchen cabinet.  Because they're occupying the same space, you will sometimes be able to see the sides of both objects together.  Keeping them looking exactly the same will make them blend better so that it's less obvious.

Now take a look at the finished product!

From the Ashes of Defeat...

sigh

Well, I guess you know by now that I didn't make it into the last round of the competition.  Sorry I couldn't tell you earlier, but I was under contract not to spill the beans on the final round.  I've come to terms with getting eliminated and am happy with the redesign I put forward in my last entry.  I was going to whimsical elegance, but I think it may have come across as too cutesty.  Take a look and see what you think:

Personally, I'm really proud of my bistro seating and think the circular awning is very chic.  I also love my wine rack in the kitchen.  There's a trick to getting it to stay up there... more on that in a bit.

On the other hand, I'm really happy that the contest winner is my favorite DIY designer... Gianna!  She won the final challenge which was a redesign of an entire house!  I gave her my business card and she thought she might be able to use me a local resource for finding interesting decorating objects. :D  I'm so thrilled!


Where do we go from here?  Well, I've generated enough professional interest from the show to be able to quit my job at Harga's (love you Harga... but I won't miss the job!) and support my sis and nephew by doing design jobs around Sunset Valley.  I've even got a long term writing contract in the works with the Serenity Point Chamber of Commerce.  It's a cute coastal town not too far away, and they're contracting me to write features on homes and businesses to garner some interest in the town.  They're undergoing a huge beautification process right now, so the features won't start coming out for another month, but keep your eyes open for them!  (You can check out their beautification project at http://magically-simlicious.blogspot.com/)

As for this blog... It's staying around!  Yep, I'm going to continue the blog so that I can keep sharing cool design tips with you, just as I did during the contest.  I'm not going to stick to a low or high budget as the goal is simply to share design tips that I find witty, fun and useful.  This takes us back to the wine rack I was talking about earlier.  Wondering how it all fits together?  Check out the next post!

Round 3 - Master Suite Redecoration

I just found out that I passed round 3 and get to stay in the competition!  The task was to redesign and/or redecorate Agnes Crumplebottom's master suite.  She wanted color, a place to work on writing and a place to read.  She's also frugal, so the goal was to use as little of her 20,000 simoleon budget as possible.  I felt a little guilty about not being as frugal as others, but I firmly believe that where you sleep (and work, if it's at home) should be a safe haven for your mind and body.  I splurged a bit for indulgence's sake.  I'm incredibly impressed that one of the contestants redid the room for no cost and would have been able to actually give Agnes 1 simoleon back!

Anyway, here is a transcript of my presentation to Agnes and the SHGC team:

 Let me introduce you to your oasis of calm and focus.

 
Your goal was to have a sanctuary where you could retreat from guests and stress to focus on relaxation and your writing. Since this area is solely for your use, I've been able to focus on luxury and relaxation instead of separation between the different areas of the master suite. We've gone a little high on the budget, but I think you'll agree that what we've gained is worth the price, particularly since we've reused many of your current pieces and used the budget on important additions.

To maximize the relaxation potential of this intimate area, I've incorporated feng shui principles into its design. Whether or not one believes in the flow of energy, feng shui emphasizes practical design ideas that benefit any room. According to scientific study, certain shades of blue release calming chemicals in the body, so that is our main color. According to feng shui, the most relaxing bedroom colors are "skin tones", so I've accented with cream and spice brown. To enhance a relaxing spa feel, I've used natural wood furniture in both medium and light colors.

Since you love the wood flooring in your bedroom, I've continued that into the bathroom. I've also had the window frames stained to match. I've brightened the sitting and study area with floor length windows while keeping the sleeping area cozy with no windows but candles instead. The bed, covered with natural fiber sheets, is in its own alcove and has a view of the door but is not directly in line with it. According to feng shui, this gives the bed a commanding position in the room. This, combined with the strong headboard and lack of windows around it, provides protection and support while you sleep. Your bed was already perfect for feng shui, and I've continued your nightstand arrangement as the symmetry grounds the bed.

Keeping our feng shui concepts in mind, the soft candle lighting has been continued throughout the suite. To minimize the electricity used in this bedroom retreat, only candlelight has been used. The led alarm has been replaced with a quaint wind-up clock. Don't worry.  It's guaranteed. And your tv is still around, just in family storage, so it can easily be placed elsewhere in the house.

Our one electrical device is the computer. I've chosen a top-of-the-line model which will allow you to work without frustration. I've created an inspiring and slightly dramatic theater setting for this repurposed desk to encourage creativity. It's also been placed in a commanding position in the room. The chair has specifically been chosen to give the highest comfort possible. I know you enjoy the romances, so I've chosen a mysterious and romantic piece of art as inspiration. The spice brown fabric framing the desk also sets off the bedroom door and is used in the bathroom rug, so we have pattern continuity throughout the suite.

And now we come to the focal point of both areas. There's nothing more relaxing to me than a cozy fireplace in the bedroom, and nothing more luxurious than a fireplace in the bathroom. I've opened up the space between these rooms to allow them both to share the same fireplace. The firebox itself is the same metal carried out in several accents around the room, and the rest is smooth wood of varying shades. I've refinished your loveseat and reused it here. The subtle blue cherry pattern is repeated in reverse in the bathroom. The bookshelf is natural wood with tastefully arranged plants. The floor candelabras provide reading light.

Moving into the bathroom, you'll find that this is an area for releasing any stress of the day. The stone tub is set near the fireplace for ultimate comfort and pampering. I've chosen to add a shower and have repeated the lovely wood variations used on the fireplace. While this is a fairly open floor plan, you'll see that certain private areas are maintained. Similar to the bed, the toilet has its own alcove hiding it from view. This was essential because I didn't want to hide the beautiful - and large - windows with blinds. However, there are curtains on the windows for the times when the shower or bath is in use.

A comfortable chair that incorporates the bed's drapery pattern is conveniently placed for dressing and relaxation in front of the lovely view. The shape of these gorgeous windows has been continued in the vanity mirror. I've chosen a single stone sink with large natural wood counters, again finished on top with the wood used in the fireplace. You'll have ample storage in this bathroom! A little greenery highlights the vanity and a candle display has been created on the counter.

I think I've created a room that is focused on relaxation, healing and love. You've seen the wonderful additions I've made to the room: the fireplace, shower and inspirational study area as well as the convenient alcoves that open yet separate the suite. Now that you've seen this sanctuary, I think you'll agree that a price tag of 13,663 simoleons is a fair tradeoff for the luxurious oasis you gain. Imagine the books you will write in this room! The inspiration is all around you, both inside and through the stunning views. The nurturing atmosphere is designed to allow your mind to be free of the stresses of every day life and instead focus on what's truly important... your creativity, your abilities... you. This room is all about you and your dreams, and I think it will take you where you want to go.

Round 2 - Curb Appeal!

I made it to round 2 in the SHGC competition!  Our task for this round is to work with Chris Steel in Sunset Valley to make over the exterior of his home with the goal of selling it.  He'd like to buy a larger home for his new life with his fiance.

The competition is fierce this round.  Some of the curb appeal make overs are absolutely stunning and I love them as a completed home, but I had to keep the end goal in mind and decorate it with a goal of selling the house.  That means maximize charm but minimize personality unless there's a very specific type of buyer you know you can attract with a specific style.  I've posted my goals and changes below so you can judge for yourself.

My goals:

One. The home, above all, needs to be attractive and catch the potential buyer's interest the second they see it. They might be viewing a lot of homes, so there must be a focal point for them to remember. The house must be distinctive.

Two. While being attractive and distinctive, the style of the home still needs to fit into its neighborhood. The average buyer is not looking to be the only ultra modern house in a traditional neighborhood. They want a house that is similar to the others but better than all the rest. I studied the neighborhood your house sits in and it is predominantly traditional with a smattering of international influence. You'll see how this has influenced my design decision.

Last but certainly not least, the house must still be enough of a blank slate for the potential buyer to be able to visualize their personality superimposed on it. This means a lack of ornaments or kitschy decorations that might clash with their personality. The house should be predominantly neutral in color so that it's easy to repaint. 

I've kept all of these goals in mind and, I feel, met each in a way that creates a unique facade that will be the delight of the neighborhood. I have taken the "so old, it's new" approach so that the house matches its traditional neighborhood yet attracts buyers of all ages. Since the house directly across the street brings in international influence, I have created a "Sunset Valley Tudor". 

Instead of using the traditional white, I've chosen a light beige color that matches the feel of the neighborhood and is easily repainted. The facial boards on the top level are purely decorative and can be removed easily in case the buyer doesn't like the style. The roof has been evened and opened to allow the lovely decorative boards to be seen. The front porch columns have been replaced with a charming rose-covered basic style and the front door has been replaced as a highly decorative focal point.

Of course, our main focal point will be the small English garden in the front yard. The charming walkways are both decorative, with their beautiful stone, and functional as they provide clean paths to the front door, driveway, sidewalk and even storage shed. I've reused all of your flowering plants and think that the azaleas make a beautiful semi-privacy hedge to hide the walkway. I've also added shrub roses which are a beautiful low maintenance plant that's easy to grow and has a long blooming period. Covered seating allows the garden to be enjoyed in shaded comfort. The buyer will appreciate that it can be easily relocated and the seating is made of a durable stain- and weather-proof material.

The driveway has been relocated slightly to the right so that the large living room windows aren't blocked by a car. This touch may seem simple at first, but it will make a large impact when potential buyers tour the home and experience that expanded view for themselves.

The mailbox has been relocated closer to the home. Again, it's a simple touch yet adds daily convenience for the buyer, and they will notice. The trash can, essential for any home, has been hidden within a storage shed in the backyard.

It was very important to me to hide this out of sight. This has both a short and a long term benefit. Potential buyers will be turned off if they see even a reminder of trash when viewing the home, and when they see the shed they will be relieved to find an outside storage area for their own lawn and garden implements. It's been decorated in a charming style to match the home.  

Other small changes I've made to spruce up the home are to replace the stairs and railings with a less rural style and match them to the home. The back door has been recolored to match the front. Also, the back door light fixture has been replaced and lights have been added to the front. The lovely brick foundation has been stained a darker color and the windows have also been painted to match the trim.

I've had some general tidying done that requires more time than money, such as cleaning all of the windows and removing the clover from the yard which, while I personally find it nostalgic, can been seen as a weed and future work by some. While we didn't touch the inside of the home other than what the doors and windows required, I would suggest putting curtains up, at least on the windows viewable from the road. This lets the buyer know that you care for your home and raises its value in their mind.

I truly hope that you've enjoyed this curb appeal makeover. I think potential buyers will be entranced by its charm and you'll find that it attracts both older buyers, who love the old world style, and younger buyers, who love the international flair. It's the same lovely style but from two different points of view.

Double a Room's Apparent Size Just Like Myles Washington!

A lot of us decorating on a tight budget know the pain of having a limited amount of space.  Even when we have the room decorated as well as we can, it can still seem cramped and claustrophobic.  Myles Washington used the following trick in his SHGC entry to expand the appearance of the room.  He's essentially getting twice the apparent size!

Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors!  The largest impact will be achieved by using mirrors that cover the entire wall, as Myles did.  However, if you don't have the money to invest in full size mirrors, don't despair!  A large mirror over the fireplace or as a focal point on a wall still gives the illusion of a larger room.

When placing the mirror, first consider where the mirror itself will fit as a design element.  Myles used the wall that has the fireplace.  This adds impact to a wall that is already a focal point and makes a larger impression.  However, you will also want to decide how you need to expand the appearance of the room.  If you have a long thin room, making it appear even longer may also make it appear thinner.  Not the most attractive option.  In that case, it's best to place the mirror(s) so that the room appears wider than it would otherwise.

My one caution is to be careful with the number and placement of mirrors.  Keep it to the minimum required to achieve your goal and please please please do not place mirrors opposite eachother.  I know it's interesting to see ourselves dwindle into infinity, but the effect can also be headache-inducing and does not lend itself to a sense of comfort.  The one exception to this is in a bathroom or dressing room where you may actually want to see the back of your own head, but it's still better to have one fixed mirror and a second that can be used as needed.

Thank you to Myles for showing us this tip!

Creating a Unique Coffee Table Using Lance Lott's Trick!

This is an ingenious trick that I think you'll enjoy!  It lets you control the size of your coffee table and lets you change it on a whim.

Lance Lott's collection in the SHGC contest featured a coffee table made out of end tables.  I know, it's both attractive and practical!  Depending on the size of the coffee table you would like and the size of the end tables, you can use anywhere from two to nine end tables.  I wouldn't suggest more than that as you don't want it to dominate the room.  I think Lance's choice of six is the ideal size.

Choose end tables that are all the same design or, if you're feeling daring, ones that are a different design but have the same height and shape top.  Personally, I suggest all the same design but, if you really need to spice things up, paint a few of them a different color or stencil the legs so that they have the same background color with a little pop.

As with any coffee table, place them in an area that can be reached when seated but still allows walking space.  If you must choose one or the other, choose walking space.  I personally would rather stretch for the controller than knock my toes every time I walk by.  Since these end tables should act as one piece of furniture, place them as close together as possible.  I don't feel that a fastening device is needed.

Don't feel that this dictates what type of end table you need to use as your actual end tables.  You can either use the same tables used in the design or use a different one.  Just make sure that the end design feels balanced, attractive and functional to you.  If you used a stencil or accent color in the coffee table and want to use a different end table elsewhere in the room, carrying over that stencil or color can tie them together.

Thank you to Lance Lott for the wonderful idea!

Wall Design Tips Courtesy of Amélie Fabrice

I'd like to share a few design tricks with you from some of the other designers in the SHGC contest.  The first designer I'm featuring is Amélie Fabrice, second will be Lance Lott and then we'll finish out this showcase with Myles Washington.  I think both Amélie and Lance are design professionals, so look them up if you like their work and want to hire them for your own home!

Amélie used a textured effect on her walls that gives an interesting backdrop to decorations or can keep a large expanse of wall from being an eyesore.  You can recreate this swept finish using the following steps:

1. Add water to a premixed drywall joint compound until it looks like thick pancake batter.
2. Apply the compound to the wall with a flat trowel.
3. Use a texture comb and sweep the compound into the design you want.  It's best to always sweep in the same direction.  Experiment with the pressure you use and the length of the sweep to get a design you're happy with!

For more tips on adding texture, check out http://budgetdecorating.about.com/od/usingtexture/a/wall_texture.htm  Note the tip to never texture over wallpaper!  It can get messy, and then you'll have two jobs... cleaning up the mess and then redoing your walls.


Amélie also used various style and color frames to create an interesting wall design.  While these are all high quality frames, keep in mind that any from your local second hand or dollar store will work fine.  Don't like the finish?  Repaint it or stencil it!  You can even paste on an appliqué!  If you have a focal color for the room, such as an accent of bright red, this is a nice place to incorporate that color.  Just don't go overboard!  I think the most important thing to remember is spacing.  The design will look cluttered if they are too close together, yet put them too far apart and they won't look like a set anymore.  I suggest using Amélie's design as an example.  There's about two or three inches in between each frame.

 I hope you've enjoyed these tricks!  Thank you to Amélie for letting me share these ideas!

Gathering Techniques from Other Designers

Even though the other contestants in the SHGC competition are my rivals, some of them have shown some good techniques that you can recreate in your own homes, probably for less than it cost them!  I'd like to share some of them with you, so I'm working on getting permission from the designers to use their ideas and, hopefully, names and pictures.  I of course want to win the contest and I can hold my own, but I think I might continue highlighting the techniques the contestants use even if eliminated.  This is just too good an opportunity to pass up!

I'll let you in on a secret...  I'm a little starstruck over one of the contestants!  She's had a superstar design career even though she's fallen on hard times now.  I used to watch her on several shows, and her DIY tips are what gave me the confidence to recreate styles I love.  While I reuse furniture because it's inexpensive, she also reuses furniture in an effort to be environmentally conscious.  You have to admire that!  I hung around during the auditions and found out that she likes rockabilly music just like me.  I think we might be kindred spirits, but I'm too intimidated to walk up and say Hi.  Maybe I can work up the courage by the end of the show.  I can't let this opportunity to get to know her pass me by.  I mean, she lives in Sunset Valley now, so maybe we could become friends?  I'm off to pace around the floor and second guess myself. Now don't tell anyone my secret!  :D

SHGC's Next TV Star Competition

Aaii!  I didn't want to share this until I found out whether or not I was accepted to the show, but I'm a contestant in the Sim Home & Garden Channel's Next TV Star competition!  I can barely believe it, and I'm so excited I think I'm going to scream.  Again.  My sister and nephew have started flinching whenever I open my mouth because of all of the shrieks of joy! :D

The competition is open to the public so it's ok for me to share the details with you.  There are 15 contestants, myself included, and there will be several elimination tasks to pare down that number.  We're only in the first challenge so far, and I'm trying to stay confident.  Some of the most famous designers from around Sunset Valley are competing, although there are also hobbyists, like myself, and some with just an interest in decorating and a desire to learn.  I thought that last group wouldn't be any competition, but I was wrong!

Our first task is to create either a living room or bedroom collection and present it with both pictures and a description.  The first batch of entries has come in, and they're just beautiful.  Even the rich girl put together a stylish collection.  I'll try to refrain from bitter comments towards people with more money than they can use.  We shouldn't resent another's good fortune.  We should use it as inspiration to be successful ourselves.  Now if I repeat that 50 times, maybe I'll believe it.  Anyway, enough about that!

I wanted to share my entry with you because it includes some tips for reinventing furniture with a new theme.  I hope you enjoy the color scheme!  I find it very relaxing.
____________________________________

Collection Name: Parisian Charm

I'd like to present Parisian Charm to you. My goal was to take low cost and used furniture common to Sunset Valley homes and reinvent them with a dash of French inspiration. Instead of repairing with expensive materials, the focus is on using techniques that can be replicated at home on many different pieces. None of the seating, except for the dining chairs, is from the same set or even decorated in the same way, but they have been given complementary patterns and colors. 

I've given the collection one focal point and then mimicked its colors and textures in the other pieces. As the focal point, the armchair is one of the most expensive pieces in the collection. However, the style of chair that has been used is one that is common in many Sunset Valley homes. This chair can be recreated by reupholstering it with a scenic fabric, I've used a lovely scene from Paris, and then using a faux weave finish on the wood to hide any imperfections. This finish is continued on the coffee table, end table, dining chairs, couch legs and sideboard. The scenic fabric is only used in one more place: the seats of the dining chairs. Limiting the use of the fabric allows it to be a focal point instead of a chaotic mess.

The colors of the scene are then repeated on the couch and loveseat. The couch is decorated in a baroque pattern to evoke a faded elegance. The wood of the loveseat has been stenciled with a charming pattern which is repeated in negative on the dining table. So as not to overwhelm the loveseat, the upholstery is kept simple with a light woven fabric.

Metal accents are a dusky gold and are mimicked in the picture frame. The large rug ties the seating area together just as the curtains frame the breakfast table. If you have a lovely but short fireplace, it's easy to extend it with a mirror finished in the same material as the mantel. I hope you've enjoyed this French redo of a country home.

 

Laundry/Bathroom Combo

Sometimes we don't have enough space in our homes for a separate laundry room.  If it isn't the right time to build an addition, the washer, and dryer if you have it, needs to be incorporated into a preexisting room.  That's never a pretty sight, but you can ease the pain.

If you can't do more than plunk a washer down in a room, I suggest using the bathroom.  A garage would probably be ideal for getting it out of the way, but 1) who has a garage? and 2) who wants to actually pad out there when it's cold?  The bathroom is at least a room where people expect to see plumbing and appliances.  Also, people don't usually discuss what they found in there with others.  It will be less used than the kitchen, and the living room and bedroom just aren't options if you want to have a comfortable home.

As seen below, if you keep the washer away from the entrance and blend it in with the wall colors, it will be less noticeable.

Other options, if you have the space and budget for them, are using a wall, half-wall or even room divider screen to hide it from sight.

Welcome to DSI's New Home

I've mentioned in past blog entries that I wasn't satisfied with my hosting site, and several of you asked why I didn't do something about it and relocate.  Blogspot was suggested to me many times, so here I am!  For those who are reading my blog for the first time, let me give you some background information on myself and what I do.

My name is Ayana Gray, and I love interior decorating.  I studied interior design and art history in school although my degree is in English.  I love traveling and seeing new architecture and styles.  During one trip to Shang Simla, I absolutely fell in love with one of the houses there.  I knew I couldn't afford to buy it as a vacation home, so when I returned to Sunset Valley I tried to recreate the look in my own house.  I'd like to think that I was successful, and I did it within my budget.  Since then there have been some changes in my life, such as family coming to live with me who take up more of my budget, but I continue to recreate the styles that I love in friends' homes and in my own.  I focus on taking cheap or used furniture and reinventing it using interesting fabric and techniques.  I like to repurpose items like taking old drapes that are being replaced and turning them into throw pillows for the couch.

How, you ask, do I support myself since I don't advertise as a professional redecorator?  I write!  Writing is my passion, as I'm sure you can tell by now.  I've been submitting articles on budget redecoration to several design magazines and am starting to get a few things published.  I know freelance work is the bread and butter of a writer, but I'm really hoping to get something more permanent, like being taken on permanently by one of the magazines.  Since I am a fairly accomplished photographer, I have also been submitting ideas to publishers on a coffee table book called International Design a Budget or something similar.  No takers yet, but I'm still collecting pictures in case it gets snapped up.

To make ends meet, I work at the local Hogan's Deep Fried Bratwurst Biergarten.  You're welcome to come on over and say Hi, although I warn you that I look like a child in my uniform and pigtails.  :D

I hope you enjoy my blog and will check back often.  And if you need any tips on redecorating on a budget, post a question in the Comments area and maybe it will become one of my blog topics!