Memphis Belle~~Wicked Sims Exclusive!!

[OolongAiki]

It's been said that the demise of our neighborhoods began when porches started disappearing from the fronts of our homes.  While such a statement is obviously an oversimplification, the re-emergence of the front porch has been vital to the planning and philosphy of new traditional neighborhoods all over the U.S. to recreate a strong sense of community.

Funny thing is, that philosophy, which began in the Deep South, never left here.  Even in thriving metropolises like Atlanta, Georgia and Fort Worth, Texas, tucked away just out of sight are neighborhoods that look like they did just before the Industrial Revolution.  Time stands still in these places, or at least, it's taking its sweet time catching up.

Within these neighborhoods, there is a sense of identity, which exists even within small Southern towns as well.  For example, if you were to speak to one of the residents of my hometown and mention that you were looking for "Baptist Hill", they could tell you exactly how to get there, even more accurately than if you had a street address.  It's this identity within an identity that gives small towns in the Bible Belt their strong sense of community.

The significance of the front porch is vital to home designs like the Memphis Belle, which was carefully crafted to create private outdoor spaces: a hidden porch on the ground level and a splendid balcony that runs the entire length of the upper floor.  This award-winning side-yard home, designed by Larry Garnett of Fort Worth, Texas, can be found in the traditional neighborhood development of Harbor Town in Memphis, Tennessee.

My thanks to:
Tolli for the fullsize modern window at www.simgedoehns.de

macarossi at MTS2 here:
http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=162831 Eclectic Expressions Doors and Windows by macarossi

Simnuts101 for the Le Petite Trianon collection here:
http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=146562 Le Petit Trianon Collection by simnuts 101

I hope you and your Sims enjoy this house as much as I did building it.  Welcome Home.

[Taeryunn]

It's so encouraging how much thought you put into your homes! The history behind them creates an atmosphere, which in turn speaks in volumes of the type of sims who would reside there. Personalities, motivations, etc.

I think that must be very similar to what the architects are hoping to achieve when they build real houses.  

[OolongAiki]

Thank you!  That's the point behind this series of homes; to provide them with the same sense of history that the originals have, and to give them character.  That way, your Sim's neighborhoods don't end up filled with lots of 'boxy' homes with no character or imagination.  I can point to every home in my neighborhoods and tell you the home's name and a bit about it.  Cool, huh?

[Taeryunn]

Extremely! The only thing I could point out about the homes around mine is that all of them were built in the 70's, and they all have that awful putrid green color for their bathroom countertops. Meh.

[OolongAiki]

The 70's eh?  Are any of them inspired by the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright?  The ones around here that wre built in the 70's were inspired by that great Roman architect, "Ranchus Homus"

[Taeryunn]

I think the only thing inspiring the houses here were 'special' brownies. It's the only way I can explain why the architects thought the cookie-cutter housing would be such a fascinating idea...  

Cheech: "Hey man.. I think we should make them all look the same."

Chong: " Yeah.. then.. at night they'll come home.. and they won't be able to tell which house is theirs! That'd be so funny, man.. hey, pass me another one of 'em brownies.."

[yukonpizza]

Beautiful home, OolongAiki!

Thank you for sharing. Born and raised and still living in the South, I love to see the older architecture of the porches and breezeways of days gone by.

I agree with Taeryunn about your "history" and introduction of the houses you make.

I downloaded it, so now I hope it plays with my meager base game and UNI.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well as your creations.

[OolongAiki]

Since I've heard of a lot of people with only the base game and Uni, I'm going to jump through extra hoops to make homes using those two games.