I built a small castle

Maybe Laird needs a castle that’s been converted into apartments 😅

The UK has a rule where extensions to historic buildings have to to be in a different style so that you can tell they aren't original. If you look at old castles you can see the different eras of construction between stone medieval original parts and half timbered/Georgian/Victorian extensions added later. A couple hundred years from now "modern" extensions will just be a piece of that history.

"Disrespect box" is my favorite description of modern additions ever

I can't believe James built a castle and didn't add a dungeon

As someone from a place with castles the thinking was never "aw, there's already a castle on that hill over there, it'd be so cringe if we built one, too". It was more like "look wife, the neighbour built a castle on their tiny hill, we absolutely need one, too. And bigger, too. And we will put bears in the moat!" Basically if you can see a castle from your castle you're good.

They bought an old little castle for the old money vibes and filled it to the brim with highly modern stuff to fit their new money identity. It just needs a fake moat/pool and faux heraldry on the towels. 😅

The castle kit's windows not fitting on curved walls seems insane to me. Turrets babe turrets 😭 Edit: Thank you to everyone explaining that traditionally turrets only have small windows and that the cathedral style windows in the pack don't traditionally go on curved walls, I wasn't aware. However I do feel that it would have been nice to have the option to place any of the new windows on curved walls, even if it is not architecturally accurate.

So, a few things about castles. 1. Most of them were made of wood, they would cover the wood in the lime plaster you mentioned, (it was more fire proof than wood.) 2. This is actually around the size most castles would be. They were for defense and were built in places needed to project power or protection. 3. The crenellation would typically be along the top of all exterior walls. 4. That frieze is called machicolation and would be open allowing archers to shoot directly down. 5. The portcullis would typically be recessed to allow defenders to pour hot oil onto attackers. 6. Typically, the windows along the defensive walls were just small enough to fire arrows out of (the windows on the turret are probably the closest to the current size. 7. There usually wasn't glass in most castle windows. (for obvious reasons.) 8. The sloped terrain actually is kind of accurate, it would make it hard to scale the walls. (usually this was down with the walls but you can't do that in the Sims). 9. Some castles did have pitched roofs (usually they were bigger than this though.) 10. If you do a bigger castle I'd recommend added an outer wall with the turrets so there can be a bailey with smaller buildings on the inside 11. Speaking of smaller buildings, castles were still around with the advent of gunpowder weapons so the armory was often built away from living quarters, I think we all know what happens if an armory catches on fire. I hope this was informative

Those llamas are gargoyles! They look like that because they originally are designed to get water out of the castle. But over time they just became decorative. Fun fact, if they don't have a fountain aspect, they're grotesques. Here in the U.S. at the National Cathedral and they had little kids draw the scariest monster they could think of for gargoyle ideas and some kid drew Darth Vader and they were like "you know what sure" and now we have a Darth Vader gargoyle.

I can remember at least 3 episodes of Grand Designs where the people have bought a 16th century folly and rammed a whacking great steel box into the side of it. And then they go bankrupt because the National Trust of Scotland are Not Very Happy and make them adjust it. And the presenter, Kevin McCloud gets to walk around the diasterously expensive building site, saying wise things about architecture and looking UNSPEAKABLY smug. I love smug Kev, he's great.

They did so good on the build materials! The lack of decor is a little silly. Just a handful of objects that could be used inside would have made all the difference. Maybe they have a medieval decor kit in the works for later on that could compliment this one? I don’t know, again it’s silly to have basically no decor with a kit that is heavily stylized and meant to represent a specific era.

For anyone wondering classical gardening styles to go with their fancy castles: French gardens are geometric and manicured to perfection, everything is placed symmetrically, look up Palace of Versailles. British gardens look like nature, think Edenic, organic placements but “layering” so that it’s low stuff in front and tall stuff in back, different colored plants are coordinated, look up Marie Antoinette’s Chateau at the Palace of Versailles.

I grew up in a farmhouse that had probably ten foot ceilings, and the cupboards went clear to the top on one wall. Stuff that was stored up there was quite forgotten, lol. It was where Mom put gifts that she wasn't really keen on, but couldn't throw away, doncha know. But the cupboards themselves didn't really look weird to me now that you mention it. Then later in life I moved into another old farmhouse. Same thing. I started putting extra toilet tissue and paper towels up there since the bathroom had very little storage. But I would forget about the treasure trove. When Covid hit, I remembered, and there was a big bonanza of paper products!

James not knowing what a gargoyle is is sending me. A traditional gargoyle acts as a water spout to prevent water running down the outside of a building off a roof. The gargoyle that you're probably thinking of from the vampire pack is technically a grotesque, as it doesn't have a throat Gargoyle: from Old French gargouille ‘throat’, also ‘gargoyle’ (because of the water passing through the throat and mouth of the figure)

In my expert opinion (joking - although I do have a Masters in British Public History and Heritage) Some buildings should be restored to their original 'glory', but... Not every building needs to be a perfect recreation of its past self. Buildings, and objects, and their purpose should evolve over time. Thats a huge part in the history of material culture. If by sticking a glass box on the back of a castle, it is saved from crumbling into dust, and it is loved as a home - thats just as important a part of its history as its days as a 'real' castle. I think the juxtaposition of modern next to ancient is actually quite beautiful and respectful in its own way.

I love it when James makes jokes about Grand Designs. I love that show but it’s so ridiculous sometimes.

Now I kinda want to see James do a proper Downton Abbey style period correct estate, kitchen in the basement, grand first floor, suites on the second floor, hidden staircases for the butlers and maids and their quarters in the attic (As it was back then) Just a very grand traditional British estate. I think it would be a bit of a challenge but also a good watch.

How cool would this theme be as an expansion pack? Like a new medieval style world with cross pack gameplay with horse ranch and cottage living. I think this should've at least been a stuff pack to include proper furnishings. A missed opportunity since the wallpapers etc look so good

Some of them were designed just to look good others were used as guttering so the mouth would be open to allow rain water out. So if you had a pitched roof the gargoils would be the drainage point for the room much like modern day guttering. Thet normally sat under freezes or roof trims

Laird definitely needs to purchase this and rent it out