Hey everyone!
Finally, I can share with you the newest theme I’m going to create a few sets for. I had the idea of a cozy bookstore, but it started out very differently from what you see here now. I originally imagined this as a tiny bookshop, and ever since coming up with that name, I kept referring to the set that way in my mind. But now that it’s turning into a large bookstore, the name doesn’t really fit anymore.
Even though I’ve had this idea for a very long time and was really excited to finally start working on it, the beginning was very rough. I had two completely different vibes competing with each other, and I couldn’t decide which direction to go in, so I spent days thinking and looking through tons of inspo pics on Pinterest before finally settling on what you see here.
I even pulled out my tablet to sketch and get the ideas flowing, and that’s how I came up with this mix of styles—gothic windows, small American bookshops, and a touch of European vibe all blended together.
This first part will try to cover the main outdoor things for this store which if I have the ambition will be a cafe+bookshop. :D I imagined the cafe being downstairs with cute outdoor tables and upstairs you can read and buy books. I hope I can do all of these but if I feel it's too overwhelming it'll only be a bookshop.
So far, I’ve made windows, two doors, and this decorative column you can see in the picture. Everything is modular: the column is 0.5 tile wide, so if you turn on quarter-tile placement, you can fit them between the windows and doors. All windows and doors have a half-column at their edges, and when you place them next to each other, the columns combine seamlessly. The empty space for the store sign is also a different piece and you can put it above all sizes of windows and doors and together they reach full wall height. ogether, they reach full wall height. I’m planning to make some store signs that will slot into this space, but I’ve sized it so that in-game signs will fit as well.
I don't know you can see it on the main picture but the windows I used there are bay windows and I really like how they came out! For storefronts I think they are a must!
Next, I’m planning to make a fancy, large window for the upstairs, but I’m still gathering inspiration. So far, I have the ideas in my head, but I can’t seem to find similar references online. It feels a bit like waking up from a dream, you try to hold on to it before it slips away. That’s exactly how I feel with my ideas; I don’t want them to escape! :D
I hope you’re as excited as I am about this new theme! I’m planning for it to be 3 or 4 parts, depending on how it comes together. I want this to be a cozy spot your Sims can visit during the winter, to read a good book and enjoy some hot chocolate!