Housing Rally 5-27-14 – Portals, places and things!

Welcome to the Homes and Tomes House Rally #16 – Portals, places and things!

We’ll start off in guild chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to raid channel once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Huell Kuerden, and tonight we’ll be looking at places that get you other places, along with a smattering of new houses just published! Portal Nexi can help keep all those dratted houses – complete and not – in some kind of order and easily accessible!

People have come up with many interesting variations on just how to do this, so we’ll be looking at some beautiful efforts! And now on to the tour!

By the way, lots of people on our tours have extensive decorating/design experience and are happy to help, so if you have any questions feel free to ask!!!

As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! Try to wait until everyone zones in to Like a house though – otherwise the house can shift in the list and make it hard to find!

DON’T FORGET THOUGH!!! A good rating means more people will visit and enjoy someone’s hard work!
For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. Sometimes the numbers have shifted a little, just ask if you can’t find it!

AS WE USUALLY LOOK AT MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF HOUSES, BE SURE TO SELECT THE LEADERBOARD SETTINGS GIVEN FOR EACH HOUSE, OR YOU MAY HAVE TROUBLE LOCATIING THEM!
Each house will have a Category and an Attribute, just enter them in the Leaderboards screen and you’ll be fine! Yell if you can’t find it!!!
We’ll now switch to Group (#) Chat and dig into this week of Norrath’s Gold! Our first stop is…

Hops’ Emerald Portal Hub (#212 Hall of Fame/Creativity-Recent) by Syngende: A Personal Dojo

Here we have a very nice Dojo done up with stone (weathered grave markers) and Halasian woods, which give a nice medieval look! Look at the two custom pools at either end of the zone-in room!

The color key of this house is all greens (emerald), blues and turquoises. The emerald fire torches give a nice lighting effect, while still keeping things dim (they don’t cast light). Note the exquisite doorway ahead. Just a lovely look with really simple components!

The next room uses Green Stained Glass Tiles and Tizmak Braziers to enhance the greens in the room. The cross-hatching in the ceiling uses Halasian Dividers – not rails.

The portals use a reflecting mirror (one of my favorites) as a base, and include a sign above them to describe the various destinations! A central book includes a bit of text!

Take a couple of minutes to look at the components used here, and then we’ll move on.

Our next site is (you can take the portal titled Rainbow Dome or use the Leaderboard):

The Jester’s Rainbow Dome (#16 Hall of Fame/Creativity-Recent) by Degaahr: A Felwithe Mansion.

Here we have a use of the massive Felwithe Mansion as a shrine to the Jester and as a truly impressive ‘room of ways’ to many interesting houses!!! The numbers of portals alone make this an amazing place!

The striking visual feature here is the use of a wide range of stained glass tiles for a lovely multi-hued effect! Continue down the hall to the shrine, and note that you can see the ‘jester’ right from zone in! Very nice!

The chief ingredients here are the ever useful Black Marble dividers and tile along with their Sumac cousins! Paintings in the entryway are also nicely matched.

The main area is centered on the BBday Jester in the center of a nice custom planter. Above is a dome of multicolored glass tiles, edged with Black Marble with triangular Sumac inserts.

Continue on into the next room – a ‘room of ways’ to many different houses! Degaahr & friends have certainly been busy! In addition to the nicely done portals, there is also a fish tank.

This house does a great job of being both Dark (due to the black marble) and Colorful (due to the stained glass). An usual combination that I thought worked very well!

Now we’ll move on to:

A a a transport hub (#4 Hall of Fame/Newly Published) by Thygon: A Mystmoore Crags Estate

We are stopping here not to admire the decorations, but to look at some of the OTHER portals that are (or were} available! Here we have:

A Tender’s Growth Floret (craftable from a seed of growth)
A Vesspyr Isles Spirit Anchor
A Drinalian Whisper Column
A Vespyr Isles Whisper Column
A Captured Void Portal
And a Guildhall Door.

Assorted other picture portals are spread around – but I thought it would be interesting to see some of the odder ones!
Next we’ll move on to:

Next, lets go to:

Magic Kingdom (#13 Massive Homes/Newly Published) by Sairalindie: A Tenebrous Refuge

Here we have a brand new house – the first by Sairalindie – that is beautifully done, so I had to show it! It really is a wonderland! On zoning in I loved the dancing dragon on the floating island to the right!

Wander around through this one! There is lots to see! Be sure to check out the garden and garden shed, the floating castle, the distillery, and main house (by the spiral stair)!

Take a few minutes to look around in detail, this is a very rich house with many items and plushies! The use of the assorted Vesspyr trees have really allowed people to ‘scale up’ the island, and add a wide range of color!

Now we’ll move on to our next house:

Felwithe Wedding Chapel (#50 Massive Homes/Newly Published) by Ladynightshade: A Felwithe Mansion

Here we have another brand new house just published by Ladynightshade! This is always a difficult house to do due to its sheer scale! This works well by utilizing a wide range of landscaping with a clear concept and color scheme.

As you zone in you’ll see a nicely framed rack garden and tree with two contrasting Marble statues – a nice effect. I also liked the unicorn-drawn cart at the entrance! The heart garlands and use of massed pink and white candles gives a lovely lighting effect, and leads to a nice chapel under the open sky!

Wander a few minutes and we’ll hit our last house!

Office of the President (#24 Massive Homes/Newly Published) by Jazabelle: A Felwithe Mansion

Here we have a TRULY MASSIVE Room of Ways! Jazabelle has decorated so many houses some kind of library was clearly necessary. I liked this as it gives prospective customers a wonderful chance to view her work!

Continue on to the end of the hallway to her office. Here you’ll find one of the largest fish tanks I’ve seen in game! Be careful though – the doors on the sides are actually portals to other places, so don’t click on them by accident!

Wander a few minutes and feel free to take portals that interest you!

All the houses tonight are great examples of taking truly fanciful concepts and turning them into game-reality. Remember you really can do pretty much ANYTHING!!!

Well, that’s about it for tonight! In two weeks we’ll meet again on Saturday to view some of the beautiful homes of Qeynos and Freport! Be there or be square and have a great evening!

K-

Housing Rally 5-25-14 – Eclectic Houses and Maj’Dul Madness!!!

Welcome to the Homes and Tomes House Rally #17 – Eclectic Houses and Maj’Dul Madness!!!

We’ll start off in guild chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to raid channel once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Huell Kuerden, and tonight we’ll be looking at places Everquest developers think are noteworthy! These houses occupy a special place on the Leaderboards, so for once they will be easy to find! All are quite different, and excellent examples of the art of decoration!

As we view the houses tonight, remember that lots of people on our tours have extensive decorating/design experience and are happy to explain any techniques used, so if you have any questions feel free to ask!!!

And now on to this week of Norrath’s Gold! As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! A good rating means more people will visit and enjoy someone’s hard work!
For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. This time we will be looking at the 2nd category down – Dev Picks.
We’ll now switch to Group (#) Chat and dig into this week of Norrath’s Gold! Our first stop is…

Dymand’s Colorful Maj’Dul Residence (#8 Hall of Fame/Creativity-Recent) by Dymand: A Maj’Dul Residence.

Here we have a Maj’Dul Residence – a underused house that offers many interesting possibilities to decorators.
On zone-in you are depositing down a warm red sitting room with the typical Maj’Dul white-washed walls! Look at the customized red furniture and fireplace. A really outstanding color-based decorating effort!

To the left is a door leading to a bedroom, with a wide range of customized furniture. I particularly liked the use of the Vallonite Carved Tile on the walls.

The next door on the right leads to a full bathroom featuring one of the very few showers I’ve seen in Norrath.

The next room is a dining-room – note the hanging Maj’Dul lamp. In case you don’t know, this lamp can be set to a fixed position (as this one is) or set to bob up and down.

The right door from the Dining Room takes you to a modern kitchen, and out to an espaliered yard with extensive water features.

The left door leads to a Study/Library/TV room. Wander a few minutes and look at the crafting done here – this is a very polished work, and a very lovely house!
Now we’ll move on to:

Lake of the Snowy Pines (#9 Hall of Fame/Creativity-Recent) by Alarielle: Snowy Dwelling.

The title of this house doesn’t do it justice! Rather than a single house, this is a whole community with shops, a bank, a manor house, and a church! A nice little prosperous community.
On zone in you see a typical view of the Snowy Dwelling (church) and a carriage, and DON’T see all the other stuff around you! Do a quick 360 and bear in mind there is so much it may take a few seconds to render!
On your left behind you is the scratch-built Bank done up in white marble! To your right is the main dock.
Head in that direction, and you’ll see the scratch-built Tavern/Inn behind the ship. Inside you’ll find a large lower floor bar (with a noteworthy fish tank), and upstairs guest rooms with different color schemes!
Now exit and head up to the church (the Snowy Dwelling). The Altar uses a portal to make it glow (though I haven’t taken the portal). I liked this as the natural architecture of the dwelling lends itself well to this role!
Head back to the bank and make a right! Here is a row of shops of various kinds, including a florist, a general store, and a barber shop!
Continue on and you’ll come to the manor house built out over the water. The lower floor features a large sitting room with bar, and the upstairs is a library/bedroom! The view from the second story is outstanding!
P.S. There is a hidden bathroom if anyone needs it behind the bookshelves!
Take a few minutes and wander!
Next we’ll move on to:

The Shoe House (#3 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Bonnfire: A Tenebrous Refuge

Here is the classic fairy-tale house in a shoe! Cheri always does interesting things, so take a look at the construction of the various items. Note things like the flagstones (upside down Scrimshaw Ritual Sculpture).

The windmill is an interesting collection of tinkered items, check out the use of the Titanium Hex Gaskets as struts.

The standard Treehouse is decorated with assorted streamers – but I liked the ‘rope’ bridge using Indium Cage Bars.

Going into the toe of the shoe, check out the very nice stained glass oval work. The use of the dreadcutter rug as wallpaper give a nice Victorian look. The boot includes a scratch-built kitchen that is nice!

Wander through the house and look at the items and rotations.

All the houses tonight are great examples of taking truly fanciful concepts and turning them into game-reality. Remember you really can do pretty much ANYTHING!!!

Well, that’s about it for tonight! In two weeks we’ll meet again on Saturday to view some of the beautiful homes of Qeynos and Freport! Be there or be square and have a great evening!

K-

Housing Rally 5-10-14 – Developer’s Ghoulash!!!

Welcome to the Homes and Tomes House Rally #17 – Developer’s Ghoulash!!!

We’ll start off in guild chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to raid channel once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Huell Kuerden, and tonight we’ll be looking at places Everquest developers think are noteworthy! These houses occupy a special place on the Leaderboards, so for once they will be easy to find! All are quite different, and excellent examples of the art of decoration!

As we view the houses tonight, remember that lots of people on our tours have extensive decorating/design experience and are happy to explain any techniques used, so if you have any questions feel free to ask!!!

And now on to this week of Norrath’s Gold! As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! A good rating means more people will visit and enjoy someone’s hard work!
For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. This time we will be looking at the 2nd category down – Dev Picks.
We’ll now switch to Group (#) Chat and dig into this week of Norrath’s Gold! Our first stop is…

Widow’s Storm Isle (#1 Dev Oicks/Creativity-Recent) by Dawnstriker: Storm Tower Isle.

Here we have a Storm Tower Isle – a underused house that offers many interesting possibilities to decorators. On zone-in you are depositing looking towards the un-skinned Storm Tower. Directly ahead is a very nice Hansom cab!

As you look around, you can see some very tasteful landscaping principally utilizing hedge seeds. The area around the tower is tiled using Sullonite paving stones. Ahead by the front door are additional paths, leading first to a open crypt.

The crypt is a beautiful scratch-built structure – and yes there is something moving in the coffin! Check out the other decorations and the use of roses.

Nearby is a small ocean-overlook shrine that reminds me of some British WWI memorials I’ve visited. There is mirror-placed fountain on the roof which I found and interesting feature.

On the island outcropping is a small graveyard, and the central to the paths is a well-executed gazebo. Look at how Ornate Shadowed Bookcases are uses as structural framing. Continue on into the tower.

Inside you are immediately presented with a sitting/music room. The paneling is interesting – it uses Wantia Armoiries to give an almost Qeynosian paneling effect. Adamantine columns and red glass tiles complete the effect.

On the far side of the room is a small kitchenette that is quite nice! Going up to the next floor is a bathing room using a Vasty Deep shrine for the floor.

The next floor is a bedroom, with Sumac and Burnished Metal paneling. Overall, this is one of the best-decorated Storm Towers I’ve seen. Take a few minutes and wander around!

Now we’ll move on to:

Is it a madhouse or a dream (#2 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Vadra: Everfrost Summer Home

Here we have an interesting Tinkered Everfrost Summer Home. This house, despite its beauty is quite difficult to re-skin due to its complex structures. Here a ‘jumbled’ approach gets around this problem nicely.

There is a ’dare’ issued on entry to see if visitors can get into all three rooms on all three floors.
Moving forward to the face-down corpse with the axe in its back, you can see the various pumpkin torture stations! The use of Misty Tiles makes the floor more interesting.

Crossing the room, head for the Freeport door. When you open it, you are immediately faced by a fire devil plushy – very interesting because of it’s rotation! Give a neat fire vortex effect!

Now wander and see if you can find a way to the other floors! Hint – some of the fallen panels are ramps! The second floor is a music/science lab. Sort of an Island of Dr. Moreau lab effect! Nicely done!

Try to get into the 3rd floor room! I wasn’t able to figure it out!

Next we’ll move on to:

The Shoe House (#3 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Cherrybomb: A Tenebrous Refuge

Here is the classic fairy-tale house in a shoe! Cheri always does interesting things, so take a look at the construction of the various items. Note things like the flagstones (upside down Scrimshaw Ritual Sculpture).

The windmill is an interesting collection of tinkered items, check out the use of the Titanium Hex Gaskets as struts.

The standard Treehouse is decorated with assorted streamers – but I liked the ‘rope’ bridge using Indium Cage Bars.

Going into the toe of the shoe, check out the very nice stained glass oval work. The use of the dreadcutter rug as wallpaper give a nice Victorian look. The boot includes a scratch-built kitchen that is nice!

Wander through the house and look at the items and rotations.

All the houses tonight are great examples of taking truly fanciful concepts and turning them into game-reality. Remember you really can do pretty much ANYTHING!!!

Well, that’s about it for tonight! In two weeks we’ll meet again on Saturday to view some of the beautiful homes of Qeynos and Freport! Be there or be square and have a great evening!

K-