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Using
These Plans
This
section was created to be used for suggestions on the
lay-out and design plans for various simulated themes
rather than as a stone-chiseled bible on how any
particular environment should look like. Total
Environments are very personal, defined as being places
created to encompass the total experience of a time
period or location (real or imaginary) of
the owner’s choosing, including personal appearance and
conduct. However, I will not be getting into the details
such as making recommendations as to how you should
dress and speak while in these simulated environments.
My focus is on the appearance of room itself, and it’s
up to you to make it magical.
That being said, I
should also mention that almost all of the designs are
composites that can be tailored to be more personal
specifications. For example, the Sultan’s Den design
uses a very standard design that can be anything from
Saudi Arabian to Turkish by simply using
location-specific fabrics and icons. Many of the
designs also have alternative décor suggestions for
themes that are too close in general appearance to merit
their own pages. For example, The Crypt design can be
set up as a charming New Orleans Courtyard Garden by
changing the mortuary to a gazebo and doing away with
the grave markers.
Most of the designs
featured here have very minimal architectural
requirements, as I realise that rooms come in all shapes
and sizes and sometimes include built-in features that
only a wrecking ball can remedy. House designs tend to
reflect on the time period they were built, so I’ve laid
out very basic decorating plans that can be tailored to
include or disguise any architectural problem spots such
as slanted ceilings, sunken floors, and bay windows. The
tools needed for most of these environments are very
basic, as I don’t assume that everyone has access to a
table saw or full welding kit. If you happen to have the
tools to make a particular job easier, then by all means
use them.
Almost all of the
techniques used here are very basic with low-to-moderate
levels of difficulty. Whenever possible, I’ve
substituted the high-cost way of doing something with a
more economical method that would be easier for someone
who has not spent a lot of time in a theatrical
workshop. For example, instead of telling you to sculpt
a formation and then make a mold to cast it in
fiberglass or foam latex, I’ll tell you to just use
paper, glue, chicken wire, and plaster.
Of course, if you
have the workspace and know-how to cast fiberglass and
cure foam latex, please go right ahead and do it.
I’ve also included
illustrations for referencing construction details when
possible, as well as sample floor plans.
Because my drawing skills do leave much to be desired,
I've added photos of ready-made products that are
commercially available as well.
An important thing
to keep in mind when building an environment,
particularly an outdoor-themed one, is that you will
often be destroying the new floors and wall coverings
that you purchase for the room. So if the idea of going
out to buy a brand new carpet and not being willing to
severely damage it while building an outdoor setting
sounds like you, I suggest sticking to some of the more
interior-friendly themes.
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