Created for: The Sims 1

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Some of the most distinctive and charming structures ever built in California are the river rock cottages and homes. These were built from an abundant natural resource - river rock - from the mid 1800s to the forties and fifties, when it was realized that while excellent in almost all respects for housing, the rocks are round, you can't reinforce them, and they sort of crumble into piles of stone when a good enough earthquake hits. Hundreds of these little homes were built near the hot mud springs (most are dried up now) around Pomona, Montclair, Claremont, San Dimas, Walnut, ect. Intended as seasonal rentals, they were therefore tiny and cramped. To be honest, the river rock homes intended for year round use are, too. Archetectural details were usually Art-Deco inspired, and usually were simple stuccoed archs and occassional wall niches. Decor was simple and utilitarian, usually small prints and occassionally stencilling on the walls. Furnishings were also simple, painted wicker is a good choice, as is painted light woods such as pine. Rugs were usually large, nearly room sized, and patterned. Curtains were light with heavier drapes, and often would be replaced by roll-up blinds, colorful chintzes being popular. A fireplace was sometimes used, but considering that granite is a very good insulation material, they usually were only for show. The kitchen is tiny, with just enough room for a wood, coal, or kerosene burning stove, a work table, and an ice-box. (Don't worry, the iceman won't track water through your house, the window is really for him to slide the ice into your 'fridge.) The combination entry living area was also for dining space, though some with senses of humor would call the other tiny room the dining room. That extra room would eventually become the bathroom, whenever you got indoor plumbing, but at the time, it could be where all of your trunks were placed, a sort of wardrobe, it could be a sewing room, a childs bed room, a study, or yes, even a tiny dining room. With a covered porch, most would simply eat out there, enjoying the beautiful climate and muttering 'at least it's not humid' over the hot soup Victorians insisted on making even in 100 plus degree weather. Two bedrooms served also as dressing rooms, and you'd need to get dressed before you headed out back to the outhouse. This outhouse is large enough for a modern compliment of sink, tub, and shower, but in fact, back then, people would gape in horror at you if you did have all those things in the same room.
No, in this fully amended cottage, you bathed in the hot spring. With enough water pressure, a small outdoor shower might be set up nearby. Otherwise, water in California has always been at a premium, which is why these cottages were so expensive in their day. A well, a hand pump, and a good stove were what you needed for a bath, and you did that in a washtub in the kitchen, unless you did have a special room for the bath tub. Pocket doors were used extensively in these homes, for obvious reasons, though it was as traditional to use French doors with lots of windows. Hope you're not shy. Those doors usually had drape or blinds over them, too. Later, the doors might be removed for arches, or the walls taken out all together. Don't worry, the interior walls aren't load bearing. Usually. Electricity was slow in coming to these cottages, so expect gas fixtures or candle and lamp lighting. A really deluxe place in the '20s would have a huge old radio plonked wherever it would fit, and likely would run on batteries. A gramaphone or Edison, hand cranked, would certainly have a place of honor.

If you decided to buy your sweet little rental, you might want to build a carriage house beside the house. Whitewashed reclaimed boards would do the trick, and a gravel drive. Or more river rock, because there's plenty of it!

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ItemID: 186325