EQ2 Ex: DIY Custom Counters & How to Guide

As I acquire higher level recipes, decorate more spaces and view what veteran players have created, my enthusiasm for EQ2's player housing and carpentry profession grows.  The long standing Norrathian Home Show which now has an EQ2 Extended version and EQ2 Trading Corner's (EQ2TC) Furniture Showcase, are must visit resources for serious interior space designers. *Smile*  I enjoy peaking at the recipes I'll be getting when I hit the next level.  It helps to start planning new showroom displays for the shop.

Request for Custom Cabinets & Counters
One of the features requested by my newest customer was to have custom cabinetry added in at least one of his rooms.  It was something he'd seen done on EQ2 Live that he wanted incorporated into his new home in Kelethin.  I'd seen examples on the Norrathian Home Show and had an idea about how it was done. His overall design wishes were for the place to stay earthy - he didn't want anything too flashy.  He also wanted some of the color schemes to remain intact, like the master bedroom suite, in order match treasured items he wanted to remain on display.  

From our conversations, I sensed he might be a younger player but I could be wrong.  My impression arouse from the fact that our chat often veered off into talking about all the cool gear he had from raiding, what he was looking forward to getting next and before completing "that thought", he'd jump away - literally jump, off into another room, never to return to our conversation.  *Ookay.* 

Whatever, he had the platinum required for my services and I was keen for a new decorating challenge.  Even though I wasn't looking to do another whole house right away, the idea of trying something new immediately piqued my interest.  We priced out a moderate project where I'd concentrate using Master Crafted items primarily in the Library and War Room. The rest of the house would be completely furnished as well but I'd use moderately priced furnishings.

You have to Start Somewhere
I decided to use his kitchen as my first attempt at creating custom cabinets.  I don't possess a lot of items that match nicely with the Qeynos Stove.  I figured encasing it in custom built counters would be a nice effect for the room and it would give me a chance to flex the idea on a small scale.  The hardest thing about the project was the dreaded, and I do mean dreaded, irregularly shaped acorn simulated rooms of Kelethin.  Another aspect of carpentry I find somewhat annoying, is that items made using the same exact wood, often don't share the same grain or coloring. 

The hardest thing about building the custom counters/cabinets for the stove was having the patience to align items.  There are spatial differential difficulties encountered when trying to precisely align or place items in close proximity that would make a nun curse.  However, the end result is worth it and far surpasses anything I've seen available in other MMOs.  

I'm only a mid level carpenter. I don't have many of the cooler items.  I have no rare recipes.  I don't have special reward, event or faction recipes. Yet what I'm able to achieve with the little I do have, as an amateur EQ2 crafter and decorator, amazes me.

Debut of EQ2 Home Decorating DIY

Have I told you before that I'm a bit insane, especially when I fall in love with something in a game?  I'm sure I've mentioned that once or twice.  My adventure doing this kitchen make-over has inspired a new type of content for my RP and blogging in EQ2 Extended.  

Welcome to the premiere issue of EQ2 Home Decorating DIY.  I’m no veteran, my content is focused on other players like me - new to this whole open-ended player housing experience in EQ2 / EQ2 Ex.  I hope you enjoy!

Comments

[mmoGuy]

Just curious, shouldn't it be D I Y, not D Y I?

[Alysianah aka Saylah]

oops, hurried mistakes. thanks for the catch!! I came up with the idea, took the pictures, wrote the post and the guide all today. *whew* That mistake never caught my eye and I replicated it all over the place. LOL Think I caught them all. :-)

[mmoGuy]

No problem, glad to help. I actually looked up DYI and saw that in some places it stands for Design Your Inspiration. So then I wasn't sure which way you meant it.

[Ziyi]

Now now now, you're setups are starting to look so good it's getting unfair to my coinpurse,
double whaaaaa for the new kitchen hihi!

You're a busy fae, so I'll post the question here;
are you planning a Halloween set?
And if so would you be interested in 14 skull posts our carpenter has been filling the guildbank with, I'd rather not sell them to a vendor if you have use for them!

Let me know!

xox
Ziyi & Twinkle

[Saylah]

@Ziyi - Sorry I didn't reply in time to your tell. I think the Qeynos City Festival has everyone sprucing up their homes this weekend. I haven't advertised once but it's been busy, non-stop orders and customers. I'm not complaining though, I'm having an absolute blast. I swear it's like finally playing The Sims with other people. haha

I was going to do something for Halloween but I think I may have to pass. I have orders and decorating jobs backing up now and... OOC I'll be making a real life change in a few weeks that will initially cut into my gaming time unless EQ2 will run on my Dell Tablet PC. I will be out of town working.

I have a stash of skulls and chests in my basement that I was preparing. However, when a little extra time does open up I think I'd rather focus on my new secret project which I think will be a nice on-going social event.

[Ziyi]

Nonono, stop apologizing hihi, you're busy, that's good!
I can sell them then? They don't fit my fae tastes very well to have them as robehangers.

xox
Ziyi & Twinkle