Ten Housing Tips From the Pros

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Even I, of all people, can lay down some basic flooring and wallpaper in my Wizard and Pirate homes, but there's still a lot to learn for me. And whether you're a beginner or an expert, it's always cool and often educational to hear tips and tricks from other experienced house decorators. I went looking for the "pros" in Wizard and Pirate to help me - and you - with housing in both games, and I do believe I've found a couple. These guys were kind enough to share their knowledge here. Take a look!


Icy Witch:

Building Using Basic Rug Glitches


Decorating and glitching is hard work. It's difficult to get the hang of, but once you do, it makes total sense. Then you spend hours trying to get one room right, and days getting a house just right. Not to mention the time spent getting gold and furniture for your projects. That being said, in the end, it's all super worth it. To help you with decorating I am going to explain a few minor glitches that really help in everyday decorating.

Spacing is a common issue; a lot of times you want to put items closer together but can't. To fix this, put 2 small blue trim rugs together end and end so they are touching. Place an object on the end of one of the rugs, then click the rug the object is touching and move it so the object is where you want it to be. Place the rug, and then either pick up or move the opposite rug so the object is left by itself looking like it was put there naturally. In place of small blue rugs, you can also use tatami mats.

The second glitch is virtually the same, with a few minor differences. Instead of using two small blue trim rugs, or tatami mats, you take one small blue trim rug/tatami mat and one large flat object, like a flat wooden platform, large oval rug, or ornate rug. You place the rugs end to end, and move the small rug. This allows you to float things over edges, you can use it to place items in places you normally couldn't. To remove the rugs, move the smaller rug or pick it up. Just make sure before you move it that the small rug isn't touching anything except the large rug, because it will take anything it's touching with it. You'll also find you can walk on these glitches, except for a few instances, into free air which is cool. 

Hope this helps. Fair thee well, and happy decorating!


Frostcaller:

The Ghostly Rug Glitch


I call it the Ghostly Rug Glitch or Rotating Rug Glitch and it allows you to place items and furniture almost everywhere in your home. The items required for this glitch are a Small Blue Trim Rug (or Tatami Floor Mat) and a Large Watcher Rug (or any other large platform, like the Flat Wooden Platform).

Start by taking your big rug and placing it down. Now, hover your Small Blue Trim Rug over the big one, but DO NOT place it down; instead, use the scroll on your mouse to rotate both rugs and they will be "attached" (see Tip 1 picture). When your big rug or platform is where you want to place your item, right click with your mouse to cancel and the small rug will go back to your backpack. Now you can place item or furniture on top of the rug there, as long as it is big enough to fit on it (see Tip 2 picture). There's a way to place even bigger items that don't fit on a big rug, but that will be for another lesson.

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

The reason why I call it Ghostly Rug Glitch is because although the Large Watcher Rug appears to be where you want it, it will go back to the spot you first placed it down once you go inside your house (so long as you didn't place down the Small Blue Trim Rug on top of it).


Harmony Everhart:

Effective Use of Floated Items


Greetings from Harmony Everhart! I am so honored to share some of my favorite housing decorating tricks with you! I have enjoyed different types of carpet glitching methods for many years in Wizard101. I began with making tatami tools with crates and the duo tatami mats. I was pleased to create my dorm loft this way.

I then started learning faster and much simpler methods after I began playing Pirate101 this February. The houses in both games are breathtaking. But as we all know there are places in these houses that have very special hidden areas or spots that can shine when changed up just a little from the norm! This inspired me to start trying to get items to float in my Rake's Lagoon and Emperor's Villa.

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips
Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips
Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

I had many fails but through those fails I quickly learned my favorite method at this time which is useful for a hugely diverse range of decorating. I simply use a large rug placed down and hover a tatami mat to move the rug to my intended spot.

I am so excited to share a peek into a few of my eclectic homes! These have been so fun to create and I look forward to creating more as we move ahead in the new year!


Mr. Fred:

Choosing and Developing a Theme


When preparing to decorate a house, I find it very important to choose a theme. What exactly do I mean by a theme? A theme can be anything from a forest to a carnival to a workshop. It's the overall idea of an area. Typically, but not always, the theme you choose is influenced by the house it will be used in

You can choose a single theme for the entire house or you can have more then one theme per house. It is also fine to have a single broad theme and to break that one theme up into more manageable parts. For example, in my Sultan's Palace the overall theme is "Krokotopian." However, I divided this broad theme into three parts: a pharaoh's tomb, a Mander village, and a Krokotopian artifact museum.

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Sometimes it is hard to think of a theme that you really like. You may get tired of trying to think of a theme and just start decorating. Even if the house is beautifully designed, if it lacks a theme, it lacks what ties the house together.

Once you pick your theme, you are ready to decorate! The theme will influence, or even determine, what housing items you will use for your housing project.


Paige Moonshade:

Creating the "Wow Factor"


What I want to talk about more is what I call Flare or the WOW factor.What this means is the first view sets the stage for any house, like in this image.

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Since it's the holidays, let's talk about holiday houses. I realize not everyone has or celebrates the holidays the same. Maybe you have a fair which would need flags and food stands maybe even a carousel. Myself? I celebrate with no snow, but lots of decorations. My favorite type of holiday house has snow, decorations, and lots of items that make it pop. The finer the details, the more your house will pop, as in these images.

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

So take it from me, every detail count to get that flare or wow factor. You want players to come in your house on the tours of Wizard101 and go wow when they first walk in. Same goes for Pirate101 when you have pirates visiting.


Iridian Willowglen:

The "Wow Factor" in Action


My friends know that I usually decorate in the middle of the night. When inspiration strikes me, it becomes an obsession until I get it finished…often around 4 am!  I think the thing I strive for in decorating my Wizard101 houses is the “wow factor." I like the unexpected. For example, when one goes to my storm’s dorm, they see this:  

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

The floating sand tempts the visitor to climb. And they end up here:


Pass through the wall and wow! One is transported to a pier complete with restaurant, outdoor market, and loading dock for ships!

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Sometimes I am at the boat when people are looking around. I ask them if they went below deck on the ship. Another wow! They didn't expect that there was more after this: 

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

But then there was this:

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips
     
The glitch tip that I wish every wizard knew is how to remove connecting rugs in their glitches! It makes the glitch much more attractive (so it doesn't look like a patchwork quilt) and it saves item space for more decorating!  

So often I go on the tour and run into houses with paths that look like this:

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

This bit takes up 13 item space. With the connecting rugs (tatami) removed, it just takes up 7! It is so easy to remove them too! Here’s how it’s done:

Just take out another tatami and turn it on top of the rugs to expose the connecting rugs (be sure not to place it). You will have to cancel it and get out another tatami for each rug you move. When finished moving rugs out of the way, you will end up with this: 

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Then you simply click on the tatami and remove it. Your glitch now looks like a mess, but all you have to do is go inside (or outside) and come back and your glitch is right where you want it without the connecting rugs! Magic!

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Continue removing the connecting rugs and you end up with this:

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

So I think my best decorating tip would be add lots of details and wow your visitors! 

Happy glitching and decorating,
Iridian



Flash33:

Using the Environment to Your Advantage


House decorating has always been a thing that many people enjoy doing, but with so many houses and so many items to choose from, it can be pretty difficult to decide what to decorate with and even which house to decorate with your items as well. Never fear, help is here. There's one key thing to keep in mind here though; the imagination is a very powerful tool in the right hands, and that, my friends, can mean the difference between a blank house and a fantastic house instead.

Use the environments to your advantage; many houses have a wide array of places and environments to pick and choose from when wanting to decorate in a certain way, so if you try to kinda scout out the terrain there so-to-speak, then you should have an easier time in thinking of what to decorate as well there.

Companions and pets help immensely: There's so many possibilities that surround both pets and companions as well in terms of decoration. For example, the Troggy High Chief Eep Opp Ork Ah-Ah is a Witchdoctor companion, so one possible way to utilize him is to put him next to a cauldron of some kind so he can work his special Troggy brand of art and magic there so-to-speak, while the Golden Stingtail pet and the companion known as Scorpius might go well with a desert wasteland themed house or area there as well.

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Don't be afraid to improvise when needed: There will often come a time where the environment just won't work with you and you may just feel like just giving up on that project all together. Instead of doing that, don't; being able to improvise when things take a turn for the worst there so-to-speak is another key thing to keep in mind when it comes to decorating. Plus, if you improvise instead of giving up right then and there, then there's a pretty good chance that you will be satisfied with the results to boot, so there's that at least.


Liam:

Making Your Castle Stand Out


Making your castle stand out from the rest can seem like a difficult task as everything already seems to have been done. That doesn't mean that it isn't possible to achieve it, it just means a little extra effort is needed. I've noticed when I have made my own houses and viewed other houses that the solution to making your house unique is actually quite simple, merge your objects together to make something that hasn't been made yet. Merging objects may seem a little complicated if it is your first time approaching the idea but when broken down it is fairly simple. 

The first step is to just browse the Bazaar for about 10-15 minutes for items that will fit in with your theme/house and once you have found a few different objects you might start to see how some of them might fit together. They may fit together because of their color, shape, theme and even size which makes a massive amount of possibilities to make something totally unique. Even if you aren't too sure your items will fit together, there is no harm in experimenting and trying different things out.

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Once you have all of the items you want then you can start to decorate with them using some simple rug glitches to merge them together, whether it be a more complicated creation or a very simple creation. One of the most basic yet useful glitches to become familiar with is using two small rugs to merge your objects. To do this glitch the two small rugs (e.g. Small Purple Rug/Small Blue Trim Rug/Tatami Floor Mat) are all you need along with your decorating items. Attach the two rugs together at their ends so that they can move around together, allowing you to move one of the rugs under your objects. So the next step is to place down your objects making sure that one of them is in the place you want it (Object A), then move the small rugs so that one is under the other item (Object B) so you can now move it around with the rugs. As Object B can now move with the rugs you can move it into a position where you want it to merge with Object A. You can also play around with the height when merging rugs by using crates, tables or bookshelves etc.


James:

44 of the Spiral's Rarest Furniture Items


Are you annoyed at the limited choice of housing items the spiral has to offer? Do you feel like it limits your creativity to decorate? You may be surprised to find that there's actually many housing items that very people know even exist! Looking for a nice mirror, a cool new fireplace, better rug choices, or some fancy royalty items? Then look no further! In this guide, I will highlight 44 of the rarest housing items in the spiral. There are more rare items available in the game than what I show in this guide, but I just decided to highlight some of my favorite ones. I hope you find this guide useful! Happy decorating! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on Twitter HERE or Wizard101 Central HERE.

How the Rarity scale works:
Low - This item is fairly common, but isn't one of those items you'll see 100 of in the Bazaar.
Moderate - This item is somewhat rare, and you might have to farm the Bazaar, a boss, or something else a little while to get it.
High - This item is very rare, and you'll be really lucky to get it from the Bazaar. You'll almost certainly have to farm a long while for this item.
Extreme - There are very few copies of this item in existence. You probably won't ever find it in the Bazaar. Good luck getting it!

Something to note: Many of these rare items come from Grub Guardian maps. For a guide to what drops from where, check out a (slightly outdated but still helpful) guide HERE.

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips

Wizard101 / Pirate101 Housing and Decorating Tips


1. Overstuffed Postbox
Comes from: Stoker, the final boss of Kensington Park
What it could be used for: An outdoor city theme
Rarity: High

2. Carved Pew
Comes from: Clonky and/or Splinterbot, Kensington Park
What it could be used for: A church, theatre, or large dining rooms
Rarity: High

3. Wooden Mirror
Comes from: Assorted Avalon enemies - Horned Brocket, Morag Bloodtine, Spriggan, Stag Charger, Strangler Goblin
What it could be used for: A bathroom or bedroom
Rarity: Low

4. Elephant Table
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A Zafarian themed royal kitchen or dining room
Rarity: Moderate

5. Brick Fireplace
Comes from: Ratchet, Kensington Park
What it could be used for: A living room or lounge, especially in a Marleybonian home
Rarity: High

6. Fire Hydrant
Comes from: Ratchet, Kensington Park
What it could be used for: An outdoor city theme
Rarity: High

7. Stone Throne
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A centerpiece for Zafarian or Jungle themed ruins
Rarity: High

8. Shadow Weaver Statue
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: As decoration for Zafarian or Jungle themed ruins
Rarity: High

9. Windswept Tree
Comes from: Koto, Cave of Solitude
What it could be used for: This is a great item for any garden or landscape
Rarity: Low

10. Royal Elephant Rug
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: Any royal themed room: a bedroom, throne room, dining room, etc.
Rarity: High

11. Orange House Rug
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: Any royal themed room: a bedroom, throne room, dining room, etc.
Rarity: High

12. Marble Bench
Comes from: Hingen, Tatakai Outpost
What it could be used for: This is a great item for any garden or landscape; it especially looks nice next to fountains or ponds
Rarity: Moderate

13. Low Wooden Fence
Comes from: Hingen, Tatakai Outpost
What it could be used for: A horse stable or to give an area a "worn-out" or "slightly forgotten" look
Rarity: Moderate

14. Savannah Tree
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A Zafarian or Jungle themed landscape
Rarity: Low

15. Azure House Rug
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: Any royal themed room: a bedroom, throne room, dining room, etc.
Rarity: High

16. Wide Orange Rug
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: Any royal themed room: a bedroom, throne room, dining room, etc.
Rarity: High

17. Ivory Elephant Throne
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A royal themed throne room
Rarity: High

18. Royal Foot Stool
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A royal themed throne room, bedroom, or living room
Rarity: High

19.  Gold Top Column
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A royal throne room, ruins, or exterior decoration
Rarity: High

20. Antique Cello
Comes from: Stoker, the final boss of Kensington Park
What it could be used for: A decorative item on a shelf, on a display, or in a music room
Rarity: Extreme

21. Crusher's Milk Bottle (NO AUCTION)
Comes from: Spike the Crusher, Big Ben (secret boss)
What it could be used for: This item goes great in any kitchen on a shelf or table
Rarity: High

22. Magic Orb
Comes from: Malistaire the Undying, Xibalba
What it could be used for: A centerpiece on a table or as decoration on a shelf or display
Rarity: High

23. Faberge Egg
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: As decoration or display for any royal themed room
Rarity: High
Note: Because of how rare this item is, there has been some debate about whether it really exists.  It does, and it is different from the Red Faberge Egg, which also comes from Grub Guardian or can be purchased from the Arena tickets vendor.

24. Spider Altar
Comes from: No longer obtainable!  This was originally given out from a contest in 2012, but cannot be acquired anymore.  There are almost none of these in the game.
What it could be used for: On a display table or for an umbral theme
Rarity: Extreme

25. Spider Chalice
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: In an umbral or royal themed dining room or kitchen
Rarity: High

26. Spider Porringer
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: As a paperweight, or as decor in an umbral themed room
Rarity: High

27. Spider Table
Comes from: No longer obtainable!  This was originally given out from a contest in 2012, but cannot be acquired anymore. There are almost none of these in the game.
What it could be used for: On a display table or for an umbral theme
Rarity: Extreme

28. Spider Vase
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: In an umbral or royal themed dining room or kitchen
Rarity: High

29. Spider Vessel
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: As decor in a tomb or royal themed room
Rarity: High

30. Elephant Drum
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A royal or Zafarian themed music room or drum circle
Rarity: Moderate

31. Bougarabou Drum
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A Zafarian themed music room or drum circle
Rarity: Moderate

32. Gold Place Setting
Comes from: Crafted from Torald Wayfinder
What it could be used for: A royal dining room or kitchen
Rarity: Moderate

33. Primitive Snake Mask
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A display room or Zafarian themed room, such as a ruins, great room, bedroom, or study
Rarity: High

34. Prized War Fan
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A display room or Zafarian themed room, such as a great room, bedroom, or study
Rarity: High

35. Wide Gorilla Mask
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A display room or Zafarian themed room, such as a ruins, great room, bedroom, or study
Rarity: Low

36. Witchdoctor Mask
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A display room or Zafarian themed room, such as a ruins, great room, bedroom, or study
Rarity: High

37. Primitive Fern Planter
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps and as a reward from the Sword Fern plant
What it could be used for: As exterior or interior decor in any room; this is great item to put in an empty corner of a room
Rarity: Moderate

38. Three Drum Set
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A royal or Zafarian themed music room or drum circle
Rarity: High

39. Primitive Lion Mask
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A display room or Zafarian themed room, such as a ruins, great room, bedroom, or study
Rarity: High

40. Primitive Rhino Mask
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A display room or Zafarian themed room, such as a ruins, great room, bedroom, or study
Rarity: High

41. Primitive Skull Mask
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A display room or Zafarian themed room, such as a ruins, great room, bedroom, or study
Rarity: High

42. Primitive Zebra Mask
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A display room or Zafarian themed room, such as a ruins, great room, bedroom, or study
Rarity: High

43. Rhino Relics
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A display room or Zafarian or royal themed room, such as a great room, bedroom, or study
Rarity: High

44. Witchdoctor Cauldron
Comes from: Various Grub Guardian maps
What it could be used for: A Zafarian or jungle themed kitchen, ruins, or secret room
Rarity: High


Calamity Pixieshade:

Remembering the Small Details


One of the best pieces of advice I ever got on decorating houses for Pirate101 or Wizard101 is not to forget the small details. Building a living room or sitting area is easy enough, but adding small details like a stein on a side table or an open newspaper really helps make your spaces warm and feel lived in.

For Wizard101, another way to breathe life into your rooms is using plants. Did you know that as of the 4-tower update, plants that have been placed in Second Spring now preform their elder harvest animations every few minutes (not sure of the exact timing). From using a simple clock flower as an unexpected room accent to placing a set of couch potatoes in the middle of the living room, these animated plants can add a whole bunch of character to a room or even inspire a scene. Unlike pets or mounts, plants don't move around, so it is easy to set a scene around them and you can depend on them behaving a certain way. A Fickle Pickle makes an amazing bartender since he always turns away from you and refuses to take your order.

For Pirate101, are you excited for Cabin Decorating?! I know I am! Pirate101 has provided us some really fun new room dividers and I, for one, have already been getting my hands dirty and experimenting with them. One thing to keep in mind with the dividers is that you don't have to place them along the walls. You can do as the name says and divide a room to create multiple spaces. I'm just starting to play with these and already I feel as though these remind me of the wizard's builder blocks. When placing items in both Wizard and Pirate, it is important to remember every item has a front, side, and back. Try placing an item down and walking around it. Maybe you can place item backwards and use it in a new and exciting way.

Just remember, the only opinion that matters is yours. Do you love it?

Off to Decorate!

A special thank you to all of these wonderful decorators for sharing their tips. Hopefully they'll inspire you and get your creative juices flowing. If you make something interesting, share it with us!

Thanks for reading and see you in the Spiral!


2 comments:

  1. Chrissy The BlesserJanuary 6, 2015 at 7:49 PM

    What an awesome post. This is truly amazing. Tips from all the pros all in one place. It's like you had a housing symposium with the best instructors and they all held a mini seminar just for us. Oh well DONE! :D <3

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very well done guys. As one of the better glitchers in the game I approve all of this.

    ReplyDelete

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