Our players make The Sims every day. They play to express their individualities, interests and aspirations. They inspire us to keep innovating and improving. They’re creators in every sense of the word.

Chestnut Ridge, a quaint and rural landscape inspired by the great American West, is the perfect world for players to create their ideal ranch life, raise horses, and relax after a hard days’ work. Filled with serene fishing spots, rushing rivers, and a historic town, there is something here for everyone.

Naturally, this world needed to be filled with picturesque and unique houses and builds, so we partnered with community creators Chrissy YT, Simproved, Ninnster, and Doctor Ashley to design lots for The Sims™ 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack. From dazzling Nectar estates to bustling bars, we sat down with the creators to learn more about the creation process, the inspiration behind the lots, and all there is to explore in Chestnut Ridge!

Chrissie YT

Chrissie was born and raised in South Africa and has been playing The Sims since 2004. After receiving every single Sims 1 expansion pack for her seventh birthday it was only natural that it should lead her to starting her own Sims focused YouTube channel. She designed three lots: The Rusty Horseshoe Dance Hall, Palomino Junction Starter, and Sweet Nectar Glade.

Let’s talk about the Sweet Nectar Glade. How do you see Marissa and Dani using the place? Were there certain elements you added that were specific to them?

I tried to keep in mind that they were both going to be Young Adults who are very career oriented. I wanted to give their home a somewhat more modern and updated vibe, while still keeping with the overall look of most of the new build items and the surroundings. I made sure that they had a nice sized garden as well where they could grow their own grapes and fruit for their Nectar making, and then made sure they'd have everything they needed for that. That's why I went with the idea of them “converting“ the old barn out back and turning it into a Nectar making workshop, combined with an office where they could also access the cellar they had put in to store their Nectar!

Can you walk us through the creation process for one of the lots that you made? What were some of the key considerations that went into its design?

For the Dance Hall, I knew that I wanted to go with a converted barn look right from the get-go. So I spent hours looking up anything similar I could find, whether that was wedding venues, or even just barns that were still being used as stables. I didn't want to make it too big, and since “real life“ sizes don't always translate well into the game, it took me quite a bit of fiddling to get the sizing and proportions right in relation to the lot and surroundings.

After that I started on the layout. That was another challenge for me, in all of my builds if I'm being honest, because I tend to want to go all out with clutter and making sure almost every corner is filled out. As with all of these pack builds though, there were of course restrictions that I had to keep in mind. So I needed to find a way of balancing what I thought “looked right/good“ vs. how playable and routable the lot would be as a whole. So I tried leaving as much empty space as possible, since there would be quite a few Sims going through it at one time, while still adding little touches that made it feel warm and welcoming. I also knew that I wanted some outdoor space for this, so I added the covered porch area as well as the outdoor fire pit as some more casual gathering spaces for your Sims to enjoy.

Simproved

Simproved aka Fry grew up in Germany playing The Sims 1 with her mother, spending all her hard earned Simoleons building the perfect house for their Sim. Her love of building led her to begin sharing builds and stories via YouTube, “since then I have found new friends from all around the world who share my passion. The Sims community is so diverse, special, and creative, it’s a great place to be a part of.” Simproved built The Grove Family Biscuit’s Bastion, Big Sky Reach Rental, and The Oak Barrel.

Which element of the lot are you most proud of and why? What is special about the lot that you created?

The Big Sky Ranch is a rustic big cabin that your Sims can rent for a vacation in the beautiful new world. There are up to 6 beds, so a larger group of Sims can stay there. I also built a bar called The Oak Barrel. It's a Nectar Bar, so I tried to make it look rustic but also a bit sophisticated. The building blends into the architectural style of the town, but has modern additions. It has a huge glass ceiling, so there is great natural light flooding the space during the day.

Another lot I had the honor to build is a very big ranch for a family and their horses called The Grove Family Biscuit’s Bastion. It's supposed to be a ranch passed down through generations. The family living there now is breaking with tradition a bit. So I wanted to combine the old ranch style with the new modernized farmhouse look one would probably see in architecture and interior design magazines. The big two-level glass front and open living room is probably my favorite about this lot.

Commitment to a property purchase can be hard sometimes, so it’s amazing that you embraced the rental life for Big Sky Ranch! What kind of Sims do you imagine will be visiting your beautifully designed rental property?

It's a big cabin that I wanted to give a rustic feel but still make it cozy and friendly. Lots of Simmers start their first experience in a new world through a rental. Taking their favorite Sims household on a vacation is a great way to explore the new world and all the exciting new stuff one can do. This could mean it's just one Sim or a whole big family. So I tried to accommodate a big group of Sims with different dynamics, but also for a couple spending their honeymoon there for example. During the day Sims will probably be outside, away from the lot, riding horses, hiking or having fun in the nearby town. But in the evening when they get back to the cabin, they can spend their time at the campfire, cook and enjoy a meal together or cozy up at the big fireplace.

Ninnster

Ninnster, or Ninni, resides in Norway and spends her spare time streaming, playing games, making digital art, and working with esports organizations in her local community. Although she’s been playing The Sims since she was 16 (sneakily discovered on a neighbors PC) she didn’t start building until 2017 while looking for something relaxing to do while home on parental leave: “I love building for its endless possibilities and for being a great creative outlet.” Ninnster built The Cozy Corner Starter House, Canyon Crossing, and Canter Cottage.

You got to build Don Gooseman’s retirement haven at Canyon Crossing! Were there certain elements you added that were specific to him?

Don is a man who wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of town life and live out his retirement in peace in the Galloping Gulch with Duke. He enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors, as well as caring for Duke, so I wanted to reflect this in his house. I added a radio as I think Don would enjoy keeping up with the latest news from town or the latest horse competitions. I added some gardening items he’d need to care for the outdoor space, and a guitar he can play while sitting at the campfire.

The Canyon Crossing you built seems like a place anyone on a road trip would want to stop and visit to take in all the beauty of nature! What are some of your favorite details about this build?

This build is very special to me because the first time we were shown Chestnut Ridge I was immediately amazed by the National Park neighborhood and this lot in particular. It just sits in the most perfect spot overlooking the canyon and I knew I wanted to go for a rather simple cabin design to complement the environment. What I really love about this lot is the large exterior chimney which of course corresponds to an indoor fireplace, and the front porch where you can sit in the rocking chair and just take in the scenery. I also love the open no-glass windows which were a design choice early on to emphasize the look of an old cabin that has likely seen its share of generations pass by.

Doctor Ashley

Ashley is from Canada and leaned on the robust building community within The Sims 4 while navigating her career in finance. Through renovating dingy apartments in San Myshuno to recreating real-life mansions from the Hidden Hills of LA, Ashley soon built an amazing community that allows her to be a full time content creator: “The Sims community continues to inspire me everyday and it has changed my life in ways I could have never imagined.” Doctor Ashley built Champion’s Grove, Duke’s Hall, and Grapevine Terrace.

You really put the spotlight on some serious Equestrian Champions such as Sienna and her horse Flapjack! What inspired you to build around these talented folks and horses?

If there’s one thing I love, it’s luxury! I knew the build needed to properly reflect the lavish lifestyle of a champion and all of their winnings. For the retired horse champion's hall in downtown New Appaloosa, I put myself in Sienna Grove’s shoes and imagined how great life would be living in the heart of the city with a champion horse. They would be one of the most esteemed members of the community living in a newly renovated home, always hosting grand dinner parties and having the next generation of equestrian riders come over to learn from them. I also immersed myself in hours of equestrian content on YouTube and TikTok to get a deeper understanding of the dedication that goes into the sport, and the deep love and care that riders give their horses. There is no doubt that an equestrian champion and their horse would be living their best life, and I hope my build is everything they could ever want!

What design decisions did you make to ensure that the homes in this EP felt unique and distinct from previous Sims Expansion Packs?

It was definitely a fun challenge to ensure I stayed true to my classic design style while also fitting into the vision that the art team had for the pack. I wanted people to see these builds in-game and instantly get a feeling that this was built by Doctor Ashley! When building these homes, I wasn't afraid of contrast and paired dark wood columns and beams with white painted wood walls. I love for my builds to tell the story that perhaps the house has been around for a long time, but it was recently refreshed with a new coat of paint. The dev team did such an amazing job at curating the perfect build catalog and I was determined to bring these items to life. I tried to create furniture pairings and color combinations that may not be obvious at first glance. For example, the juxtaposition of a vintage cowhide accent chair next to floor-to-ceiling modern farmhouse windows is the perfect way to bridge the gap between the old and new!

The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack  will be available for purchase beginning July 20 in The Sims 4 on PC via EA app, Mac® via Origin, Epic Games Store, Steam®, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One systems.