Go Tarzan or Jane on a Budget
by Kassadee Marie, HSM team writer
Who amongst us hasn’t dreamed of having the freedom of Tarzan? To live wild and strong in the jungle, swinging from vine to vine through the trees, running fearlessly along the forest floor in bare feet, swimming in untamed rivers, a friend to savage animals and Lord of the Jungle?
If you share this fantasy, you can make a little jungle world of your own in Home to enjoy, and not spend a lot of money in the process.
The Tree House Apartment is a nearly perfect space for this theme. While the surroundings are not precisely a jungle, this estate is located high in a tree above a wilderness, and has incredible views of mountains, waterfalls and other huge trees. The tree house is made out of aged wood planks, which are fastened to and centered around three large branches and a huge tree trunk that rises up from far below, through the middle of this space, and into the sky.
There is no glass in the window openings, nor is there a door in the doorway there. You can almost feel the wind from the mountains blowing through the space. Most of the lighting is provided through the open roof, which is canopied only with leaves, and the large window openings on both floors. A small amount of light is provided by a few old lanterns hung here and there on the walls and tree trunk to supply light in the darker spots. The two floors and several separate areas and nooks will allow you to design, style and furnish various rooms, such as a bedroom, an eating and/or cooking area and a “living” space.
This space has four spots for picture frames or wall hangings, and the Home Originals store sells mounted animal heads for $.99. If this suits your taste, choose between a zebra, elephant, rhino, tiger, giraffe and wild boar. If taxidermy doesn’t appeal to you, put up some simple frames and add your own themed pictures.
The furniture that I wanted to recommend for this space was the teakwood natural furniture, which was previously sold in the Home Originals Furniture store. Unfortunately, it has all been removed from the store, except for the bed. This item is only $.99 and, with its leafy green canopy, it’s perfect for this space. For a similar, but brighter look, I suggest that you splurge a little bit ($1.49) and get the red-leafed Fantasy Forest bed.
As a second choice for living room furniture, Mass Media offers the three-piece Zig Zag Woods bundle for $1.99. This furniture does look “built” and not truly natural, but it is all wood. The set includes a couch, a love seat, and a table. Be sure to pick up the Lantern torch for $.99 from LucasArts’ Monkey Island as well.
Since the space is small, you may be willing to give up 22 furniture slots for an active item. With no suitably styled music makers, I recommend purchasing the “Active Item – Cat” from the Home Originals store. Mai Mai almost has the look of a wild-cat or lynx. She stays in her habitat, climbing up and down on all three levels and taking short naps when she chooses. For only $.99, you can’t go wrong with this adorable item.
For clothing, bare chests are almost a requirement for Tarzan, and I recommend ones such as the “yacht armband tattoos” for only $.25 and found in the Threads Original Store. There is also a free torso provided by Heavy Water called “Bare canvas” that would do very well. Combine one of these with the leopard loincloth from Midway2 at Karla’s Wet and Wild game (prize #2) if you have it or can win it.
You should also be carrying a knife. The Home Costume Shop has a hand item for $.99 called the “Tribal Claw Dagger” that looks great, though there are other knives available in other stores, too. For Jane, both pieces of the leopard skin outfit are available from Karla’s Wet and Wild game, as the matching top is also offered as prize #9 there.
The Bonk male or female outfit would be great if it was a little cheaper and not red. But, you may want to look it over for Jane. By the way, remember that she can get away with flat sandals, but Tarzan needs to be barefoot, and both of them should have long, loose hair. I recommend Lockwood’s “Edward” or “Zack” styles sold for $.99 for all the Tarzans and the “Armed Vigilante Hair” on sale for for only $.25 for all the Janes out there.
Home abounds with animal companions, and some of these are suitable for a jungle motif. The tigers (adults or cubs) offered by Sony Originals, are very fitting (though not African), but they are expensive unless you buy them in bundles of three or all six.
If you’re on a budget, you should probably only buy one jungle companion, and Lockwood offers Safari Pets that are the best thematic fit and at the best price. Choose from Kumwa, a silverback gorilla; Kiboko, a baby hippo; or Tembo, a baby elephant for only $1.49 each. There is a bundle with all three for $2.49. If you just have to have a monkey pet, I suggest either of the Stitchkins monkeys, “Peanut Butter” or “Raisin” from Lockwood, priced at $1.99 each.
(Assuming you want to go prehistoric, Lockwood’s new dinosaur companions might be an awesome choice, too. –Ed.)
Is there anyone who has somehow missed out on seeing a Tarzan movie, book, comic book, or an episode of the old TV show? If so, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve seen a Tarzan movie, you should seek one out to watch and enjoy. Or, you can download several of the original Edgar Rice Burroughs “Tarzan” books free from www.gutenberg.org. You’ll need to suspend your sense of disbelief for a while and just go along with the story to get full enjoyment, but I believe it will be worth your time. Then you can come back to Home with an even better understanding of this theme and have a great time there, designing and living in your own Tarzan and Jane world.
July 24th, 2012 by Kassadee Marie | 6 comments
Home is endlessly entertaining to this California girl. Kassadee has been in Home for about four years, and loves almost everything about it (with a few notable exceptions). She spends way too much money there, and perhaps too much time... Someday she will travel the world and write about the people she meets and the places she sees.
Role playing can be a lot of fun for those inclined to do it. Good example of one that is available for those who might want to in Home. Good job as always Kass.
Dang, the loin cloth is only level 2? LOL I have wanted the female version of that for a while, but really suck at that game.. but maybe I can manage a level 2 and finally get it.
As for the tree house, own it, LOVE IT. It can be a challenge to decorate since there isn’t a square wall in the place. The spawn points are limited but with some creative flying, you can pretty much get anything you want, where you want it.
that open doorway showing walkways we can’t play on is really frustrating. I would dearly love to wander around out there and take some scenic pictures for my other spaces.
I also found using items one might “find” washed up or abandoned somewhere work quite well. Things like the little pot belly stove from Cutteridge looks great there
Great Job Kass. I don’t know if I would have the dead animals in my place -I would save that for my “Hemingway Collection” look -I would prob go with the live version. Maybe even put the kola with the blinking eyes in the corner- for a little added down under flavor. I love your “budget” series.
Thank you all for your comments. I really love writing these articles. I hope people are finding and enjoying these budget items. Almost anyone can have role playing fun on Home, without spending a lot.
I’ve really been enjoying them. Your Steampunk article gave me some good tips for my remake of the Paris Clock Tower. Please keep them coming!
Lockwood is coming out with the lion I meant for this theme. Tiger? Sheeesh. What was I thinking?