sonicstarlight

For me, the Green Grocer is the apex of the modular line. Since the GG, I think I have liked each new release slightly less than the one before - I do think the Town Hall looks better than the Pet Shop, though.

No problem with asking a lot of questions! I only used one of each of the two sets when making these - I've since bought another Diagon Alley as I needed more Gringotts bricks for what I am making now. Typically I try and do the front elevations of my buildings using mostly just the bricks from the set, using Bricklink more for the bricks to make the side walls and rear elevations. I always run low on windows, plates, and tiles, too. I would estimate it to be a fairly even 50/50 mix of pieces I got through sets and pieces I got on Bricklink, but that might be generous towards the set side. If I was less picky with my interiors, especially with the colors of everything, I could save a lot of ordering. Speaking of, I probably spent twice as much time on the interiors as I did the exteriors. My first modular had very modest interiors, and I would recommend keeping it simple when starting out. You can always decorate further later. As for the answer to the "chicken and egg" question, I just say jump in. Find a set that inspires you (and I agree that you shouldn't take apart the official modulars) and just start playing with the pieces you have. You might have to build a little with actual bricks, switch over to LDD to refine your ideas when you run low on certain elements or don't have the exact bricks you want, and then do a Bricklink order when you can generate a list of what you need. Lather, rinse, repeat as necessary, and don't expect overnight results. I think these were the quickest I have ever built modulars, and it still took a few months - I am 6 months into the one I am working on now. Hope this helps!

I don't know how I missed this one until now, but I am glad I found it. As others have said, this is really beautifully done and honestly could be mistaken for the next official release. Everything about it is pleasing - the massing, the details, the color palette. I hope there isn't some piece count technically that makes this exempt - you have my vote!

When I first started, I did use LDD to help plan out my models - just bits and pieces, never the entire thing. It is a great tool when you don't have a lot of bricks. Starting with these three and continuing on to the model I am making now, I haven't used any digital creation programs at all - I like the ease of testing things out in actual bricks now that I have the luxury to do so. I think it is a personal choice in the end, and now that I have all these finished buildings I do actually want to go back and try to create digital versions in the hopes of making instructions (eventually).

Thank you for the kind words. My inspiration is really more to do with necessity than anything else. I had to start my collection over from scratch when I got back into Lego a few years ago, and buying sets is the fastest and often cheapest way to amass a lot of bricks. Even now I don't have a huge pile laying around (all my spare parts fit in 5 shoeboxes) so I work with what I have. The bonus is by using official sets as starting points, I feel the end results tend to give them a look consistent with the actual modular line so there isn't a big disconnect between mine and theirs. Please post pictures when you finish your modular based on my MMV build - I really can't think of anything more flattering and I would love to see it. Let me know if you have any questions about anything, too - just send me a PM. You won't have to wait too much longer before I unveil my next creation - it's going to be a big one!

I love it! The building is really well detailed, and I think the mix of uses is great - I've seen stranger combinations in real life.

Well, I got another window in the LEGO Store at Rockefeller Center - anyone in NYC from now through the end of February is more than welcome to go check it out!

I was going to say the exact same thing. Honestly, I think it is great that you are able to to do this, JJG - it really is silly to attach too much sentiment to bits of plastic. Your work has always been a huge inspiration to me. It's great to see it all together in one place - I'm sure I'll be checking back here from time to time just to gawk.

I don't get the disappointment - this is actually the first time a modular has far exceeded my expectations. This is such a huge step up from the Pet Shop that it almost looks like it was done by a different company. Can't wait!

Nice to see the final product. The roof looks great - very successful blend of the two early options.

It's fun to see my old topics randomly resurrected from time to time, so thanks for the additional comments. I actually just picked up another Medieval Market Village from the Lego Store a couple months ago after looking for one with no luck for a while, and want to do a medium blue corner building to compliment this one after I finally finish the courthouse I have been working on for the past 3 months.

I have to admire you going the extra mile, even if it means creating something to grand for the contest! I love the monotone qualities of the exterior - despite the limited palette there are a ton of details. Blogged on Brick Town Talk

I have been waiting impatiently for the finished product, and it was definitely worth the wait! Simply stunning - each building is wonderfully detailed and fits in so well with the official sets. I don't think I have ever seen such a cohesive set of modular buildings. Blogged on Brick Town Talk

I love everything about this! It was hard to pick a favorite part, but that Art Deco petrol station is simply wonderful. You've captured the era perfectly - blogged on Brick Town Talk

Really great techniques - this is a much more convincing log cabin than the official Creator set. Blogged on Brick Town Talk

Excellent, excellent work! The house itself is really great, even if it originally started as something else. The garden and fence on the outside are both very nice as well - it looks like somewhere I would want to live in real life. Blogged on Brick Town Talk!

I'm a big fan of this one! The whole thing is very well detailed and proportioned, and the dark red on the ground floor really makes this building pop. I hope this is just the first of many modulars we see from you. Blogged on Brick Town Talk!

I completely agree! Snaillad, you make some of my absolute favorite buildings - your attention to detail is second to none and it is so hard to make it out in your shots sometimes. Anyway, this is another stunner! I love the monotone look - white facades with black windows is one of my favorite combinations. The interiors are again very well done and appropriate for the era you are depicting. You've yet to disappoint!

Great work! All of your creations are individually wonderful, but seeing them arranged like this is really inspiring. Blogged on Brick Town Talk!

Great update! This is a very detailed build, and has a lot of really clever details I haven't seen before.

That's actually a good idea. The space it tight but it could certainly be done. The modular I did before this had a fire escape on the front of it, so I think I was over fire escapes at the time. Yep, I'm a New Yorker - work in Manhattan and live in Brooklyn. I just recently joined up with I LUG NY (www.ilugny.com) which is how I got to put this build in the Rockefeller window - if you want to know more about the group, just PM me.

I'm not sure if it is just the lighting in the picture, but it looks like a day-glo green to me. It certainly wasn't meant as an insult - I once had a jacket in the color when I was young (the 80's were a great decade for a lot of things, but fashion was not one of them...) I will take back my comment about being a bit on the fence before - I have indeed been won over by medium green!

I'm looking forward to seeing future updates. I've always wanted to do a step-by-step build topic, but really lack the patience to take photos along the way. Keep it up!

Great shot, and thanks for the compliment! I agree that photos don't quite do it justice. And wow, over 10,000 views on this topic now! Thank you all.

Very interesting color choices - it made my eyes go a little funny at first! While I am on the fence about the green, everything else is extremely well done. Blogged on Brick Town Talk!