Quote from Sotalia,
"When I build my houses from plans, I use the conversion of 2-4 ft = 1 tile, 5-7 ft = 2 tiles, 8-10 ft = 3 tiles... etc. Sometimes the houses look a little off, but it seems to work the best this way, rather than a straight 3:1 ratio. Just my 2 cents. "


Sotalia,
I back your solution and this's very pragmatic coz whether it's TS1 or TS2, Maxis tends to force objects with different scales to fit into its grid-based rationale while not thinking of making the objects reasonably proportional to a series of objects after considering the grid-based sizes. Therefore, varied lengths can happen to be on the same grid-size scale. So, if assuming there's a fixed scale comparing TS1 or TS2 to our real life, we're not gonna be able to make what we want in many cases. A moderate flexibility to readjust, as in Sotalia's way to scale things, can work out things more efficiently.

Updated: May read these threads as well for similar infos...
SimmerinLalaLand's House planning spreadsheet
http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=56704
House Plans
http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=156955



Quote from Anastie,
"Could anyone tell me how to build a different-level ledder and how to make a pool but with deleted walls and floor then it looks like a wonderful lake. Please help!!!"

Check out this tutorial,

frillen7 - Paloma Beach Tutorial (in which you'll learn how to get the pool water out for your beach later.)
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/sto...&user_id=126444
billydudeiskewl - Beach Bunglow Tutorial
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/sto...untry=&view=all

simrollergirl1 - How To Create a Beach (4 landscaping)
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/sto...untry=&view=all

Beware, due to the method used, your sims may appear swimming everywhere in the lot. However, you may try to use walls or alike to limit where they can swim to.