Castles and Courtyards was established in July of 2004. The premise of the website was to offer another resource to those seeking information on design and decorating in the game Ultima Online. Siobhan Minos of Legends, decorator, founded the website not only as this index of information for her readers, but also for herself. The passion for decorating that Castles was established on is maintained to this day. It remains that CnC was not created for the purpose of profit but for the enjoyment of designers and decorators.

Many times Siobhan would go looking for information and be met with a brick wall, a series of invalid URLs to old decorating sites or sites with out of date tutorials or sites written in a foreign language, that when using a website translator, would show something less legible than her first attempts at muttling through the sites.

Once she got to the point of feeling comfortable with how she designed and decorated things, she decided to take it a step further, and create a resource for anyone interested in reading.

Tutorials are worked on constantly with either edits or additions in an attempt to keep the site up to date and informational for everyone.

CnC then acquired a staff status when Siobhan's RP partner and RL best friend Melph Minos, also of Legends, joined her as a co-owner of the site. Melph has been a long time decorator and designer on the shard and most noted for his weekly storytelling events.

Since the start, we have added so much to site including a forum and a Forum Reporter! Below - are images of each and a brief biography of how they came to UO and to Castles.

STAFF PROFILES

What is your favorite decorating item?
Nightshade is so versatile - I love having it in most of my floral pieces!

Do you use a beetle when you decorate?
I've had VW since 2 weeks after starting to play UO and he was my first pet to bond. I keep him close at hand for big deco jobs - and did I mention he's on his way to being 4x GM!!!

What is one item you'd like to see added to the game?
That's a toss up between wall sconces or craftable area rugs!

 

Siobhan Minos

Founder, Castles and Courtyards
Historian, Fort Briarwood - Legends

Home: Fort Briarwood Library and Museum

Started UO: June 2003

I have enjoyed decorating in UO since I received my first house plot not 1 week after starting UO. I can say that the decorating aspect of UO really does appeal to me more so than PvP or PvM and have enjoyed every house I have decorated.

It is a challenge sometimes to come up with new ideas and to keep the creative juices flowing. I hate to fall into a rut where everything I create looks the same as the last - so it is a quest of sorts and I enjoy sharing them with other people. I know that ideas I have come up with probably have been done in the past, but being able to write up a tutorial that is documented for all to share really makes me enjoy the CnC website.

What is your favorite decorating item?
Seers, but we don't have them anymore.

Do you use a beetle when you decorate?
Nope - chest in the middle of the room, secured.

What is one item you'd like to see added to the game?
Z -axis 5 level platforms. This wouldn't push you thru the next level, it takes 7 to do that. This would allow for a stage, a raised bed - a "sunken living room."

 

Melph Minos

Co-Owner, Castles and Courtyards
Cheiftain, Fort Briarwood - Legends

Home: Orc's Head Saloon

Started UO: March 1999

What got me into decor, was my roleplaying style. Most of my characters live in houses that would reflect their background or profession. My houses are an extention of the roleplay of my characters.

I was drug into CnC kicking and screaming by Sio, ask her why I'm here. *winks*

What is your favorite decorating item?
The Sit on Sofa, it is practical (has chests where u can store stuff so storage is "hidden") and it looks good!

Do you use a beetle when you decorate?
Nope, i tend to be able to carry everything on myself.

What is one item you'd like to see added to the game?
I
t would be nice to have a real fountain, like an add-on or something.

Lady Celania

Forum Reporter, Castles and Courtyards
Co-Owner, Runes 2 Go - Legends

Home: Runes To Go Vendor House and Rune Library

Started UO: December 2003

While running a business has kept me very busy, I somehow found the time to learn what the world of decorating is all about, and I have to say, I love it! Every 2-story villa, tower, and castle is a new canvas and every proud homeowner has different taste.

Not only do I enjoy decorating, but I enjoy scouring the web and Britannia alike, looking for new ideas.

Decorating is one of the things that keeps my interest in our lands and I look forward to the next home that I can decorate.

 

 


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