Skyrim: Dremora Hearthfires

It's all about the view

The Hearthfires DLC for Skyrim adds the ability to build your own home in three different locations around the province, providing player homes in holds that didn't have one in the city. Unfortunately, all the houses are essentially the same, with no variation in architectural style, and the choices are limited to three wing layouts for each of the three available sides of the main hall. There was some indication that texture sets were intended to be used to make the homes distinct, but that didn't happen.

This provides accommodation in a Nordic Tower at the extreme edge of the map, with no interior cell. There is not much room, but a complete set of crafting stations, and enough furnishings to live with, can be squeezed in, especially after you've added a roof at the top. There is only one bed, so this is not a location where you can adopt.

There is no steward, so all the associated options of the Hearthfire homes are also absent. You get no bard, no carriage driver, and nobody will furnish the house for you. You have to do all the work! Once you've built enough, however, you'll get the chance to summon a Dremora housecarl to help you defend the place.

The site

The tower is hard to access, at least before you can fast-travel there. You'll have to fight your way up to Bard's Leap, or scramble up the other side past the trolls. There's also a Hagraven in a neighboring tower, but she keeps herself to herself and won't bother you unless you pay her a visit. However, she'll spot you if you try to mine the corundum outside, so you won't be able to dig without eliminating her.

The quest

You'll be informed of the Kyn's wish to aid you by courier, some time after you reveal that you're Dragonborn at the Western Watchtower. Just reaching the site is enough of a quest to deserve it!

Construction

There is already an anvil, and a workbench in the tower. There is a little building material in the chest, enough to add a smelter outside, and a tanning rack. Those will help you produce the other materials you need. There will be a pile of logs added when you start construction; enough to build everything. The site is too far from the lumber mills, so they wouldn't deliver (and I can't bother adding the dialog). You will have to mine ores, and buy glass and straw. You don't need many goat horns, so buy or collect as you decide.

Furnishings

The following are the items that you can construct to furnish your home. Some of these will be accompanied by miscellaneous additional items, some of which (specifically containers) are listed under Notes. The icon does not always match what is is built, but represents the type of item being made.

Furnishings
Type	Options		Materials	Notes
Containers		Barrels	2 Sawn Log, 2 Nails, 2 Iron Ingot	Main floor, beneath stairs
		Barrels	2 Sawn Log, 2 Nails, 2 Iron Ingot	Upper floor, behind stairs
		Chest	Sawn Log, Nails, Iron Fittings, 2 Hinges, Lock	Middle floor, under stairs. Also adds several sacks.
		Chest	Sawn Log, Nails, Iron Fittings, 2 Hinges, Lock	Near Anvil.
		Dresser	Sawn Log, 3 Nails, Iron Fittings, 2 Hinges, Glass	In bedroom
		Tall Wardrobe	2 Sawn Log, 4 Nails, Iron Fittings, Hinge	In bedroom
Furniture		Double bed	2 Sawn Log, 2 Nails, 4 Leather Strips, 2 Straw	Bedroom
		Side Tables	4 Sawn log, 2 Nails
		Dining Table and Bench	Sawn log, Nails
		Square Table and Chairs	Sawn log, Nails	On viewing platform at the top.
Shelves		Shelves	Sawn Log, 2 Nails	Next to crafting table.
		Tall Shelves	2 Sawn Log, 2 Nails	Next to crafting table
		Book Shelves	2 Sawn Log, 2 Nails	Lower floor, by door.
Miscellaneous		Repair floor	2 Sawn Log, 5 Nails	Covers holes in upper floor
		Roof	10 Sawn Log, 20 Nails	Over bedroom area
		Partition	2 Sawn Log, 5 Nails
		Viewing platform	10 Sawn Log, 20 Nails	Above it all
		Crafting Table (Alchemy and Enchanting)	Sawn Log, 2 Nails, 2 Glass, Refined Moonstone, Gold Ingot, Quicksilver Ingot, 2 Iron Ingot, Grand Soul Gem (filled).
		Armorer's Workbench	2 Quarried Stone, Sawn Log, Iron Ingot	Opposite front door
		Spit	Iron fittings, Iron Ingot, Quarried Stone
		Grindstone	Quarried Stone, Sawn Log, Iron Fittings	Next to stairs
		Door	4 Hinges, Iron Fittings, Sawn Log
		Door	4 Hinges, Iron Fittings, Sawn Log
		Front Door	4 Hinges, Iron Fittings, Lock, Sawn Log
		Small Chandelier	Iron Ingot, Iron Fittings, 3 Goat Horns	Entrance
		Lamp Stand	Iron Ingot, Iron Fittings, 3 Goat Horns	Lower floor, by dining table
		Smelter	4 Quarried Stone, 6 Clay, 2 Iron Fittings, 5 Iron Ingots	Outside
		Tanning Rack	Sawn Log, Leather Strips	Next to anvil
Weapon racks		Weapon Racks (3)	3 Sawn log, 3 Iron Fittings	Just inside entrance
		Weapon Plaque	Sawn Log, Iron Fittings	Bedroom
		Weapon Plaque	Sawn Log, Iron Fittings	Near Anvil
		Weapon Plaque	Sawn Log, Iron Fittings	Near Anvil
		Armor Mannequin	Sawn Log, Quarried Stone, Nails	Near anvil
Total Materials:	18 Hinges, 19 Iron Fittings, 3 Locks, 78 Nails, 60 Sawn Logs, 9 Quarried Stone, 1 Grand Soul Gem, 1 Quicksilver Ingot, 1 Refined Moonstone, 12 Iron Ingots, 1 Gold Ingot, 6 Goat Horns (3 Corundum Ingots, 59.8 Iron Ingots)