Minecraft - American Diner

Happy ‘21 to you all!

So much for having a break, but I’m still stuck at home, and with America ramping up for a new era, I figured it time I created some Yankee themed creations this winter, starting off with the ol’ classic vintage diner; gives me an excuse to finally use the Mesa seed.

Complete with a gloriously retro theme, Jo’s Diner comes with a kitchen, seating for all the family, stockroom, owners caravan, car park and a Wild West looking bridge to boot.

Supplies

The main build was built out of red terracotta, in order to stop it from blending with the Mesa rocktop.

The rest of the build was mostly terracotta, white, black, pink, green and light grey. For a more realistic looking tarmac, the roads are wool and yellow terracotta for the lines (we’ll get to that later!)

Step 1: Uncle Joe’s Finger-Licking Foundation

(You’ll see firsthand my creative process during this construction guide. A lot of things will change in the imagery throughout)

At least from my perspective, the typical 50’s diner is an oval shape, having an almost sub looking blob of an appearance.
To include the storeroom for trucks and other supply transport, there needed to be an extra section to accommodate it.

I initially went for a jet black road, but looking back, it stood out too much, and was too dark with no texture. The grey wool really worked in the end.

Now I have never been to the states, I had no idea what lines, if any, were present on American roads, here in the UK, our roads are quite different. So a bit of trial and error using yellow terracotta, was needed.

Step 2: The Bridge on the River Mi-Ti

Ye olde bridges of the Wild West had a unique look to them, with the cross-stitching steelwork and extensive supports.

Using coal for the texture, I went about connecting each support, then filling up any hidden space that exposed the road.

Step 3: A Full-Bodied Superstructure

Yes, I totally botched my first attempt, requiring an entire redo when I realised that the ovalness of the diner looked blocky and stodgy.

The colours of red and teal worked out well in the end; inspired by the Native American artwork of the West, utilising different layers to add a degree of complexity to the overall look. It just goes to show that you don’t always need to go too extreme to get results.

Step 4: Signpost Sundae

It wouldn’t be your stereotypical diner without a big sign up in lights above or alongside it.

Initially, I was aiming for the look of the old billboards, with the wooden supports and background, but that distracted from the look of the lettering, so I opted to carve out the blank spots, and it began to mimic the Hollywood sign, which was a perfect happy accident. The milkshake motif in the middle was a simple enlarged cup made of smooth quartz and pink wool, with a couple of target blocks for the straw.

Step 5: Checkerboard Chicken

You know by now that I love my checkerboard flooring, and Joe’s Diner was no exception, it just HAD to be included somehow!

Some may say it looks like a pizzeria now, but I will agree to disagree with you on that one.

Step 6: Bathroom Bonanza

Bathrooms are an essential for any customer based establishment, and who could resist going full bubblegum colours with the design. Using trapdoors for mirrors, and cauldrons for sinks, this gave it a functional appearance, even if it it was entirely cosmetic and non-functional. You may notice the modules dotted around to provide more natural looking ambient light.

Step 7: Lights Up, and No Funny Business!

Now this was a unique addition. I wanted some overhead lighting that didn’t take up much space, at first it was good ‘ol sea lanterns, but they caused too much distraction.

Solution = to mimic the vintage tube lights, I connected end rods to each other, and they held up perfectly, without any need for support or block glitches.

Step 8: Candied Caramel Caravan

Trailer parks and banged up caravans are a common thought when u think of Midwestern desert scenes, so one had to be included somehow.

Usually, steel (or Iron for minecraft users) would of been used, but the way those blocks don’t connect well without looking too well, blocky, required a substitute. Light grey wool, different from the tarmac just outside it, seemed a worthy substitute. It gives it a used, vintage look to it.

Complete with steel railing antenna and hitch up front, all that was left was to give it an unmatching door, give it some blocks for wheels, and it was done.

Step 9: USA, USA!

Need I say anymore? We salute you from across the pond!

Step 10: Parasol Panini’s

Given the lovely weather it has outside, why not install a few parasols and deckchairs for the summer bbq’s, overlooking the Mesa?

A simple construction of steel railings with smooth quartz brick, layered with quartz tiles on the side. The table is connected using the same railing, just use a different colour wool top to make it seem seperate from the parasol. First rounds on me!

Step 11: Kitchen Skillets

This one is entirely up to you, but I opted for the exposed kitchen look to the centre of the diner. If you want to check out other kitchen builds, be sure to reference my kitchen from my last build, the Sandstone Manor.

Step 12: Storeroom S’mores

This one was a doozie, having spent the last few years working in a warehouse.

Hollow out the square section, find the most dullest floor covering, use the scaffolding as shelves and cubby holes, covering any potential hazardous areas with yellow and black tiles, and hay-presto: you got yourself a warehouse!

Step 13: Conclusion: One Diner for Table One!

And there you have it, your very own American Diner!

I very much enjoyed this build, It was challenging enough to test my skills, but fun enough that it wasn’t stress inducing. I’ve even included the seed number in the pictures for you to hopefully discover Joe’s Diner for yourself! Expect more American themed builds in the future, keep building and keep safe, we’ll be out of this pandemic eventually!

Coming Soon.....Coming Soon.