This is my housing without effects. Basically I've already followed your avices except for regular shapes. I'll redo them with more regular and straight shapes. What isn't satisfying, mostly, is the effects. I'd like to have straw roofs, but I cannot find a way to achieve that look.

Hmm... Your "Village of Hania" map is almost exactly the look I'm searchong for...
http://www.cartographersguild.com/al...chmentid=30203
but I don't know where to start: those tiny indents, the texture who follow the orientation of the roof... some advice on that will be greatly, greatly appreciated (you're an awesome cartographer btw! )
Click image for larger version. 

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