The Villages at Pemberley

Article by Kghia Gherardi

I’m a bit of a gypsy in Second Life, and I change homes every few months. (With so many interesting sims out there, why limit myself?) My most recent move brought me to The Villages at Pemberley.

“Pemberley? Pemberley? Why does that name sound so familiar?” you ask. Doubtless you are a fan of Jane Austen’s novels and remember it is the name of Mr. Darcy’s estate in Pride & Prejudice. Or perhaps you are a fan of Colin Firth or Kiera Knightley and prefer to see Austen’s world through moving images.

Either way, I’m sure you’ve admired the lovely, refined world the author captured.

The Villages at Pemberley’s architecture was inspired by Miss Austen’s novels, so sim visitors will immediately notice many features of Georgian architecture*. All the houses and the two apartment buildings share a rich, warm red brick exterior. They also reflect the symmetry that epitomizes the style – a balance of equally-sized windows on each side of the doorways. Minor alterations in front landscaping give each home a subtle uniqueness (helpful when you are new and looking for your house).

“My goodness,” you say, “these tidy little homes look quite similar to one another.” The consistency in the houses may put off people accustomed to a more varied architecture, but the uniformity and balance of Pemberley are hallmarks of Georgian style. To quote from wikipedia, “Regularity of house fronts along a street was a desirable feature of Georgian town planning.” A glance down a quiet street shows the attention the builders’ paid to the Georgian emphasis on geometric shapes and desire for balance. Each street of the sim mirrors the others. At the center of it all is a beautiful park with a clock tower. There is also a club house where Pemberlians can enjoy visit over a cup of coffee or dance to one of the guest acts regularly booked there.

“I gave the builders, Bethany Heart and Echo Seigo of EB Creations, some pictures of buildings I wanted,” explains Nachema Nagorski, Pemberley owner. “We had long discussions about what I liked about Austen’s Pemberley and how I wanted a friendly neighborhood. This is what they came up with and I love it.”

Never fear the sim will be so consistent as to become boring. Each corner has a unique, small park ranging from formal gardens to small swan ponds or relaxing in inter tubes. A small Austen-oriented giftshop, unique boutiques, and an ice cream cart create a unique neighborhood.

As Nachema Nagorski, the owner of the sim describes it, Pemberley is “a friendly neo-urban community with a nod to its historical influence.” It blends the historical sensibilities with contemporary tastes. Nagorski’s goal was, “to have a neighborhood that didn’t look brand-spanking new but like the houses had been lived in. So I did want it to be historical in a way — but contemporary, as Pemberley was in the novel, up-to-date, even though it was old.”

The neo-urban elements are most apparent in the interiors of the homes. The rooms still maintain the Georgian balance, but the floor plan is open. Light-colored flooring, warm brick walls, and high ceilings make the interiors airy and allow the residents great flexibility in furnishing their homes.

Pemberley evokes the feeling of a neighborhood rather than a community. It is friendly, social and intimate. Neighbors engage in conversation rather than simply saying “hi.” I have found a comfortable new home at Pemberley and I know I will enjoy my time here.

The Villages at Pemberley

• Owner: Nachema Nagorski
• Designers: Bethany Heart and Echo Seigo, EB Creations
• SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/
  Pemberley/59/218/26
• Author: Kghia Gherardi

*Georgian architecture was named after the three English kings who ruled the country during the period of the style’s greatest popularity (1720-1840).