Words By Beq Janus
Photos By Judith LeFevre
The 4th Annual Home, Garden and Patio Expo benefitting Relay For Life of Second Life and the American Cancer Society, opened its doors on Friday, May 13th at midday, and will remain open 24 hours each day until it closes on May 22nd at 10pm SLT . This year’s extravaganza will span TEN Second Life sims, with more exhibits, more Entertainment and more ways to benefit Relay For Life, too! Covering all areas of home and land decor in SL. From prefabs and furniture to flowers and swimming pools, the event gathers together many of SL’s greatest architects, furniture makers, gardeners and landscapers, some well-known and some not so well-known, in a grand display to SL shoppers and visitors.
In the first day the Expo raised 1.5 MILLION Lindens for Relay For Life of Second Life.
So You’ve arrived at the Home Expo, a vast expanse of architectural and design wonders lays before you. Where to next? Armed with your guide-book, a bewildering array of designers reach out from the pages, all seeking your attention. People are scurrying to and fro, before long you realise that you have been rooted to the spot for far too long. lowering you guidebook you decide to walk around for a bit.
A decked pathway criss-crosses the sim and the sign says “Expo 1 sponsored by shameless bits”. As you walk, echo rises up from the central beach area and you head over to play on some of the fun and romantic features. This is the exhibit of the Sim sponsor Shameless Bits, and the large beach area features caves and bridges, tree houses, gazebos and more. Romantic beach accessories is a fun distraction as well as a representative sample of their creations at the main store.
Beyond the central beach area, a disparate collection of retailers are displaying their wares.
From the steam punk creepiness of “The Julia Collection” whose mirror holds a dark secret, to the modern chic of the Cain Maven’s large “Milan”, designer home. If a jaw dropping modern mansion is your desire, then Maven’s home, with its pretty feature bubble staircase and sleek modern lines would grace any private island resort.
We asked Cain Maven, as he stood outside his home , what his hopes for the event were.
“It’s two-fold really”, he replied, “firstly, exposure, raising visibility of my brand is of course a big point as well as supporting RFL at the same time. Secondly, since it’s my first year here, I am also here to learn, it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet other designers.”
Away in the North East corner, the grass has grown rampantly and crumbling, lichen covered stone walls offer meagre protection from the invasion of nature to both a wonderful range of furnishings from LISP and some lovingly crafted pieces from Art Dummy. Here you can enjoy a lovely use of the space, the giant Mannequins that observe you as you shop are posed with wit and humour whilst also forming the basic scaffolding of a number of displays.
You will find a further, contrasting, style as you approach the press tent in the south-eastern corner. Kismet, purveyors of highly detailed medieval homes have a wonderful period courtyard house, furnished and warmed by log fires, all ready for a grand feast.
Make sure you visit the Press Booth where you will find details of the twice daily Prim Perfect “Meet the Designer” Sessions.
Prim Perfect 