Parade of Homes Review

Featured Home of the Month of November 2021

Writer|Photographer: Teresa Firelight

House type: Edelweiss Chalet

LM to this home:  Edelweiss Chalet

Our home of the month is an Edelweiss Chalet owned by Analisa Mounier. Analisa is a bit different of a homeowner because she doesnt get the Bellisseria houses for herself-- she gets them to share with others. Analisa takes great pleasure in decorating a home so that people can come and enjoy it. And she is very good at decorating. I took some pictures, but they dont do the place justice. You will have to come and see for yourself.

I walked around her lovely home and garden, then sat down and had a chat with her.

So who lives here? Is it just you or does anyone else stay here with you?

“Actually, no one. This is one of the homes I have on the parade. However, I do log in there frequently because there is now a train station right next door.”

This is a lovely house in a nice location. You owned it for about 7 months, so I assume you really like it here. What made you choose this location?

“This was the 2nd chalet location I caught. It's in a kind of private spot, at a dead end, and next to a little hill. I will never move now that the Lindens have given me a train station, car rez zone and a hot air balloon practically at my doorstep.”

Edelweiss

Chalet Home

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I smiled at her reply, then ask my next question.

Your furnishings and decorations look very coordinated and well put together. How did you go about choosing this theme and what is the feeling you wish to convey here?

“Honestly, I did not like the chalets when they were first released but eventually I got bored and decided to get one. I wanted to see if I could make it into a place where I may want to live.

“I tend to choose a base colour (in this case gray), then at least 2 coordinating colors (pink and white), a metal (gold) and then decide on the wood accents (I do that last). Afterwards, I dig into my main and my main alt's inventories to find one piece or set that I can decorate around for each room.

“Finally (and unfortunately for my credit card), I go shopping to get just the one thing (or twenty) that I happen to need to complete the look.”

You have managed to get an amazing lot of furnishing and decorations (both inside and outside) with the 351 LI limit. Do you have any hints or tips to pass on to others about how to do this?

“Check Land Impact (LI) count before you buy any thing for the house. Make sure they are copy/mod so you can link them which can help reduce the LI count (I can sometimes get an extra 150 Li in a Linden Home this way). This is an arduous process. I will grab copies and test them in a sandbox. Do not link items that contain animations.”

What made you decide to open your lovely home to visitors and enter it into the Parade of Houses?

“Edelweiss is one of five homes I currently have open on the Parade. I find it fun and interesting to visit other people's homes and just thought others could enjoy mine as well. Then it kind of grew into an addiction. I am thinking about opening my stilt home as well (where I actually live) but I am constantly redecorating that one so it may remain private.”

What is your favorite feature or location of this house?

“The walled garden I set up just outside the dining-room. I started with the little bistro set as my inspiration and I think I came out beautifully.”

Edelweiss

Chalet Home

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Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

“Decorating my Linden Homes has been a mental life-saver since the beginning of the pandemic. I enjoy exploring the different decorating style homes that I don't have in RL because I live in the Caribbean.

“Being on the Parade has also allowed me to meet many other residents who have a love of interior design and I've become fast friends with quite a few.

“I really appreciate being featured so I hope even more folks will come visit and say hi.”

Decorators Find of the Week - 10.31.21

Writer|Photographer: Fiona Jogiches

AWNINGS 

I am lucky to have a beautiful stilt home in the warm tropical sunshine, I needed to feel the sun on my bones so packed my bags and here I am. The house is perfect but at some times of the day it's lovely to have some shade from the sun so I searched on the marketplace and found these gorgeous awnings.

They come in so many colors, plain or with stripes. The land impact is 2 for each awning, and at the original size fitted my Havana windows perfectly.

I tried them on the larger Lauderdale version home and the window on the back deck is larger so resized the awning and the land impact was 5 but I think 5 land impact is still acceptable for such a large area of window. The awning is not scripted like the awning in the LH Trailer pack, but the LH awning is 10 prims to enable it to open and close. Always remember to get the Linden Home Content Packs at each home you own, you never know when something from one home is useful in another. Inside the pack are details how to stretch the awning if you need to make bigger sizes.

2 versions are included TINTABLE and TEXTURE CHANGE.

You can easily change the color of the TEXTURE awning by touching the awning to get the blue menu chart. There are 12 different colors to choose from in the texture awning. If you prefer the plain tintable option you get a plain white awning which you can edit and TINT via the texture menu to create any color you wish.

You can find them here - Land Homes Awning Kit

They cost just 99 linden and I think that is excellent value. They are full modify so can be used on which ever Linden Bellisserian home you have.

Slap on the sun oil and keep safe, till next time ...

Newly added Listings. Week of October 31st, 2021

For the week of October 31st, 2021, we have 2 new listings this week to share with you.

NEW LISTINGS	WEEK OF 10.31.21
SHAKTI STUDIO Art Gallery Featuring the art of Shakti Adored-Sugarfield Under Resident Owned Places of Interest Listings.
Abertawe Beachfront Retreat Under Victorian Listings.

 

Bellisseria Halloween Parade of Homes Video

This week we're showcasing our Bellisserian's decorated Halloween homes. We selected 5 homes from all our applicants and are pleased to showcase them in a short video. We hope you enjoy it and thank you to all those who applied.

Decorators Find of the Week - 10.24.21

Writer|Photographer: Fiona Jogiches

TREE SEAT

I was walking around my garden and noticed the trees are now turning a wonderful golden yellow and red autumn colors. I decided I would like a new place to sit and enjoy my morning coffee so off I went to find a new seat. I went to Lisp store where I found this lovely Tree Seat.

I bought the Tree Seat - "Woody"

There are 7 different wood textures and 8 cushion options in the solid wood seat, and 10 different wood textures, and the same 8 cushions are in the 2 tone version. You can have both seats with cushions or without cushions as 4 seats are in the pack plus a shadow to go under the seat if required.

If you press the top of the seat a menu will appear to change the textures.

I have the solid wood seat in the garden, a rich dark color for this time of year but you can change it to a lighter wood or colored woods for other seasons. It has many sit animations, cuddles, and props. You can have single female, single male, duo sits. For cuddles, you have the choice of Male&Female, Female&Female, and Male&Male duo sits.

There are lots of animations with props, some come automatically with the pose, some you get as add on's but very few are add on's. If you press the legs on the seat it will dispense some props to wear. You can read a book, be on the phone, be on your laptop, even play the guitar or do some knitting in the winter. The couple and duo poses are from romantic to wacky!

The seat is 5 land impact and only $50L to buy. There is also a Tree Seat - "Shabby" if you prefer the painted colors.

I added my own tree in the center as it does not come with a tree, so I can replace the tree to suit the seasons.

You can get the tree seats here at Lisp

They also do 3 other styles of tree seat - 1 with sheep and birds on the cushions, 1 with flowers, and 1 with various images, all at $50L that is very nice, but they are at a higher 12 land impact.

Please look around as I also bought a garden table and chair set, you get 3 different colors in the pack for $50L and a wooden Gazebo for $120L, so a good shopping day.

Have a lovely week and wrap up warm ....

Newly added Listings. Week of October 24th, 2021

For the week of October 24th, 2021, we have 0 new listings this week to share with you. 

Millbank

Writer|Photographer: Teresa Firelight

The Moles are not always those sweet helpful creatures that run around making Bellisseria beautiful. At times they have a “darker” side. And the Halloween edition of Millbank is one of those times.

 

 

It starts with a fun balloon tour. But don't be fooled -- that is not all there is to Millbank.

 

After you finish the tour, grab one of the free flashlights from the table and walk around. (Be sure to enable audio, as there are a lot of great sound effects). There is quite a bit more to see and experience. I don't want to do “spoilers” and tell you about all of the fun stuff... but be prepared for flickering lights, doors that close to lock you in rooms, ghostly seances, things that jump out at you, falling objects that can crush you, lunatics that rush out to harm you, etc.

 

If you like it there, a few of the houses are for sale. But think carefully before you buy, as not everything there is as good of a deal as it first sounds. For example, this lovely green trad is for sale at a reduced price. It sounds like a steal.. but is it?

 

House for Sale

Millbank region

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Also, Millbank may not be the best neighborhood to raise your kids in. For example, some of the neighbors bought “fix-me-uppers” and never quite got around to fixing them up. There are questionable goings-on at the nearby trailer park. And while the houseboat on the pond is scenic, there have been some “strange noise” complaints and missing person reports coming from there.

 

Fix-Me-Uppers

Millbank region

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Still interested in a house at a great deal? There is an estate for sale, also at a reduced price. Why so cheap? Well, you will have to go in to find out.

 

If the neighbors drive you nuts, there is a conveniently located mental asylum (and mortuary) that you can take advantage of.

 

Finally, the neighborhood also has a nice quiet graveyard – or is it? You will have to walk through it and decide for yourself.

 

A nice quiet neighborhood

Millbank region

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Decorators Find of the Week: 10.17.21

Writer|Photographer: Fiona Jogiches

HALLOWEEN

I spent a terrific day at the Halloween Shop & Hop looking for spooky things for the home and the garden. It is amazing, all the beautiful displays around the mall created by the wonderful moles. There are free gifts at the stores and many fantastic discounts to be had. Here is the link to the guide, Your Guide to the 2021 Halloween Shop & Home, where you can get the landmarks to each store or just start in one region and go around from shop to shop and shop till you drop.

The event is open until October 31st.

I went into Dreamland Designs display in the Jubilant region and got the free gift.

Landmark to: Jubilant

He is now standing at the front door at the BBB (Bellisserian Bureau of Bureaucracy) to welcome you in. I liked him so much I went to Dreamland Designs Mainstore to look at what other Halloween items might be there. I found two skeletons sitting in deck chairs along with an elephant and another skeleton lying on the ground, all in a pack for $250L. I did not want the elephant with the lying-down skeleton but wanted the two skellies in their deck chairs to sit out on the patio at the BBB HQ. At only $2L each I think they look chilled. This is the Landmark to the Mainstore to buy the pack.

Landmark to: Dreamland Designs Mainstore

So here they are happily chatting away and watching out for people to surprise as they go out of the back door at the BBB.

This is the Landmark to the BBB where you can see them - BBB Office Winters Elm

Hope you find some wonderful things for Halloween be they scary or funny or traditional depending on your style, till next time, take care .......

Newly added Listings. Week of October 17th, 2021

For the week of October 17th, 2021, we have 5 new listings this week to share with you.

NEW LISTINGS	WEEK OF 10.17.21
Kenneth Hall Country Manor Country Hall - Seasonal Exhibits - Archery - Collections Under Resident Owned Places of Interest Listings.
Borahae Decorated for Halloween Under Victorian Listings.
Mounier Holiday Homestead Home for the Holidays Under Chalet Listings.
Taigh an Aoibhneis (house of joy) It's a sweet warm little witchy home with lovers of cats and softly magical things in mind! Under Fantasy Listings.
Jupiter Projects Features a series of limited engagement interactive environments. Under Resident Owned Places of Interest Listings.

October - Resident Owned Place of Interest

Writer|Photographer: Teresa Firelight

Today I visited the Daimond Outpost and BelliBin HQ

Landmark to this Place of Interest: BelliBin

This dual-purpose Place of Interest is located on a cute little houseboat and is loaded with all sorts of goodies. It is well worth visiting. For starters, they allow guests to rez here. You can rez a boat OR a land vehicle -- and if you did not bring your own vehicle, there is also a Bike Rezzer here. The landing point is right in front of the BelliBin information area. If you walk around to the other side of the boat, there is a very welcoming lounge area where you can relax, watch the calming water or enjoy a lovely sunrise.

I sat down with diamond Marchant, the proprietor, and we had an interesting chat.

BelliBin

Places of Interest

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You have a lovely and inviting location. Can you share why you choose this theme and this location?

    “Like all Linden Homes, it emerged random, however, I returned a few before sticking with this one. I liked that it is lakeside, although the entire lake did not exist at the time. I wanted a houseboat for water access and the Evening Star style because one large room seems appropriate for a public space.
    “When Bellisseria appeared in March 2019, the first regions comprised an all-water channel. The sailing community noticed this "new water" and immediately tried it out.
    “Sailors knew that Bellisseria was coming and when the doors opened in April, I wanted to get a houseboat so the Leeward Cruising Club (LCC) would have a destination.”

Your Place Of Interest seems to have a dual purpose. Part of it is dedicated to BelliBin and part is dedicated to those with a passion for Sailing. Can you please tell us a bit about the latter?

    “The Leeward Cruising Club is group a that has twice-weekly non-competitive cruises and parties open to all sailing levels and all avatars. We are the oldest cruising club in Second Life and we always explore new regions when they emerge. And we also love to explore Bellisseria.
    “I wanted the LCC houseboat to serve as a rez zone, party venue, and information center.”

 

BelliBin

Places of Interest

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What is BelliBin and what gave you the idea of starting it?

    “BelliBin, a waste management roleplaying game, emerged in August 2019 as just a fun idea. These new Linden Homes appeared like places where real humans might live and people use trash cans, right? Two key concepts are that everything happens inworld (no servers) and maintenance is not required. Soon I joined forces with Sebastian Serpente(tm) and the Bellisseria Dept. of Solid Waste to make it official. Sebastian provided the wonderful mesh bins that we now use. The idea for BelliBins giving things away started with Patch.
    “BelliBins also are ‘community building objects.' The game gives people a reason to wander around, interact with others, and share things.
    “BelliBin needed a headquarters for distributing information. Since I already had the houseboat, it seemed like the obvious choice.”

I noticed that you allow people to rez at your location, which is very nice of you. There are not many privately owned Belli homes that allow rezzing. What gave you the idea to do this?

    “One reason is that LCC requires that outposts and hubs allow rezzing, otherwise, it cannot function.
    “But in my 12 years in Second Life, I have always provided rez zones because I enjoy having others visit my parcels.”

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

    “The LCC Outpost in Kiva is also an information center for BelliFind, a HUD that locates BelliBins, Open Homes, Places of Interest, Passport Stamps, and Rez Zones. Residents control BelliBins and BelliPins and then others can find them using the BelliFind HUD inworld.
    “And finally, we decorate for the season!”

Decorators Find of the Week: 10.10.21

Writer|Photographer: Fiona Jogiches

Kitchens -

I have visited many many stores over the last two weeks looking at kitchens :) I was amazed at the range of modern high-quality kitchens available in SL, but not everyone wants a top-of-the-range choice for many reasons. It may not suit the style of home they live in or be very expensive and very large. This can work beautifully if you have a large kitchen area to fill, but in smaller homes like the Doyle Victorian or Fantasy Homes you might want something less modern and smaller. I went to Dench Designs and want to share with you what you can find there.

There are many styles and sizes to choose from, complete kitchens starting from only $50L and only 2 LI, look for the Reduced Triangles (in yellow) on the walls above the kitchens. You can get a free "footprint template" (sign in green) to take back to your home to see if the units will fit your space before buying.


Dench Designs furniture has unique animations, not the same ones that you often find over and over again and are really fun. You have single and couple poses and always make me smile.

Some of the kitchens come with texture changes options, so if you want to change the look you can change it to a color or pattern of your choice.


This was one of my favorites. So many poses and animations from drinking coffee to cooking to washing up. The units are 10 land impact and the fridge 2 LI the island and stools 5 LI and at only $199L for the complete set, I will be taking the template home to test right now.


Here is the LM to the kitchens: Kitchens

Hope you find something that suits your home and budget but please please explore Dench Designs to wonder at all she has on display.

The Halloween department is a must-see. Go to the main entrance steps to find the Halloween Teleporter if you dare.

Take care and watch out for scarecrows and ghosties, till next week ...........

Newly added Listings. Week of October 10th, 2021

For the week of October 10th, 2021, we have 4 new listings this week to share with you.

NEW LISTINGS	WEEK OF 10.10.21
Wren's Nest Farmhouse exterior; modern interior Under Traditional Homes Listings.
Halloween Witch's Coven The Witch is In Under Fantasy Homes Listings.
Norrtelje A pub and a library Under Chalet Home Listings.
Syn's Chalet Home Modern, Artsy, Musical Under Chalet Home Listings.

 

Featured Home of the Month for October

Feature Writer|Photographer: Teresa Firelight

Please welcome on board the Bellisseria Parade of Homes Review

Teresa Firelight

Parade of Homes Feature Writer

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Tickle Ridge Trailer

This month we are featuring a Williamsburg Camper as the Home of the Month, in Bellisseria's Parade of Homes Review.

Tickle Ridge Trailer

Home of the Month

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Landmark to their home: Tickle Ridge Trailer

This month’s home is the Tickle Ridge Trailer, also known as “Dor’s Vacation Spot.” This Camper/Trailer has it all... a raised bedroom with fireplace, an inviting and comfortable living room, an outdoor swing, a treehouse, a campfire, a comfortable deck with a daybed for you and a small bed for your cat, a sports car and even a truck rezzer so guests can drive around the region. It is nestled on the side of a hill with scenic boulders, forest trees, and a quaint dirt road. There is even a waterfall, pond, and picnic area just a short distance down the road.

I had a lovely chat with the owner, Dor Cao, so we could learn more about his inviting spot.

So who all lives here and what made you choose this as your place of residence?

“This is my space to get away from it all and relax. I'm the only one that stays there but all are welcome.

“Before I realized what Bellisseria was, I was out exploring Second Life for SLRR spots. I found a rezzing area with campers and a lot of beautiful areas and had to have one! The camper was my first choice for two reasons, I loved the outdoor nature regions (this was before log homes), and it allowed me to keep a small mainland plot located in the snow regions. I was extremely lucky in my game of homes, Tickle Ridge was the 2nd spot I found. Funny enough, I gave up the first spot because I didn't like the style of trailer, I didn't know at the time you could change them!”

Tickle Ridge Trailer

Home of the Month

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I see you have lived here almost 1.5 years now, so I assume you must love this spot. What are some of the things about this location that makes you like it so much?

“I love that my home backs up onto a mountain and that my front has the neighbor of a mole cabin. It is also just slightly off of the road system so it makes it very easy to drive all over, and it's walking distance to a small river for fishing. And I love the region name, Tickle Ridge.”

What is your favorite spot to hang out at this home?

“I have two favorite spots to hang out. One is in the treehouse next to the fire pit where I can play the guitar and relax, and the other is roasting marsh-mellows at the fire.”

Did you set this place up all at once, or did it evolve over time? do you continue to decorate and change things around every now/then? or do you have it just the way you want it?

“When I got my trailer I had all these ideas and plans for how I would decorate each house version differently, however for the most part my trailer is the way I set it up for the first time. I've switched out some furniture and put up some seasonal decorations but I am very happy with the way it looks now and I don't want to mess it up! The only thing that changes on a regular basis is the car that is parked. I like to drive off to explore, and when I do, I don't put the same car back to give the place some variety.” Then he let out a big grin.

Tickle Ridge Trailer

Home of the Month

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I noticed that you have managed to get a lot of nice stuff on this tiny lot (only 175 LI allowance). Do you have any tricks you would like to share about how you were able to get so many nice things into your home with such a small LI allowance?

“I have to thank the gang in the Citizens group for all the tricks and ideas to get my trailer full of stuff. They taught me the trick of link unscripted items to squeeze out another prim or two. In addition to that, a lot of my decorating choices were made by sorting items on the marketplace by land impact rather than release date or price. I also link everything together in a sandbox. That way I can make a copy of it all first in case I mess the thing up!”

I also noticed that you go way out of your way to make visitors welcome… and I was wondering what motivated you to make this spot open and inviting for visitors?

“I find it so relaxing and beautiful here that I wanted to make it inviting for anyone exploring the area. I put down a bubble rezzer and made the truck rezzer for a couple of reasons. I have a bit of an obsession with vehicles in Second Life and I thought with the limited land allowance for a trailer I couldn't ever figure a way to have one there all the time. Even after I figured a way to keep a car or something on the lot I wanted to keep the rezzers out for others passing by. There have been a lot of times I was ejected from a balloon or plane when traveling around due to a pesky security system. I figured if that happens to anyone passing this area, they could have some free transportation to get to the next rezzing spot.” And here he let out another huge grin.

Is there anything else you would like to say or share with our readers?

“I'm really honored that my place is being considered for House of the Month! I hope you like my little home away from home here on Tickle Ridge. I have no plans in giving it up anytime soon, so pop by anytime, just be warned that sometimes I do hang out wearing nothing but tighty whities and a beer or a guitar. After all, it is my vacation spot!”

Decorators Find of the Week: 10.03.21

Writer|Photographer: Fiona Jogiches

Every week I go to an amazing store called LOVE 'N LOVE. There are always great deals, low prices, and low prim, heaven, what's not to love?

With Autumn upon us, the landing area is a sea of warm golden color.

Where to look first?

So many wonderful trees and shrubs for the garden at only $50L, but decided to go with the Mountain Ash in Fall set. It contains 5 autumn trees at different stages of autumn color. The size when you put them out is 3 LI but you could stretch them or shrink them to suit your garden. The display trees at the store are slightly smaller so only 2 LI each.

I put some out at home and varied some to different sizes. With different sky settings, I think these would fit into most homes, including Fantasy.

Landmark to: Love SuperStore

There are many offers to be found and some "free" boxes around to pick up that Krys the generous owner puts out, not just at the landing point if you search different areas. Last week I bought the bamboo pack for $50L. Over the bridge next to the group gifts, and under the display was another free box of bamboo extras. So please have a good look around the different scenes and enjoy all there is to be seen here.

Autumn/Fall is coming for a lot of people so snuggle up and keep warm.

See you next time......

Newly added Listings. Week of October 3rd, 2021

For the week of October 3rd, 2021, we have 1 new listing this week to share with you.

NEW LISTINGS	WEEK OF 10.03.21
Reepicheep's Art Gallery & Garden Belli/SL Art Gallery & Garden Under Resident Owned Places of Interest.