Project Name: Sonder’s Frost
Project Type: Public Space, Collab
Project Details: Mainland Project
Project Accolades: November 2023 Destination Guide Editors Pick ✨
Visit: Sonder in Second Life
In a quaint village nestled into rolling hills, the first frost is settling, transforming it into a winter wonderland. Twinkling lights adorn snowy cottages and line narrow cobblestone streets, casting a warm and inviting glow. The cozy atmosphere embraces the town, creating a sense of togetherness as neighbors gather in local cafes and share stories by crackling fires. Welcome to Sonder’s Frost.
Sonder is a joint project with my good friend Teagan Lefevre. Situated on the Second Life Mainland continent of Heterocera in the Lake District, Sonder is an all-inclusive rural village with many things to explore and experience. Teagan and I knew that we wanted to do something special for our first winter in Sonder and we came up with the idea of a first frost and that magical moment right as the first snowfall of the season starts. So we added snow dustings and light snow and dreamed up all of the magical winter/holiday things.
We both agreed that there should be an ice skating rink and Christmas tree farm so we gave Sonder Hollow (a nature area off the side of the main village square) a face lift. We added a barn for our landing point which featured a gift wrapping station and fireplace with cozy seating area. Outside of the barn, visitors walked a wooden path adorned with twinkling lights which took them to the Christmas Tree Farm with outdoor coffee/hot chocolate stand and then onto the skating rink where there were free skates for residents and visitors.
Even though I loved this version of Sonder Hollow, the village square was where the REAL magic happened for this build. We added an old fashioned depot and the cutest winter-y cafe, Frosty’s Cafe, which was manned and frequented by all of the snow people of Sonder! The village square also included a fully decorated Christmas tree and was full of winter greenery and twinkling lights.
The rest of Sonder, including the rural cottage area was also decked out with winter/Christmas greenery and lots of lights, creating a warm and cozy holiday feel.
