by Phoenix, HSM team writer

Whimsy:ˈ/(h)wimzē/ 1. Playful quaint or fanciful behavior.  2. The quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful.  3. An odd or fanciful idea.

It was more than whimsy which led Lockwood to create this unique space.

Whimsy Hollow is Lockwood’s latest personal space available exclusively through the Gift Machine. Whimsy Hollow, as some of you might recall, is the space that Home users had a hand in naming some months ago. Not only did Lockwood look to Home users for the name of this space, but even for the type of space. High Fantasy won, hands down, and so the space was created. They also asked for details in giving a final look to the cute and cuddly creatures that will inhabit the space alongside the owners: the Whimsies.

Tucked inside of a grassy hill, Lockwood created a home with many corridors. It is a magical place bequeathed to you by an uncle, where it is said the new owner will be rewarded for discovering the Whimsies that hide here. Lockwood has created a timeless secret for this new space as well as a back story; small magical creatures.

These whimsies, inhabitants of the Hollow, must be found by the owners. Once this event is triggered a glowing ball of pulsing light flies around the space. There is a rune symbol chart that is added too as each new whimsy is uncovered. As a reward for discovering and being kind to the twelve whimsies (an assumption as there are 12 rewards) 12 pieces of furniture, one for each whimsy will be recovered. It seems the whimsy have taken these items, as they borrow things from time to time.

A room at the top of the only stairs in the space is where the whimsies will live.  There are three stumps here with large mushrooms growing from them.  The first whimsy is discovered on the first day of entering the space. As is Lockwood’s way, it can be assumed that every day thereafter that you enter the space you have the chance of discovering one of the remaining eleven whimsies.

The space is large but without seeming over-sized. It has a cozy feel to it due to the size of the rooms. There are carved details, round doorways and windows throughout the space, three fireplaces and a number of niches with flickering candles, not to mention the chandeliers that add to the cheery cozy feel. The space is created with warm and inviting colors, bronzes, browns and sand among them that further carry this feel.

Whimsy Hollow may seem an odd choice, given Lockwood’s Dream Universe and its very popular Sodium line, but if it seems that way, think about this: the users chose it. High fantasy never gets old: there are no shortages of people that love the genre. Whimsy Hollow is so interesting a choice and created with such detail as to remind you of another home under a hill, that it is a must-have for many simply because of its flattering imitation and nod to a fan classic. It is an enchanting space, one the calls to memory the Chamber Space from Home’s history — but Whimsy Hollow stands on its own as a new and desirable space.

On my friends list alone within the first twenty-four hours, there were six people that had the space. Seven if you count me. I had two friends drop by that wanted the space, and one was from SCEJ Home (sorry for them). I have no doubt this space will be a Lockwood hit.  For some I’m sure the reward items Lockwood has made their modus operandi will be an incentive to have the space. If that is the case, then I suspect they will not be disappointed. The first item returned to me was a side table. The detail and charm matched the space well. The second night I received a bookshelf as a returned item. This piece has a look of quality to it, added to the back story available to Whimsy Hollow and you can imagine what the reward pieces will be and look like.

Lockwood released a video trailer to give a glimpse into their new space. In the video a bed is seen, as well as an austere but comfortable chair. These remind you of Lockwood’s talent for detail and development in furniture pieces in Home. Though homey and charming there is an almost high end feel to them. A subdued elegance runs through Whimsy Hollow; the whimsies are here to remind you that it is a high-fantasy space.

The one drawback for me in this space is that I am unable to gift my friends with at least one item. I do not know if that will change, but for now I intend to enjoy my whimsies and discovering them.

There is the hint that something unknown will occur once they are all found. It will be a fun exploration. And perhaps that is a key ingredient of the best estates Home has to offer: the sense of an unfolding story or game, giving the user reasons to return. Whimsy Hollow is an excellent experience.

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