So I’ve moved locations and I need your help Kittyreaders!  Basically I am bobbins at landscaping in Second Life. Don’t get me wrong, I know a good location when I see one, and love wandering around the beautifully landscaped places that the grid provides.But when it comes to creating my own, I really don’t have a clue.

This is the space that I have to play with: 

As you can see I’ve already installed (and furnished, obviously) my wonderful Bazar Arizona Home. That’s non-negotiable, I have to have my home.

I’ve placed it in the corner, on an elevated portion of the land so that I can benefit from the sea view, which is perfect for the back and left side of my house. Here’s an alternative view:

To the front and front-right I can see my neighbour’s stuff and things.

Now, I’ve not lived here long, and I have lovely neighbours and no objections whatsoever to what they do to their land, but taste is a very personal matter, and as much as I adore Samhain (Halloween) this view is fair putting me off my cornflakes, as festive as it is:

So, I’m looking for ideas Kittyreaders.  For a start, how do I hide my view? I thought sim-surrounds could be an option but I’m confused.  I know nothing about them, but I do need something that will offer me privacy and enable me to enjoy my view.  One thing that is certain is that  I know that I’d like to give the space that surrounds my home a woodland feel, which is my favourite kind of environment.  But I could benefit from some advice, obviously. For example, which stores and locations should I be visiting for design inspiration?  As a reference point, I really like the way that The Seasons Story looked, so I’ve visited  again and clicked on a number of items to find out where they are from, which has given me a number of places to visit to price up nice rocks and trees and things.

Whatever I decide to do, it must fit the following criteria:

• Fit my land mass (ooer missus). I only have 16400m2 (but the house already takes a small portion of that)
• Be cost effective. I don’t want to litter my place with cheap-as-chips trees with shoddy textures; anything I buy should preferably be copy/mod so that I get best value for money.
• Low prim/mesh if possible.

Oh and I need to do all this on about 2, 250 prims (preferably less)

So, Kittyreaders what can you suggest?

I’m really hoping you can help with some cool ideas.  As a total noob to this kind of thing I don’t mind admitting I am completely out of my depth, but I do know that learning, especially in Second Life, can be heap loads of fun, so any advice is greatly appreciated. Oh, and I will of course keep you updated on progress via this blog, and if it ends up looking good I’ll invite you round for a cuppa!