LEGO Ideas Botanical Garden’s biggest changes are taken from the LEGO Friends playbook

Some of the biggest changes between LEGO Ideas 21353 The Botanical Garden’s original project and final look bring it closer to the retired LEGO Friends set.

There’s been no shortage of LEGO botanical gardens in the last few years, with LEGO Friends 41757 Botanical Garden coming out in June of last year (and soon to retire in a few months) and now a larger and more detailed build coming to the LEGO Ideas theme in the form of 21353 The Botanical Garden.

As with most LEGO Ideas sets, the latter botanical garden build has undergone some changes since the initial concept from fan designer Valentina Bima was selected. Some of the most instantly noticeable ones include changing from largely white walls and transparent panes to sand green window frames on the lower floor and adding more colour and variety to the plants included in the set.

Both of those changes are reminiscent of 41757 Botanical Garden, perhaps suggesting that some inspiration was taken from the design and ensuing popularity of the LEGO Friends set.

While LEGO Model Designer Chris McVeigh told LEGO YouTuber Bricksie that “no specific inspiration was taken” from 41757 Botanical Garden, the LEGO Ideas team were certainly aware that people of all ages had been loving the botanical garden from the traditionally child-focused theme.

“Valentina’s fan model was really inspiring in and of itself,” noted McVeigh. “The LEGO Friends model came out while we were in development – one thing that we did take note of was how much the fan community loved the Friends botanical garden and so, if we were doubting our decision to move ahead with this garden, certainly seeing just how the Friends set inspired people reinforced our decision to go ahead with this.”

Seemingly it’s just a coincidence then that there were two changes – the green window frames and splashes of colour – that reflected elements of 41757 Botanical Garden. Regardless of how intentional it was, it’s a smart move, with many fans already customising the LEGO Friends set to make a build that’s a similar size to 21353 The Botanical Garden. Now, there’s no need to mod a larger build – although the price of the LEGO Ideas set might still encourage people to.

After all, 41757 Botanical Garden costs just £74.99 / $79.99 / €84.99 in comparison to 21353 The Botanical Garden’s £289.99 / $329.99 / €329.99. Even some of the more piece-intensive custom builds that require three copies of the LEGO Friends model would still come out cheaper than the LEGO Ideas set.

Of course, you get 12 minifigures and what we think are some exclusive recoloured plant elements in 21353 The Botanical Garden, so it’s not a direct comparison. However, if the price of the newly-revealed model is making you balk, those custom builds might be tempting. You’d better decide quick, though, as 41757 Botanical Garden will only be available to buy for a few more months – or even less if stock runs out early with people buying multiple copies.

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