Throw away all of your current perspectives on LEGO Friends because this set breaks the mold. I dragged my feet on becoming a Friends fan for a while. The style of the figures and even the designs of buildings and accessories were so far away from what I was familiar with that I honestly didn’t know if I would like them. I am happy to say that I gave the Friend’s theme a chance and I now have plans to create a city dedicated to this sweet and colorful world. When I first saw the pictures of LEGO Friends Botanical Garden #41757 I couldn’t wait for it to be released.
The set contains 1072 pieces, two tan base plates, Instruction Book, and a sheet of stickers.
The set is rated for 12+, which was the first thing that caught my eye and I was puzzled over this. Typically the oldest age rating that I have seen is 9+, but after some research there are multiple sets that have been released recently that have the 12+ rating. The Beach Amusement Park and the Downtown Flower and Design Stores are two with such ratings. As I dove into the build I quickly discovered that the rating was chosen for a reason. Steering away from the typical style of building that was familiar within the Friends sets it began to build up extremely similar to the design style of LEGO Modular Buildings. I was soon in the best of two worlds; the colorful and fun style within the Friends universe and the architectural masterpieces that the LEGO designers have been achieving with the Modular builds. It makes me wonder if the Friend’s theme is being tested for interest within the adult building community?
The building is crafted in bright white with accents of moss green and pale peach. The foliage covering the exterior and interior of the building takes center stage, but the next notable highlight is the use of numerous types of clear pieces to create the layers of glass throughout the building. It is built with a large rounded center that takes over the back left corner of the flooring, and two rectangular sides extending out from the center. Due to this design the front door is recessed and placed at an angle between the two side sections which creates a sweet nook surrounded by beautiful garden features, but as you spin the model around you get an entirely different feel. The backside feels open and spacious, further enhanced by the large tree reaching up to the large domed roof.
The exterior of the building is stunning. The duck pond and flowering tree take up the right side and are accompanied by a waterfall that flows from a fountain situated atop a balcony on the second story. The pond sits slightly higher than the rest of the building. This was necessary to build the layers within the water. Floating inside are two Koa fish and at the bottom sitting comfy in some mud is a green frog. I will admit I did some quick research on a frog’s underwater ability and to my surprise discovered that they can typically stay submerged between 4-7 hours before needing to come up for air! Which means we are all good and a frog rescue is not an immediate need.
The top of the pond is covered in Lily Pads in full bloom, and swimming among them are two little brown ducks who have adorable little yellow beaks. Rising beside the water is a Plum Blossom tree full of layered pink blooms. This tree felt very similar in building style to the black tree that rises up alongside Lion Knight’s Castle #10305. On the backside of the tree a small curved bench provides a quiet resting place for visitors.
The waterfall is built in two layers. A panel with curved top creates the outer layer and behind that are two 1x2x5 transparent blue pieces. These last pieces also serve as the window in the inner cacti room. A white arched piece lies above the waterfall and gives a visual of water flowing from the fountain above. The fountain is beautiful and built with layers of discs in white and transparent light blue. The water drapes gracefully down, and sitting at the top a statue of a white bird rests. Rounded white edging built around the perimeter of the balcony holds the water in place.
Stepping down from the Lily Pond we find a map of the garden. This was made by placing a sticker on a black tile. You will also see this technique used in and out of the build for labels describing the flora.
Stepping stones lead to the clear front door which has two planters on either side topped with burgundy and pink blossoms. A bench rests against the side of the building and is cleverly created using snake heads and brown tiles. I would enjoy having a bench fashioned like this one in my garden. A bed of large pink flowers sits next to the bench and this was fun to build. It utilized the new fern piece that was released this year, 2023, and resting atop them are pink frogs snapped on pink leaves. It is amazing how closely they resemble flowers when combined. Behind these a Bonsai Tree rests on a raised pedestal. I have tried and failed multiple times to grow a Bonsai Tree, so you can imagine my excitement when I built this perfect little tree, and realized I could probably manage to keep this one alive.
Scroll work, curved elements and curved smooth tiles add additional details to the exterior of the build. The large clear domed center captures your eye immediately. It is created with two identical pieces that snap in and are rotated into position. One of the pieces did have some marks etched into it, but I am sure I just got a rare scratched piece. To connect the top of the two pieces a large white dish is placed and then decorated on top with white leaves and two rounded pieces.
Spinning the model around we submerge ourselves into a slightly more humid world. The front doors open to a large room that rises upwards drawing your eye to a mobile of butterflies spinning at the top of the domed ceiling. A large Plumeria, or Frangipani, fills the large room. A bench surrounds the base of the tree, and a sign rests on the backside to help educate any guest who may be looking for details on the beautiful tree. The flowers on the tree definitely attracted my attention. They are created with three pieces stacked atop each other; a green leaf, yellow star, and pale yellow flower. A simple combination, but a brilliant design, and it works really well.
The butterflies are also highlighted in this room. Halfway up the back wall a butterfly feeding station is perched above the front door. Fruit has been placed out to draw the flying beauties in, and it appears to be working. As mentioned above, directly underneath the center of the ceiling a spinning mobile was built that holds two yellow and two blue butterflies. The print job on these butterflies deserve some extra credit. Typically the Friends print jobs on the animals have been a bit more cartoon-like, but the print jobs on these butterflies are much more detailed and more realistic. They add a nice touch of sophistication to the build.
If you journey to the left side you will enter into a small room dedicated to our cacti friends. Although this is the smaller wing, it is probably my favorite. The succulents are really sweet, and make a lovely little display. The cacti have a sign dedicated to them, and a water spigot is attached to the wall on one side.
Journeying back through the center room and on into the other wing we discover the tropical plant display. Great creativity was used here, and it is awesome. Green Saxophones, an orange mohawk piece, and the base to a broom are some of the best uses of pieces for plant work that I have seen. The colors here are bright, the pieces used diverse and fun, what’s not to love. Two signs help educate the public, and rising above a canopy of leaves guide your attention to a smaller clear arched roof that can hinge open. Which is really great if the humidity levels get a little too high and our plants need some fresh air.
Three mini-dolls are included in this set; Liann, Niko, and Adi.
Liann and Niko have come to visit for the day and they brought with them a yummy looking picnic.
The picnic has a checkerboard tablecloth made with white and burgundy smooth square tiles and resting atop it there is a basket of greens, a bottle of water, croissant, and a creamy pink petit four.
After a relaxing lunch the guests are ready to explore the grounds.
Liann, being an artist at heart, has brought a drawing notebook and pen to document all the flora and fauna she encounters. She has on long blue pants that just barely allow for cute purple shoes to peek out, and a striped yellow and coral top. Her black hair is done up in a partial knot in the back and her long bangs frame her face.
Adi appears to be the local gardener and has come to work for the day super cute and stylish in coral skirt overalls with a floral yellow top. She has a name tag and a white flower printed on the bib. She helps stay cool in gold sandals. Her curly black hair hangs loose and she is well equipped to do the pruning around the garden with a pair of shears.
Niko is all about sharing his experience online and is ready to do a live stream with his phone and selfie stick. He also is ready to capture the exquisite beauty around him with his top of the line camera. He sports stylish dark brown hair, and wears a blue jacket with fur lined collar beneath a bright blue shirt. Light grey pants and brown shoes complete his outfit.
All three or of mini-dolls are excited to enjoy the beauty of nature around them.
I was recently in the LEGO store and overheard a young woman exclaim to her friend, “Wait, is that a set for sale?!” She had spotted the Botanical Garden sitting in a large city display that had been set up for viewing. I think that reaction of excitement was very fitting for this set. It is as impressive to view as it is to build. It is also well priced and a solid choice to add to anyone’s collection.