The Land of Sweets backdrop was inspired by the whimsical dreamworld that Clara enters in Act 2 of The Nutcracker, welcoming her to the palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The composition features candy-rope trees, glittering sugar plums, and wrapped confections dangling from the foliage, as well as a piped-frosting gingerbread pathway. The palace design resembles a frosted cookie, complete with delicate details.

Taking inspiration from a 2011 Hermès window display, the soft pastel palette—featuring sky blues, mint greens, blush pinks, and soft lavenders—was chosen to prevent visual distraction and keep the dancers as the focal point, while complementing their diverse costumes throughout the ballet’s variations. Framing the scene with large trees also creates an immersive depth, making the landscape appear to extend beyond the edge of the proscenium.