This spring the Wall Street Journal has profiled two fantastic homes put up for sale with custom Barbara Butler treehouses in the backyard. We love designing quality structures that delight the current family we are working with but also stand up to the test of time, enticing a new family to create its own memories. In fact, when it comes time to sell, our treehouses enhance home appeal.

Located in southern California, this property merited the headline A Santa Barbara Compound Built for Play in the Wall Street Journal “House of the Day” section. After all, in addition to a game room and nine bedrooms inside, our multi-level “Tree Top Inn” outside includes a treehouse, fort, hanging bridge and a 150-foot zip line.“Tree Top Inn”

From the WSJ write-up: ‘I thought if I was an 8-year-old boy I’d love to have a treehouse. We told the builder we wanted it to involve at least three trees, and I wanted to be able to read a Sunday New York Times in it,’ says Mr. Burnham, adding that he cannot recall ever actually reading the paper in the treehouse.

The other property, dubbed “Dog Heaven” because of plans to donate the proceeds from the sale to Maddie’s Group, an animal welfare group, is located in the Bay Area. Perched high among the treetops sits one of Barbara’s signature treehouse along with a 75-foot suspension bridge snaking through the foliage.

From the unusually-shaped doors to fully-insulated windows, this structure abounds with design details and a welcoming space for play. According to local realtors, this home, which also includes an aviary and a dog park, is poised to set a record if it sells for its listing price.