After a busy day of building, the BBAB crew makes times for their outside passions, from Barbara’s yoga practice to Rudi’s miles of cycling. For David Rodriguez, that passion is breakdancing.
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Handmade Valentines never go out of fashion. Just as our personal attention to detail during the building process results in a unique and fun-loving treehouse, breaking out the scissors and glue is a sure way for kids to let you know how they feel. From our family to yours: Happy Valentine’s Day!
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In addition to our big charity event, Dreams Happen Gala & Auction, where we donate a full play structure biannually to benefit Rebuilding Together Peninsula (RTP)‘s efforts to refurbish homes for those in need…
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With her love of the outdoors and all things playful, it comes as no surprise that Barbara adores dogs! And luckily for the fur babies in her life, they get to join the team at the shop every day — and sometimes on-site too.
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We recently had the pleasure of installing a rope tunnel, which offer kids a smorgasbord of sensory experiences: the texture of the rope, the sway and give as you move across it, glimpses of the outside world seen through latticework, and the tantalizing focal point at the other side.
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Of all the play accessories we add on to our one-of-a-kind treehouses and play structures, zip lines are perhaps the biggest rush for kids. It starts with a moment of spine-tingling anticipation as they prepare to hop on. Once in the air, the stomach-flipping thrill of flying through the air…
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For the last four months of 2015, we’ve had the pleasure of having a Media Event Manager Intern join us. Panzu Nzao-Ngola is from a small town in the Netherlands and came to us through her university’s international student program.During her time at BBAB, Panzu worked on various media projects,…
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Meet James Butler: an owner of Barbara Butler, Artist/Builder, big brother to Barbara and a key player in the day-to-day operations of the company. Originally a general contractor, James is currently the resident AutoCAD Wizard.
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Every Thanksgiving, the Butler clan gathers for a family dinner in the small California town of Sebastapol. Here they are in 2014, celebrating with good food, conversation and red wine. (Absent are James, Patty and Eileen, who weren’t able to make it that year.)A table massive enough to accommodate the…
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Once the design process and stick-out is complete, it’s time to head back to the shop for the fabrication process. Alongside stacks of sustainably grown redwood lumber, a playhouse begins to take shape. Our structures are designed to be built in flat panels, making them easier to transport to site.…
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After witnessing countless shrieks of laughter, games of chase and secret clubhouse meetings, some playhouses are the worse for wear. Luckily, sustainable redwood lumber can stand up to the strains of time, and needs only a new coat of stain to look good as new again. When kids are grown…
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The whole Barbara Butler Artist, Builder team contributes to the finished goal of a beautiful new treehouse or play structure. This week we’re taking a closer look at the role of our Artist and Master Stainer, Rudi Verhoeven. For over 11 years, Rudi’s talents have beautified our playhouses. Here he…
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It’s Memorial Day weekend and time to get outside and enjoy your backyard. If you don’t have quite the backyard you’re dreaming of, try Barbara’s tips on how to spruce up your backyard with the kids this summer without spending a fortune! Flower boxes. Simple flower boxes can be purchased…
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Let’s take a peek at a day in the life of a Classic Treehouse: As dawn breaks over the horizon, the treehouse is filled with the sounds of birds chirping out their good morning songs as a squirrel scurries by. The sun moves higher in the sky; two pajama-clad children…
When Olenka Villareal discovered that her daughter was having developmental challenges, she was dismayed with the state of their local Palo Alto, CA, parks. Though well-meaning, the playgrounds weren’t truly accessible to her daughter. And so began her crusade to create Magical Bridge, a playground for all abilities. We are…
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Good Morning! Barbara likes to start her day with a cup of coffee from Atlas, favorite cafe in the San Francisco Mission district.Followed by a hug with husband Jeff while discussing business…Married over 18 years, they still love to work, live & play together. Barbara’s nephew, Tym, gave her a…