First, we wheel the Retreat Huts onto the loading dock…
Read More
The year is 1987 and the last thing on Barbara’s mind is play structures. Her focus is on building beautiful, intricate decks as part of Outer Space Design with her then-boyfriend Bob.
Read More
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.
Read More
Sometimes you have to do a little gymnastics to get a treehouse just right. Above, Marco gets upside down to bolt this tunnel slide’s sections together from the inside. Although our large twisty slides come in sections, assembly is anything but child’s play!
Read More
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…
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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…
Read More
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,…
Read More
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.
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
At work on this Atherton treehouse, Barbara breaks out the coffee tool box, complete with everything she needs to brew up some potent java and keep the crew properly fueled. To support the weight of the treehouse without harming the tree, we use a special bolt called the Garnier Limb,…
Read More
After a week on site installing the Long Island treehouse, this is Barbara’s 1st day back at the shop.
1st order of business is to walk her dog, Daisy, who is really happy to have Barbara back! Daisy (a rescue from the Ridgeback society) is half Rhodesian Ridgeback and half unknown – maybe German Shepard.
