Looking as fresh as a new box of crayons, these colorful posts are lined up in our studio ready to be installed on Ava’s Bridge in the Magical Bridge Playground. Located in Palo Alto, California, and tentatively slated to open to the public on March 21, 2015, the Magical Bridge…
Read MoreWe couldn’t fit all the love into one post, so here’s one more on hearts. They’re whimsical, playful and welcoming, just like Barbara. Barbara gives a classic log cabin her own flair with heart shutters and a pirate flag. Valentine’s Fort complete with a pink tower, swings and rope climbing…
Read MoreWe love what we do and we work with the most amazing families! In honor of the holiday of love, here is a virtual Valentine from the Barbara Butler crew. Barbara’s creative process is part fun, part work, and all heart. Check out all the places she has snuck in…
Read MoreTucked in a corner like a country cottage, this bike garage is an attractive outdoor storage solution. The lush Los Angeles backyard is also home to a Barbara Butler play structure in the same color palette. Doesn’t the yard look great without bikes strewn about ready to trip someone? There’s…
Though we love getting kids up into the foliage in a treehouse, we honor all kinds of playfulness, including the dramatic kind. Our colorful outdoor stages inspire young thespians, magicians-to-be or clowns in training. And since they’re built with the same sustainable redwood and natural tung oil stains as our…
Read MoreWhile our sustainable redwood lumber and natural tung oil stain tend to steal the spotlight, the humble rope is an integral part of many of our tree houses. In the hands of a skilled craftsman (or craftswoman, in our case)
Read MoreIs that a play house or the world’s prettiest piece of gym equipment? Where a child sees fun and adventure, many health experts see a path to lifelong physical fitness. And where there are active, moving kids, there is less likelihood of childhood obesity, diabetes, asthma and other ailments. Growing…
Happy 2015! Have you made your New Year’s Resolutions yet? If you’re stumped, why not take a cue from these happy children? Because if kids made resolutions, they would look like this: From the whole Barbara Butler crew, here’s to a healthy and…
Read MoreWe’ve had a fantastic, productive 2014 and we’re looking forward to more adventures next year! For now, cuddle up with some hot chocolate and join us in a virtual tour of our winter wonderland: Though she lives in sunny California now, Barbara is no stranger to cold weather. Here’s the…
Read MoreWho needs stairs when you’ve got a two-story tube slide leading down to the lobby? That’s what a Silicon Valley internet company was thinking when they gave us a call. (Of course, they actually DO have stairs; they’re just not as fast!) Barbara created a design for an adult slide…
Read MoreWe are pretty proud of how well-built, engaging and eco-friendly our structures are. We know they are gorgeous and lead to countless hours of imaginative play and healthy, outdoor fun. But there’s nothing better than hearing it right from a client! From Kathleen: I cannot adequately express our children’s’ reactions…
Read MoreWe love hearing from delighted clients! Here are a couple of testimonials that put a smile on our faces. From Erin (client): We’d love to “report in” on the success of the fort. We are logging several hours of play in it each day. Today there were 7 neighborhood kids…
Read MoreIt’s rare to see one of our playhouses with a rope and a “Do Not Climb” sign on it, but in this case it’s for a good cause! The Wizard’s Hideout, seen above, is actually on display prior to the 2007 Dreams Happen Gala,…
Read MoreChildren of all abilities will soon have a chance to play in the country’s first fully accessible playground, Palo Alto’s Magical Bridge. To celebrate, we hosted a Studio Tour for the team where we displayed the second story of the playhouse and the stage.
In our last post, we followed the design and fabrication process for Forest Lookout. Next up is installation. The components made in the shop arrive on-site and are placed in their respective locations. After each piece is secured and safety tested, small details are attended to for a flawless final…
How do you transform a steep, barren space into a charming, lively play area? Why, with a playhouse, hanging bridge, tree platform and water slide, of course! With two young sons and a bevy of cousins and friends they wanted to host, this Los Angeles family was looking for a…
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…
Read MoreThese Top Secret Safes might not fit into a stocking, but these colorful, artisan safes are perfect for securing pirate’s gold or a secret map to ancient ruins. So when Cincinnati Parent, Indy’s Child Magazine, and Dayton Parent contacted us about their upcoming Holiday Giveaway, we couldn’t resist whipping up a few to donate. They were a…
Read MoreLocated in Woodside, California, Adventure Cottage is our latest custom-built treehouse. What mysteries do these branches hide? Time machines, fairy groves, or perhaps pirates? Follow me into the magical world of childhood and we’ll take a look around. Let’s climb up this ladder and race around the wrap-around porch. I…
Read MoreInverness Treefort Inverness, California I am invited to a small wild overgrown yard to come up with ideas for a treefort for the kids. The family recently bought the property and the kids think the yard as-is is too dark, too spidery, too unfriendly so my plan is to thin it…
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