The countdown to this weekend’s Magical Bridge Grand Opening is on! On April 18, the community will gather for a celebration of children of all abilities as the playground officially opens to the public. In anticipation, several groups came through last week for sneak previews of the new playground and…
For children, a door can be many things: Protection against the Big Bad Wolf or a howling blizzard. A welcoming entrance to a land where kids rule. A threshold they can control, welcoming friends and banishing enemies. Add in a few play accessories and the door often becomes a focal…
Behold the fabled kingdom of Castle Court! Hidden in a grove of trees, many thought it was only a myth. And yet, here it stands before you, rising up out of the morning mist. With trembling knees, you cross the drawbridge and approach the well-fortified and majestic Gatehouse. The gate…
Read MoreWe’ve been part of the Magical Bridge project for the last five years and we’re thrilled that it’s now in the final stages of construction! Join us on April 18 for the Grand Opening of this fun, inclusive, and gorgeous playground. Here, the two-story playhouse and theater is getting some…
Read More“Welcome to tea time! Would you like chamomile or mint? I’ve whipped up some tasty treats in my colorful kitchen.” Whether installed in an adorable cottage or up in a tree house, tables and chairs enhance children’s play. Some days, knights gather around the table to plot…
Read MoreLet’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…
You’ll need both a secret password and solid climbing skills to get into this clubhouse! Start by making your way down the steep hillside with the help of a massive rope. If you’re up for yet another challenge, test out the climbing wall and you’ll end up at an…
Read MoreLooking 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,…
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