Besides giving Mom a little peace and quiet in the house, are they any true benefits to sending the kids outside to play?
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
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!
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
Each of our projects has its own unique flavor, and Woodside Treehouse is no exception. Currently in the installation phase, this treehouse combo is characterized by its finely crafted details. Above, two doors complete with mailbox and “who-goes-there” peep-holes drying at the shop. The treehouse walls are made in a…
Read More
At the cusp of a new year, let’s take a moment to savor some of the highlights of 2015. It’s been quite a year for BBAB, chock-full of innovative projects and exciting collaborations. Magical Bridge Naturally, one of the highlights of the year was the long-awaited opening of Magical Bridge…
Read More
The greatest gift of this season is undoubtedly spending time with family. However, a close second is the privilege of doing inspiring, fulfilling work surrounded by a creative and fun-loving crew. In this picture from 2004, Barbara and Suzy are playing the part of holiday elves hiding amongst a crop…
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 MoreSure, kids love to climb, but is it really that important? After all, they love staring at screens, too, and the jury is still out on whether that’s good for them. Turns out, young growing bodies are made to pull, grasp and leap and spending enough time on these activities…
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
With Thanksgiving approaching, our thoughts naturally turn towards giving thanks. While adults may be happy to jump in with a list of gratitudes, children aren’t always the best at showing their appreciation. Sometimes its because they’re busy running off to their next adventure but often its because they think you…
Read More
Join us in the time machine as we journey back… The year is 2004. The place is Perched Playhouse. Two sisters are testing out their brand-new play structure for the first time. Their tour begins with a stint on the swings with an assist from Barbara. Next up for the…
Read More
The most engaging play spaces? Ones that give kids options. Distinct areas for different kinds of play are key. One benefit of multifaceted structures is that they help integrate a wide range of personalities, from the bookish introvert living next door to the high-energy cousin who can climb anything. Another plus: they are welcoming…
Read More
This lovely little Cape Codder looks brand new, but it is actually a used playhouse that we refurbished for a new family to enjoy. Originally a white stand-alone cottage, this well-loved playhouse was ready for a new home as the children morphed into gangly teens. Luckily, another young family was in…
Read More
At this point in the calendar, there are only ten weekends until Christmas. But before we surrender the remainder of the year to a mad rush of festivities, let’s take a moment to savor the season we’re in right now. Shifting temperatures, shorter days and golden leaves… Even if it…
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.…
Read More