Coral Gables Castle

After weeks of construction in the shop, a cross-country trip, and dodging rain showers in the installation process, Coral Gables Castle is complete. She stands regally in her tropical setting, ready to spark any child’s imagination.

Kento MizunoOctober 22, 2016coral, gables, castle, Coral Gables

Working with the Weather

Who’s that watching Barbara Butler and the crew install their latest custom structure, Coral Gables Castle? Frogs, wild peacocks and other critters make this Florida backyard their home. A sudden warm rain is no big deal for them, but for the humans with a job to do, it’s another story.

Kento MizunoOctober 8, 2016working, weather, construction, faq, tutorial, behind the scenes, Coral Gables, Coral

Coral Gables: From Shop to Site

This week’s post comes to you from sunny Coral Gables, Florida! After fabricating all the components for this tropical castle at our shop in the Bay Area, it is time to assemble the pieces on-site and install the structure.

Kento MizunoOctober 2, 2016coral, gables, construction, site, shop, Coral Gables

Coral Gables: Making the Castle

What does a Florida grandmother with a tropical backyard do to entice the grandchildren to visit often? Put in a Barbara Butler play structure, of course! Based on our standard Fort Mediterranean, Coral Gables Castle has been modified to fit into the lush greenery of its surroundings.

Kento MizunoSeptember 18, 2016Coral, gables, castle, making, construction, Coral Gables

Castle Colorful 2.0

Originally built in 2006, Castle Colorful’s family recently moved out and this deluxe custom structure was ready to make some new memories. When another family moved in, we treated Castle Colorful to a pampering restain.

Suzanne ButlerAugust 26, 2016castle, colorful, 2.0

BBAB Junior Intern

Eight years ago, Barbara Butler and the BBAB crew built a rustic climbing structure in Will Crocker’s backyard. Today, he joins us in the shop as a junior intern for a week.

Kento MizunoAugust 11, 2016bbab, intern, internship

Built to Last

Think the gorgeous Castle Ramparts structure above is out of your reach? Well, in the Play Bargains section of our website, check out this spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a custom play structure in excellent condition at an amazing discount!

Suzanne ButlerJuly 28, 2016carvings, finished photos, recycled, refurbished, used, cozy cabinComment

Dynamite Tree Fort

Dynamite Tree Fort combines our Robin Hood Tree Fort with swings, bridge, rope net climber and a tree deck. Built in 2008 for a stay-at-home dad and his children, this structure transformed their backyard into the playdate capital of the neighborhood.

Piaf AzulJuly 12, 2016big forts, play forts, tree fort, finished photos, Robin Hood, Robin Hood FortComment

Leafy Nook Tree Fort

For a child, a weekend at the Grandparents’ place is a time for snuggles, cookies, a trip to the toy store and … zip lining?

Piaf AzulJune 29, 2016tree fort, finished photos, rustic, ziplineComment

Selling Your Home? Backyard Treehouses Enhance Appeal!

This spring the Wall Street Journal has profiled two fantastic homes put up for sale with custom Barbara Butler treehouses in the backyard.

Piaf AzulMay 24, 2016tree fort, finished photos, rustic, mediaComment

Hillbrook School Playground

Hillbrook School‘s new playground treehouse fuses adventure and protection as children explore the treetops while enveloped in a cocoon of rope netting.

Piaf AzulMay 18, 2016public use, Hillbrook TreehouseComment

Donated Hideaway Fort to be auctioned!

PLUS, if the Hideaway Fort is not what you want, take the optional Gift Certificate, also valued at $8,900, and apply that amount towards any other new Barbara Butler Play Structure, Treehouse or Custom Design.

Piaf AzulMay 8, 2016donations, play forts, Hideaway, Hideaway FortComment

A Home for The Play's the Thing

We are pleased to announce that The Play’s the Thing, our donation to this year’s Dreams Happen Auction and Fundraiser is now happily installed in its new home flanked by massive redwoods.

Lila ButlerMay 4, 2016play structures, holiday, donations

What's New

Did you know we have a What’s New? section on our website? It’s the place to go for the latest BBAB projects, inspiration and yard envy. This week’s latest addition to our website is Forest Lookout.

Lila ButlerApril 26, 2016finished photos, treehouses

Happy Earth Day!

While we consider every day to be Earth Day, the annual event is a great way to remind all of us to keep putting the planet first. At BBAB, we weave a commitment to protecting the environment into each of our business decisions, from what materials we use to how we build and install.

Lila ButlerApril 21, 2016staining, recycled, building, stain

Leo's Playground

Back in 2012, we received a call from a grieving father who had lost his son Leo to leukemia at age 5. He wanted to create a unique memorial in the form of a playground at the site of Leo’s nursery school, which had been one of his favorite places to play.

Lila ButlerApril 12, 2016carvings, detailin, finished photos, flash to the past, playhouses, public use, Leo's Playground, Leo, Leos

Playhouse Makeover

Although this rugged playhouse looks like it stepped right out of the Wild West, it actually began its life looking more like a pink-and-blue cupcake.

Lila ButlerMarch 30, 2016finished photos, play structures, refurbished, used, recycled

Easter Cottage

With the arrival of spring comes the promise of warmer weather, baby animals and budding plants. For many kids, however, spring means chocolate bunnies, colored eggs, flowery dresses and good old-fashioned Easter Egg hunting.

Lila ButlerMarch 22, 2016flash to the past, holiday, playhouses, staining, easter, custom stain

Barbara's First Playstructure

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.

Lila ButlerMarch 16, 2016mcferrin, Barbara Butler, treehouse, custom treehouse, celebrity

Staff Spotlight: David, Breakdancing Builder

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.

Lila ButlerMarch 8, 2016staff spotlight, BBAB, Barbara Butler

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