September 2005:  Barbara Butler Artist-Builder Inc. proudly announces the licensing of TreeHouse Company of Scotland to build and install Barbara Butler play structure designs throughout the United Kingdom.  TreeHouse Company specializes in exclusive tree house design and construction across Europe, and is the largest tree house company in the world.

TreeHouse Company founder, John Harris, is the author of two treehouse books and has been involved in over 600 treehouse projects. In September, 2005, Barbara traveled to Birmingham, England to attend the Glee Garden Show where the 1st Barbara Butler designed play structures built be the TreeHouse Company were on display at the National Exhibition Center.

Barbara and John also announced the launch of the new UK website: http://www.barbarabutler.co.uk

 

Tree House section with pictures of Barbara’s latest, amazing treehouse creations;
Glossary section with Barbara’s definitions and photos of great play elements;
Print Brochure feature under each main image allows you to view and/or  print at home the play structure specifications, pricing & image in a condensed 1 to 2 page format.
Public Use section shows our expanding area of play structures designed & built to meet ASTM Public Use Standards.
Website Designed by dev408

HGTV came to our shop to film Barbara in action working on a tree house.  After filming at our shop, the TV film crew went to the site of “Playhouse in a Tree” where they interviewed the Dad and filmed the small owners playing in their treehouse. 

Look for the show “Out on a Limb” to air on Sunday, April 9, 2006 at 8:00 PM

May 2005:  Barbara was invited by Laramee Haynes of Haynes Landscaping Design to display this King Fort in the Pasadena Showcase “Children’s Garden”. Monies raised through the sale of tickets to the Showcase were donated to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, schools & other local, non-profit organizations.

Flights of Fancy

This fanciful playhouse has carvings of “birds of all feathers” on all 4 sides.  The playhouse was auctioned at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s gala event to raise funds for children’s programs.

Wild Oasis:

Barbara hand-carved over 40 different birds and animals on all sides of this striking 2-story playhouse.  The Wild Oasis Playhouse sold at auction for $45,000.  All proceeds were donated to Rebuilding Together, a non-profit organization that builds volunteer partnerships to rehabilitate homes & community facilities of low-income, elderly and/or disabled families.  See: http://www.rebuilding togetherpeninsula.org

Materials donated by Barbara’s favorite suppliers:

Beronio Lumber, San Francisco, CA (http://www.beronio.com/)

Woodburst Wood Stains, Seattle WA (http://www.woodburst.com/)
 

The Lighthouse

Dr. Richard Greene asked Barbara to design a special playhouse for the Pediatric waiting area at Palo Alto Medical Foundation.  Barbara’s challenge was to design a sea-themed, wheelchair-accessible playhouse for a very small space in the children’s waiting room that would stand up to daily cleaning & scrubbing (to prevent the spread of germs).  Barbara donated all of her design and management time on the project & Dr. Greene generously donated the cost of the construction & installation.

Barbara Butler has been building custom play structures for over 18 years.  Her work has appeared in many publications, including Architectural Digest, People, Wall Street Journal, Child Magazine and has been featured on CNBC, Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS Early Show, & HGTV’s prestigious Modern Masters.

The Wall Street Journal notes:  Barbara Butler, one of the best known playhouse makers with celebrity clients including the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir and diet guru Dean Ornish, has a definitive style of her own, favoring bold color, quirky but simple designs, and plenty of room for heavy duty romping.

Other celebrities include: Robert Redford, Bobbie McFerrin, Kevin Kline & Phoebe Cates, Jada Pinkett & Will Smith.

Our 2006 Play Originals Calendar and this Highlights page dedicated in loving memory to Betty & Jim Butler