Barbara Butler Artist-Builder Inc. - Custom Treehouse Builders
Cart 0
See All Play Forts Play Structures Treehouses Public Works Playhouses Theaters Ziplines & More Play Accessories Play Bargains
Wood Stains Color Supplies Plans D.I.Y.
Who We Are Meet the Team Sustainability Tips Contact
atherton-cottage-our-work-banner.jpg
whats-new-banner-2.jpg
pexels-photo-142497.jpg
model treehouse store.jpg
Cart 0
 
Screen Shot 2020-02-09 at 1.05.22 PM.png
 
 

Let's
play. build. be pirates! make memories.

Welcome to my world of play!

Since 1987, I have been creating unique playgrounds for children, both public and private, using all-natural redwood. With my team of "play professionals", we build and install green play structures and treehouses to endure for generations. We offer both pre-designed and custom-designed play houses. Tough terrains, challenging spaces and unusual requests are my specialty: let me design a tree fort, clubhouse, or swing set specifically for your tree, your home, your dreams…

- Barbara

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We use only redwood lumber (Construction Heart grade or better) that comes from second growth, well-managed forests. Redwood is strong, naturally durable to the weather, great to work with and beautiful to look at. Our all natural, tung-oil stains (formerly known as Woodburst stains) are non-toxic, low maintenance and provide beautiful, vibrant, long-lasting color!

 
 
 
 
barbara+portrait.jpg
 
 

Barbara grew up in upstate New York, one of eight children in a close-knit family, where active, outdoor play was a daily occurrence.

Graduating from SUNY Cortland in 1978 with a BA in Political Science and attending graduate school at SUNY Binghamton for English, Barbara didn’t actually want to be the lawyer her mom wanted her to be…

Read more

 
 
 
 
 
 

Social media feed

Looking back at these play structures built for Larchmont Temple Nursery School in 2012. To learn more about the story behind this playhouse, head over to our blog and search for Leo’s Playground. #kidsplayhouse #kidsplayground #playhouse #the
One of our basic King Fort designs in some pretty unique colors! #playfort #playstructure #kidsplaystructure #kidsfort #kidsplayfort #backyardplay #backyardfort #climbingtower #swingset #playset #twostoryfort #twostoryplaystructure #customplaystruct
Looking back at Portola Valley Lookout. I have a large photo of this play structure on the wall in office and it’s so fun I decided to share it on instagram! This is an early play structure of Barbara, but of course still very colorful! #play
Looking back at the installation of Magical Bridge Morgan Hill. Installing the roof on the playhouse theater and Ava’s Bridge is always an exciting day during install! #magicalbridge #playhouse #playhousetheater #playtheater #kidsplayhouse #pl
Re-using and re-loving is one of our favorite themes, so of course Barbara built this playhouse and deck from a donated used playhouse and reclaimed wood or extra bits we had around the shop. She built this many years ago for Coyote Point Museum&rsqu
Every part of our play structures capture a moment. This moment feels like climbing aboard a pirate ship in the Caribbean. #playfort #logbridge #rockwall #climbingwall #kidsclimbingwall #kidsrockwall #firepole #kidsfort #backyardfort #pirateplaystru
Barbara built this bright play structure for Dreams Happen several years ago and named in Amalgamated Play Headquarters. This is definitely the perfect headquarters for hours of imaginative play! #playstructure #customplaystructure #playtheater #k
Test your strength and agility on this fantastic ninja-inspired treehouse! With an abundance of climbing holds, rings, and ladders; you will never be bored on this fort. Check out our most recent blog post on this treehouse to see more photos! #tre
Throwback to an early Retreat Hut under construction in the shop. #underconstruction #woodshop #woodworking #carpentry #inclusivedesign #magicalbridge #magicalbridgeplayground #customplaystructure #woodplaystructure #woodhut #wooddome #dome #playstr