The Treehouse Project

Posted by Karen Thrasher

Source: Michael Minay for Lad Bible

You've likely seen this AMAZING playhouse one Michigan father built for his two little girls. It is well beyond anything I could ever image executing for my own son, though Bart and I have certainly tried. As my sister would say, Bart and I are classic "starters"--Bart more than I, but perhaps I just need a bit more confidence in my unknown construction abilities.

I'm fortunate to have had an amazing dad that built my sisters and I a playhouse when we were little, too. Though not as extravagant, I have countless memories spending our days playing house, school, or just hanging out in and around the playhouse. There were several times the three of us attempted to camp out overnight but we never made it the whole night. Too scary!

​Years later, our own kids play together here. How could Bart and I not want to recreate the same experience for Hank?

My childhood playhouse built by my dad.

We moved into our Oak Cliff house back in 2011 when Hank turned 2. It sports a huge pecan in the back which is likely as old as the house which just turned 100 years old last year. Perfect foundation for a treehouse! We've kicked around ideas and even written about them in the past--you can see the post from April 2013 here.

​Fast forward to this past spring and Bart and I have successfully started our Treehouse Project.

The design concept is not far off from my 2013 sketch (version 2). For all the planning and drawing we do, we have no actual sketches for this project. This is unusual since planning and drawing is literally my job. I believe we each have our own ideas of how it materialize. Bart promises it will be securely suspended from the tree (the support framing you see in the photos will ultimately be removed). There will be a rope ladder--despite my protests--leading up to the planned deck at the 'pointy' end of the structure while the back end towards the house is supposed to be somewhat enclosed for that authentic 'club house' experience.

I'm quick to remind Bart that little boys eventually grow out of tree houses.  I hope we managed to start this project in time to actually finish it.  Anyone want to help, we need it?!