Look! A Tree House

Whoah, checking out some of the walk streets in venice yesterday, we spied a real life tree house. The child in us said "yippee!" and the adult said "how in the world did they do it?".

When we were little, the closest we got to a tree house was a board nailed to two branches in an olive tree that we could perch on. We were blown away by this one because it looks like a legitimate construction, has awesome tikki-tastic style and could probably be used by adults and kids. We didn't dare check it out any closer (though we thought about it) but we instantly had dreams of hosting a tree house party or going way back and having a tree house slumber party. We were all Swiss Family Robinson for the rest of the afternoon. All in all, we thought it was a great space for kids and adults and just about the best looking tree house we've ever seen.

Did you have a tree house growing up? Have you built one? Have you ever seen one like this?

Comments (7)

My dad built us a treehouse in the low hanging branches of a chinaberry tree when I was nine. It was an excellent place to hide out with a book, just a simple platform with a rail. I can still remember the smell and the sound of the leaves.

posted by Annieo on February 28th 2008 at 10:03am
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We had a treehouse in my backyard when I was small. The platform was maybe 5 or 6 feet on a side, and there was a railing around three sides. The back end (which butted up against the main trunk) was open to the rest of the branches, so we often climbed out further in the tree to hang out and chat. I really wish we had pictures of it, but I suspect no one ever thought to photograph it for future memories. It was taken down sometime while I was in high school.... now I'm all nostalgic for early spring in the treehouse when the leaves were budding on the tree.

Of course, the treehouse featured in this post is WAY more elaborate and impressive. That roof! The trim! Fancy fancy stuff.

posted by D. Humbird on February 28th 2008 at 10:10am
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Great looking treehouse. I had one when I was a kid too. Dad built it with a big platform, no railing or roof, and wood scraps nailed to the tree to serve as ladders. We also had a basket with a pulley to transfer treehouse necessities such as snacks, books, toys, and small pets.

posted by bipolarbear on February 28th 2008 at 10:19am
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I love it! It's like a reverse teepee!

posted by Teesleberry on February 28th 2008 at 12:00pm
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I am a mechanical designer/modeller, which is a means to end my friend a means to an end. I intend to get into architectural design and my first project is one I have drawn hundreds upon thousands of times. A Swiss Family Robinson dream house!!!

Watched the movie as a kid and, then made my mother buy the tape THEN when Disney brought out a new (albeit crappy) version I even bought that. I didn't really care about the story (although the original was pretty cool, not so much the new one... yeah a guy wind surfed across an ocean to a deserted island and was stuck... hmm right...) I just loved the idea of my bedroom being in a tree, my kitchen being cobbles and hearths around the base of the tree and a water wheel to bring me fresh running water made of coconut halves.

My nephews better appreciate the version I am going to make (probably in my own back yard) or there will be trouble. HA HA HA!

posted by venus_thames on February 28th 2008 at 12:46pm
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Swiss Family Robinson was the best movie ever and I have wanted to live in a treehouse ever since I saw it when I was about 8.

We had a good treehouse. It wasn't a georgeous as the one in the pictures but it was big and enclosed with a trapdoor and windows. And it was built in a tree that leaned out over a lake. My Dad built in for my younger brothers. I was a teenager by the time it was built, but my boyfriend and I secretly used it as our own little passion pit, so I remember it fondly.

posted by Dulcibella on February 28th 2008 at 2:15pm
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I am the designer/builder of this treehouse, also known as a "hooch". It is a pre-fabricated, single point foundation treehouse, designed to fit any tree. This site presented some fitting problems, but we managed to situate the hooch with minimal alterations. It was a fun experience, the clients were/are great, and we also saw a free concert on the Santa Monica pier- Dick Dale!
For more info and pics, go to:
http://www.tropical-treehouse.com

posted by bamboojo on October 4th 2009 at 3:22pm
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