My Houzz: A Beautifully Tranquil Tiny Sleep Space in a Tree
A cosy treehouse provides a family of five with the cutest addition to their home
The shape of this 100-year-old California coast live oak just begged to hold a treehouse. Although it took a while to get the project started, the Studebaker family in California, worked together to build a special and soothing place. ‘Thinking back, I found motivation from a combination of just being a good dad and the opportunity to do something creative and highly original,’ says Doug Studebaker. ‘Each of our three kids helped out from time to time, and in this way built up a little sweat equity and pride in the project.’
Although the garden tree house has served the family well, Linda and Doug Studebaker now rent it out to visitors.
Although the garden tree house has served the family well, Linda and Doug Studebaker now rent it out to visitors.
The Studebakers outfitted the treehouse with cosy quilts, vintage furniture, warm rugs and whimsical accessories. The tree’s long limbs wind their way through the interior.
It was important to Doug to minimise damage to the tree and pay careful attention to its structure while he built the treehouse. This meant the design needed to allow for growth of the tree’s branches.
It was important to Doug to minimise damage to the tree and pay careful attention to its structure while he built the treehouse. This meant the design needed to allow for growth of the tree’s branches.
The family repurposed as much of the construction material as possible. A neighbour donated the worn clapboard cladding, which ties the treehouse’s style to the main home’s redwood cladding. Vintage windows – including some with stained glass – and salvaged French doors make the structure feel more like a home.
A vintage chandelier and several bedside lamps light the interior. Running electricity into the treehouse required the help of an electrician friend. Wiring also allowed for ecofriendly heating, Wi-Fi and TV.
Two bunk beds provide sleeping space. A glass dormer, inspired by one on the family’s garage, allows the east-facing light to flow through the home.
Simple, irregular shelving between the treehouse studs creates storage space for games and books. A down-filled duvet, vintage trunks, quilts and pillows add to the space’s cosy ambience.
The Studebakers decided to build this treehouse when they moved to the property in 1994. But like many home projects, it was put on the back burner, until about 10 years ago. At the time, building a treehouse was like an antidote to Doug’s corporate construction work. Now he focuses on building safe, tree-friendly and playful treehouses for other families and organisations through his company, Treehouse Design & Construction.
See 10 ways to create a sleep zone in a small space
The Studebakers decided to build this treehouse when they moved to the property in 1994. But like many home projects, it was put on the back burner, until about 10 years ago. At the time, building a treehouse was like an antidote to Doug’s corporate construction work. Now he focuses on building safe, tree-friendly and playful treehouses for other families and organisations through his company, Treehouse Design & Construction.
See 10 ways to create a sleep zone in a small space
Plenty of windows, including some that can be opened, allow for natural light and air movement. A TV nestled at the top of the front door is visible from both beds.
A deck wraps around three sides of the treehouse to allow guests to step out and fully experience this stunning tree.
Now the family rents out the treehouse, it’s become even more of a treasure. ‘In recent years, this treehouse has proven to be sort of a Field of Dreams experience for our family,’ says Doug. ‘When we built it over a decade ago, we had no idea it would bring such special guests from around the world to experience it for a couple days and nights.’ Most leave notes, stories, illustrations or photographs of the parts they loved the most.
Often, access to a treehouse is forgotten until the end. For this design, the tree itself provided a simple answer. A couple of lower limbs worked perfectly for two platforms, accessed by a 10ft set of stairs and a smaller staircase connecting the platform to the treehouse.
‘This two-flight-stairs approach added stability, intrigue and safe access to our whimsical structure,’ says Doug. ‘How a treehouse is accessed is an important and creative aspect of the overall design. Making access subtle and not entirely obvious adds to the intrigue and specialness.’
TELL US…
What do you think of this treehouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
‘This two-flight-stairs approach added stability, intrigue and safe access to our whimsical structure,’ says Doug. ‘How a treehouse is accessed is an important and creative aspect of the overall design. Making access subtle and not entirely obvious adds to the intrigue and specialness.’
TELL US…
What do you think of this treehouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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