I am forever spoiled from buying the modern, ready-made playhouse-- not that they don't serve a purpose; I mean, you can entertain a kid with scotch tape and a cardboard box. But when you need a playhouse for yourself, camouflaged as a play space for the kids, look no further. I'd happily chill out in any of these.
These first four photos are the creations of Judith Needham. She wanted a playhouse for her daughter that would blend in with the surrounding English landscape, so she built the 'Dreaming Spires' playhouse from willow canes. It's as beautiful an asset to the garden in winter as it is in summer.
Another of her creations is the 'Onion Pot', below, for children of all ages.
Available for purchase in the U.K. HERE. She also offers weaving workshops in Surrey and Hampshire.
Anyone who has seen Sense & Sensibility will remember the treehouse where Miss Margaret hides out. I always sympathize with her pouting & mischievous hiding at the start of the movie.
In oh-so-whimsically-charming fashion are the round windows & the door trimmed in small cut branches, the blue-washed, hinged shutters, the octagonal shape and thatched roof, and the rope ladder that can be drawn up for top-secret meetings.
A playhouse that could be straight out of Wind in theWillows from Bunny Guinness' award winning children's garden by that name which she designed for the Chelsea Flower Show and won a gold medal.
See what I mean?
Bunny Guinness
A thatched mud hut, Bunny Guinness
A smart tree house. As the mom of a 3-year old, I like the little porch that surrounds this elevated house among the trees. Bunny Guinness
Can you guess what I'm thinking? Maybe that sweet man who built the table will humor me-- I mean the kids-- with a playhouse?
Hammer & nails building not your preferred route to charming? Try this version-- a favorite hideout in the Children's Garden at the Fullerton Arboretum in Fullerton, CA. Constructed of bamboo canes and covered in the fast-growing hyacinth bean vine, it's shady, cool and will make everyone say, awww... Instructions from
If you missed my post on hyacinth bean vine, you can see it HERE. It's so easy to grow and not too late to plant seeds.
Talk to you again soon!
