The build itself
It took four weeks from start to finish and every choice was intentional. We sourced a combination of Douglas fir, C24 treated timber, and secondhand cladding, spending just over £17,000 in total. It was worth every penny and more to us. My talented local joiner, Doug Lister who runs a sawmill nearby, was my partner in bringing the vision to life.
Because I wanted it to be usable in all weathers, waterproofing was key. There’s no manual for sealing a treehouse, but Doug came up with the brilliant idea to wrap the trunk where it meets the roof in a cone of fibrous rubber (the sort used in conveyor belts), which bends with the tree while keeping rain out. Layered with a flashing membrane and sealed with a heat gun, it means the treehouse stays dry no matter the season. We placed it on timber stilts, clad in tree bark for protection, which meant planning permission was needed. Thankfully, the council couldn’t have been more supportive.
Inside the treehouse: the theme
I wanted a mood that felt like beach shack meets antique shop. Originally, I'd dreamed of multicoloured reclaimed planks for the walls, but budget constraints nudged me towards treated timber from Doug’s sawmill, I aged myself. I stained, waxed, painted in blues, yellows and pinks, then whitewashed and sanded for a distressed, layered finish. The Douglas fir cladding outside is finished with subtle beading so it feels special, never like just a shed on stilts.
Clever storage and the little details
Every inch of the treehouse has to work hard. Under the bunk beds (designed with my son Raef, who took The Lord of the Rings as inspiration) are bespoke drawers for bedding. The bed rails are made from naturally fallen branches, carved to fit (very “Shire”-like). Raef loves it so much, he’s secretly written his name and age on the back of the planks. Hooks along the walls hold lanterns and coats, keeping the floor open for play and gatherings.
Secondhand soul
Almost everything inside has a history. There’s the linen armchair from our “fancy room,” a vintage desk from Facebook Marketplace, and double glass doors repainted green to melt into the garden view. The windows are upcycled from the main house.
On the walls hang family photographs and keepsakes. There are framed letters from my great-grandfather to my great-grandmother during WWI, wedding photos from my mum’s big day and mine, some birthday snapshots of my children. It’s not just a treehouse. It’s an extension of our home, and I know my mum would have loved it here.
