I've always loved the idea of little houses hidden away in the roots of trees. When my girls were younger, we'd often go for walks in the woods and they’d spot fairy houses in the tree roots. That's really where the idea for my tree dollshouses came from. I wanted to make something a bit different from an ordinary dolls' house, with curved walls, natural shapes and lots of cosy little rooms.
No Two Treehouses Are the Same
Sometimes I have a really clear picture in my head of how I want a treehouse to look, and can almost see the finished thing before I've even started. Other times, I just make it up as I go along, letting the shape of the tree and whatever ideas come to me along the way guide me.
One thing you'll notice about my houses is that there aren't many straight lines! I love wonky walls, curved ceilings and all the little nooks and crannies. I've never been keen on everything being perfectly straight and square. I've always loved cob houses, and I think that has probably influenced the way I make my treehouses.
Of course, it does make things more difficult when it comes to fitting furniture and making everything work inside, but I wouldn't want them to be any other way!
I use a mixture of materials to build up the outside, adding bark, moss and other details to give each one its own look. Some have winding staircases, which can be one of the most complicated bits to make, and others have little balconies and secret rooms.
It's What's Inside That Counts Too
I probably spend just as much time on the inside as I do on the outside.
I love making the little rooms cosy, with furniture, fireplaces and all the tiny accessories. I particularly love miniature log burners and flreplaces. They really transform a room and make it look so cosy and inviting.
I often find myself imagining what it would be like to live in one of these houses on a cold winter's day, sitting next to the log burner. I think treehouses must be about the cosiest kind of dollshouse you could have!
Some of the furniture I buy, some I adapt, and other things I make myself. I can spend ages trying to find something that will fit into an awkward corner, or making something from scratch because nothing I've found looks quite right.
Not Just for Dollshouse Collectors
Although I originally thought of my treehouses as dolls’ houses, it's been lovely seeing the different ways people have used them.
Some of my customers have filled theirs with Sylvanian Families, while others have found homes for their miniature owls, foxes, sloths and all sorts of other little animals.
I hadn't really thought about all these possibilities when I first started making them, so it's been lovely seeing the photographs people have shared. Everyone seems to have their own ideas about who should live in their treehouse! Of course, they're also lovely to have on display, even if you don't collect miniature animals or dollshouses.
Made Slowly by Hand
Treehouses aren't something I can knock out in a weekend! Depending on the size and how complicated they are, they can take anything from a few weeks to a few months to make.
The time of year makes a difference, too. I use quite a bit of clay, and it takes much longer to dry during the winter. Sometimes I speed things up with a fan or hairdryer!
There are usually a few things that don't go quite to plan along the way. I might make something and decide I don't like it, or find that a piece of furniture doesn't fit where I'd imagined it would. Sometimes I end up taking things apart and starting again. It can be a bit frustrating at times, but I do enjoy the process of making them and seeing how everything comes together.
Something Different
I know treehouse dollshouses aren't something you see every day, and I think that's part of why I enjoy making them.
I love that they can be used in so many different ways. They might become a home for someone's favourite miniature animals, a new addition to a dollhouse collection, or simply something unusual to have on display.
I always have more ideas than I have time to make, so I'm sure there will be plenty more treehouses in the future!
If you'd like to see some of the ones I've made, you can browse my past creations here. I also take on bespoke commissions, so if you have something particular in mind, you're very welcome to get in touch.
