Cedar Spire (Fife, Scotland)
A fairy-tale castle sits on the grounds of a grand Scottish estate. Its majestic details include: stained-glass windows, conical roofs and a balcony that's perfect for playing Rapunzel. A construction this whimsical keeps the kids occupied, so the adults are free to host parties on the neighboring deck.
Photographer: Amazon Treehouses. Credit: Courtesy of Gordon Brown
Sophie's Dream House (United Kingdom)
In 2002, the Daily Telegraph, a U.K. newspaper, called for the nation's children to submit their best tree house designs. Sophie Hughes, who was 11 years old at the time, won the contest after beating out 800 entrants. As her prize, builders from PearTree Limited descended upon her home to recreate her design in the garden. The little house has acorn-shaped windows and a delightfully creaky bridge, plus a pulley that her mom uses to send up food in a basket.
Photographer: Amazon Treehouses. Credit: Courtesy of Collins Design
Kitchenette Climber (West Sussex, UK)
Spending time in a tree house doesn't mean you have to "rough it." This getaway in an old Scottish pine is equipped with full kitchen facilities! And to work up an appetite, there's also a swing and slide installed on the side of the house.
Credit: Courtesy of Gordon Brown, Collins Design
Lifepod
The people at Kyu Che Studio wanted to design a space that fits in any environment. They came up with the Lifepod, a small, oval-shaped cabin that can be moved and assembled almost anywhere. It can be used as a small office or guest room, and can accommodate two people for several days. The structure can be fixed to any terrain, or elevated high into the air by a system of adjustable steel legs and cables anchored to nearby trees.
Photographer: Kyu Che. Credit: Courtesy of Collins Design
Home Office Tree House (United Kingdom)
If we could work at this enchanted spot, we'd never leave our desks. It lies in the outskirts of London, where the lucky owner uses it as a home office. He has electricity to power up his computer, and a deck to use when the sun shines. When it's winter, the house can be heated to keep it cozy and warm.
Photographer: Amazon Treehouses. Credit: Courtesy of Collins Design
The Learning Tree (Geneva, Switzerland)
The parents of four little girls commissioned the French design company, La Cabane Perchee, to fit two pretty houses and a terrace on one large, imposing oak. To help the girls learn about nature, the builders put in a table engraved with the names and images of the surrounding trees.
Photographer: Vincent Thfoin. Credit: Courtesy of Abrams
The Spiral House (Rambouillet Forest, France)
We're not sure if we are more impressed by the tree house itself or the staircase to get to it. For a dramatic and Earth-conscious construction, the builders chose to wind the spiral staircase around the trunk instead of chopping branches.
Photographer: Vincent Thfoin. Credit: Courtesy of Abrams
Treetent
Built by renowned artist Dre Wapenaar, this tree pod was originally designed as a refuge for British activists during deforestation protests. It can sleep up to two adult protesters or four pacifist children.
Credit: Courtesy of De Hertshoom
Nut House (Dusseldorf, Germany)
Deep inside a walnut forest, we found this charming modern tree house that's shaped like the nut itself. Stilts support most of the weight, while the terrace is strapped to a nearby tree. Because of the height and large windows, we imagine that once we're inside, it'll feel like there's nothing but air between the leaves and us. It's used as a playroom for the owner's three children, and as an occasional guest room.
Photographer: Dirk Vogel. Credit: Courtesy of Baumraum
Sky High Tree House (Saleve Mountain, France)
Teetering at the top of 130-foot Austrian pine, this house looks like it has no visible means of support (a hidden ring bears all of the weight). It probably takes forever to climb up the spiral staircase, but we envy the spectacular views of Lake Geneva that the owner can see from his bedroom window.
Photographer: Vincent Thfoin. Credit: Courtesy of Abrams
