You see this crazy playhouse that probably looks nothing like a playhouse that you’re used to seeing?
It’s the creation of Canadian carpenter and dadTyson Leavitt who had a “stupid idea” to make luxury playhouses a thing.
The reason I say this was a stupid idea is that we live in a prairie town in Alberta, in a recessed economy, and here we are making extravagant playhouses to a very small market, he said.
And by “it,” he meansCharmed Playhouses, the company he started last year with just three employees that now employs 15 people.
Leavitt worked as a landscaper for eight years before starting Charmed Playhouses.
One thing that I noticed is that in all these yards there were never really spaces that kids could go and enjoy, hesaid. “And even if they had a playhouse, it was usually kind of rickety.”
So what did he decide to do?
Custom-makespectacular playhousesto suit the kids interests, with everything from this Hobbit-like home and fairy tale designs…
…To a much more modern look.
Leavitts wife, the companys interior designer, has worked on projects including a castle and a pirate ship.
It’s a little bit like going back in time and decorating your dollhouse again, on a little bit bigger of a scale, she said.
Its so much fun because I know I’d like to go back in time and pretend like Im a kid again sometimes, and so I love that nostalgic feeling that we get to bring to other families.
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Now they bring that feeling to families all over North America.
He’s gotten such acclaim for his work that his clients have included NBA player Steph Curry and he now has a TLC show in the works.
As you would imagine, they’re not exactly cheap to bring home.
We have playhouses that are $7,000 and we have playhouses that are over $100,000, Leavitt said. Its not up to us. The ideas come from our clients.
All the playhouses are made in Leavitts workshop, then delivered to the families for final assembly.
Him and his team have made about 20 playhouses and have an endless list of more orders lined up.
He had a playhouse growing up, and he wants to share that experience with the next generation.
“Especially at a time when there are so many electronic distractions,” he said, “going outside and using your imagination is still magical.”
Do you think they have good Wi-Fi in there? Regardless, it’s pretty impressive.
To see more creations from Charmed Playhouses, visit their website.
