Outbuildings
A Magical Tree House Lights Up for Christmas
From the Most Popular file: An incredible tree house takes things up a notch for the holidays. See how it came to be
“When I was 14 years old, I wrote myself a letter, which I still have,” says Jeri Wakefield. “It reads, ‘No matter what happens in my life, I pray that I can be the best grandmother possible. I want my grandchildren to have happy memories of their childhood.’”
Jeri and her husband, Steve Wakefield, are now the proud grandparents of Lincoln and Sullivan Scott. Nine years ago the couple built a tree house for their grandsons. What began as a backyard construction project quickly bloomed into a whimsical, multigenerational creation.
The couple celebrates Christmas by decorating the tree house top to bottom in lights; the display is an annual tradition that coincides with their well-attended holiday open house. Tree house architect and family friend James Curvan returns every year to install the lights, a process in which he takes great pride. “My favorite thing is watching the kids play and experience the tree house at this festive time of year,” says Curvan. During this year’s Christmas party, the Wakefield grandchildren and scores of other giddy youngsters will ascend the tree house and make some unforgettable holiday memories.
The Houzz team met with Steve, Jeri and James just after they lit up the tree house for the holidays this year. Hear their story and take the video tour.
Tree House at a Glance
Owners: Steve and Jeri Wakefield
Location: Dallas, Texas
Architect: James Curvan
Size: 100 square feet; 2 exterior decks, 2 sleeping lofts and a crow’s nest
Every corner of the front-facing gable and window is lined with lights to define the architecture. Curvan built the tree house over a nine-year period with help from the Wakefields’ son, Jeremy. A U.S. Marine, Jeremy helped Curvan work on the project between multiple tours in Iraq.
The structure is supported by a series of steel posts, which Curvan painted the color of bark. A giant pecan tree grows through the house but does not bear any weight. Curvan made sure the tree had room to grow and expand without constriction.
Because children play all over the tree house, Curvan pays special attention to safety when installing the lights. “I must anticipate where they might put their hands and feet while climbing up the wall, ladders, sky bridge and all the handrails,” he says. “All extension cords have to be staked down or buried.”
As night falls the tree house takes on a magical glow that can be seen all around the block. The Wakefields built the tree house for their grandsons, but Jeri credits the sense of wonder she had as a child as the inspiration for the project. “I lived a lot in my imagination,” she says. “I still do!”
Light strands: The Home Depot, Walmart, Big Lots
Light strands: The Home Depot, Walmart, Big Lots
One of the architect’s favorite things to do is to encircle the slide with green lights. Curvan says, “It’s quite a visual for the kids as they go down the slide.”
A suspension bridge, lined in lights, connects the tree house to a floating crow’s nest sitting in a neighboring tree.
The Wakefields have hosted an annual Christmas party at their home for the past 30 years. “After our wonderful grandsons arrived, and James and Jeremy built the tree house in 2004, the party went on steroids,” says Jeri. “Now we have our friends and their children and their grandkids. Fun, love, hugs, Santa Claus, tons of food and fellowship!”
The main floor of the tree house has two child-size doorways, a kitchen, a dining room and a window seat. According to Jeri, the interior is fairly maintenance free. “It is airtight and beautifully crafted,” she says. “When we have kid birthday parties, we just need to spiff it up a bit.”
Curvan installed Plexiglas instead of glass in the window for safety reasons. The Wakefields’ daughter-in-law, Linnea Scott, made a custom cushion for the window seat. For holidays Jeri covers the cushion with a seasonal fabric.
Six-year-old Walker Greenman poses at the edge of the reading nook, to help give a sense of scale. Every single thing inside the tree house is child size.
The window seat in the reading nook provides a private getaway; a reclaimed leaded glass window overlooks the main house.
Waiting for Santa Claus is twice as nice in a pint-size sleeping loft lit with snowflake-shaped twinkle lights. Greenman peers down at Curvan, who is still preparing the tree house for the Wakefields’ Christmas party.
This toy oil derrick was made by Jeri’s grandson’s other grandfather, while the Santa figurine comes from Steve’s side of the family. “There are lots of little mementos around the tree house that come from past generations in our family,” says Jeri. “Every grandparent is represented, as well as some great-grandparents.”
This fake miniature Christmas tree was purchased 10 years ago specifically for the tree house. The little quilted tree skirt was made by Jeri’s daughter-in-law.
The fireplace mantel and surround were made from a broken piano bench discarded by one of Jeri’s neighbors. Curvan repurposed two of the legs and a side of the seat to craft the surround.
Fireplace tiles: French-Brown Floors
Fireplace tiles: French-Brown Floors
The kitchen table, which was found at a craft show, is topped with little Christmas dishes. The working refrigerator holds juice boxes and other treats for the children.
Play dishes, silverware, brass goblets, refrigerator, stove, tea set: eBay
Play dishes, silverware, brass goblets, refrigerator, stove, tea set: eBay
Curvan (left) and his client, Jeri, survey their handiwork. When we took the photo, Jeri smiled and said, “Oh, James, you’ve really outdone yourself this year. I think this might be your best yet.”
Curvan says, “I had to be careful to incorporate various outlet sources, so as not to overload the breaker system.” He ran extension cords from the nearby guesthouse using four separate 15-amp breakers.
Holly forms: Target