Interiors from the Bungalow

Here are some interior shots of the bungalow featured in American Bungalow Magazine

click on the images for a larger view

American Bungalow Playhouse

The full story can be found at http://www.ambungalow.com/AmBungalow/news.htm

Click on the picture for a larger view to see more of the details

If you need to contact me please do so either at Edward1960@hotmail.com or directly at 563-245-2295.

Moving playhouses

Playhouses can be moved intact... IF you look at the picture below you can see the trailer that I use for deliveries (I build them in my "shop" and then take them to the site. What his means is that an EXISTING playhouse can be transported.So if you have a playhouse they can come with you if you move! Edward1960@hotmail.com 563-245-2295

Pictures??? What pictures????

E-blogger is having technical difficulties (I will delete comments about their ancestry, intelligence or procreative habits) .... If you would like to see the pictures, most posts are mirrored at my Xanga site (yeah so sue me, it keeps my siblings and I in touch)


http://www.xanga.com/Edward1960/544586731/kidsafe-part-1-of-a-series-doors.html

You may have to cut and paste in some browsers.....

I apologize for the inconvenience....

Kidsafe Playhouses Part 1 of a series DOORS

So what is KidSafe?
KidSafe is a term I use to describe playhouses built around the simple idea that they should be free of common hazards. My tag line has been "If it isn't SAFE then why bother building it?". I really do believe that and has been a guiding principle of all the playhouses I have built.

I will try not "beat-up" on other builders, but sometimes the easiest way to show what I am talking about is by demonstration.

Basic Playhouse (Ok so its got both log siding and a porch options)



Pretty typical playhouse until you start to look at the details. In this series I want to look at those details.

Doors
IF you look at the picture you may wonder how to get inside.... Well I don't fit though the 18 inch wide, 4f t high door..... so I don't use it.
Playhouses should have two doors... A kid door AND an adult door......

Playhouses are all about imaginative play, soo there must be a door that is kid sized. However imaginative play also leads to interactive play (social development is another topic). The interactive play can be with peers or with care givers. Other children can use the kid door, but how does Grandma come for "tea" if the only access is the mentioned 18in x 4ft front door. It is easy if there is door she can actually use.


There are a number of other reasons for having two doors. (Besides having grandma come for "tea")

1. The doors swing in opposite directions (one swings in, the other swings out) that way a child can never get trapped. Imagine if a playmate were to lean a bicycle against an outswing door. Nothing malicious, just thoughtless, however if there is only one door the child inside might not be able to swing out the door.

2. Children grow (parents don't look) and there will come a day when the playhouse becomes a place to read or even study. With a large door the playhouse "grows" with the child.

3. Other uses for a playhouse. A studio for writing or painting. A potting shed or even just a storage shed (perhaps for summer toys in the winter). With just a "kid door" none of these are possible.

4. Playhouses become a sanctuary, knowing that is THE reason that they must be safe.... All children have spats and tiffs and the playhouse becomes a place of refuge. However without an adult door I can't go to my child who needs me. With the big door I can be with my child who needs comfort in THEIR place of refuge. Knowing that I can rest easy whenever they are out to play. This most important reason may never be required, but with a properly designed playhouse the option is there.

Ed R-....

A Victorian Playhouse

Here is a front and side sketch of a true Victorian playhouse. Any interest??? and no I'm not sure how much it would cost, but I'd do the first one for $9,700 in cedar, but you'll have to paint it (I'll help choose colors, but with so many possibilities I'll leave the final choices to the "winner")

Playhouse Checklist

This is a comment I gave to a mother of 6, who asked about the playhouse prices. IF anyone is interested send me an e-mail and we'll do that else where. The point of this blog is playhouse safety. I encourage everyone interested in playhouses to read the following and look at what is beign produced locally. Don't miss the punchline at the end.....

****** MOM, (her screen name)
You're out numbered..... LOL
IF you're truly interested in prices toss me an e-mail and I will flip back you a list. They range from $950 up to the Mollie Madison which was $12,600.... There is no average price. I build them one at a time. I’m fairly sure that if you check locally you find that there is someone building “playhouses”. BUT even with delivery my prices are usually better AND mine are built with an eye towards safety. Do your self a favor and find a commercial builder and look at the quality being offered.

1. are the corners rounded -
2. do they use metal drip edge of the roofs (look especially where the roof edges meet)
3. are the playhouses vented (sofit and ridge vents)
4. Are surfaces sanded and sealed
5. are floors made of treated wood
6. are the windows "kid friendly" (are there any windows at all)
7. are there two doors - one swinging in, one swinging out
8. can the interior be finished, if so how much
9. Are their overhangs at the roof edges or does the water run down the sides of the house
10. Construction materials, full 2x4's for the walls good quality hardware

This is just some of the things to look for. This list ignores workmanship, quality of materials and the reason they build playhouses. Are they a shed builder who makes something that looks like a “playhouse” or are they a playhouse builder? Do they know anything about imaginative play for children?

There is a program by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) called the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS). The goal of the NPPS is to make playspaces safe for children. It is a good program and they have done some remarkable work with every school district in the country.

Are you ready for the punch line?

I am the ONLY playhouse builder in the whole USofA that has ever worked with them.


For those of you haven’t seen it, what a roof corner should look like. ($1,890)


Bad corners from a British builder this 6ft wide by 4ft deep playhouse they get 2500 pounds for (or about $4,000) and it doesn't even have real wondows. scheesh