Treehouse to be centerpiece of Raleigh Home Show

Treehouses aren't just for children anymore. The trend has been gaining traction among home design enthusiasts, with Animal Planet even featuring a series on the construction of luxury homes in the sky.

Posted 5:55 p.m. Sep 7, 2015 — Updated 5:55 p.m. Sep 7, 2015

Kathy Hanrahan

RALEIGH, N.C. — Treehouses aren't just for children anymore. The trend has been gaining traction among home design enthusiasts, with Animal Planet even featuring a series on the construction of luxury homes in the sky.

After a successful exhibit of tiny homes last year, the Downtown Raleigh Home Show will be taking things in a new direction this year - into the air. Rob Ball and RB Landscaping will be building a luxury treehouse at the Raleigh Convention Center. When approached about doing a treehouse, he said he welcomed the challenge.

"I've always been one to do the newest and biggest thing and I wanted to be creative," Ball said.

The 10-foot-by-10-foot house house will sit among three large sycamore trees and feature a log cabin style, complete with front and back decks. The rails will be made out of branches, helping to complete what Ball hopes to be a very natural looking home.

Inside, expect decor and a flat screen TV to make it feel like home.

The project is ambitious, especially since he can't start constructing it on-site until Tuesday - leaving him only three days before the show opens to the public. To prepare, he and his team have been doing as much prep-work as possible.

This is Ball's first treehouse, but he does have others he will be taking on for local residents following this weekend's show. He is even open to doing a treehouse in a yard without a tree. Ball said his team can get creative and customize the treehouse concept to any yard.

The Downtown Raleigh Home Show is Friday through Sunday at the Raleigh Convention Center. Tickets are $10 for adults. Children ages 12 years and younger are admitted free.

In addition to Ball's treehouse, there will also be DIY and interactive seminars and celeb guests including Kevin O'Connor of PBS' "This Old House" and Leanne Lee, Home and Garden Trendsetter of the Year also known as the "Diva of DIY."

O'Connor recently complete building a treehouse for his family. He shared these tips with us about what you need to know if you want to build one in your yard:

It’s not about the house, it’s about being up in the trees. Sometimes a simple platform is all you need.
Trees grow almost as fast as your kids. They will get wider and taller quickly; plan accordingly.
Building a tree house is fun. Building one with your kids is more fun. Take your time, drag it out, and get the kids involved.
If you build it, they will come – the neighborhood kids that is. Get ready for visitors because lots of kids will want to play in your tree house. The more the merrier I say.

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