Willow, New York
Design: Antony Gibbon Designs (UK)
Yes, the Willow Tree House, a rental getaway owned by tech-whiz Avner Ronen, breaks our square-footage rule, being close to two times the size of many of the structures we’ve included. But it’s just so kick-butt and unique, I couldn’t not showcase it. “Small” is relative anyway, and the Willow Tree House is still leagues smaller than the average American home, so here it is in all its glory.
Avner, being equally enthralled with tree houses and tiny houses, admits that the Willow is a twist on both. While not actually built within trees, it still commands a lofty view and almost seems to float above its lighted lower deck (in reality it’s held up by its pedestal entrance and two large metal posts). This backwoods escape has a great deck view of a man-made pond below, where you might catch a glimpse of a deer drinking from its shallows. Better yet, you get the same view from the couch through the enormous window a flight above. As if that’s not magical enough, the open-air loft not only provides useful space up in the heights of this cabin but also directs its view into the same wilderness beyond. The high ceiling, and the incorporation of windows and skylights, makes this relatively small space seem almost like a cathedral in the woods.
Inspiration: “A tree house fetish and a location that seemed to beg for such a house.”
This bedroom for the kids could also be a great office or writing room.
In Retrospect: “I wish it had a retractable showerhead, which would have made cleaning easier. I also would have made the porch a bit bigger so that it could fit two chairs and a table for a nice breakfast. More headroom in the loft would be a good idea, too, if I did things over.”
