East Hampton treehouse business Stiles Designs reaches new heights

David and Jeannie Stiles have taken the tree house building business to new heights, both literally and figuratively.

Their work ranges from traditional treehouses perched high up in the branches of trees, to more land-locked models built in outdoor spaces surrounded by groves of trees, yet with a storybook look. It covers a wide range of structures.

And the couple's treehouse work has been featured twice in Architectural Digest magazine, the international bible of luxury home design. Additionally, they showed others how to build a treehouse on the “Today” show.

The two, who run their business Stiles Designs from their home in East Hampton, say how the treehouse looks and where it is placed is up to the children or adults building it. It is said that it is determined by the imagination and needs of the person. The key is to incorporate wood into the design in some way.

“maybe [considered] Treehouses are possible as long as you are a little far from Earth. 2 feet, 4 feet, 10 feet…and it's a sanctuary surrounded by nature and you can hear the birds chirping,” Jeannie Stiles said.

The Stiles have also designed and built other outdoor structures, including playhouses, sheds, garden houses, teahouses, forts, gazebos, and sheds, and have written approximately 30 how-to books, which have sold more than 1 million copies. are sold and some are translated into other languages. language.

But what the Stiles family is most famous for, and widely considered to be on top of, is their treehouse.

“We designed a treehouse at Jackie Kennedy's former mansion in East Hampton. Architectural Digest included David's original sketch of the treehouse in an article they wrote about the house.” said Jeannie Stiles. “The treehouse was designed to match the main house and features custom antique glass brow windows.”

Another Architectural Digest article featured a Lord of the Rings-inspired treehouse with hand-carved stairs and pulleys that allow you to carry snacks and toys in baskets. He added, “We've built treehouses all over Long Island. We've also built treehouses in upstate New York, Connecticut, Virginia and Beverly Hills, California.”

Some of the Stiles' most memorable projects were those they worked on from their Oyster Bay home during the pandemic. “He built us two treehouses with bridges,” Jeannie Stiles explained.

The Stiles also built tree houses in private schools and public buildings, including the Dalton School in Manhattan, the Calhoun School, and a structure on the roof of the YMHA (Young Men's Hebrew Association) on 92nd Street.

Have you or your husband been involved in any other businesses besides Stiles Designs?

I worked for a few years at a design firm in New York City, where I met David. David holds a degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute and studied at the Florence Academy of Fine Arts in Italy.

How did you get started building treehouses?

David always loved treehouses and when he was a boy he would go camping and have the kids build a treehouse with a connecting bridge. We first built as Stiles Designs about 25 or 30 years ago in East Hampton. A second building was also built in East His Hamptons for New York investor Alan Patricoff and his wife Susan. They asked us to design a tree house for their granddaughter. Lily and Nina.

Do you have children or grandchildren…and have you built a treehouse for them?

We have three children, all now in their 40s and 50s. I've been building a treehouse in my backyard for about 40 years.There was a simple A-frame that was featured on House & Garden, but it's no longer available. We then made a replacement and our grandchildren and nieces still use it.

What do you need to consider when building a treehouse among the branches?

Ideally [traditional] The treehouse is supported and fitted into the tree by posts or posts that make the treehouse look like it is part of the tree, whether it is supported by branches or a single tall trunk. is needed.

What's the tallest treehouse you've ever built?

One has a platform more than 20 feet above the ground offering views of the Atlantic Ocean.

How long does it take to build a treehouse?

A simple one can be created within a week, but it can take two to three months to build.

What is the price range for treehouses?

From $5,000 to over $50,000.

What is the biggest mistake you have ever made?

David remembers the treehouse he built as a child. He did not allow the two trees supporting it to move independently, and some nails eventually broke. He never made that mistake again.

What is the big challenge for you and how do you overcome it?

The pandemic has created many challenges for us as wood prices have increased significantly and at times become difficult to obtain. We have gotten better at finding alternative sources (such as using dead tree branches) and strived to minimize additional costs to our clients.

Where do you want your business to be in five years?

Five years from now, I hope to continue receiving letters from clients thanking me for my inspiration. We strive to inspire our customers with treehouses that become part of their environment.