For better and for worse, the pandemic changed the way we live, especially the way we use our houses. Cooped up day in and day out, families began to reconsider every square foot: Living rooms became study halls, guest rooms became home offices, screened-in porches became dining rooms. And the yard got a whole new lease on life, as housebound families spilled outdoors onto the porch, the grass and even into the trees. 

“Life is so different now,” says Keith Maddin, who was providing carpentry and home repair services through her company BK Management before the city began sheltering in place. “I think the pandemic changed the way we think.” 

A heightened interest in outdoor living led a longtime client to ask Keith if she could build a playhouse in the yard for her visiting grandchildren. The client had a structure in mind, something she’d found in Southern Living magazine. She showed the photo to Keith, who saw both a gorgeous playhouse structure and a business opportunity. Keith contacted Firefly Forts in Atlanta to inquire about the tree fort in the photograph, and by the time she got off the phone with Firefly founders Kristin and Michael Scaglione, Keith was on her way to becoming the Nashville branch of their tree fort design-build company.

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A quick scroll through Instagram shows that a Firefly Fort is no run-of-the-mill playhouse. The Scagliones built their first luxury tree fort for their own kids, as a ploy to get them out of the house and off their computer screens in the early days of the pandemic. Word spread quickly around Atlanta, where the Scagliones have constructed a lofty, leafy network of luxury play structures fit for adults as well as kids. The buzz about Firefly Forts also spread to Nashville, where the Scagliones installed several forts before teaming up with Keith. 

There are three base models of Firefly Fort, all of which hover above ground, elevated on stilts or in the trees. The most popular design, “Firefly,” is an elevated house with a wraparound covered porch. “Lightning Bug” is an A-frame. And “Glow Worm” is an open play platform. 

All three styles can be customized with elements such as spiral slides, hammocks, zip lines, rope swings, fire poles and climbing walls. While some projects are geared for kids to hang out and play, others are intended for adults to escape the house to a dedicated workspace. Keith says she has heard of the tree forts being used as al fresco dining rooms or as getaways for mahjong and bridge games.  

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“These are not your typical playhouses,” says Keith, who hints that prices start north of $15,000 and can climb as high as the imagination can soar. Imagine a 14-sided structure with wraparound balcony, internal slides, zip lines, art lighting and chandeliers. Or an air-conditioned and heated treehouse office with storage on the ground level.

A homeowner interested in a Firefly Fort can call Keith to discuss a ballpark budget. Then Keith can walk the property to find a spot and select an appropriate configuration for sleeping lofts, stairs and walkways. From there, the possibilities are endless when it comes to structures and finishes. For example, a simple Firefly Fort could be accessorized with a swinging bridge, functional windows, tongue-and-groove-clad walls and a swing set. The wood can be stained or painted or can remain rustic and raw. 

Roughly speaking, it can take a couple weeks to install the structure, with more elaborate forts taking longer to finish.  

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“A Firefly Fort can be so customized,” Keith says, adding that the last detail on any build is to install a bucket on a pulley system, like something out of a kids’ cartoon. Looking at the playful signature bucket dangling from the upper level of a tree fort, it’s tempting to imagine hoisting some water balloons or a pet frog to play in the leafy hideaway. Or maybe a yoga mat. Or a laptop and a cup of coffee. Or a charcuterie board.

“The idea is to get the kids out of the house,” Keith says. “But it’s not just for kids.”

To learn more about Firefly Forts Nashville, email Keith Maddin at nashville@fireflyforts.com or call 615-330-6546.