Ah, a treehouse. If you could design one of your own, what would it to be like?

Mine would have a super-comfortable daybed or hammock, because I think being under a canopy of leaves would an idyllic spot for a nap. I'd also love to curl up with a novel, far far away from the normal daily noises and distractions. It would also be a sweet place to meditate or -- if the floors seemed really secure -- possibly do a little yoga [0].

I'm not dreaming about how I'd fritter the hours away in a treehouse out of the blue. I just learned that treehouses -- which pretty much vanished from my thoughts around the time I hit puberty -- are now being reinvented into posh clubhouses for grown-ups.

Thanks to more sophisticated building methods, treehouses are taking on all kinds of new shapes and styles.

According to the New York Times [1], treehouses -- often costing upwards of $100,000 -- are now being built and used for all kinds of events, from Alcoholic Anonymous meetings to wedding alters. All kinds of people (inclufing actor Val Kilmer [1]) are dreaming up deluxe new designs for their treehouses.

Some of them are incredible (and incredibly expensive). Consider the extreme and massive Alnwick treehouse [2], built in the United Kingdom for $6.5 million. It features a restaurant, meeting spaces, wheelchair accessibility, and suspension bridges. I came across it at the Treehouse Guide [3], a website that offers tips and plans for anyone who wants to build one or hire a treehouse architect of their own.

Since I'm not exactly able to hire an architectural team to create my dream treehouse, I was glad to discover that it's still possible to get a taste of the high life by spending a night or two at a "treesort" in the United States.

There's an Oregon treesort [4] that offers a kitchenette and bathroom in lots of configurations. You decide if your prefer to stay in a treezebo or a treepee. Another treesort that's currently under construction in Virginia will offer all the amenities, including a microwave, coffee maker, sink with hot & cold water, a dining table, and a fireplace.

Frankly, I'd love to spend a weekend up in a treehouse, especially a five-star treehouse with HBO, a plush terrycloth bathrobe, and a mint on my pillow.

Even if it weren't quite that posh, I'm sure it'd be a thrilling place to hang out for a while. In fact, I think a treehouse visit just made my list of things I'd do in the very near future.

Photo credit: The New York Times [5]