Rooftop Deck Tour: HGTV Green Home 2009

With its bird’s-eye view of the Tradition neighborhood and the lush backyard, the rooftop deck serves as a get-away-from-it-all space, ideal for entertaining or enjoying a cup of coffee as the sun rises.

Poised directly above the screened patio, the sunny spot is accessed from a spiral staircase and features just enough space to host a casual gathering of friends. Weather Wicker furnishings by Ebel create a cozy eating area, while comfy lounge chairs cater to the sunbather. Aluminum railing and decorative pavers complete the casual look of this outdoor space.

Raised garden beds are a standout feature of this rooftop space. Planted with hardy herbs and tomatoes, the beds are irrigated via a whiskey-turned-rain barrel. The mortar bed that holds the decorative deck pavers in place is composed of a heavy sand content mix that allows water to drain from the garden bed, under the pavers and out to the drainage scuppers. “Plants were chosen for their hardiness,” explains senior landscape architect Scott Davidson. “The herbs and vegetables have to withstand very harsh conditions, lots of direct sun and heat and indirect heat from the deck and adjacent roof.”