Beds of drought-tolerant grasses and flowers surround the front porch of HGTV Green Home 2009. Mature shade trees – including live oak, sabal palms, Ligustrum and crape myrtle – provide color and lend a sense of permanence to the landscape.

A walkway of permeable pavers leads to the front entrance, flanked by pygmy date palms.

Double doors, flanked by double-pane energy-saving windows, lead to the HGTV Green Home's elegant beach cabana-style foyer.

The clerestory, framed by nine windows, is illuminated at night by a 45-light chandelier.