The 2026 Southern Living Idea House:
Modern design meets Hill Country soul
Fredericksburg, TX | 1,700 sq. ft. | Advanced PVC | Coastline | Deck by: Canopy Builders
Each year, the Southern Living Idea House showcases beautiful craftsmanship and livable design. This year, it takes shape in Fredericksburg, Texas — a true Texas gathering place in the heart of the Hill Country. Central Texas throws everything at a home: Extreme heat, dramatic temperature swings, humidity, hail, and growing wildfire risk that puts much of the region under Wildland Urban Interface fire codes. To meet those demands, the team turned to TimberTech Advanced PVC Decking, Aluminum Framing, and Railing. The result is a low-maintenance outdoor space with real wood looks, top-rated fire resistance, and the structural integrity to stay laser straight through the seasons with real wood looks and top-rated fire resistance.
Meet the team
“My favorite part of the home is the back deck — it's a wow moment.”
Melanie Sparks, Kurk Homes
The Southern Living Idea House came together through a talented team: Kurk Homes as the builder, led by Melanie Sparks and Chris McGinley; Mustard Architects on design, with Andrew Bray as lead architect; and, for the deck build, Canopy Builders, led by Tim Solano.
Designed for outdoor living — engineered for Texas climate
Turning recycled materials into lasting beauty, one deck at a time.
This deck was built with 1,575 sq. feet of TimberTech Advanced PVC Decking made using:1
~3,100 lbs of recycled material
A true Texas gathering place
Get the Look: Inspired by Nature
Vintage Collection
Coastline®
A medium gray with warm tan and charcoal undertones for the inviting look of aged hardwood — used here in both decking and porch profiles.
Impression Rail Express
Black
Embrace the simple, classic beauty of a milled-wood look and the performance and durability of PVC — paired with Chippendale panels for a unique, striking look.
TimberTech
Aluminum Framing
A TimberTech Aluminum frame gives you a beautiful and exceptionally flat deck with superior performance for years to come.
FIND A CONTRACTOR
For peace of mind, choose a TimberTech pro
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See more of the Southern Living Idea House
Explore more photos from the 2026 project to discover what's possible with TimberTech.
Complete the look with Hardie®
Hardie® Plank
TimberHue™ Collection
Shown here in Hawthorn, the TimberHue™ Collection pairs the warmth and character of stained wood with the proven durability of James Hardie fiber cement.
Hardie® Artisan®
Shiplap
Hardie® Artisan® Shiplap features a subtle channel and wider boards, creating clean, understated shadow lines and a crisp, horizontal look.
Hardie® Artisan®
V-Groove Siding
Hardie® Artisan® V-Groove uses a deeper channel and narrower boards for pronounced shadow lines and more defined grooves, creating a dimensional, textured surface.
Order Free Samples
See the Southern Living Idea House’s decking up close and explore other color options.
More TimberTech Stories
Explore homeowner stories about their experience with TimberTech and learn why they chose us for their outdoor living space. Plus, get inspiration for your own space from their high-style designs.
Disclaimer:
1. Recycled material weight is estimated based upon the recycled waste and scrap material used in the manufacturing of TimberTech Advanced PVC Decking at the time of publication.