Engaging Stairs: Ipe Deck

The owners wanted a deck that created a comfortable flow from their home to their yard. We focused on openness in the design, only using railing on one side to keep the deck fully engaged with the yard. Since the deck height was less than a couple feet from the ground, the railing served more of a place to set drinks and small plates than a barrier. We also built cascading stairs the full length of one side and at the corner of another to open up the deck to the rest of the outdoor space. We accented the entire perimeter with a piece of ipe hardwood that sat level with the rest of the deck boards. From above, this fascia adds a sleek thin accent to the larger deck boards.