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At Sunset Magazine’s 2025 Idea House, Trex Company is setting the stage for a new era in outdoor living. As the foundation and frame for a one-of-a-kind backyard oasis, Trex composite decking and railing work together to enhance the home’s striking architecture, marrying premium aesthetics with innovative performance technology to create a unique desert sanctuary.
Perched high above Palm Springs, CA., in the iconic Desert Palisades community, this architecturally significant home—originally envisioned by the legendary Donald Wexler and brought to life by architect Lance O’Donnell—is entering its final phase of construction. The location, which enjoys an average of 354 days of sun per year, required very intentional material choices with a focus on durability, sustainability and comfort. Engineered to withstand even the most demanding environments, Trex composite decking and railing proved the perfect selections for the home’s year-round outdoor retreat.
“We’re honored to be part of the Sunset Idea House, where the highest standards of innovation and sustainability meet iconic design,” said Jodi Lee, senior vice president of marketing for Trex Company. “In addition to the stunning setting and spectacular home design, the extreme climate presents an ideal opportunity to showcase some of our newest product innovations and performance technologies.”
For optimal durability and aesthetics, the Sunset Magazine design team selected Trex Transcend Lineage composite decking for its latest inspirational Idea House. Featuring Trex’s exclusive SunComfortable heat-mitigating technology, the boards are engineered to reflect the sun’s rays instead of absorbing them, keeping the surface cooler underfoot, even during peak desert heat.
The light brown Biscayne shade complements the home’s bold, clean lines and timeless monochromatic palette. The tranquil color and refined wood grain pattern evoke the warmth of traditional wood, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings, while the performance-engineered composite material ensures the decking will last for decades. Integrated recessed deck lights add ambiance and enhance way-finding, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Providing the perfect frame for the outdoor space is Trex Signature X-Series cable rail. The sleek Charcoal Black aluminum railing and minimalist lines of the stainless steel cables complement the home’s mid-century modern aesthetic, fostering safety while maintaining unobstructed views of the picturesque landscape.
Anchoring the system is the innovative X-Series post. This versatile component is designed to accommodate a variety of infills and can be used as an end, line and corner post. Spring-loaded cables offer superior tension management so cables are less prone to sag over time, while push-to-connect fittings eliminate swaging and crimping. Novel ball ends allow the cables to swivel to accommodate horizontal and stair angles.
Trex’s commitment to sustainability aligns with the eco-conscious values of the Sunset Idea House. The company’s entire portfolio of composite decking is made from up to 95% recycled and reclaimed materials, including a mix of polyethylene plastic film and industrial wood scrap. Furthermore, the aluminum railing chosen for the 2025 Idea House is made with 40% recycled material and is 100% recyclable.
Sunset describes its latest Idea House as ‘a love letter to light, landscape, and the effortless flow between indoors and out.’ The home is on track to be completed in June and will be featured in the magazine’s July/August issue.
About Trex Company, Inc.
For more than 30 years, Trex Company has invented, reinvented and defined the composite decking category. Today, it is the world’s #1 brand of sustainably made, wood-alternative decking and residential railing, and a leader in high performance, low-maintenance outdoor living products. The undisputed global leader, Trex boasts the industry’s strongest distribution network with products sold through more than 6,700 retail outlets across six continents. Through strategic licensing agreements, Trex offers a comprehensive outdoor living portfolio that includes deck drainage, flashing tapes, LED lighting, outdoor kitchen components, pergolas, spiral stairs, fencing, lattice, cornhole, and outdoor furniture–all marketed under the Trex brand. Based in Winchester, VA., Trex earned top honors in this year’s Environment + Energy (E+E) Leader Awards. Trex composite decking was not only named Product of the Year but also the Judges’ Choice Winner as the top-scoring entry in the Consumer + Residential category. Trex is proud to have been named America’s Most Trusted Outdoor Decking five years in a row (2021-2025). Trex was also included on the Barron’s list of the 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies (2024 and 2025), named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024 by Newsweek and ranked as one of the 100 Best ESG Companies by Investor’s Business Daily. For more information, visit trex.com.
