French Inspired Courtyard, Inexpensive Bistro Dining Sets & Garden Finds revisits where I was last summer. It will hopefully provide outdoor resource help as we turn our attention to gardens, patios, decks, and porches. I know I am now spending more time in our sweet little front entrance sanctuary. (This time last year, I was dreaming of adding French cafe chair charm, and I did!)

Farmhouse French Inspired Courtyard, Bistro Dining Sets & Garden Finds
I am tired, but a good tired. Working on the yard and courtyard this week made my muscles sore, my eyes droopy (allergy meds), and my arms inflamed with swollen bug bites.

I replaced plants that didn’t survive winter and weeded, but I’m nowhere near done and have no business posting pictures! Things are sooo unfinished in the courtyard. But I’m keepin it real and now shopping for a few needed pieces.

These images snapped earlier today reflect a little progress, and there are obvious gaps and areas in need of TLC! I need: pillows, a potting bench or rustic table, and a small bistro set.

Unfortunately, our towering burning bush (the only shrub we did not erase from the courtyard when we bought the place!) did not survive the heavy rains experienced this summer.

What a job to dig up decades of deeply rooted growth and haul it away a few days ago. I planted a new burning bush, and there is now space for a little dining set and/or potting bench area.

Let’s have a look.

Vintage galvanized buckets bring a rustic and tumbledown look, and I like the contrast with the fancy mirror.

The little metal gate was supposed to simply be a placeholder since we intend to build a custom gate from wood…yet we still have not addressed it!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Vintage Galvanized Metal Watering Cans
A few vintage watering cans on display will likely move to a shelf or bench. Find new galvanized watering cans here.


Inexpensive Hand Me Down Painted Wood Benches & Chairs
The furniture are yard sale finds painted in a 50/50 combination of greyed-down whites (Farrow & Ball Cornforth White and Hardwick White).

I like how the paint has weathered and the pieces have an aged look after a few years here.

Rustic Unfussy Rose Corner
No fancy rose garden growing here – I have yet to commit to gardening so it’s just a few containers of kordanas for now and knockout roses on the other side of the wall.



Stoneware as Planters
My stoneware jars are from Target, and I didn’t see them online so they may be available only in store. They are similar to Farmhouse Pottery pieces which are high quality, handmade, and investment pieces.

Target has some great inexpensive stoneware pieces, and their Smith & Hawken pieces are fabulous!
Galvanized Metal Buckets, Tubs & Containers
Old vintage metal buckets have risen in price but new ones are reasonable. I have several of this exact one (below) which I use for open storage on shelves and for entertaining.


Tall Planters on Porch




Garden Accent Gate
You can find these little inexpensive garden accent gates everywhere now.


They sometimes come with fancy arbors…


Pea Gravel Colors
Here is a close-up of the gravel in the courtyard.

DIY French Poem Stenciled Mirror
Here’s the French stencil used to quickly create an etched look on an old beveled mirror. This attracts the birds, and contrary to what you may think, they don’t crash into it.






An Inspiring French Garden
Let’s welcome tranquility and tour a gorgeous formal garden that resembles my humble rustic patch of gravel NOT ONE BIT!
Potting Bench Idea
My eyes are peeled for a bench or table for the courtyard with a scale like this:

Bistro Set Under $50
I now have space for a little dining set so I am exploring my options.



Inexpensive Wood Patio or Courtyard Furniture



Bistro Set Around $100



Black & White Bistro Dining Set





Stackable Bistro Chairs in Grey


What did you think of that French garden tour (video above)? Go back to watch if you missed it, and find additional French inspired outdoor inspo HERE and HERE.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Love the pebbles pic the most…so serene!
https://littleblackdomicile.com
Author
Well, then I’m so glad I included it! Peace to you. 🙂
Good morning Michele!
I have always enjoyed this sweet courtyard becauseI think it is a space that many can replicate. I love the pea gravel, the sitting area, the mirrors, watering cans, ok, I LOVe it all.
There are a ton of great sales pieces for the garden at home goods, TJMAXX and Tuesday morning!
Have a wonderful weekend friend.
Author
Thanks so much for the kind words, Elizabeth – I’m still working on it, but it delivers so much peace already. Off to catch up on your lovely blog and hoping you are enjoying a delicious bon weekend.
I would LOVE to have pea gravel in my courtyard….but it is not do-able since we must shovel and/or use a snowblower in winter in that area. {sigh}…. Love the idea of graveled courtyard. Lovely to see your photo!
Author
Ahhh. We get a ton of snow here in Northern Illinois but haven’t had an issue since there is a sidewalk path between the areas with gravel. Thanks, Connie!
Michele,
You are so welcome for the feature on TFT. Working in the garden is always so much work but so relaxing. Your courtyard is going to be so lovely when you are done. It looks great already.
Hugs,
Bev
Author
My trouble is just getting started – once I begin, then I enjoy it and want to keep going. Thanks, Bev! 🙂
Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared.
Author
I appreciate the show of support, Marilyn – thank you so much. 🙂
Hello Lovely! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous outdoor space at Thursday Favorite Things. I am happy to feature you at this week’s party. https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/celebrating-late-summer-at-thursday-favorite-things/
Have a beautiful day!
Author
Yippeee! I’ll be right over, Amber. Peace to you.