With the extreme temperatures and snowy forecasts many of us are shivering through, dreaming of balmier spring-like days spent in a French courtyard feels right! Before and After: Easy & Unfussy DIY French Country Courtyard will show you how a little work can lead to transformation.
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Before and After: Easy & Unfussy DIY French Country Courtyard!
My sweet private sanctuary (at the entrance to our home, sited on a woodsy hill in a country-ish neighborhood of larger homes) was once an eyesore which still somehow attracted me to the property back in 2015 as we shopped for just the right fixer upper.
The entrance looked anything but French inspired, timeless, or tranquil when we started.
Wildly overgrown with shrubs, weeds, and grass, this courtyard shouted STAY AWAY! Yet we knew we could make it special.
This was truly one of the easiest transformations we have ever tackled. When you favor a light and airy landscape and have a limited budget, SUBTRACTION is your friend, friends.
So subtract is just what we did.
DIY French Country Courtyard…How We Did It!
The only original thing we left in place was the burning bush you see on the right near the front door.
Everything was weeded and cleared away before we laid landscape fabric and planted boxwood and lavender.
Then we arranged the outdoor wood furniture I snagged for a song from a friend’s moving sale and painted out (custom mix of 50% FARROW & BALL Hardwick White and 50% Cornforth White (whites that are actually putty greys).
Thrifty Courtyard Ingredients
In came pea gravel and a few containers, and out went eroded stone wall tops. While I came up with an inexpensive temporary solution of $.94 cement 12″ x 12″ pavers to replace the top, these pavers have not yet been replaced with real stone.
Rustic Alder Front Door
The upgraded front door made a dramatic difference, and it is made of rustic knotty alder with a walnut finish, clavos, and speakeasy.
Sometimes, pretty rattan chairs are placed on the porch, sometimes it’s Tolix-style industrial French chairs, and sometimes it’s a vintage bamboo chair. With my weakness for chairs, there are plenty of options!
Tall planter boxes flank the front door, and these have turned out to be extremely longwearing and chic investments.
French Touches in the French Courtyard
An ornate French mirror on the exterior wall is slightly unexpected and enhances the courtyard by helping it feel more like an outdoor room.
This mirror has been brought into service in at least five other places over the years in several of our homes. (You can also plainly see I rotate furniture outside just like inside!)
The small lumbar pillow is RH, and the large one is discontinued, Grandin Road.
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More Finishing Touches in the Garden Courtyard
We later added a little black iron gate to the entrance of the courtyard. It was an inexpensive, on-the-shelf gate we found as a temporary solution (we’re both dreaming of a less mediocre, rustic cottage-y reclaimed wood arched gate) until we build something special.
Turns out lavender didn’t like the soil here, so in came containers with herbs and a mix of blue blooms.
See the Project in Progress
Below, is a look at how things looked as we cleared the weeds and imagined a more functional use of the space. The trees in front of the courtyard buffer us from the quiet street below. Rustic stone steps up the hill create a charming path to our front door.
Here is how it looks without containers…very spare and peaceful.
French-y Imperfection & Unfussy Ease, Please
I have a collection of old galvanized watering cans and buckets I use and often leave in a heap like this.
Little chipmunks and birds find uses for them and shelter this way.
The teak 3-legged stools are a favorite, and I bring them inside after the fall for use inside.
How I Use This Courtyard
The French courtyard gets southern exposure so it’s the perfect spot to soak up rays, commune with wildlife, and collect your thoughts.
The burning bush you see above and below was lost after a long rainy season (this specimen is vulnerable to excessive moisture) so it has been replaced by a baby burning bush that turns that lovely crimson!
Stenciled French Mirror in Garden
The mirror (above) with the etched look is actually just a salvaged vanity mirror leftover from a bathroom demo here which I stenciled with this: French script stencil (a poem about spring).
The beauty of this particular stencil and project is that the stencil is huge so it takes no time at all to roll a little paint over it and wind up with a big impact.
The birds love to admire their beauty in the mirror, and we quietly gaze at them mirror-gazing from inside!
Pretty in Every Season
See THIS POST for info on my bistro set.
See THIS STORY for more info about this inexpensive firepit.
Rotation of Chairs on the Porch
Here’s one of my rattan chairs, and I love their grey tone which harmonizes with the quiet tones I favor.
They sometimes live on the back patio we rarely use since it is mostly shady on the North side of our home.
One of the most gratifying things about having a French courtyard is how one can incorporate a collection of treasures: grainsack pillows, vintage galvanized cans, old mirrors, painted furniture, chairs, and quiet color.
Spacious Yet Low-Maintenance Outdoor Room
As you have seen, there are two seating areas and even space for a harvest table in the center.
It’s truly a blessing to have this much space for an outdoor room!
More French Courtyard Glimpses
Here’s a small pillow cover with a whimsical feel.
French Courtyard Shopping Finds
I have a vintage French wire basket like this INSIDE our home, and I think it would be right at home outdoors to store any number of things!
Here’s a closer look at the weave…
Are you dreaming of springtime and a place for peaceful time in a courtyard or park with the bees and butterflies?
Should this winter prove unkind and you long for a boost, think of this site as a sort of virtual French courtyard sanctuary…find me here and feel free to reach out.
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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Wow! Just beautiful, Michele! What a difference! You’ve got me dreaming about making some changes come spring!
Author
Yay! It’s the perfect time to dream and anticipate the spring! 🙂
What an amazing transformation! It is so beautiful! I’d been looking at pea gravel and have not seen the whitish colors that you have. Do you mind telling me the name/source of the pea gravel?
Author
It is small river rock pebbles – we bought it locally from S&H Nursery.
It feels like a peaceful oasis.
Author
When the temperature warms a little more, I’ll give it a winter shoot! Thanks so much. 🙂
I made a Pinterest board but I can’t figure out how to save this great post to read again. It just shows me individual items. Can you help?
Author
Hi! You can choose any image to pin and the link to the post will accompany the image. When you go back to your board, and click on the image, you’ll have the option to “visit” the post. Hope this helps, and thanks so much!
Michele,
Your updated front courtyard is filled with French-inspired elements I love. Pea gravel is at the top of my list of how to create a French Country look in a garden. My driveway in the countryside has been pea gravel from day one, over 30 years ago. We have had to add pea gravel a couple of times over the years, but not a complete re-do of the driveway.
Judith
Author
Thanks so much for the kind words. I love a pea gravel driveway! So charming in the country. We will have to add some pea gravel to our courtyard in the spring to refresh it, and it has been a pleasure living with it!
Michele,
I need to check in on Hemp oil and that chocolate bar. I wish I had time to make many of the fabulous project ideas that are posted. Thanks for stopping by Thursday Favorite Things. I love how you transformed your outside patio. What an amazing transformation. You must love sitting out there.
Have a lovely weekend.
Hugs,
Bev
Author
An easy makeover as DIY renovations go for sure – thanks so much for the kind words, Bev. xox
Michele, I love it all!! Your Frech Country yard transformation is simply beautiful! I’m so glad you linked this one up. Thank you so much for sharing with us at the TFT party and thank you for your oh-so-kind comments. I really am starting to look forward to everything you do and say each week!! pinning and probably featuring you again next week. I’ll try to pop back over and let you know ahead of time! God be with you, sweet lady.
ps. I grew up singing that version of St Francis’ prayer. Fond memories. 🙂
Hugs back xo
Theresa
Author
Yay! I’d like to hear you sing this prayer in my courtyard, Theresa. I’m so glad I found your TFT party so we could visit each other. Blogging gets lonely, yes? xox
Your courtyard is beautiful! Thanks for sharing with Thursday Favorite Things! I’ll be featuring you tomorrow! Angelina @ Petite Haus
Author
Thank you soooooo much, Angelina. Your blog is so beautiful, and I’m so flattered! 🙂
New subscriber and I loved this post. Got so many useful ideas for an area under a new deck that I am going to have to deal with this spring when construction is completed. I also want to say that I love your product posts. They are well chosen to relate to your theme, and everyone that I clicked on was reasonably priced. I need someone to help me find the goodies on overwhelming shopping sites.
Author
So happy to have you here, and I appreciate the feedback. Winter is just the perfect time to strategize and gear up for spring and summertime DIYS! I love sharing the courtyard on this blog because it was the easiest thing we did here and has over-delivered with minimal maintenance! Keep in touch as I look forward to hearing about your project.
Love your courtyard area! I don’t think I ever realized how large it was and that both seating areas were a part of the same overall space! I bet that’s one thing you might miss, but someone else will enjoy all the effort you put in to making such a wonderful outdoor “room”!
Author
Thanks, Amy. It is a spacious area, and while I will miss it, the new house came with a secret courtyard bordering the forest so I’ll be able to create another meditative space. It is one of the simpler things we have ever done and cost next to nothing! 🙂
Can’t wait to see it & see you work your magic! 😃
Author
Spring can’t come soon enough! 🙂 Thanks for the encouragement, friend.
I just wanted to let you know how helpful we find your post to be. I have read several blogs and articles on this website.
Author
Thanks for visiting.
The most informative article.
Hello, I am designing a similar French country garden and have large walking areas with a very small Mexican Beach pea gravel (1/8″ -1/4″) including under an outdoor French dining table. It is lovely to look at but it flies around everywhere and is quite messy. I had a party the other day and my guests even tracked it into the house. Is there some kind of a no-sheen binder you would recommend to compact it a little bit without losing the look? Thanks!
Author
I can totally understand your frustration. I haven’t used that sort of gravel nor am I any sort of hardscape expert so I am not sure what the solution might be. Our gravel is river rock that is heavy and not going anywhere even with high winds.