A French-Inspired Backyard Setup
Susan Handler has always had a creative mind and heart. “I love painting and refinishing vintage furniture and have always been ‘addicted’ to shopping in thrift stores,” she says, laughing. Finally, in 2014, she decided to turn her talent and tendencies into a business. Her blog, Saw Nails and Paint was born, and she started writing about her favorite things: designing spaces and building and refinishing furniture.
Although her personal patio has seen many design incarnations over the years, this particular tablescape highlights several shades of blue, which Handler admits is one of her favorite colors. She kept a neutral canvas and added touches of lavender, blue, and pink as accent colors. The neutrals include the gray pavers that lay the foundation for the patio itself and a lovely tan indoor-outdoor rug from Pottery Barn. According to Handler, the rug feels soft and plush like wool yet can be washed easily with water.
The patio decor is centered around natural, earthy elements paired with vintage, cottage-style metals and collectibles. “The backyard is small, and we’ve been gradually developing planting and living spaces there,” she notes. “We now have a small deck, a grassy section, and even a place to grow vegetables.” The backdrop of the patio area is planted with Clematis ‘Jackmanii,’ which covers the fence with lush, purple blossoms when in season. A vintage, deep-blue Schwinn bicycle and light-blue chicken coop accent the corner. Handler recently planted some wonderfully fragrant ‘Mini Blue’ lavender, which is ideal for a garden this size. “Lavender attracts bees, so I put it closer to the vegetable garden to help with pollination,” she adds.
The dining area was created with mismatched seating including gray metal outdoor chairs, vintage bentwood chairs with woven cane seats, and a table that Handler made. “I purchased the turned legs, but then constructed the table skirt and top from lumber boards,” she says. “I wanted a rustic look and a table that would survive outdoors.” She primed the base and then painted it with a white exterior paint: Frostine by Benjamin Moore. “I sanded the tabletop and all of the board edges to get rid of the new wood look,” explains Handler. “I left spaces 
between the boards for a more rustic feel and also to help drainage since it was going to be outside. I do cover it when it’s not in use, but I was concerned about water pooling on top.” She made a wash of a 50-50 mix of water and paint and brushed it on the top, then let it dry. Working in sections, she applied General Finishes antique walnut gel stain until it was the depth of tone she was looking for. “I wanted some of the white to show through,” she explains. After it was completely dried, the DIY maven finished the tabletop with three coats of General Finishes Exterior 450 in a satin finish.
Handler often plays around with accent pieces, sometimes bringing things from inside the house out and vice versa. She set this table with simple white dishes that she found in a Goodwill store near her home and casual flatware along with blue steak knives by Laguiole, a family-owned French company, for a touch of color. Napkins are no-sew creations that Handler cut to size from ticking fabric 
and then washed so the ends frayed a bit. Ikea wine glasses and thrifted wooden candlesticks provide height. DIY soy candles in La Fermière terra-cotta yogurt cups, from Handler’s recent trip to France, offer a lower layer.
Vintage clear-glass milk bottles hold water and sage and add a touch of sparkle to the rustic table. Flowering lavender is planted in a blue patterned ceramic pot, while simple glasses serve as vases for individual roses and a bit of sage at each place setting. A small loaf of rustic bread wrapped in brown paper and tied with brown twine and a sprig of lavender adds a charming touch. An ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangea plant overflows a simple metal reproduction olive basket from Target.
Susan Handler believes in creating designs that are casual and relaxed instead of gimmicky or contrived. She uses simple items that are 
mixed, not matched, to create a comfortable, welcoming environment for family and friends. To see this and more of her delightful designs, check out her blog at sawnailandpaint.com. Written by Carolyn M. Runyon. Photography and styling by Susan Handler.