A Garden of Treasures

"This isn't like a regular backyard," says Sandi Fitch as she takes a seat near her husband, Tim, behind their California home. "It's our little sanctuary." After 29 years of digging, planting, rearranging and furnishing, Sandi and Tim have created an outdoor space that's uniquely them. The plants provide the backdrop, but it's the thrifted and vintage treasures that make it cozy and special. "I sit in the backyard and remember where we found different things or the fun day I had when I was out antiquing," Sandi says. When she looks at a high-back wire settee, she remembers Tim rescuing it from a dumpster. "It still had old, dead vines growing through it," Sandi says. "I was so excited." She points to the vintage French Bistro set she found at a container sale. "The chairs aren't even comfortable," she admits, "but they're so cute. I just like old things and love being surrounded by them." Friends are the beneficiaries of the yard's charming sitting areas—some tucked away, others out in the open. "When we have parties, people have their little conversations going and they all have a spot where they can go to talk," Sandi says. In a yard filled with well-worn furniture and statuary, it's easy to see where Sandi's passions lie. "Although I love to plant flowers, nothing turns me on more than my flea market finds," she says.

PAST TENSE. Reclaimed items bring character to Sandi and Tim Fitch's backyard. Bricks found after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and stored in a warehouse form a meandering path. "I'm so glad we found those bricks," Sandi says. "We wanted the path to look old to go with our house."

CONVERSATION STARTERS. "There's always somewhere different to go and have a chat with a friend or sit down and enjoy a glass of wine," Sandi says of the yard's many sitting areas, including this one. Reclaimed marble adds weight and interest to the top of the folding table. Sandi transformed the so-called gravel pit—an area the grandkids' swing set formerly occupied—into a low-maintenance garden spot. The lantern was an anniversary gift from a friend. Sandi's ability to turn nothing into something shows in the charming vignette on the side of the old pump house. A rusted wire stand and shelf elevate potted plants. The chair came from a former neighbor. "It always makes me think of her," Sandi says.

HOP TO IT. Sandi found this old cement frog at a flea market from a couple whittling down their collection.

HANG TIME. Japanese lanterns from a neighbor's estate sale create a colorful canopy. "They were like brand-new," Sandi says. "But they're so fragile, I only put them out if we're going to have a party." Even though half of them have bottoms that are rusted out, sap buckets and watering cans (one of Sandi's favorite things to collect) serve as a colorful and functional outdoor art piece hanging on a wooden rack that she bought without having a purpose for it in mind.

CAGED BEAUTY. Two doves occupy the handmade aviary. "Every morning we hear them doing their dove call," Sandi says. Scavenged dove statuary perch outside the cage.

Q + A: Sandi has a knack for putting together a yard filled with vintage. She shares thoughts.
Flea market tip: "Look down to make sure you don't miss vintage pots and garden ornaments, which may often be on the ground."
Junking superpower: "Spotting an outdoor garden goodie a mile away. Also, finding a good deal and knowing what it's worth and how rare it is, whether it's a flea market find, on the side of the road or in a dumpster. I try never to go overboard on price."
Can't resist: "Old cement frogs. I'll pick one up if it's a good price."
Forever obsession: "Watering cans. I've collected them for years. I don't need any more!"
Lesson learned: "Don't worry about where you're going to put something. It all looks fabulous together, especially when flowers are involved."

ALFRESCO DINING. The patio is the daily lunch spot. Sandi received the vintage table and chairs as a Mother's Day gift. She typically serves meals and snacks on flea market dishes. "My daughter thinks it's gross that I buy vintage silverware, but I clean it really well," Sandi says.

SITTING PRETTY. A rusty arbor and chandelier define a charming sitting area set up right on the lawn. It also gives the back of the yard a focal point. Sandi found the vintage chairs and love seat at different times, even though they look like a matched set. "You can pick them up here and there," she says.

CHOICE FINDS. The couple discovered the cherub birdbath in an antiques store when they took a road trip to Oregon. The dove on top was a gift from one of Sandi's friends. Sandi tools around the neighborhood on a 1968 Schwinn. Tim found the bike at a vintage store in perfect condition, needing only new tires and a basic tune-up.

PHOTOS Edmund Barr
WORDS Debra Engle
STYLING Leigh Noe