Most mornings here in Charleston (even now, with the heavy weather of summer upon us) I walk down to the Battery and meander back to my house via some quiet backstreet or cobblestone alley—with the hope that I might catch a glimpse inside a jewel-box garden.

Yesterday, the entrance to one such garden was left wide open, and as I passed it, I saw the most enchanting scene. A tidy courtyard replete with potted citrus, confederate jasmine, and creeping fig, but more importantly, a lone ancient oak with a charming garden bench wrapped around its base.

Wrapped is the only way I can describe it, because the wood bench itself (in this case painted Charleston Green, which is almost black) literally wrapped all the way around the trunk, so that four people could easily sit and chat at an outdoor party.

This morning, I was on a mission to find a similar design. The teak bench (pictured below) from outdoor outfitter Barlow Tyrie is pretty close. Just picture it, all weathered and gray in an old garden. So pretty!