I have been wanting a fountain for our backyard since we moved in several years ago. Although I’ve mentioned it plenty of times, I wasn’t very persistent because the yard wasn’t landscaped the way I wanted it to be for a fountain anyway. Also, I don’t know if you’ve checked, but fountains can be a little bit expensive. Our anniversary is in November and for one of our anniversaries, A built a fountain (fancier term: ‘water feature’)! Did he catch some of my DIY spirit? I was so surprised that he made it himself. And when I made a comment on how I wish I had pictures of the process, he said “I do!” How wonderful is he?!
I wanted him to do a guest post with a tutorial but blogging is not his thing so instead we did a little Q&A session. Here’s how it went:
J: So, how did you get started? What did you do first?
A: First, I looked for pots. I went to a couple of places but couldn’t find what I wanted and finally I went to Garden Ridge Pottery and got two matching pots.
J: Ok. What next?
A: I got a water pump, a terra cotta pot for the inside, and rubber tubing from Home Depot. The original pump was 70L per hour but I had to take it back and get 300L per hour because the first one did not give the flow I wanted.
J: Ok cool. And then what did you?
A: I plugged up the holes in the pots with rubber stoppers and sealed it with aquarium sealant. I ran tubing through the middle of the top pot. I used one large and one small plastic clear tray to hold the rocks.
J: Where did you get the rocks?
A: Hobby Lobby. Then I experimented with the rock layout until I found the design I liked. That’s it. The first attempt to seal the holes in the pots didn’t work but I’m sure you don’t want all that detail.
<Hahaha! Of course we do, but that’s ok.>
A: Oh, and I had to add feet to the bottom of the pot because it was sitting on the electrical cord.
J: What are the feet made of?
A: Wood. I cut four square wood pieces. That’s it.
🙂 It was so kind of him to remember to take pictures, and here they are!
Supplies…
Construction…
Initial Rock Layout (he changed it later)….
Final product!
I originally envisioned this for the backyard but, since it’s winter, we have the fountain in the foyer for now. I have to say it’s pretty fabulous having an indoor water feature. It creates such a serene, spa-like ambiance. It’s super wonderful to have it on when you get home after a long day or just to lounge and relax. And because pictures don’t do a water feature justice, here’s a little video to convey more of the full experience.
Do you have a water feature? Indoors or outdoors? Did you build it yourself? I really love ours.
-J
Sharing with Marvelous Mondays, COM Mondays, Tutes & Tips, Handmade Tuesdays
That’s my son! Great job
its beautiful. great job A. what a lovely anniversary gift.
I’m soo very proud of you. LOL!! But I guess not as proud as your wife and your MOM! You are the husband we ALL know and Love. J & Mom are whom we know & love also. And if my message didn’t convey it, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! I’m proud of you both.
Hooray for A. I always know you had it in you. It took a couple of years for it to come out but you do have those repress creative genes. Great job.
I’m confused. What did the terra cotta pot do “for the inside”?
The terra cotta pot is inside the large planter/1st tier for support. It supports the smaller pot/2nd tier of the fountain. The pump also sits inside it.
Hope that helps!
OH MY…what a anniversary surprise. Love it!!!
🙂 thanks
How relaxing and love that your husband has caught the DIY fever. Beautiful and happy anniversary.
Aw, thanks!
Perfect. Exactly what I needed to know to create one. I also love how the ‘interview’ was done. Creativity from both of you! Thank you for sharing.
Glad it helped!