Timeless French Stone Fountain For A Small Patio
In our last house on Lido Isle in Newport Beach, California, we installed a small French stone fountain on the interior patio. It was about 15 years ago. Here’s how we did it since this has become an even more popular water feature today.
Ours is an authentic rustic stone trough, but you can find cast stone fountains for a similar look. The point is to get that soothing sound of water in your small garden space.
Here is the before of the little patio…
Fountain Source
We found the rectangular stone trough north of Los Angeles at a place called Charme d’Antan (Charm from the Past).
“Our gallery specializes in importing hand-carved limestone fountains, antique fireplaces and troughs, reclaimed terra cotta flooring, and La Madeleine d’Anduze planters directly from the Loire Valley and Provence. Whether you seek rare 17th-century salvage or custom reproductions crafted by French artisans, our curated collection brings timeless European elegance and historic character to modern homes, gardens and landscapes.”
We also bought the antiqued sunflower spout there and the fountain pump and hose.
Fountain Installation
A base made from concrete blocks was created and then plastered over like the rest of the garden wall. But first a small hole was drilled in the bottom of the basin and into the wall where we threaded the fountain hose to the spout. The pump was hidden behind the concrete block.
The contractor installed an electrical switch inside the house to turn the fountain on and off before the cement and slate patio floor was installed. Some new landscaping was added.
Can you see the little hole at the front of the trough? It used to have a stake in it where animals could be tied to quench their thirst.
Which reminds me that when our son had his basketball team here for dinner, we filled the fountain with ice and bottles of Gatorade for them.
We enjoyed that little fountain and I’ve thought about doing something similar in our new house…but the fountains in the pool would drown out the water sounds anyway…
Have you read: Pretty And Practical Porch and Pool In A Small Backyard?
When money is no object, Olive Atelier in Los Angeles has authentic stone trough and jars. They can convert most anything into a fountain for a price.
And they ship. You can follow Olive Atelier on Instagram.
Here are some good looking vintage and reproduced fountains with an old world look:
Mary Ann, this trough fountain is charming. What about adding a little water feature on the front porch? Do you have chairs there?
Mary Ann,
Your fountain installation was extraordinary bringing beauty to a plain wall and the soothing sound of water to a simple place. And, how like creative you to fill it with Gatorade for a basketball team.
Hugs from Mercer Island
Diney
Works for me…5 fountains…eell, one is a “water wall”…my hubs says, “that’s all she writes,” I ❤️ every one of them… franki
Love the sounds of water flowing in a garden. Thanks for linking up to Cottage Flora Thursday…xoxo, tracie
Thanks for linking your post to Cottage Flora Thursday's Gorgeous fountain!!! xoox, tracie
That is just so pretty. Very well done. I know you must enjoy it so much.
If I had a bit more space, I would LOVE to incorporate a sweet fountain like yours. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Blessings… Polly
French Cupboard
Counting Your Blessings
Hello me again ~ Thank you for bringing your French goodness over to the first Voila! party … I hope we get to see a lot more of you ; )
xo
Jill
Oh my goodness! It is absolutely beautiful!
Gorgeous fountain!
Love this! … true French inspiration!! … I hope you'll considering linking up to our new party starting tomorrow at French Cupboard … this will be the perfect French post … Voila!!
http://frenchcupboard.blogspot.com/2011/02/goodbye-black-friday-hello-french.html
Thank you for sharing,
xo
Jill
This is beautiful~ I love how it looks and the gatorade is too funny! Thanks for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday!:)
Truly amazing, what a find!! The night shot is so relaxing I could have a glass of french wine out there!
So cute, I agree the the Gatorade was cute the cattle would be proud ; )
Happy Monday Have a great week.
This looks AWESOME, great job!
What a beautiful job you did!!! Just stunning!!!
Love it 🙂
hugs
Manni
Hi! It is so nice to "meet" you here in blogland! 🙂 Thank you so much for coming by and linking up to Inspiration Friday this week. Your fountain is just gorgeous! There is just nothing quite like the sound of a fountain as you sit outdoors in the evening with a glass of wine. I loved hearing about your adventure in having it made too! You are near our old stomping ground (hubby and I moved to the NW from Westlake Village/Thousand Oaks area) and there are just so many great resources there. I am following you right back and hope we see more of you in the weeks to come!
Vanessa
P.S. I peeked around the rest of your home and it is gorgeous!
Lucky you – that fountain is fabulous. The lighting at night just adds the right emphasis.
Hi! I am excited to find your blog. Thanks for coming to mine and leaving a comment so I could follow you home~
I love your fountain, so wonderful. And yes, dramatic but perfect too! Inspired by your trip to France makes it all the sweeter.
Mary Ann,
This is one of my favorite features of your home!! Now that I know the story, I think I love it even more – the photo of you pointing at the stone is perfect – I can just see you pointing out a wonderful detail. I think I not only need to hire you as a designer but also as a tour guide!!!
It looks amazing Mary Ann. Adore the trough and fountain!!
I saw your feature and had to come say hello! Your home is so gorgeous- I love it all!!
Oh Mary Ann!!!! What a wonderful fountain! I used to work for a landscape company that specialized in water gardens/features. What you did with that plain-Jane wall is just fabulous!! Isn't hearing that water at night just heavenly??? Kudos to you, girl!!! Happy MM!
xoxo laurie
Lovely fountain. And what a great idea for cooling bottles
Ha I like the dramatic thinking. So much inspiration here in these pictures. Travelling and visiting new destinations is so great for the soul and inspiration for your home and garden. Love the wrought iron and stone here. Sonia 🙂
That looks amazing! As does your trip!
Amazing! J'adore your french inspired fountain. Looks beautiful with the light on.
-marie
I just love how you take an historic or dynamic piece (the French animal trough) and pair it with a local sale item (Restoration Hardware). It makes such a beautiful statement on your patio.
Hi mary anne, so lovely to meet you! I wanted to thank you for visiting my blog firstly and so glad to have found yours! Love your beautiful garden feature! going to go back and read more of your posts!
best wishes, laura curriex
Wow, this is just amazing. You have a great eye for design. I just love this fountain.
Marcie
beautiful! Love the fountain. Hugs
http://design-elements-blog.com/
How pretty! Loved where you got your inspiration! Also loved your feature on Kirsten's site!
Oooh-la-la, what a relaxing place to hang out!
Tracey
Love your story and love the way your fountain turned out- just gorgeous! You probably feel like you are in France when you see it. Oh, and the ice and Gatorade…..that is clever and real life stuff!
I love water features they bring such life to an other wise dead wall great idea and looks fabulous!
I really love it! I want to go to France to be inspired too:) Lovely job!
oh my goodness! that is beautiful! i want one!
What a beautiful transformation Mary Ann. You picked the perfect one.
Marianne, I love, love this,you added all of the perfect elements to surround your wonderful find. It is perfection!!! I can only imagine the wonderful sound. KS
This is so nice. I love stone fountains. You did an amazing job creating a water scape that is so unique. I love it. I have four fountains in/around my house (3 outside, 1 inside). They are so relaxing and soothing.
I love that your "new" old fountain can transport you back to France. I loved France and Italy! The people, flowers, tile work and food are amazing. Thanks for following my new blog:)
What vision to recreate such a beautiful fountain. I love your blog too and am subscribing. Thanks for visiting and your sweet comments!
Beautiful! Good job 😉
That was lovely. Such a beautiful retreat.
Beautiful!!! I want one!
Mary Ann, Your family trip looks like so much fun. I can't believe what a transformation you accomplished on that patio. Great vision!
So cool! I love how you told the story and it is such a beautiful addition to your outdoor area.
that is so pretty! I bet its really relaxing to listen to the water too. 🙂
How pretty. It must be wonderful at night with the light and the soft sound of the fountain, very relaxing.
Oh my! That's the prettiest thing ever! I'm amazed that you put that together. I love fountains. Your whole patio was amazingly transformed!
Love your blog
Thanks for a beautiful post
The lighting at night is amazing
xo
Pam
Mary Ann,
This is stunning! Love this post.
Thank you for sharing.
Teresa
xoxo
Beautiful transformation!! Fountain is fabulous as is new slate! Great job!
Absolutley love it…and love a fountain, the noise is so soothing and calming, really beautiful!
I have two smaller trellises on the other side of the patio with vines starting to grow on them…I need to do this on the bigger one too but am worried that the plant would not get enough sunlight behind the fountain.
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Stunning! It's really, really beautiful…do you plan to trail a vine on the trellis?
Beautiful!
Love it!!
What a beautiful patio! Such a lovely story, too. I love that you filled it with Gatorades to "water" your son and his teammates. Thanks for sharing.
Maryanne…really beautiful! Love the fountain….looks like a fun trip! I'll have to scoot over to 6th Street D to see the feature!
Thanks for sharing!
What a stunning patio! I love that you filled it with drinks for a party. 🙂 CONGRATS on the awesome feature!! You deserve it.
abby