Every home tiki bar needs a water feature — and I finally found one I liked: The Design Toscano Cascading Bamboo Sculptural Fountain, found on Amazon (affiliate link). I love it — and my husband took one look and said, “It’s perfect!”
Details on this fountain:
- I paid just under $400, free shipping.
- Dimensions: 14.5″Wx13.5″Dx57.5″H 51 lbs.
- Hand-cast using real crushed stone bonded with high quality designer resin
- Each piece is individually hand-painted by our artisans
- Includes a UL-listed indoor/outdoor recirculating pump
- Exclusive to the Design Toscano brand and perfect for your home or garden
Some tips if you get one, and a few nits:
- I thought the fountain was too noisy: The water hitting the resin in each of the receptacles was too loud. I MacGuyvered the problem by putting pieces of small mosaic tile in each “cup” to shorten the height of the water-drop; then, put pieces of sponge on top of the pebbles. I’ll switch the tile out for pebbles when I get a chance. The sponges are visible, so need to rethink that, but they do do a good job of letting me “tune” the sound of the water.
- Similarly, inside the water receptacle, the water drop was long and making too much noise. I stuck something in there, too, to create a sort of “slide” that the dropping water falls on to so that it can glide, not plop, into the receptacle.
- To get the water all the way to the top of this nearly 6′ tall fountain, the only pump setting that would work was “high”. I might try to hunt a stronger pump in the future, as it might be nice to dial down the water volume at some point. I did not have any issues with the pump noise; you can hear it, but not much given the tinkling of the fountain and usually, what else is going on in the room.
- There were a few quality defects, but nothing that forced me to send it back. I need to put a bead of silicon on one of fountain beaks (I don’t know what you call them); there was one hairline crack at the back but fortunately, not anywhere anyone would see it; and, there was a tiny chunk-bite taken out of the resin at the bottom, also in the back and also not really visible. The fountain was large and heavy — it was packed well, but given its travels, I can see how there might be damage.
None of my nits are major — I am very happy with this piece! The size and scale suit the space: The living room is quite long, and I’m splitting it into a sitting and bar area. The fountain sits in the planter area that will delineate the split, and the fountain’s height is terrific 2/3 of the way down the room. I also like that the fountain is of just bamboo — no creatures or other decorative embellishment.
Happy happy, the Mahalo Lounge is coming together pretty quickly now!
Link love one more time:
- The Design Toscano Cascading Bamboo Sculptural Fountain, found on Amazon (affiliate link).
Steve H says
I love the sound of water. It’s so relaxing. When choosing a fountain, you do have to be a little careful though, as some can sound too much like someone going to the bathroom.
I can’t wait for the big reveal. From what I can see in these little sneak peaks, I think it’s going to be beyond amazing!
Marie Gamalski says
NICE! I agree w/the distilled H2O comment and im glad to see you have a mat underneath….. just in case!…. wouldn’t want to ruin your beautiful hard wood!
susie Q. says
I usually don’t “gush” about things I see on blogs, but WOWOWOW!!! I cannot wait to see the whole room. It’s just beyond fabulous. I love that fountain. I love Every. Single. Thing.
Pam Kueber says
Thank you!!
Karin says
Lovely. It looks really at home with the plants.
Joan massey says
Your tiki bar room is becoming so wonderful I would love to have a piña colada in there.
Felicia Alexander says
Oh, wow! Bring on the mai tais!
Lynne says
You’re husband is right, it IS perfect.
Did you use distilled water-or tap water? Use distilled, and it won’t get all gunked up with mineral deposits and such. You know, I wonder if you could put a drop of essential oil in that water for an aroma enhancement?? Did the instructions give you do’s and don’ts?
Marie Gamalski says
Two thumbs up for the distilled water…. I live in Phx and our water is practically “chewable” there’s so much YUK in it! I use distilled for everything… iron, water pic, fountains, even when mixing paint…
Jay says
Well done! Very impressive; the style and the scale fit the room. There’s something about the combination of plants and a fountain and what could be more suited for your lounge. As you have discovered, there’s a fine line between soothing water flow and what sounds like water rushing down a drainpipe; you have to experiment. I see new lamps creeping into the room.
Oh, I am returning The Devil in the White City to the library this afternoon. Fascinating about the Fair but creepy about Holmes. Never knew he was buried near Philadelphia and the body was exhumed this summer.
Carolyn says
If you’re thinking of changing out the pump, consider something that would have a rhythmic surge to mimic the crashing of waves – ? (Check aquarium pumps – water-proofed).
If this won’t be a focal element and you set it in amongst the plants, either have a push-button extension cord (Christmas tree) or a remote On/Off.
Don’t forget to water it regularly so the pump doesn’t burn out.
Give feedback to the manufacturer – they can’t fix what they don’t know, and CYA in case it fails in the next few years. Of course, your altering it will void the warranty but if it fails before you do anything, you would have recourse.
Will you put a trailing plant in the empty bamboo?
Boy, this lounge is really coming together!
Christine W says
Wow that looks great Pam. I’d never have thought to put in a water feature….it’s perfect.