Sprig or Sprout? A Tiny Fountain in a Santa Fe Courtyard

A Miniature Water Feature for a Small Space

Even a tiny garden has room for a compact water feature like the one in the courtyard of Debbie Fleischaker and David Crocker’s Santa Fe home. Though the courtyard is quite small—only 15 by 25 feet—the couple wanted the garden to include a fountain, both for its peaceful sound and the sake of nostalgia. (Crocker was born in the Northeast and sometimes misses its dampness.)

Custom Copper Vine Spout

The fountain they installed consists of a Chinese rice‑washing bowl only 20 inches square. Instead of opting for the standard bamboo spout, Crocker and building contractor John Leatherman created a fanciful spout that looks like a segment of leaf‑covered vine. It’s made from ¾‑inch copper pipe with ¼‑ and 3/8‑inch copper tubing wrapped around it like vine tendrils. The leaf trim is a combination of stamped and hand‑crafted pieces. A reservoir hidden beneath the bowl captures and recycles the spillover. Bowl from Stone Forest, Santa Fe (505/986‑8883).