Bringing Art, Nature & Calm to “The Octopus House” in Austin

At Focal Point Features, we believe great water design is more than aesthetics—it’s about creating spaces that replenish energy, inspire connection, and bring daily moments of calm. Our installations at The Octopus House in Austin fully embody that vision. Featured on the Central Texas Gardener TV show in “Artistic Collaboration Goes with the Flow,” these projects showcase how art, nature, and wellness can flow together seamlessly.

A One-of-a-Kind Project

When our client, Joey, invited us into his world of creative expression and local artistry, we knew this would be a project like no other. The Octopus House is more than a residence, it’s a bold celebration of community art, featuring murals, sculptures, and installations by Austin creatives, including the iconic iron spinning mermaid that hovers above the front-yard waterfall.

While we coordinated with landscape designer Heidi (formerly of Rain Lilly, now Texas Beautyscapes) on the surrounding plantings, our focus was on turning the property’s natural challenges into functional, visually captivating water features.

Turning a Landscape Challenge into a Work of Art

Joey approached us with a significant drainage and runoff issue that needed both practical and aesthetic solutions. Our goal was to transform a challenge into a serene, immersive space that encourages reflection and connection with nature.

“There’s something calming about the water … it’s almost like looking into a fireplace. You just get drawn into it,”
— Joey, on Central Texas Gardener

Every aspect of the design was crafted to promote mindfulness, evoke a sense of flow, and embody the wellness-centered design philosophy that defines Focal Point Features.

Front Yard Waterfall

The first installation took shape in the front yard; a pondless water feature flowing beneath the massive iron mermaid sculpture, which spins gracefully above the waterfall and catches light as if brought to life by the water below.

The site’s steep hill grade became our canvas. We carved tiers into the slope, integrating a structural metal retaining tier into the design. By cutting into the metal and shaping the terrain, we transformed the incline into a cascading, multi-drop waterfall, a dream for any pond builder.

Water tumbles over local natural limestone, spilling from one level to the next. At the top, a side-kicking fall adds a touch of wild spontaneity, while quartz crystals from Nature’s Treasures glimmer subtly throughout the stonework, catching sunlight and imagination alike.

The result is a front-yard statement piece that blurs the line between art and landscape—a living sculpture alive with movement, texture, and the restorative energy of flowing water.

Backyard Waterfall

After seeing his front yard transformed, Joey called us back to create a second feature in the backyard, another testament to the way thoughtful water design can transform a space and capture the imagination.

Much like the front, the backyard’s steep slope worked in our favor. The waterfall begins with three carved bubbling boulders sourced from Big Bend National Park, their surfaces shaped by time and desert winds. From there, water weaves through native limestone, creating a soothing, meditative rhythm that fills the space with sound and light.

At the heart of the design, a large quartz crystal appears to float effortlessly above the stream. Hidden water flow beneath creates the illusion of levitation, turning the centerpiece into a glowing sculpture of energy and motion. Smaller crystals from Nature’s Treasures nestle among the stones, sparkling like hidden gems at the edge of awareness.

This backyard sanctuary feels both grounded and otherworldly… a reflection of Joey’s creative vision and our shared passion for spaces that inspire awe and peace.

The Dry Creek Connection

To complete the backyard’s natural flow, we built a dry creek bed that continues seamlessly from the base of the stream. What began as a functional drainage solution became a sculptural extension of the design, guiding rainwater back to the property’s natural creek below.

During heavy rains, the channel comes alive, water finding its path naturally, then returns to quiet, blending into the landscape during dry days. Built from the same local limestone as the water features, it ties the entire space together in both form and function, looking as if it has always belonged there.

The Stone Staircase and Crystal Bench

To make the lower yard more accessible, we constructed a natural stone staircase of massive limestone slabs, each set with precision to follow the terrain’s natural curves down to the creek below.

During excavation, we unearthed a massive tree stump too large to remove, so, in true Octopus House fashion, Joey turned it into art. He invited a local artist to carve it into a sculptural two-person bench, inlaid with illuminated quartz crystals that glow gently at night. What could have been an obstacle became a glowing point of rest and reflection along the path.

A Sanctuary Built for the Senses

This project is especially meaningful to us because of the friendship we’ve built with Joey. These features aren’t just installations, they’re gathering places. Sitting in his backyard, surrounded by conversation, laughter, and the steady rhythm of flowing water, reminds us why we do what we do. It’s not just about design… it’s about creating moments that restore and connect people to each other and to nature.

Bringing Wellness to Your Backyard

These installations embody everything Focal Point Features stands for: connecting people to nature, promoting calm and balance, and crafting spaces that restore the spirit. Whether it’s a dramatic pondless waterfall or an intimate meditative retreat, we design with intention, artistry, and heart.

If you’re ready to transform your outdoor space into a living, tranquil oasis, contact Focal Point Features today. Let’s create a water feature that’s as much a sanctuary for your senses as it is a work of art.

✅ Featured on Central Texas Gardener TV

Watch the full feature here: (i need to find this link)

Read the full article here: Central Texas Gardener – Artistic Collaboration Goes with the Flow