The Influence of the Norman Conquest on Anglo-Saxon Garden Design
The Influence of the Norman Conquest on Anglo-Saxon Garden Design The Anglo-Saxon way of life was drastically changed by the appearance of the Normans in the later eleventh century. Architecture and gardening were attributes that the Normans excelled in, trumping that of the Anglo-Saxons at the time of the occupation. But yet there was no time for home life, domestic architecture, and decoration until the Normans had conquered the whole region. Monasteries and castles served separate functions, so while monasteries were enormous stone structures built in only the most fruitful, wide dales, castles were set upon blustery knolls where the people focused on understanding offensive and defensive practices. Relaxing activities such as gardening were out of place in these destitute citadels. Berkeley Castle is most likely the most unchanged model in existence at present of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture. The keep is thought to date from the time of William the Conqueror. A big terrace meant for walking and as a way to stop enemies from mining under the walls runs about the building. A picturesque bowling green, covered in grass and enclosed by battlements clipped out of an ancient yew hedge, forms one of the terraces.
The Source of Modern Garden Fountains
The Source of Modern Garden Fountains
Pope Nicholas V, himself a well educated man, ruled the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of old classic Greek texts into Latin. Beautifying Rome and making it the worthy capital of the Christian world was at the core of his ambitions. Beginning in 1453, the ruined ancient Roman aqueduct known as the Aqua Vergine which had brought fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, underwent repair at the behest of the Pope. A mostra, a monumental dedicatory fountain built by ancient Romans to mark the point of arrival of an aqueduct, was a practice which was revived by Nicholas V. The present-day site of the Trevi Fountain was previously occupied by a wall fountain commissioned by the Pope and built by the architect Leon Battista Alberti. The aqueduct he had reconditioned included modifications and extensions which eventually allowed it to supply water to the Trevi Fountain as well as the famed baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona.
Use a Outdoor Garden Fountain To Help Improve Air Quality
Use a Outdoor Garden Fountain To Help Improve Air Quality An otherwise boring ambiance can be pepped up with an indoor wall fountain.
Pleasant to the senses and advantageous to your health, these indoor features are an excellent addition to your home. Science supports the theory that water fountains are excellent for you. Water features generally produce negative ions which are then counterbalanced by the positive ions released by contemporary conveniences. Indisputable positive improvements in mental and physical health emerge when negative ions overpower positive ions. The higher serotonin levels arising from these types of features make people more attentive, serene and energized. The negative ions produced by indoor wall fountains promote a better mood as well as get rid of air impurities from your home. In order to rid yourself of allergies, impurities in the air and other annoyances, be sure to install one of these. And finally, water fountains are excellent at absorbing dust and microbes floating in the air and as a result in bettering your overall health.
The Various Construction Materials of Fountains
The Various Construction Materials of Fountains While today’s garden fountains are made in a number of materials, the majority are crafted from metal.
Metallic fountains, with their clean lines and sculptural accents, exist in in a variety of metals and can accommodate any style or budget. The interior design of your home should set the look and feel of your yard and garden as well. A popular choice today is copper, and it is used in the designing of many sculptural garden fountains. Copper is trendy for both inside and outside use and is widely found in tabletop and cascade fountains, among others. If you choose to go with copper, your fountain can be any style from fun and whimsical to modern.
If your style is more conventional, a brass water fountain might be ideal for you. Even though they are a bit old-fashioned, brass fountains are quite popular because they often include interesting artwork.
The most stylish metal right now is perhaps stainless steel. Adding a modern-looking steel design will immediately add value to your garden and elevate the overall mood. As with any type of fountain, they are available in many sizes.
Fiberglass is a popular material for fountains because you can get the look and feel of metal at a much lower price, and it is lighter and easier to move than metal. It is not complicated to clean and maintain a fiberglass water fountain, yet another reason they are common.