Contemporary Garden Decor: Outdoor Fountains and their Roots
Contemporary Garden Decor: Outdoor Fountains and their Roots A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to provide drinking water, as well as for decorative purposes. Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to supply them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains functioned using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were an optimal source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and memorialize the artist. Roman fountains usually depicted imagery of animals or heroes made of metal or stone masks. To depict the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages introduced fountains to their designs. The fountains seen in the Gardens of Versailles were supposed to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains built to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Urban fountains made at the end of the nineteenth served only as decorative and celebratory ornaments since indoor plumbing provided the necessary drinking water. Amazing water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the power of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public areas and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Garden Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Garden Fountains
Adequate care and regular maintenance are important to the longevity of water fountains. It is easy for foreign items to find their way into open-air fountains, so keeping it clean is essential. Additionally, anywhere light from the sun comes in contact with still water, algae can develop. To avoid this, there are some basic ingredients that can be mixed into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. There are those who prefer to use bleach, but that is dangerous to any animals that might drink or bathe in the water - so should therefore be avoided. Every 3-4 months, garden fountains should undergo a serious cleaning. First you must drain the water. Once it is empty, wash inside the reservoir with a mild cleanser. If there is intricate artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Make sure all the soap is completely washed off.
Calcium and fresh water organisms can get inside the pump, so you should disassemble it to get it truly clean. Letting it soak in vinegar for a couple of hours first will make it much easier to clean. If you want to remove build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water rather than tap water, as these don’t contain any elements that might stick to the inside of the pump.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you see that the level is too low. Low water levels can ruin the pump - and you do not want that!
The Multiple Types of Wall Fountains
The Multiple Types of Wall Fountains Having a wall fountain in your backyard or on a veranda is excellent when you wish to relax. Moreover, it can be made to fit into any wall space since it does not occupy much room. Both the stand alone and fitted models need to have a spout, a water basin, internal tubing, and a pump. There are any variety of models to choose from such as conventional, contemporary, classic, or Asian.With its basin placed on the ground, freestanding wall fountains, or floor fountains, are normally quite large in size.
A wall-mounted water feature can either be integrated onto a wall already in existence or fitted into a wall under construction. A unified look can be realized with this type of fountain because it seems to become part of the landscape rather than an added element.
The Many Construction Materials of Large Outdoor Fountains
The Many Construction Materials of Large Outdoor Fountains While today’s garden fountains are made in a variety of materials, most are made from metal. Metallic models offer clean lines and unique sculptural accents and will fit in with nearly any decorative style and budget. If you have a contemporary look and feel to your interior design, your yard and garden should have that same look.
At present, copper is very common for sculptural garden fountains. Copper is used in cascade and tabletop water fountains as well as many other styles, making it versatile enough for inside and outside fountains. Copper fountains also come in a wide array of designs - from fun and eccentric to modern and cutting-edge.
Brass water fountains are also common, though they tend to have a more conventional look than copper ones. You will see a lot of brass fountains, as their intriguing artwork makes them popular even if they are on the more traditional side.
Of all the metals, stainless steel is viewed as the most contemporary-looking. Adding a modern-looking steel design will immediately add value to your garden and enhance the overall mood. As with all fountains, you can find any size you need.
For people who want the appearance of a metal fountain but desire a lighter weight and more affordable option, fiberglass is the answer. Caring for a fiberglass water fountain is relatively easy, another benefit that consumers love.