Modern Garden Decoration: Outdoor Fountains and their Beginnings

Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains operated using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Designers thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and honor the designer responsible for building it. The main components used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. The fountains found in the Gardens of Versailles were supposed to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.

Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.

These days, fountains decorate public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.

Attractive Wall Elements

A wall fountain can contribute a great deal of elegance, even to contemporary living areas. If you wish to accentuate your modern-day decor, consider adding one made of stainless steel or glass. Is your home or business space in short supply? The ideal option for you is a wall water fountain. Since they are displayed on a wall, these features do not take up precious room. Office buildings with busy lobbies oftentimes have one of these fountains. Inside spaces are not the only places to hang a wall fountain, however. Think about using fiberglass or resin for your exterior wall water feature. Gardens, patios, or other outdoor spaces needing a stylish touch should include a water fountain made of one of these waterproof materials.

Wall fountains come in a variety of varying styles covering the modern to the traditional and rustic. The type you select for your space is dictated by individual decoration preferences. The materials utilzed to decorate a mountain lodge are different from that needed to beautify a high-rise apartment, the former perhaps requiring slate and the latter better served with sleek glass. The material you select depends solely on your decoration ideas. No doubt however, fountains are sure to add to your quality of life and delight your visitors.