The Impact of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Gardens
The Impact of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Gardens The advent of the Normans in the latter half of the 11th century significantly modified The Anglo-Saxon ways of living. Architecture and gardening were abilities 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. Most often built upon windy summits, castles were basic constructs that enabled their occupants to devote time and space to offensive and defensive schemes, while monasteries were rambling stone buildings commonly placed in only the most fecund, broad valleys. The barren fortresses did not provide for the calm avocation of gardening. The early Anglo-Norman style of architecture is exemplified in Berkeley Castle, which is conceivably the most unscathed illustration we have. The keep is said to date from the time of William the Conqueror. A significant terrace serves as a deterrent to intruders who would try to mine the walls of the building. A picturesque bowling green, enveloped in grass and bordered by battlements cut out of an ancient yew hedge, forms one of the terraces.The Original Water Fountain Designers
The Original Water Fountain Designers Multi-talented people, fountain designers from the 16th to the late 18th century typically worked as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and highly educated scholars all in one. Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance artist, was notable as a creative master, inventor and scientific virtuoso. He systematically recorded his findings in his now celebrated notebooks about his studies into the forces of nature and the qualities and movement of water. Ingenious water exhibits complete of symbolic meaning and all-natural beauty transformed private villa settings when early Italian water fountain creators paired resourcefulness with hydraulic and gardening abilities. The humanist Pirro Ligorio provided the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli and was recognized for his abilities in archeology, architecture and garden design. Other water feature engineers, masterminding the fantastic water marbles, water attributes and water humor for the many properties in the vicinity of Florence, were tried and tested in humanistic topics and traditional scientific readings.Contemporary Garden Decoration: Garden Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Garden Fountains and their Beginnings A fountain, an amazing piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also launch water high into the air for an extraordinary effect.The primary purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs nearby. Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be more elevated and closer to a water source, including aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to take advantage of gravity which fed the fountains. Acting as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. Roman fountains usually depicted images of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. To depict the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages added fountains to their designs. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to extol their positions by including beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
The end of the 19th century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Contemporary fountains are used to embellish public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.
Your Outdoor Living Area: The Perfect Spot for a Wall Fountain
Your Outdoor Living Area: The Perfect Spot for a Wall Fountain The area outside your residence can be polished up by adding a wall or a garden fountain to your landscaping or garden project. Many modern designers and artisans have been inspired by historical fountains and water features.
Wall fountains are a good option if your yard is small because they do not require much space as compared to a spouting or cascading fountain. Either a stand-alone fountain with an even back and an attached basin placed against a fence or a wall, or a wall-mounted kind which is self-contained and hangs on a wall, are some of the possibilities from which you can choose. Adding a fountain to an existing wall requires that you add a fountain mask as well as a basin at the base to gather the water. Be sure to employ a specialist for this type of job since it is better not to do it yourself due to the intricate plumbing and masonry work involved.