Contemporary Garden Decoration: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Roots
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Roots The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to complement your home.The main purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, from aqueducts or springs in the area. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains operated using the force of 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. Serving as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also generated clean, fresh drinking water. The main components used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by including decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Urban fountains created at the end of the 19th century functioned only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Nowadays, fountains decorate public spaces 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 Outdoor Wall Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Wall Fountains It is important to carefully maintain water fountains for them to perform optimally. Leaves, twigs, and bugs very often find their way into fountains, so it is important to keep yours free from such debris. On top of that, algae can be a problem, because sun hitting the water permits it to form quickly. In order to avoid this, there are some simple ingredients that can be poured into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. There are those who choose to use bleach, but that is harmful to any animals that might drink or bathe in the water - so should therefore be avoided. Experts recommend that the typical garden fountain undergoes a thorough scrubbing every three-four months. Prior to cleaning, all the water must be taken out. Once it is empty, wash inside the reservoir with a gentle cleanser. If there is delicate artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Make sure all the soap is completely cleaned off.
Make sure you get rid of any calcium or plankton by taking the pump apart and scrubbing the inside thoroughly. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it much less difficult to scrub. If you want to eliminate build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water rather than tap water, as these don’t contain any components that will stick to the inside of the pump.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you notice that the level is depleted. Low water levels can ruin the pump - and you do not want that!
The Various Construction Materials of Outdoor Fountains
The Various Construction Materials of Outdoor Fountains Most contemporary garden fountains come in metal, although various other types exist. Metals tend to yield clean lines and unique sculptural accents and can fit almost any design preference or budget. It is very important that your landscape design reflects the style of your residence.A prevalent choice today is copper, and it is used in the designing of many sculptural garden fountains. Copper is popular for both inside and outside use and is frequently 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.
Also popular, brass fountains typically have a more old-fashioned appearance to them versus their copper counterpart. Even though they are a bit old-fashioned, brass fountains are quite popular because they often incorporate interesting artwork.
Arguably the most cutting-edge of all metals is stainless steel. A modern steel design will quickly raise the value of your garden as well as the feeling of peacefulness. As with most fountains, they are available in numerous sizes.
Fiberglass fountains are widespread because they look similar to metal but are more affordable and much less cumbersome to move around. Keeping a fiberglass water fountain clean and working properly is quite effortless, another aspect consumers like.
The Impact of the Norman Conquest on Anglo Saxon Landscaping
The Impact of the Norman Conquest on Anglo Saxon Landscaping The Anglo-Saxon way of life was significantly changed by the arrival of the Normans in the later eleventh century. The skill of the Normans exceeded the Anglo-Saxons' in architecture and agriculture at the time of the conquest.
But the Normans had to pacify the entire territory before they could concentrate on home life, domestic architecture, and decoration. Castles were more standard constructions and often constructed on blustery hills, where their people devoted both time and space to exercising offense and defense, while monasteries were major stone buildings, regularly located in the widest, most fertile hollows. The tranquil method of gardening was not viable in these dismal bastions. The purest specimen of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture existent in modern times is Berkeley Castle. The keep is said to date from William the Conqueror's time period. A big terrace recommended for strolling and as a means to stop attackers from mining below the walls runs around the building. A scenic bowling green, enveloped in grass and bordered by battlements clipped out of an ancient yew hedge, creates one of the terraces.