Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings A fountain, an incredible piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also propel water high into the air for an extraordinary effect.The central 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 in the area. Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move down or jet high into the air. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the designer who created it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times utilized by Romans to beautify their fountains.
Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. Fountains played a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to glorify the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the location where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.
Since indoor plumbing became the standard of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
Garden Water Fountain Engineers Through History
Garden Water Fountain Engineers Through History
Multi-talented individuals, fountain artists from the 16th to the late 18th century often served as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and highly educated scholars all in one. Exemplifying the Renaissance artist as a inspiring genius, Leonardo da Vinci performed as an inventor and scientific guru. He carefully captured his ideas in his now celebrated notebooks, after his immense curiosity in the forces of nature guided him to research the characteristics and motion of water. Coupling imaginativeness with hydraulic and horticultural expertise, early Italian fountain creators modified private villa settings into brilliant water displays complete with symbolic implications and natural beauty. The splendors in Tivoli were developed by the humanist Pirro Ligorio, who was renowned for his capabilities in archeology, engineering and garden design. Well versed in humanist subjects as well as established scientific readings, other water fountain creators were masterminding the phenomenal water marbles, water properties and water jokes for the various lands around Florence.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Fountains In order to ensure that water fountains last a long time, it is vital to practice regular maintenance. Leaves, twigs, and bugs often find their way into fountains, so it is important to keep yours free from such debris. Another factor is that water that is subjected to sunlight is vulnerable to growing algae.
To avoid this, take vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or sea salt and add directly into the water. Another option is to blend bleach into the water, but this action can hurt wild animals and so should really be avoided. Every 3-4 months, garden fountains should undergo a serious cleaning. Before you can start washing it you need to drain out all of the water. Next use gentle and a soft sponge to clean the innner part of the reservoir. If there are any tiny grooves, use a toothbrush to reach every spot. Do not leave any soap residue inside of or on the fountain.
Calcium and fresh water organisms could get inside the pump, so you should really disassemble it to get it truly clean. Soaking it in vinegar for a time will make it easier to wash. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain components that will accumulate inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you see that the level is too low. If the water level slides below the pump’s intake level, it can hurt the pump and cause it to burn out - something you do not want to happen!
How Your Home or Office Profit from an Interior Wall Water Feature
How Your Home or Office Profit from an Interior Wall Water Feature Add an ornamental and modern touch to your home by adding an indoor wall water element. Installing this sort of fountain in your residence or office permits you to create an area for your loved ones and clientele where there is little noise as well as minimal stress and maximum relaxation. An indoor wall water feature such as this will also attract the recognition and appreciation of employees and customers alike. In order to get a positive response from your most difficult critic and enthuse all those around, install an interior water feature to get the job done.
Your wall element ensures you a relaxing evening after a long day’s work and help create a quiet spot where can enjoy watching your favorite sporting event. Indoor fountains produce harmonious sounds which are thought to release negative ions, eliminate dust as well as allergens, all while creating a comforting and relaxing setting.