Modern Garden Decoration: Garden Fountains and their Beginnings
Modern Garden Decoration: Garden Fountains and their Beginnings A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to supply drinkable water, as well as for decorative purposes.From the beginning, outdoor fountains were soley there to serve as functional elements. Residents of cities, townships and small towns utilized them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains needed to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. 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 supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Serving as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. To illustrate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages added fountains to their designs. The fountains found in the Gardens of Versailles were meant to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. To mark the entryway of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts arrived in the city of Rome
Since indoor plumbing became the norm 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. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Nowadays, fountains decorate public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
Fountains: An Ideal Decor Accessory to Find Serenity
Fountains: An Ideal Decor Accessory to Find Serenity Simply having water in your garden can have a significant effect on your well-being. The loud noises in your community can be masked by the soft sounds of a fountain. This is the perfect spot to relax and experience the natural world around you.
Your Outdoor Living Area: The Perfect Place for a Garden Fountain

Spouting or cascading fountains are not the best option for a small garden since they need a great deal of space. There are two types of fountains to choose from including the freestanding model with a flat back and an attached basin set up against a fence or a wall in your yard, or the wall-mounted, self-contained version which is hung directly on a wall. A fountain can be added to an existing wall if you include some kind of fountain mask as well as a basin to collect the water at the bottom. It is best not to attempt this job yourself as skilled plumbers and masons are more suitable to do this type of work.