Modern Garden Decoration: Fountains and their Beginnings

The central purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. Inhabitants of cities, townships and small towns utilized them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains had to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their source of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and memorialize the designer. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to beautify their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create smaller variations of 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 extol their positions by including decorative 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. The creation of special water effects and the recycling of water were two things made possible by swapping gravity with mechanical pumps.

Embellishing city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the purposes of modern-day fountains.

The Charm of Wall Water Features

A wall fountain can add a great deal of charm, even to contemporary living areas. Also available in modern-day materials such as stainless steel or glass, they can add pizzazz to your interior decor. Is the floor space in your house or workplace scarce? The best alternative for you is a wall water fountain. Since they are installed on a wall you can save your precious real estate for something else. Busy entryways in corporate buildings are often decorated with one of these kinds of fountains. Indoor spaces are not the only places to install a wall fountain, however. Fiberglass or resin wall water features can be installed outside. Gardens, terraces, 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 differing styles covering the modern to the traditional and rustic. Your design preferences determine the most appropriate kind for your needs. The materials utilzed to decorate a mountain lodge differ 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. Fountains are features which most certainly impress people who visit your home.