Contemporary Garden Decoration: Outdoor Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Outdoor 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. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains functioned using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were an optimal source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and memorialize the artist. The main components used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create mini depictions of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by including decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Urban fountains built at the end of the 19th century served only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Beautifying city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the purposes of modern-day fountains.
The Countless Designs of Wall Water Fountains
The Countless Designs of Wall Water Fountains
Wall fountains are well suited to little patios or gardens because they do not take up too much space while also adding a touch of style and providing a great place to find peace and quiet. Conventional, antique, contemporary, or Asian are just a few of the designs you can choose from when looking for an outdoor wall fountain to your liking. While there are innumerable prefabricated ones on the market, you may need a customized fountain if none of these are appealing to you. Depending on your wishes, you can select from mounted or freestanding models. Mounted wall fountains are little and self-contained variations which can be placed on a wall. Wall fountains made of resin (resembling stone) or fiberglass are normally lightweight so they can be easily hung. In large free-standing fountains, otherwise known as wall fountains, the basin is situated on the ground with the flat side positioned against a wall. Water features such as these are usually made of cast stone and have no weight limits.
It is a good idea to incorporate a custom-made fountain into a new or existing wall, something often suggested by landscape experts. The basin and all the required plumbing are best installed by a qualified mason. The wall will need to have a spout or fountain mask incorporated into it. Custom-built wall fountains add to a unified look because they become part of the scenery rather than look like a later addition.
Can Wall fountains Help Detoxify The Air?
Can Wall fountains Help Detoxify The Air? You can liven up your environment by setting up an indoor wall fountain. Your senses and your wellness can benefit from the putting in of one of these indoor features. The science behind this theory supports the idea that water fountains can favorably affect your health. The negative ions emitted by water features are counterbalanced with the positive ions released by modern-day conveniences. The negative ions produced by these kinds of water features overtake the positive ones ending in positive changes to both your mental and physical wellness. A rise in serotonin levels is experienced by those who have one of these water features making them more alert, serene and lively. Due to the negative ions it releases, an indoor wall fountain can improve your spirits and also eliminate impurities in the air. They also help to reduce allergies, contaminants as well as other types of irritants. Lastly, the dust particles and micro-organisms floating in the air inside your house are absorbed by water fountains leading to better overall health.How Fountains can be Good for the Environment
How Fountains can be Good for the Environment Have you always wanted to beautify the look of your house? Well, you can add that special touch and increase the price of your home just by adding a solar water fountain.
Solar powered fountains can be a wiser investment versus electric ones because they not only improve one's well-being but they offer other interesting financial perks. Despite initial expenses, the long-term investment in this type of fountain is worth it. You will not have to concern yourself about energy shortages as your fountain will not be powered by electricity. Running water fountains will lead to a spike in your electric bill. The short-term benefits may not be noticeable, but keep in mind that the increased worth of your home will be later on.
Spending more money on our electric bills is not the only downside - the environment is highly impacted too. Solar powered water fountains are a good option to becoming “green”. The use of solar energy to heat or cool your home is much better for our environment.
This type of fountain needs less maintenance than others. Clogs don't occur since there is no motor - which leads to less cleaning. And because there is little cleaning to do, you will have more time to enjoy yourself!
Archaic Greek Art: Garden Statuary
Archaic Greek Art: Garden Statuary Up right up until the Archaic Greeks created the 1st freestanding statuary, a phenomenal achievement, carvings had mainly been completed in walls and pillars as reliefs. For the most part the statues, or kouros figures, were of young and attractive male or female (kore) Greeks. The kouroi, considered by the Greeks to represent beauty, had one foot stretched out of a rigid forward-facing posture and the male figurines were always unclothed, with a compelling, strong build. In about 650 BC, the variations of the kouroi became life-sized. Throughout the Archaic period, a big time of changes, the Greeks were evolving new sorts of government, expressions of art, and a greater comprehension of people and cultures outside Greece. Battles like The Arcadian wars, the Spartan invasion of Samos, and other wars between city-states are indicative of the tumultuous nature of the time period, which was similar to other periods of historical upset. However, these conflicts did not significantly hinder the advancement of the Greek civilization.
Keeping Your Outdoor Fountain Tidy
Keeping Your Outdoor Fountain Tidy Water fountains will last a very long time with scheduled cleaning and maintenance. It is easy for foreign items to find their way into outside fountains, so keeping it clean is essential.
Also, algae tends to build up wherever natural light meets water. In order to avoid this, there are some common ingredients that can be added into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. Another option is to blend bleach into the water, but this action can sicken wild animals and so should really be avoided. No more than three-four months should go by without an extensive maintaining of a fountain. Before you can start cleaning it you need to drain out all of the water. When you have done this, scour inside the water reservoir with a mild detergent. If there is intricate artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Any soap residue left on your fountain can damage it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.
Make sure you get rid of any calcium or plankton by taking the pump apart and washing the inside thoroughly. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it much less difficult to clean. Build-up can be a big problem, so use mineral or rain water over tap water, when possible, to eliminate this dilemma.
Lastly, make sure your fountain is always full by checking it every day - this will keep it in tip-top shape. Allowing the water level to get too low can result in damage to the pump - and you certainly do not want that!
Caring For Outdoor Garden Fountains
Caring For Outdoor Garden Fountains Setting up an outdoor wall fountain demands that you bear in mind the dimensions of the space where you are going to install it. In order to support its total weight, a solid wall is necessary. Areas or walls which are small will call for a lightweight fountain. In order for the fountain to have power, a nearby electrical outlet is needed. Whatever the style of outdoor wall fountain you select, they typically come with easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. The typical outdoor wall feature is available in an easy-to-use kit that comes with everything you need and more to properly install it. The kit will include a submersible pump, the hoses and basin (or reservoir). The basin, if it's not too large, can easily be hiddenin your garden among the plants. Other than the regular cleaning, little upkeep is required once your outdoor wall fountain is installed.
Replenish and clean the water on a regular schedule. It is important to promptly clear away debris such as leaves, twigs or other dreck. Furthermore, outdoor fountains should always be shielded from freezing temperatures in winter. Your pump may split when exposed to freezing water during the winter, so it is best to bring it indoors to avoid any damage. To sum up, your outdoor wall fountain will continue to be a great addition to your garden if you keep it well looked after and well maintained.