The Earliest Garden Fountains

The Earliest Garden Fountains Water fountains were originally practical in purpose, used to convey water from rivers or springs to cities and villages, providing the inhabitants with fresh water to drink, bathe, and prepare food with. In the years before electrical power, the spray of fountains was driven by gravity exclusively, usually using an aqueduct or water supply located far away in the nearby hills. Striking and spectacular, large water fountains have been constructed as memorials in most civilizations. Rough in design, the very first water fountains did not look much like modern fountains. A natural stone basin, carved from rock, was the very first fountain, used for containing water for drinking and spiritual purposes. 2000 B.C. is when the earliest known stone fountain basins were originally used. Early fountains put to use in ancient civilizations depended on gravity to manipulate the movement of water through the fountain. The location of the fountains was influenced by the water source, which is why you’ll commonly find them along reservoirs, canals, or rivers. Fountains with elaborate decoration started to show up in Rome in about 6 B.C., usually gods and animals, made with natural stone or bronze. A well-engineered system of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public water fountains supplied with fresh water.

Outdoor Fountains Hydro-statics for Dummies

Outdoor Fountains Hydro-statics for DummiesOutdoor Fountains Hydro-statics Dummies 25019704615413409672.jpg When in equilibrium, liquid applies energy to its container or any other material it comes in contact with. There are 2 forms, hydrostatic load or outside forces. When used against a level surface, the liquid applies equal force against all points of that surface. All points on an object’s exterior are affected by vertical pressure when the object is thoroughly submerged in a liquid that’s in a state of equilibrium. This applied force is known as buoyancy, while the concept itself is known as Archimedes’ principle. When hydrostatic force is exerted on an area of liquid, this will become hydrostatic pressure. These concepts are applied to the containers used by plumbing, wells, and fountains.

Outdoor Wall Fountains: The Many Styles Available

Outdoor Wall Fountains: Many Styles Available 558357916.jpg Outdoor Wall Fountains: The Many Styles Available If you want to create a place to relax as well as add some pizzazz to a small area such as a patio or courtyard, wall fountains are perfect because they do not take up much space. When looking at the many types of outdoor wall fountains available including traditional, antique, modern, or Asian, you are certain to find one best suited to your design ideas. Your tastes dictate the type you buy so while there may not be a prefabricated fountain to satisfy you, you do have the option of having a customized one.

The two types of water features available to you are mounted and freestanding models. You can install a mounted wall fountain because they are little and self-contained. Fountains of this type need to be lightweight, therefore, they are typically fabricated from resin (resembling stone) or fiberglass. In large free-standing fountains, otherwise referred to as wall fountains, the basin is set on the ground with the smooth side positioned against a wall. Water features such as these are usually manufactured of cast stone and have no weight limitations.

Custom-made fountains which can be incorporated into a new or existing wall are often recommended by landscaping designers. Placing the basin against the wall and installing all the plumbing work requires a professional mason to do it properly. You will need to incorporate a spout or fountain mask into the wall. Custom-built wall fountains lend to a unified look because they become part of the scenery rather than look like a later addition.

The Many Reasons to Add a Water Feature

The Many Reasons to Add a Water Feature A good way to enhance the look of your outdoor living area is to add a wall water feature or an exterior garden fountain to your landscaping or garden design. A myriad of current designers and fountain artisans have found ideas in the fountains and water features of the past.Many Reasons Add Water Feature 25652434456370970.jpg As such, integrating one of these to your interior is a great way to connect it to the past. The benefit of having a garden fountain goes beyond its beauty as it also attracts birds and other wildlife, in addition to harmonizing the ecosystem with the water and moisture it emits into the atmosphere. Flying, irritating insects, for instance, are scared away by the birds congregating near the fountain or birdbath.

The space necessary for a cascading or spouting fountain is considerable, so a wall fountain is the ideal size for a small yard. Two possibilities to choose from include either a freestanding type with an even back set against a fence or wall in your garden, or a wall-mounted, self-contained type which hangs on a wall. Both a fountain mask placed on the existing wall as well as a basin located at the bottom to collect the water are equired if you wish to add a fountain. The plumbing and masonry work necessary for this kind of work requires expertise, so it is best to employ a skilled person rather than do it yourself.

Rome, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, And Water Features

Rome, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, And Water Features There are countless famous Roman water features in its city center. One of the greatest sculptors and artists of the 17th century, nearly all of them were planned, conceptualized and constructed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Marks of his life's work are evident all through the streets of Rome simply because, in addition to his skills as a water feature designer, he was additionally a city architect.Rome, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Water Features 988566662.jpg A famous Florentine sculptor, Bernini's father guided his young son, and they eventually moved to Rome to thoroughly express their art, chiefly in the form of public water features and water features. An outstanding employee, Bernin earned compliments and the the backing of popes and well known artists. At first he was celebrated for his sculpting skills. Most notably in the Vatican, he made use of a base of expertise in ancient Greek architecture and melded it flawlessly with Roman marble. Although many artists impacted his artistic endeavors, Michelangelo inspired him the most.

The Original Garden Fountain Designers

The Original Garden Fountain Designers Often working as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and cultivated scholars all in one, from the 16th to the later part of the 18th century, fountain designers were multi-talented individuals, Leonardo da Vinci as a innovative genius, inventor and scientific virtuoso exemplified this Renaissance creator. The forces of nature led him to analyze the properties and movement of water, and due to his fascination, he systematically recorded his experiences in his now celebrated notebooks.Original Garden Fountain Designers 42115714943175694415.jpg Brilliant water displays loaded with symbolic meaning and natural charm transformed private villa settings when early Italian fountain designers paired imagination with hydraulic and gardening abilities. The splendors in Tivoli were created by the humanist Pirro Ligorio, who was renowned for his capabilities in archeology, architecture and garden design. Masterminding the fascinating water marbles, water attributes and water jokes for the various mansions near Florence, some other water fountain engineers were well versed in humanist issues as well as classical technical texts.
Attractive Wall Fountains A wall fountain can be an important design element in your house or office, enough so that it makes a good impression on your family and friends alike.Having a wall water feature in your daily life not only stimulates the eyes with its splendor but also your ears with the soothing background sounds it produces.... read more


The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Wall Fountains Appropriate care and regular maintenance are important to the longevity of water fountains.It is easy for foreign objects to find their way into outdoor fountains, so keeping it clean is vital.... read more


The Original Fountain Designers Multi-talented people, fountain designers from the 16th to the late 18th century often served as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and highly educated scholars all in one person.... read more


Rome’s First Water Delivery Solutions With the building of the very first raised aqueduct in Rome, the Aqua Anio Vetus in 273 BC, people who lived on the city’s foothills no longer had to rely strictly on naturally-occurring spring water for their demands.... read more