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Garden Water Features Fountains

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Last summer, a Houston couple by the name of Turner called us and asked us if we could design a landscape out of natural materials that would also reflect their passion for collecting abstract and contemporary art. They wanted a garden water fountain and colorful vegetation that also combined certain aspects of the irregular geometry that characterizes abstract art. They wanted a very subtle blend of regularity and irregularity, and a combination of curved and linear elements that would suggest a natural senes of movement from the edge of the property to the back of their home.

We began our work by constructing a garden water fountain at the very end of a brand new swimming pool the Turner's had just had installed. We built the basin in the shape of distorted figure-8 that bent to the left and right of what would ultimately become a walkway over the water. We used a gunite concrete substructure that would seal the basin and keep it waterproof, and then we concealed the top of the concrete with a decorative stone-clad overlay whose blue-gray color complimented that of the home. When we finished it looked like a small stone well filled with clear, running water that drained into the pool on one end. On the same side of this drain, we built a stone sculpture out of three stones planed into cubes. The cubes were piled one on top of the other, so that when the structure was complete, it looked like a sculpture made from boulders on some far Pacific island. The water rose out of the stone at the top and flowed down all four sides of the sculpture into the pool.

The new water fountain and surrounding basin now gave us an ideal center point around which to plant a flower garden replete with a number of species. On the left, we planted Mexican sedum to add a lime green contrast to the surrounding landscape, and we planted golden globe to provide flowering ground cover. To add a three dimensional element to the garden, we planted foxtail ferns to provide year-round greenery, and bird of paradise for its resplendent, seasonal blooms. Farther back from the fountain itself, we planted a river birch tree that framed the entire garden from the vantage point of the pool and added an additional aesthetic at night as a backdrop for up lighting. To emphasize the unique aspect of our water garden fountain we planted pink and red pentas on the right that drew the eye upward toward the stone sculpture, and we trained a vine to grow up the far wall of the home that would mirror its unique cubic design.

We then completed the project by building a walkway that led from the front of the property to the home. We constructed this walkway out of stepping pads that actually float on water. This allowed us to build the walkway straight over the water in the center of the garden. We deliberately used this design in order to blend regular material with irregular material. The stones move in a progression from asymmetry to symmetry the closer you get to the house. The very first stepping stone has only two straight sides, for example, and the second has three. Each stone that follows becomes increasingly square as it passes over the garden water fountain until it finally reaches the back patio of the home.

Garden Water Features Fountains

When you purchase a garden fountain or garden waterfall you are not only enhancing the look of your garden but providing other benefits for yourself and your visitors. Some benefits a garden fountain will bring, that are often overlooked, include stress relief, alleviation of sound and a source of drinking water for your pets. If you place a fountain in your home it will also help to keep the air humid.

Decorative Effects

Fountains and waterfalls can be used both in the garden and inside your home. A fountain can be especially welcoming in the foyer of an office, doctor's office or other waiting room. In your home it can serve as a lovely piece of art and a center piece for your entrance hall or room.

Stress Relief

When you are stressed there is nothing better than to sit in the garden and listen to the peaceful sounds of running water. If you practice meditation a higher sense of calm and peace can be achieved by listening to these lovely sounds. When you are choosing a suitable fountain choose one that gives a soft sound of running water rather than harsh sounds of splashing. You will need to look for fountain that has an even flow and only a short fall of water. If it has an adjustable pump this can be used to tune the water flow to the desired speed and sounds.

Sound Alleviation

Many people forget that if you live in an area that has harsh outside noises the soft sounds of running water can help to cover up these annoying sounds. Close to a busy street the noise from traffic can be masked by these soft sounds and placing a waterfall in a busy waiting room can cover up distracting noise.

Humidification

If your home is dry a fountain or waterfall can act as a natural humidifier and add moisture to the atmosphere. Mechanical humidifiers are noisy from the constant movement of the fan and they also encourage molds and mildew use. A water fountain or waterfall is not subject to the growth of these organisms and the sound of running water is much more pleasing than the sound of a noisy fan. In addition to making the home more pleasant for you it also is good for your indoor plants, especially moisture loving plants like ferns.

Drinking Source for Pets

Your pets will love the constant source running water and will much prefer drinking from the fountain than from their own bowls. Just make sure you do not add any chemicals to the water if you have pets.

Choosing A Garden Fountain or Waterfall

Garden fountains and waterfalls can be purchased as wall fountains, tabletop fountains and outdoor floor fountains.

Wall Fountains

Wall fountains can be purchased in horizontal and vertical designs. You will need to decide which one will suit the dimensions of your room. A tall vertical fountain will look better in a room with a high ceiling but a horizontal fountain will look better in a room with a long wide wall. If you place a horizontal fountain in a room with a high ceiling it will look much smaller than it really is. You also need to look at the width especially if you are placing the fountain in a corridor or walkway.

To see how fountain will look once it is placed on the wall find out the size of the fountain you're thinking of purchasing then measure is out on the wall where you intend to hang in. You could do this by placing tape or tracing the outlines on the wall or stick thumb tacks where the corners would be. Stand back and see how it looks.

Tabletop Fountains

When you are buying a tabletop fountain decide where it will go before you buy to make sure you do not purchase one that is too big. You could place an object of the same size as the intended fountain to see if it looks good in the chosen location. Some tabletop fountains can vary in height as they use natural stones that are not all the same size so make sure you allow for this randomness when you are purchasing your fountain.

Outdoor Floor Fountains

When you are buying an outdoor fountain made sure that the width is suitable for where you are intending to place it. If it will be placed on a patio or under an arbor you would need to make sure that the high is suitable. You could try stacking boxes in the chosen location to make sure there is a comfortable fit and it will look good.

Conclusion

A fountain is a lovely addition to your garden or to your home. As long as you do your homework before you purchase your fountain and make sure that the one you buy is suitable for your chosen location you cannot fail to be pleased with your purchase.

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About Author

Both Jeff Halper & Janet Ashby are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Jeff Halper has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gardening, Swimming Pool and Gardening. Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscaping and wants to share infomation about that passion. At you can read more about. Jeff Halper's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.

Janet Ashby has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports, Pets and Gardening. For more information visit or see our range of. Janet Ashby's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.

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