Garden Decor Blog

i am scared of water fountains! not the silly little weedy garden fountains, but the big fountains in swimming pools and other public places, for example the magical tap fountain etc. i know it is an irrational fear, but i cant help it!. i was trying to look it up online but i cant find anything on a fear of water fountains and i was wondering if someone could help me. what is the appropriate name for fear of water fountains?, why am i so scared of them?

We purchased a fountain that looks very similar to this one, EXCEPT it has two bowls above the large retangular shaped basin below (three water bowls in all), AND the water flows from a sort of faucet (about 1 inch in diameter). Our fountain looks like this one proportionately, but ours is considerably larger, about 5 ft tall and 40 inches wide. The base bowl is about 18 inches deep.

http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=66

The instructions call for a minimum 170 GPH pump, but the only one we could find at the time was 240 GPH.

Now we have installed the fountain and it looks lovely, but the water flowing into the bowls is anything but relaxing. It reminds me of the sound of a bathtub filling, or a garden faucet left on full force.

We want to try to mitigate the sound by adding some small cobbles to the bowls, but preliminary trials with a few cobbles don’t show much change. I feel like the problem is that the water is just flowing WAY too fast, or way too strong. Is it possible that a 240 GPH pump is too much for a fountain that recommends no less than 170 GPH? Is it feasible that 70 GPH would make that much difference? Could the wide diameter flow tube (faucet) cause this?

I wanted a slow-flowing fountain with a delicate sound. This fountain did not sound this loud at the store display, but there were many working at the same time in a large outdoor patio garden section, so perhaps I didn’t realize it’s sound level.

Any experienced ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.

Few things can add more beauty and elegance to your yard and landscaping then installing garden fountains. No matter if your garden is small or large, garden fountains can add style and design to whatever your landscaping area looks like. Fountains not only add the look of beauty; they also create a very serene and peaceful environment that you and your entire family can enjoy.
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Its easy, simple and a wonderful way to destress.

First, purchase a non-porous ceramic pot, or metal holder with a diameter no less than 10 and 5 inches in depth to accomodate the pump. The 10 inches in diameter is to hold the interesting top scenery. Remember textures and colors are important. You can find materials anywhere with a little imagination. Such as river stones, pebbles, Spanish Moss, handcrafted small shrubs, plants, flowers…. Or you can go to your local aquarium store for interesting water decorations for the tank and use those. The combinations are endless!

Second, decide on the theme and sketch a basic layout of your waterfountain.

Third, when you have decides on the decorative layout of your water fountain. You are now ready to provide your decorations with a foundation or platform to adhere. Your platform of course will cover the water pump. Create a small hole in the platform above for the hose to come out. Make sure it is undetected going up along side a graduated flower or plant upright in the container to cause water to flow downward.

Fourth, the platform can be made of the material you will find in flower shops arrangements. It’s a green porous light weight material. Easy to make a hole, but because of its porous nature, but please becareful, small particles from this material can clog the pump once water is introduced at the base of the container. Using a strong water-proof glue, you can glue shells, pepples, or on Spanish Moss to give your fountain a full and finished look.

Fifth, fill the container with water. Plug in the pump, then sit back and relax to the soothing sounds of flowing water. You can carefully bubble wrap it and send it through the mail, marked “Fragile” of course, to its new home as a gift.

See an example.

http://www.jewelscorner.org/vweb/productpage/images/31027.jpg

What are the benefits of an indoor water fountain?
1.Keeps indoor air quality hydrated.
2.Gently purifies and recycles air.
3.Soothes harried nerves
4.Thoughtful but inexpensive gift
5.Great social focal point for guests
6.Water fountains is conducive to relaxation and sleep
7.Great alternative to white noise to drowning out annoying sounds. What better way to do it naturally but through the power of gentle flowing water.
8.The hydration in the surrounding air promotes free breathing but provides proper air moisture for healthy plant growth.

Materials Needed:
1.A container at 10 inches wide and 5 inches deep: non-porous ceramic pot, a metal container, or anything else that can hold water. The dimensions are guidelines.
2.Platform sponge from your local flower shop to hold your scenic decorations on top.
3.Electrical water pump.
4.Strong Water proof glue. See hardware stores.
5.And, of course, your theme materials such as: pebbles, river stones, Spanish Moss and various handcrafted plants for longevity.

et viola! You now have your first handcrafted water fountain.

By: Marjorie at www.jewelscorner.org

Whenever someone thinks of a garden water fountain, it is assumed that the water feature will be placed in the backyard living area. Many fountains are actually placed in the front yard as a welcoming gesture for guests and as an appealing main attraction to the house to compliment the home itself. With proper placement in the front entryway, garden water fountains create a pleasant invitation to all who walk past or who come to visit.
Entryway Placement of Water Fountains
Water fountains look great just about anywhere in the front entryway or front garden areas. Some people choose to use them in the center of a circular driveway. These types of placements usually call for a border of bright flowers in a variety of hues. Some fountains look great right at the front of the house with the door location more in the background. Usually this placement is surrounded by grass and taller, more tropical looking trees like Banana Leaf Trees or Birds of Paradise. Courtyards are a great place to house a garden water fountain. Usually the fountain is the focal point of the courtyard and is surrounded by an array of plants of varying sizes, colors and types. Another popular spot for an entryway fountain is placing it on either side of the front door. This placement immediately makes guests feel warm and welcome. It is almost like the fountain is saying, “Leave your stress at the door and come relax inside.” Wherever your placement in the entryway, you can create a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere just as easily in a front garden as in a backyard living area.
Best Fountains for Entryways
If you do choose to use a garden water fountain at the front of your house instead of the back it is best to choose something that is attractive and that will draw attention as a centerpiece to your yard. Large statues are very common in front entryways. Choose a statue that compliments the overall theme of your house. For example, it would not be a good choice to use a classical, Roman looking statue in front of a country or craftsman style house. If your home has a tropical feel to it, a dolphin statue or a palm tree looking statue fountain might be a good addition. Typically, the generic tiered fountains match just about any style home.
If you have questions regarding the maintenance of your garden water fountain, be sure to seek professional advice. Proper maintenance of your fountain will ensure many years of enjoyment.

The Quest for Significance
People are looking for ways to add significance, peace of mind, a quality experience, and an escape from the “rat-race” in their lives. Stated differently, people want to add depth and meaning to their lives. One way to accomplish this, it is asserted, is to make or purchase decor for your garden. Make Your Garden Unique
Garden decor, along with things related to gardens, provides a return to nature, a sense of spirituality, and a return to the earth as people journey on their quest for significance and ultimate meaning. Moreover, through the use of decorations, gardeners reveal their quirks and shortcomings, their wit, their creativity, and their desire to make their gardens unique. Transform Your Life
Gardens and their ornaments are symbols of enchantment, of mystery, of meaning, and of ultimate being. Another way of looking at this is to see that gardens and garden accents provide the power to transform one’s mood and one’s life. To be sure, garden accessories can become symbolic reminders of life’s blessings as they encourage people to enrich their surroundings by transcending the mundane.The Gardening Imagination
Garden ornaments help people take an active stance in their lives by enabling them to create a niche in the world that is in concert with their values and their dreams. Indeed, it is this “gardening imagination” that provides people with the opportunity to select meaningful objects that speak to their senses, to their experiences, and to their lives.An Invitation to Add Garden Decor to your Life
Websites that sell garden decor can be viewed as invitations for people to experiment and let their imaginations run free so that they can, with conscious effort or with playfulness, select the accents that they like—decor that speaks to their dreams and to their soul. With this in mind, look at the different products that are sold and select garden accessories that help elicit childhood fantasies. Examine the different garden accents and choose ornaments that speak to your inner self. Let Your Personality Shine Through
Garden decor helps calm the spirit, soothe the soul, and delight the senses. By letting your individuality shine through as you select your decorative accents, you will transform your garden into one of the most meaningful experiences in your life. The challenge is to capture moments of wonder, joy, and inspiration and experience the lasting pleasures of beauty and the splendors of nature by decorating your garden in a way that is congruent with your noblest thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. Your Garden Sanctuary
Strive to decorate your garden with ornaments that magically call you to return to your garden sanctuary. Look at different garden products and decide on decorations that motivate you to tap into your playfulness or into your artistic bent as you contemplate how you will decorate your garden. In a word, you can add richness, depth, and a sense of discovery to your garden with different garden ornaments.Summary
In conclusion, garden decor is significant because it is an invitation for people to open themselves to the magic, to the wonder, to the meaning, and to the pleasure that gardens and garden related accessories can bring to their lives.
Copyright 2005 – Denny Soinski. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and give the author credit.

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.

If you have a beautiful garden or yard, chances are that you want to accentuate it, decorate it as well as you can, and show it off to your friends and family. Once you have come to this point, you may have started to consider an outdoor wall fountain – or more than one – to complete the garden and add that perfect atmosphere of serenity to the space. If you create the perfect garden for yourself, completed with wall mounted water fountains of the best design, you will enjoy spending time in your own private outdoor space more than ever. Nothing can be so relaxing and joyous as time in nature, whether it is crafted by the elements or you and your imagination.

There are a few different design styles available to you when it comes to garden water fountains, so a bit of thought and time is necessary before making a final decision as to which piece or pieces will grace your own personal outdoors.  You will find garden fountains you can hang on the exterior of your home, free standing stone and fiberglass fountains, rock style waterfall outdoor fountains and birdbath styles.   More often than not, outdoor garden designers will lean towards the Greco-Roman style of wall water fountains because the Classicism of these pieces is rather ubiquitous and always related to stress-free spaces and meditation. Of course there are the popular Buddha water fountains as well, which offer a tranquil atmosphere with that meditative Oriental touch.  Another way to go with your garden fountains is the new age, modern art pieces. These are a long way from the Classic fountains that most gardens will display, however in some cases (depending on your personality and the garden space itself) this is the perfect choice. If your garden is designed with a contemporary feel, then the modern outdoor wall mounted fountain could do exactly what you need to cap off your relaxing natural space. Whatever your taste, there will be a water fountain to suit your needs and that of your own garden. Always keep in mind that the perfect outdoor garden fountain depends on your own taste, décor, personality and the garden space itself.