Garden Decor Blog

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

Water fountains are traditionally found in public spaces, such as parks  and plazas. More recently have they have been found in high end hotels and large corporate buildings.  Some of the larger homes that are found in magazines would have a water fountain in their courtyard while the more adventurous would have one inside their homes.

A water fountain in the home is the style that we very often admire and yearn for but all too often, it has been outside of our budget or life style.

That is not the case any more.

Water fountains are surprisingly inexpensive and it is quite easy to find one to fit your budget.

Water fountains are available in three varieties. There are tabletop water fountains, wall mounted fountains and waterfalls and freestanding fountains. They all provide soothing and relaxing sounds of water as well as providing a visual element. 

All water fountains whether indoors or outside capture the tranquility  and beauty of water movement. Water fountains also reduce those annoying sounds such as busy traffic or loud neighbors with their soothing and pleasant “white noise”. 

Water fountains have the ability to make a place feel tranquil. Indoor water fountains are available in many different styles. There are indoor floor fountains, tabletop water fountains or desktop water fountains and indoor wall mounted fountains. Water fountains turn the most somber spaces into naturally soothing environments. 

If you are considering installing a water fountain in your home, you may want to pay attention to the waterfall styles. They are easy to install, take up very little room while providing the pleasures of a traditional style fountain. Indoor water fountains act as natural humidifiers and improve air quality with negative ions. Water fountains are well known for having relaxing healing powers as well as providing a visually pleasing focal piece.

Indoor waterfalls are available in many attractive designs, and a search of the internet for water fountains will find something to suit your needs. 

Outdoor water fountains create relaxing, soothing and stress relieving retreats in your own garden. Garden water fountains whether cascading waterfalls or gently trickling birdbaths, will bring any outdoor area to life. 

Outdoor garden water fountains are ideal for creating a place of tranquility, whether you have a large garden,  small patio or just a balcony. The gently soothing sounds of a cascading waterfall help the mind to focus and to bring the relaxing tranquility of a mountain stream into your garden. An outdoor fountain will bring peace and serenity to your patio, garden or landscaped area. 

Hunter Kenroy makes traditional outdoor water fountains that are very popular as are their solar powered water fountains. Solar powered water fountains are ideal for any area. They are installed with the minimum of effort and then you just add water. If you already have a pond or other water feature in your garden, the addition of a solar powered water fountain will enhance it beautifully.

A solar water fountain is a good way to conserve energy and save on the electricity bill.

It doesn’t matter if you’re at home or the office, indoors or in the garden, a water fountain feature will provide peace and tranquility and help you relax. Do your self a favor and splash out on a water fountain.

The author recently installed a water fountain in his home.

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.