As such, as the temperature increases it becomes extremely important to try to conserve water: our most important resource.

Here are some quick and easy ways to conserve this resource.

- Keeping your yard looking good is high up there on people’s lists.  To save water only water your lawn when it needs it and only do it in the morning of evening.  Watering your lawn in the heat of the day causes evaporation before your yard gets to soak it up.  It can also have the opposite effect and scorch your yard instead.  You should also make sure that your sprinklers are working properly and faced in the direction of your lawn.

Impact Sprinkler Mechanism (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

- When planting vegetation it is a good idea to plant species that do not require a ton of water.  You can also surround your plants with mulch.  This will help with moisture retention and prevent evaporation.

- If you are going to install a fountain make sure to not install one that sprays water into the air.  Droplets get caught in the wind and are blown out of the fountain and into the surrounding area.  This is a big waste of water.  Install a drip or wall fountain that keeps the water flat on a surface instead.

Dumbarton Oaks Gardens (Photo credit: Penn State Libraries Pictures Collection)

- Gather rain water in a barrel.  This can then be used to water or irrigate your plants and lawn.  It is a great way to save water and lower your bill as well.

rain barrel (Photo credit: roger_mommaerts)

With all this saving water, what else can you do to be green?

Article written by Ashley.  When she isn’t freelance writing she can be found reading at the beach or taking photographs

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This Feng Shui garden could use a fountain! (Photo credit: Feng Shui Consultant)

Aside from having a water garden fountain, here are other ways that you should consider doing:

• Clean and weed out your garden. Get your hands dirty (or you may want to use gloves if you want). Remove the dead plants and weeds. Make sure that the only things that you can find in your garden are your plants. One natural way to get rid of weeds is to spray them directly with vinegar.
• Organize your garden. You can make your garden look organized by separating plants according to their sizes or flower colors. In addition, do not plant them too close together so that when they grow up, they have enough space to expand.
• Define your garden by edging the garden beds. You can use a lawn edger or your trimmer after you have cleared the dead plants and leaves. Do this at the beginning of summer or fall.
• If you have not yet started planting, make sure to prepare your area carefully. Kill the grass using a herbicide and then cover it with a plastic sheeting for up to six weeks to make sure that the roots of the grass are dead.
• Have it landscaped. Oftentimes, you may need the help of a professional especially if you are new to gardening. People who are involved in landscaping are familiar with the proper ways of organizing and maintaining a garden. They can also install an irrigation system for your garden, especially if you have a big garden to maintain. If you feel that you have done your best to make your space beautiful yet you are not contented as to its appearance, it is better to consult the services of a landscapist.
• Create a focal point. If you have not yet decided to get one, consider getting a water fountain for your garden. Water fountains easily draw the attention of any visitor, including birds and other animals, because of the aesthetic value that it brings to your garden. It comes in various forms and sizes so even if you have a small yard, you can easily select a type of water fountain that will suit your lawn size.

Windsor castle garden: a study in great landscaping (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As mentioned, water fountains can transform your ordinary garden into a magnificent work of art. Having one in your lawn creates a feeling of peacefulness and calmness, perhaps due to the water that comes out of it. If you have one in your garden, no matter how plain it looks, you will find it homey and soothing because of the presence of a water fountain.

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Office Redux – a water fountain on that desk could really tie the whole room together! (Photo credit: elainevdw)

Having a tabletop water fountain is one of most effective ways to recreate your office space. It may not appear as a big move in making your room more attractive than before but it is a good step towards achieving a new look for your boring space. Water fountains provide a visual stimulus that is interesting enough to steal your guest’s attention or to occupy you for a moment when things get awkward. Then when you already want to work, you can simply ignore the soft sound of the gushing water and simply turn to your computer without worrying that you will get disturbed. It serves as a natural noise barrier. Sometimes, it appears like it gives a humming sound that can relax anyone who will concentrate on the gushing water that comes out of it. In fact, according to feng shui experts, the water flowing out of a water fountain brings energy, health, and prosperity to its owner.

So, if you are thinking of adding tabletop water fountain to your office, how should you select one? First, consider the design, color, size, and layout of your workspace. Various tabletop water fountain designs are available for you to choose from. Choose one that matches the look of your office. For instance, if most of your designs contemplate Japanese art, find a zen fountain for your desk. Next, find a location where you can install it without disturbing you or anyone who will enter your office. Avoid placing it near the window, since according to feng shui, the good energy that comes out of the water will flow outside if placed near the window. You may consult a feng shui expert if you want advice as to its proper location.

Feng Shui fountains outside the office look great, too! At Taipei 101 entrance 7 on Hsinyi Road. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Huntington Library Museum Entry Garden 281 (Photo credit: DominusVobiscum)

Landscaping is not all about lawn care and flower beds. It is not all about well-manicured lawns and regularly maintained shrubs. Landscaping is also about rock formations and artificial ornaments that transform your backyard into a work of art. One way that landscapists do in transforming a dull garden into a spectacular one is through the use of garden fountains.

Garden fountains combine the artistic beauty of a sculpture with the natural feel of a waterfall in making your exterior landscape more enhanced and to attain the feel as if you are in close contact with nature. By making it the centerpiece of your backyard, a garden fountain can turn an ordinary lawn to a regal front yard similar to those that you see in the movies featuring houses of royalties and kings.

Types of Garden Fountain

Garden fountain comes in two forms—pedestal type, which is the more popular and well-known version, and wall fountain setup. The latter is placed against a wall, post, fence, or other supporting structure. It is necessary to set it up against these supports since the upper portions of the fountain is separate from the lower section. If you have a small garden, wall garden fountains are ideal than pedestal ones. As such, it is important that you consider whether you have a large or small lawn before purchasing or installing a garden fountain.

If you have a large yard, the pedestal type garden fountain is the better option. You can choose from among a variety of styles—ornamental design, cascading rocks, or picturesque sculpture. They also come in various materials such as copper, fiberglass, stone, or slate.

Benefits of Garden Fountain

Aside from the beauty that they bring, garden fountains are considered beneficial because of their noise reduction qualities and ability to relieve stress. The tranquil splashes of water coming out of the fountains are effective in replacing the noise coming from traffic on the streets. Scientific studies also show that the sound of running water can lower a person’s stress levels. Aside from these, having garden water fountains invite animals to enter to your yard, such as birds.

Having garden fountains can transform your regular looking yard to a work of Mother Nature. If you happen to have one, do not forget to keep it maintained all the time. You can consult a professional in case you do not have the time to clean it.

If you plan to do the maintenance, periodically check the water level of your fountain, especially during summer. You may need to add water occasionally during these times. Also, change the water on a regular basis to avoid contamination. If you are in a region where there is winter season, drain the water once the winter season starts.

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A desktop fountain by Yessy Ceramics (Photo credit: Carol Munro (was rgtmum))

Fountains designed to go on tabletops are wonderful home accents that bring a certain sense of calmness and peace in your indoor space. According to feng shui, the water flowing from a fountain brings positive energy, thus making it a welcome addition to the home.

For those who are not lucky enough to live near a natural water formation, having water fountains inside the home can make you feel as if you are living closely to a river or waterfall. The soft sounds of the water coming from it are soothing to the ears. Simply listening to this gushing water will make you feel at peace, as if you are actually in the presence of a flowing river in the forest.

But more than serving as a decorative accent, tabletop fountains also make good gifts to your friends and loved ones. They are handy and cost-effective and they come in various styles and sizes, thus allowing the giver to choose from among the many choices available. You can find tabletop fountains made of ceramic, copper, or even semi-precious stones. What’s more, you can personalize them by placing additional lucky charms for instance. If you are lucky to have creative hands, you can also make your own version of a tabletop fountain using your own materials.

Tabletop fountains are ideal gifts as well for those who work in an office, for they add some touch of nature to a very formal environment. They are also great presents to those who live in the city, where noise of traffic seems like a normal part of their lives. The water that comes out of the tabletop fountains effective noise filters, in the sense that the sound of the water acts as a barrier to the unwanted noise outside.

What makes tabletop fountains a great gift is that they can be placed almost anywhere in a house or office. They can fit into small spaces like a bedroom table, coffee table, or desk corner. Installation need not be very complicated for you only need to plug it in a nearby electric outlet to start operating. As such, you need not hire workers to set it up, unlike in setting up an elaborate waterfalls in the garden, which requires professional help to make it work. Moreover, there is no need to call the maintenance for some cleaning because you can clean it yourself without much effort. Lastly, tabletop fountains do not cost that much, which means that it is not just cost-effective but also practical gifts to homeowners.

If you are searching for something to give to your friend, a tabletop fountain would make an excellent gift.

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If you love the rain and the romance that it brings, you do not need to wish everyday for the rain to fall. What you can do is to bring that illusion inside your home by installing water fountains in your home or office. Water fountains have an air of romance to them that is practically unrivaled by any other decorative feature.

How Romantic: the fountain at the Parque de la Exposicion (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Imagine the feeling of waking up in the morning with the soothing sound of softly-flowing water inside your home. Close your eyes and feel that you are walking to your office and you are welcomed by the wonderful view of a floor fountain before you face the stacks of papers and documents for your review.

Fountains are popular in many homes and offices around the country. In a world where stress is common, they provide a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere in any room they are located. We are not talking here of large monuments or super elaborate fountains found outdoors. Fountains in the home are normally small ones placed in the center of a room, with water flowing through them. Despite the name, there are  floor fountains that are installed against a wall. These are known as wall water floor fountains placed against a glass panel like an aquarium. Some water fountains come in the form of lamps, where light is filtered through a colored glass, thus creating a wonderful effect especially at night. The more popular ones are those that are placed in a mini wall standing up from the floor.

Indoor floor fountains come in various colors, styles, and sizes. Whether you are a professional or you do not know anything about water fountains, one of the basic things to remember when choosing one for your home or office is to choose a style that does not overwhelm your room. Pick something that just fits your space. The purpose of installing floor fountains is to highlight your dwelling or workplace, not to make it the center of attention. Floor fountains are wonderful additions to the home, which add a certain feeling of calmness in every setting. And when you have one in your place, you do not need to wish for the rain to come very often.

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English: Photo of a fountain in the Italian Garden section of Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Photo taken by Michael Parker. Original: Fountain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Water fountains have been a part of the landscaping since the early times. According to historical accounts, the earliest people to have fountains are Egyptians, as found in diagrams of Egyptian tombs. Earliest accounts showed that their water fountains looked like fishponds surrounded by trees bearing various kinds of fruits. Aside from Egyptians, Persians also incorporated fountains in their courtyards, although their versions of water fountains were such that their yards were enclosed to make it appear like an oasis in the middle of a desert.

But aside from completing the look of your garden, a water fountain offers more to the owner of the house aside from beautifying his front yard. It has the power to relax anyone who is looking for a serene and quiet place amidst the buzz of city life. It makes you feel at peace during sleepless nights because of the many things running in your mind. Lastly, it gives you a sense of happiness similar to how nature makes you feel when you are one with it.

Water fountains are there not just for the beauty that they add to your ordinary-looking lawn. They are also good at reducing external noise coming from the streets. Actually, they do not block the noise similar to the way large shrubs and trees do. Instead of obstructing the unnecessary sounds, garden fountains conceal the noise with the sound of water splashes coming from them.

Water fountains are a good way to relieve stress by promoting an environment that is very peaceful and serene. If you are tired of the TV’s noise or your eyes are already red from reading a book, try to go out of the house, smell some fresh air, and walk alone in the yard. You can appreciate the wonderful feeling of hearing the tranquil sounds of the water falling from the fountain as you see the birds playing happily nearby. The water flowing out of the fountain brings about this relaxed feeling. When water comes out of the fountain, the particles of the water mix with the surrounding air, thus making the air healthier. As such, the air that you breath is fresher and cleaner because of your water fountain.

No matter how large or small the yard is, having a garden fountain can easily make a simple lawn a work of art. A variety of styles and materials are available for the homeowner to make sure that the fountain fits the personal space and taste of the owner. You can choose from ornamental designs or cascading rocks made of fiberglass, slate, copper, stone, and many others.

Fountains for the garden are available in many styles and shapes. Choose one that fits the size of your courtyard.

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The role of “garden centrepiece” was the former and sole function of fountains in the field of architecture. Nowadays, with the creation of different types of fountains, they have become an essential part of home and office decorating.

Fountains can turn any space “alive” and conjure a calming effect with the sound of the flowing water. Today, they come in different sizes and designs and they could be placed indoors in the form of wall fountains, which allows for more soothing sounds and more convenience. For these and many other reasons, they have taken on certain superstitious aspects.

Can this decoration bring good luck? Scott Fountain Detail (Photo credit: Maia C)

Not only are these water fountains architectural pieces, they are also part of the olden day traditions and beliefs. Some people believe, to this very day, that fountains can attract wealth and good fortune.

Based on Feng Shui, which is the art of balancing the energies in a given place to acquire good health and fortune, water alone or when paired with other elements can bring and attract good fortune. There are several ways in which a water fountain can do this. First, it is important to determine the area that one wishes to enhance and this is where the fountain should be placed. Wall fountains are operated by electricity; therefore, water is mixed with electric elements. Electricity makes the water flow, thus, promoting the flow of wealth too. Wind may also be paired with water. The process of the flowing water and floating air enables the Chi to move freely and maintain balance in the elements. A fountain that is surrounded with living things such as plants also promotes the flow of new energy and life energy. The sound of the flowing water attracts people towards the fountain where they can absorb positive Chi.

An ancient, mystic-looking water fountain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Although it is important to keep the Chi flowing for the sake of balance, a water fountain should also hold on to some positive Chi to promote good health. This may be achieved by placing several solid objects such as decorative rocks around it. Bright objects such as lights and candles are the ones that attract positive energy towards the fountain. In decorating the fountain, the colors determine other kinds of Chi that it will attract and keep flowing. Red attracts good fortune as it means happiness and strength. To achieve balanced harmony using colors, add purple pink or plum for fortune and blue or green for tranquillity. Having bamboo flutes around the fountain or incorporating it in the fountain design so water could flow through it means attracting stability, growth and safety. Fragrances and other designs increase the flow of positive energy through the water fountain. If the fountain is not the mist type, lighting scented candles around the fountain and allowing the flowing water and air to carry the smell with the positive Chi will also do.

All sorts of water fountains will keep the chi moving in any place. It keeps the negative Chi moving so it doesn’t stay in a house while attracting the positive Chi.

With the right allocation of water fountains, you can experience positive feng shui in your own home. “Water Ripples” (Photo credit: laRuth)

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Blue yin yang (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you take fire and water and you combine them in a household decoration, something truly wonderful happens. Something that makes you wonder why so few people seem to know about it. There is beauty in contrast and there can be elegance in dichotomy. And no two things clash together with such grace and natural, unpredictable sophistication as fire and water.

Of course, we jumped on the opportunity to work with our friends over at Portable Fireplace in an attempt to combine our respective disciplines – water and fire – into some fascinating new fountains that are sure to invigorate any home with the power of nature and the transcendental beauty of the elements.

First, as a simple concept, we designed a small copper tabletop fountain with a wide rim around the basin. This rim is decorated with tea votive candles for a subtle, peaceful combination of the elements that is perfect for meditation and unwinding after a long day. This particular item is great when mixed with some aromatics such as candles, incense, or heat-diffused oils.

Elemental Fire and Water tabletop fountain

We liked this concept so much we decided to offer it to our customers so that they could have such a stunning feature in their own homes, and then, we worked with Portable Fireplace to help create some great fountains for them. Unlike our fire fountain, which was designed to be more serene and calming, the concepts we developed with Portable Fireplace are more robust. They are strong, stunning water features that will dominate the decor of any room they are placed in. They are sophisticated and impressive, and are the perfect way to impress guests at a dinner party or give some strength and unpredictability to your home design.

The Fire GardenFall Water Fountain from Portable Fireplace

If you would like to see more of these designs, head over to Portable Fireplace and visit their fire fountains catalog.

Consider bringing a fire fountain into your home today, and with the harmony of these two incredible elements entwined as one, you will transform your room into a stunning, breathtaking display of interior zen.

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Follow our guidelines to promote a healthy fountain!

Bodies of water have always been kind dwellings to any form of life, and even in the modern era, it’s important to keep this in mind. In this particular hospital in Wisconsin, out in the main lobby a water fixture was linked to the outbreak of a potentially deadly form of pneumonia called Legionnaire’s disease. Legionnaire’s disease (also known as Legionellosis) is noted for the increased severity of pneumonia-like symptoms, such as high fever, chills, and a heavy cough that occasionally produces sputum. This particular hospital did not effectively take care of it’s lobby’s indoor water piece, and as a result, some people were exposed to this airborne pathogen.

You might be wondering “Well, what can I do to prevent my indoor fountain from becoming my one-way trip to the E.R.?” The answer, fortunately, is very simple and to prevent this particular disease (and other water-born pathogens) from spreading, you only need to know a couple things.

1. Water Temperature: Most of the problematic bacterium really start to thrive in warmer bodies of water. For any fountain that operates for the majority of the day in any room temperature environment (below 80 degrees Fahrenheit), this particular problem will take care of itself automatically. As your fountain runs, the water in the system will slowly evaporate over time, naturally drawing heat out of the system. If you heat your home to above temperatures of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you might want to double up on both the water changes and the chemical treatments for your fountain (addressed in the bullet below). More importantly, if you are going to power off your fountain for an extended period of time (more than a week of non-use), be sure to empty out the water basin until you decide to use it again.
2. Chemical Treatment: The bacterium responsible for Legionnaire’s disease can be effectively controlled through a process called Copper-silver ionization. If you have a pool, or a spa, in your backyard, chances are a portion of the chemicals used to treat your water undergo Copper-silver ionization, meaning that the copper-sliver ions dissolve upon water contact into individually separated copper and silver ions, both of which are at levels that are completely safe (and EPA approved) for prolonged human interaction. These ions will bond with the walls of any present Legionella bacterium, and prevent the growth of bio-films that might otherwise harbor the growth of this and other bacterium. Simple diligence with any and all chemical treatments of your indoor or outdoor fountain will go a long way at keeping any harmful diseases at bay.

To recap, it’s important to remember to clean any furniture that comes into contact with water from time to time. So long as you take the appropriate steps to maintain your fountain from time to time, it will continue to keep as a beautiful, and safe piece of indoor or outdoor decor.

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