| p>Design accents are materials that help create | | | | idea of how many rocks to buy. In many fountain |
| the ambiance and "world" of the water fountain, | | | | designs, only the top layer of rocks shows in the |
| while concealers are objects that creatively hide | | | | finished fountain. For these water fountains, |
| the pump and any related mechanics, such as | | | | it makes sense to use ordinary, inexpensive |
| tubing or piping. When design accents and | | | | rocks in the under layers to minimize expenses. |
| concealers are well chosen and arranged, even | | | | Marbles and Glass in the Water Fountain |
| the most analytical minds won't be tempted to | | | | Marbles make wonderful concealers: they're |
| mentally deconstruct the fountain. | | | | colorful, reflective, and glimmer like jewels |
| A water fountain's design can actually be quite | | | | when in water. Antique marbles can often be |
| versatile. By changing the accent materials from | | | | found at yard sales and in antique stores, while |
| time to time, a totally new and refreshing look | | | | newer marbles can be found in any number of |
| may be achieved. Materials may be changed to | | | | sizes and colors in larger gift and toy stores. Glass |
| mesh with the home décor, holidays or | | | | stones, which look like flattened marbles, make |
| seasons of the year. | | | | good substitutes. Look for them in craft stores |
| Design MotivationsThe basic elements of design in | | | | and in the aquarium section of pet stores. |
| the art world also apply to indoor and outdoor | | | | Available in a multitude of colors and sizes, |
| fountains. These elements are line, shape, color, | | | | marbles and glass gems stones make |
| texture and a few lesser ones. | | | | wonderful additions to fountains, either to fill |
| Design elements in fountains do so much more | | | | awkward gaps or to fill an entire bowl. Right: |
| than just look pretty. They actually serve as | | | | Multicolored glass shards that have been |
| clever ways to disguise the mechanical elements | | | | tumbled until their edges are smooth are available. |
| mentioned above. A good fountain should look as | | | | Most garden shops offer an incredible variety of |
| though the flowing water is completely | | | | stones and rocks, many of them tumbled to |
| natural, and design elements help do that. Virtually | | | | enhance color and patterns. Consider giving your |
| anything that won't dissolve in water and can | | | | stones a quick makeover with a coat of |
| withstand the pressure of having a hole drilled | | | | polyurethane. A visit to a gem or rock shop can |
| through it for tubing is fair game. Pretend you're | | | | spur ideas for dozens of fountains. Marble scraps |
| going on the world's best scavenger hunt. Use | | | | are a great material choice for covering |
| your imagination and your sense of adventure to | | | | mechanics. Stacks of slate make a lovely, natural |
| design your own water fountain. | | | | touch to any fountain as well as providing a nice |
| Finding Stones and Rocks for the Water Fountain | | | | surface for water to spill over. Volcanic rocks |
| Stones and rocks work well as both accents and | | | | make a good rock choice when you're trying to |
| concealers. The natural variations in their | | | | minimize weight. They also-reputedly-serve as |
| sizes and shapes allow for easy and flexible | | | | natural water filters. |
| maneuvering- they can be built around virtually | | | | Using Plants with the Water Fountain |
| any pump, or simply scattered around a finished | | | | Water and plants are a natural combination. |
| fountain as last-minute natural touches. Don't limit | | | | You can purchase small aquatic plants at larger |
| yourself to what's in your back yard when in | | | | garden centers or in the aquarium section of pet |
| need of stones and rocks. Garden centers, gem | | | | stores. Another option is to create a |
| shops, and aquarium shops often have unusual | | | | fountain design with room for small plant |
| selections. When shopping for special rocks, | | | | containers. Just be sure that you choose plants |
| look for crystal formations, natural weathering, | | | | that will thrive in a high-moisture, low-soil |
| and veins of secondary minerals that add visual | | | | environment. |
| interest. If you've narrowed it down to two or | | | | Air plants are a great way to add natural |
| three types of rock and you're having trouble | | | | greenery to your fountains without a lot of hassle. |
| deciding, pour a few drops of water over them | | | | Because they don't require soil, you'll never have |
| and compare the changes. Some rocks just | | | | problems with potting soil clouding up your water |
| glimmer when wet, while others look exactly the | | | | or clogging your pump's filters. Most varieties |
| same. | | | | bloom in the spring or late fall and require |
| If you will be purchasing special rocks for a | | | | occasional watering (about once a week) and |
| fountain, add ordinary yard rocks first, then | | | | feedings. Be sure to request care |
| disassemble the fountain and bring the rocks | | | | information at the time of purchase. |
| shopping with you so you'll have a fairly accurate | | | | |