Water fountains for any house setting

The soothing water splash, whether indoors or outside the house, provides serenity and relaxation, writes Zahra Abigaba.

When decorating a house, there are different home décor options. You can either consult an interior designer, landscaper, get an insight from the internet or explore your own style. However, one décor option which you don’t see a lot in stores, but has become a major trend in home and office décor, is indoor decorative water fountains.

A fountain is a piece of architecture which pours water into a basin or jets it into the air either to supply drinking water or for decorative or dramatic effect. Fountains were originally purely functional, connected to springs or aqueducts and used to provide drinking water and water for bathing. But in ancient Rome, they began to be used as decorative elements in gardens and courtyards. The art of fountains reached its peak in the fountains of the palaces. Mr Daniel Kyalimpa, a landscaping and interior designer at Grand Flora, says a water fountain can be placed in your family room at the kitchen or bathroom counter, on your desk at home or in the office.

Their importance
A water fountain has a relaxing sound of naturally-flowing water that adds beauty and tranquility to any environment and one can add few drops of scent that spread in the water to make the air fresh and fragrant. The sound of trickling water is a very soothing one for most people and it is a great way to add an element of relaxation, and a part of the natural world into a home, garden, office or any other commercial space. They come in a variety of styles and sizes to suit any decor. At Grand Flora, there are simple water fountains that use water and solar, but the water pump that consumes less power is like that of a flat iron box and the water it uses is recycled (same water is used over and over again).

Other uses
Fountains can also have a practical use for homes or offices that have a lot of distracting noises. Some of the different places that you can place a water fountain include tabletops, gardens, desks, bedrooms, offices and other commercial areas.
They have a great way of enhancing a mood and improving the overall ambience of the area. Water fountains also help to humidify a room, so they have practical as well as aesthetic purposes.

They make excellent wedding gifts or gifts for any special occasion as they come in just about any size or style to suit any room. Outdoor fountains work especially well with styles that include animals and other natural elements. You can find a natural looking finish that will blend seamlessly with your garden or lawn.

Materials used
Some of the materials that are used in making water fountains include marble, glass and acrylic, stainless steel, stone, slate and copper. Fountains will generally come with all of the items you need to keep them properly functioning. Additionally, many fountains come with accessories such as underwater lights, pedestals and pumps among others. A wide variety of fountains can be found at Grand Flora at prices that suit any pocket. These include the outdoor looks like natural stone.

Maintenance tips
The fountain should be supplemented with flowers and side lights. The landscape specialist says their price depends on the size of house and compound where the water fountain is going to be placed, but the budget also matters.

“Our prices are affordable, but the cost starts from Shs 500,000 and above. For any fountain, especially the ones we make, we give natural flowers to clients after working on the compound,” Mr Kyalimpa explains. He adds that in addition to price, they maintain the client’s compound for two months for free as a bonus.

Before installing fountain pieces, the landscapers visit the site so that they can advise clients and give alternative options to used. “We give our clients designs to be followed then concept design, but we always make sure that the designs suit the client’s budget. We also advise clients on how to maintain their compounds.