Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Shopping for Water Fountains Online

The use of water fountains can be traced back to the days of ancient Egypt, where diagrams of these manmade cascading springs were drawn upon the tomb walls of only the most prestigious Egyptians. These typically rectangular fish pond-masterpieces added both beauty and tranquility to even the harshest landscapes. Too bad they didn’t have the Internet to shop back then, as they could have truly impressed those visiting their enclosed courtyards, as well as be the envy of everyone on their block!

The World Wide Web has indeed made the world a much smaller place, especially when shopping for a specific item that reflects you, your home and your personality- like a water fountain!

First things first- where do you want to place your water fountain? Will it be a glorious outdoor masterpiece set in the landscape of your backyard for the entire word to see, or a glorious indoor masterpiece in your living room for only your closest friends to see? Shall it be a wall fountain, or will it be a freestanding type of design? Tabletop? Limiting your possibilities is only limiting yourself- a good online store will have both indoor and outdoor water fountains, while a great online store will also show you how to bring the outdoors in.

Next on our agenda is the type of finish you would like your fountain to have. From fiberglass to sandstone, from copper to wood, you’ve got some choices to make. Of course, a lot will weigh on where you plan on placing your fountain. Fiberglass is definitely a lighter material than sandstone, so it might be a better choice for indoors. Climate is a factor for outdoor fountains. You need a knowledgeable sales staff to help you choose the right finish for you.

Finally, let’s brush upon one of the most popular topics for interior and exterior landscape design: Feng Shui- the ancient art of the law and order of the universe. For over 6,000 years, the Chinese people believe that with the specific placement of items in and around your home, the balance of all good things in life will come. Water, or the “Shui” of Feng Shui, is necessary to all things to grow, but can also dowse the fire, or “Huo”, another key factor in this ancient art. Placement is very similar to the child’s game “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. There are many online stores that offer placement and style suggestions to “Feng Shui your life.”

So be sure to find an online store that wants to help you create your ideal setting the right way, and wants to keep you as a customer for life.