FALLING FOR FOUNTAINS

Fountains are bubbling up inside homes. Whether this water feature greets guests in the front foyer, or acts as a transition to outside spaces on a porch, fountains create Zen-like zones in homes.

More homeowners are falling for fountains, which not only complement a home's architecture, but can also reflect personal style, says Amy Hansen, spokeswoman for Hayneedle Inc., a decade-old online home store based in Omaha, Neb., with an entire site dedicated to fountains.

"A fountain becomes a statement piece in a home, and is a perfect way to bring the outdoors inside," she says. "But, it's not just how the fountain looks -- the sound of water also has a calming and welcoming effect."

Since ancient times, people have marveled at moving water and have tried to incorporate it into their home designs. Ceramic remains that date back to 4000 B.C. in present-day Iran suggest that ancient people incorporated fountains into their domestic surroundings. Traditional western fountains originated in ancient Greece, where archaeological remains indicate that Greek fountains simply diverted natural springs.

Today, there is a rise in popularity for contemporary design fountain forms with elements made from metal, natural stone or bamboo. "There's a growing interest in the more simple, sleek, clean-lined fountains," Hansen says. "Although there are still some that want a traditional fountain, with a figure in its design."

To make a big splash inside a home, choose the type of fountain that best fits your space and style:

-- Wall Fountain -- As an alternative to a large mirror or painting hung on the wall, this fountain adds life to a room when floor space is at a premium.

-- Pedestal Fountain -- This freestanding fountain is composed of a bowl, or series of bowls, and is supported by a central stem through which water is carried to the summit.

-- Cascade Fountain -- This type of fountain is made to intentionally mimic nature. A stream of water falls from an elevated height and creates a waterfall effect.

-- Tabletop Fountain -- Smaller in size, these fountains can be unexpected surprises on a bathroom vanity, family room sofa table or bedroom night stand, and can also be easily moved.

Hansen says indoor fountains sales continue to climb, as homeowners want to create a retreat-like setting in their own house. Popular spots for fountains include sunrooms/porches, meditation rooms and entryways, but buy the fountain that best fits the space you have in mind.

"The most popular fountains are those that are lighted, taller in scale and multitiered, which create a cascading effect and natural water sound," Hansen says. "But this type of fountain doesn't work in every space, and you have to be prepared for a 'splash' effect, so it's probably not a good idea to put a large fountain next to your grandmother's antique wooden buffet."

Indoor fountains need special attention. After selecting a smooth, flat and -- preferably -- water-resistant surface on which to place the fountain, know that it needs to be refilled with distilled water every 24 to 48 hours. The purified water will prevent a calcium build-up in the fountain, while attention to the water level will ensure the fountain's pump will not be exposed to air and burn out.

When making a bubbly buy, know there is a wide span in price points for fountains, ranging from tens -- for tabletop varieties -- to hundreds of dollars for freestanding ones. While natural materials, such as rock, metal and bamboo, can add to costs, manufacturers are now using synthetic mixtures of resin and fiberglass that are molded to emulate natural products, without the higher price tag.

Hansen says some people buy fountains based less on how they look, and more on how they sound while water is circulating through them. "A multitiered fountain has a desirable prolonged trickling sound," she says. "Some fountains have chimes that sound when the water strikes the bottom basin, while others are very simple bubblers that sound only when water hits the stones at the bottom."

Fountains are natural humidifiers and can also act as air purifiers, while providing relaxation inside the home and a tranquil focal point of a room.

"A fountain brings a certain peaceful energy into a home," Hansen says. "It can help drown out the non-stop technology that bombards us and become a piece of living artwork in the home."

Discover More:

Fountain of Knowledge:

Go to www.SimplyFountains.com (a division of Hayneedle Inc.) and watch videos of working fountains before purchasing. Call toll-free 866-579-5177.

DECORATIVELY DOWN THE DRAIN

A sinking feeling can be a good thing when it comes to the kitchen or bathroom basin. Form follows function with today's bounty of stylish basin choices for the home.

"A sink can become an unexpected focal point in a kitchen or bathroom," says Suzanne Healy, an artist and co-owner of Artisan Crafted, a decade-old online retailer based in Langley, Wash. "Sinks can be like functional artwork in a house, depending on the homeowner's design aesthetic."

Artisan Crafted sells thousands of home products, made by hundreds of artists in the United States, and Healy says their sink options are best-sellers. Instead of a total kitchen or bath remodel -- which can put a strain on budgets during these financial times -- many are swapping out builder's-grade bowls or stainless steel sinks for vessels with visual impact.

"The kitchen is the center of a home, and the bathroom or powder room is used many times a day, by both family and visitors," Healy says. "The very nature of a sink invites people to gather around it and to use it."

Vessel varieties may seem to include everything and the kitchen sink, which can be fashioned from metal, stone, glass, wood, porcelain or concrete:

-- Self-rimming sinks have a secure, waterproof outer lip, which can be "dropped in" and sealed into a custom-cut hole in the countertop or vanity. At their most extravagant, the rims of these basins can become a canvas for decoration, including hand-painting or specialized shapes, usually used in bathrooms.

-- Under-mount sinks give a clean look of open counter space. Mounted beneath a counter or vanity with special brackets for a seamless look, these sinks are best when paired with stone or wood surfaces.

-- Vessel sinks are most likely found in bathrooms and sit atop the counter or vanity with the rim hovering above the surface. Sometimes called countertop sinks, these can be made of jewel-like glass, hand-cast bronze or sculpted stone, and can be used to dramatic effect when placed on a singular stand.

-- Pedestal sinks are most popular in bathrooms, with designs that fully integrate sink and stand in one piece. Traditional white porcelain pedestal sinks are a timeless, clean choice, but a more modern approach could include a hewn stone pedestal, which brings one-of-a-kind design into the home.

-- Wall-mount sinks can make a big splash when placed upon a backsplash design in a kitchen or bathroom. Wall-hung washbasins work particularly well in tight spaces, with some triangular sinks designed to be backed into a corner.

When it comes to washing options, homeowners should feel free to think outside the basin. Sinks can be made in different shapes to fit into different design aesthetics. A sink with a wide rim might have a gilded fleur-de-lis painted around it, or an under-mount glass sink might be backlit for a dramatic contrast to a dark-stone countertop, says Healy.

The latest in vessel vogue starts in the center of the home's hubbub. "The farmhouse sink had been a staple in kitchens for hundreds of years and never goes out of style," Healy says. "Also called an apron-front sink, because material is exposed along the bottom cabinetry, it can be made of copper, natural stone, or concrete."

The island isn't uncharted territory for a kitchen's prep sink. A small, but mighty multitasker, the prep sink should complement the main kitchen sink. Add-on features, such as a soap dispenser and cutting board that fits over the bowl, make this a sink that really works.

However, a watershed moment of inspiration comes when a sink is part of an overall design aesthetic. Standard shiny, chrome faucets have evolved into more choices, which include today's popular oil-rubbed bronze finish or an artisan-crafted hand-blown glass spigot.

Most often, when considering updating the sink, homeowners also change the surrounding countertop or vanity, Healy says. Especially in bathrooms, sinks can become part of a freestanding cabinet, retro console or futuristic metal framework, depending on a homeowner's style sensibilities.

"People also are becoming more aware and using products that are eco-friendly," says Healy. "Sinks made from copper, stone and sustainable wood are non-toxic, natural and long-lasting."

Follow the manufacturer's guidelines when cleaning and caring for sinks. Healy has teak wood sinks in her home's bathrooms that are easily maintained with a swish of the sponge with mild soap and water. Metals, such as copper, will develop a patina over time, while stone sinks must be sealed periodically.

There need not be a "sink or swim" dilemma when it comes to washbasin options. "Good design in a home is about paying attention to the details and elevating utilitarian functions," Healy says. "We all have sinks in our homes, and paying attention to something that is most often overlooked as mundane, is a great way to show your personality in an unexpected way."

Source

Artisan Crafted: www.SinksGallery.com, 877-320-0800

ZINC SHOWS ITS METTLE

Zinc is a cool metal that heats up architectural details on homes. Durable and rustproof, zinc weathers to an attractive matte gray color, which has a modern appeal, yet stands the test of time, says Gary Davis, spokesman for A. Zahner Co., a 115-year-old metal fabricator for architectural buildings throughout the world and based in Kansas City, Mo.

"In Paris, the batten-seam roofs, constructed in the 1800s, were made of zinc," he says. "The light reflects off these historic rooftops, and I'd like to think the use of zinc may also contribute to Paris being known as the 'City of Light,' especially at sunrise."

Zinc can turn ordinary house shutters, roofs and guttering into extraordinary architectural details, while opulent outdoor options can also include cupolas, dormers and finials. The use of zinc can give a home character that will last for more than a half-century, yet has an aesthetic that will never go out-of-style.

"People choose zinc for projects because it doesn't require treating or painting and is relatively maintenance-free," Davis says. "Zinc's patina achieves a warm natural gray hue that has a noble, understated quality to it."

Zinc is a naturally occurring element on the periodic table, but when used as a building material, it is fabricated as an alloy. Most commonly, the alloy is 99.995 percent pure zinc, with trace quantities of copper and titanium, which makes the metal easier to work with and gives it structure and strength.

Most commonly found on high-end houses in the form of zinc roofing, architectural details can also become adornments on any home, but expect to pay up to two times as much as you would for the same product made of stainless steel, Davis says. "Zinc is a beautifully neutral metal," he says. "While aluminum needs to be painted, stainless steel remains shiny and copper can have issues with run-off, zinc doesn't compete with the landscape."

American Camp is one such residential project that was built facing the Pacific Ocean by Suyama Peterson Deguchi, an architectural firm in Seattle. This 1,300-square-foot San Juan Island, Wash., retreat home has a vaulted roof shell, which is covered in battens made of zinc.

"I use zinc on projects, primarily because of its organic nature; it becomes even more beautiful as it ages," says founding partner George Suyama. "Zinc has a timeless appeal that is connected to place. It's not about fashion, and is appropriate forever."

When rolled zinc first comes from the mill, it is shiny like aluminum. As the material is exposed to air, humidity and pollution, it weathers, and naturally creates a gray-colored patina that can take two to five years to develop. For homeowners who don't want to wait for zinc to gather a honed patina naturally, manufacturers also offer pre-weathered zinc, which is achieved by uniformly exposing the zinc to an acidic bath in the factory.

"Zinc, by its nature is very malleable and is easily pressed into molds, creating forms that can top a parapet or be used as a scupper for draining rainwater," Davis says. "Zinc is also used to decoratively clad walls and in gutter systems, because rainwater run-off will not stain the surfaces below, as copper will."

While the European market is zealous for zinc, more Americans are now using it in building projects because of its environmentally sustainable qualities, Davis says. Zinc is mined using an extraction process that avoids strip mining and requires less energy to refine, due to a lower melting point, when compared to other metals, such as aluminum, copper and steel.

"Zinc is also a sustainable material because it is so easily recycled," Davis says. "As more homeowners become conscious of building green, zinc becomes an option, because it is considered a lifetime material."

Professional installation is key to ensure zinc details like guttering, roofs and flashing not only look good, but also function properly. Quality craftsmanship includes soldered seams over rivets, and takes into account the expansion and contraction of the metal during temperature changes.

It's also better to get zinc that's been cut to specifications by an architectural fabricator, producing museum-quality edges, rather than installers rough-cutting on-site during an installation, Davis says. "A proper installation using zinc shouldn't require caulks or sealant," he says. "You want to create a waterproof seal by the way the zinc is detailed."

Zinc is also best left to outdoor applications, and is not necessarily an ideal material to form a "counter-revolution."

"I used to have two zinc countertops in my kitchen, but any acid -- in the form of wine, vinegar or citrus - - would leave a mark that I would have to rub out every night," Davis says. "While zinc is a beautiful material, it's a lot of work to maintain when used inside a home."

Zinc is a memorable metal that is historic, yet has contemporary character. "Zinc complements and doesn't compete with other materials -- such as limestone -- and its natural surroundings," Davis says. "There's a friendliness to zinc: It makes a statement by being able to blend with the ocean, the mountains or the sky."