But a water feature in someone’s home is still a fairly unusual occurrence and, subsequently, they make quite a statement – somehow running middle ground between over the top opulence and a subtle, reserved earthiness even die-hard tree huggers could appreciate.

“A water wall is a piece of art,” says John Girolami, General Manager at Slate in Design, one of Calgary’s premier indoor fountain manufacturers.

“They enhance a room the same way a painting or print does, but with a much more interactive and distinctive approach. A water feature is an ideal alternative to traditional art pieces because they’re beautiful to look at and can be customized to suit virtually any space in the home.”

One look at the many water fountains mounted around the company’s showroom, and the artistic quality of their design becomes obvious. The overall appearance from one to the next may be similar, but each piece has its own unique character related to colour, texture and choice of materials.

The focal point of every fountain is the back panel – the surface upon which the water trickles down. Most are slabs of slate, but the material of choice for this key portion of the fountain can range from etched glass to granite – anything with a smooth enough or visually engaging enough surface to be attractive to the eye and support a thin, even coat of water. 

“We keep a photo library of our slate shipments so clients can see the colour of the wet stone before manufacturing begins,” says Girolami. “We get slabs from all over the world in a vast range of patterns, textures and colour tones, so there’s a lot to choose from. Every piece of slate is a conversation piece.”

Fountain encasements are made from hand-hewn stainless steel or copper, and are pieces of artwork in and of themselves. “We work with an artist in Canmore that does brilliant work hammering, acid etching, scratching and riveting the metal,” says Girolami.

Those who prefer a smooth finish can simply have their encasement patina treated – a chemical wash that oxidizes the metal and brings out variant shades of colour.

The mechanical workings behind water walls are somewhat top secret. Most manufactures spend a good amount of time and money perfecting their technology and aren’t keen on divulging what they’ve developed for fear of competitor replication. The simple story is all fountains work on a recycling system, occasionally topping up the water supply via a quarter-inch line set with a float valve that kicks in when the level drops due to evaporation. The key thing to watch for in this regard is a steady, thin stream of water with no dry patches anywhere on the panel – a sure sign of faulty or sub par mechanics.

A power supply is another necessary element for every fountain. Reputable manufacturers will put in an electric clock receptacle behind the waterfall prior to installation, so you don’t have to have an unsightly electric cord running down the wall to the nearest power outlet. Once both the water and power supplies are active, turning your water feature on is as simple as flicking a switch.

While the manufacturing process can take anywhere between four and eight weeks depending on fountain size, installation is surprisingly quick – most taking no more than two or three hours to complete. Cost variance however, is much greater. Single panel water features start at approximately $1,600, but it’s possible to spend upward of $25,000 if you have the budget. Cost is dependent on chosen materials, number of panels used and the size of each panel installed. The team at Slate in Design has made wall fountains with slabs as small as 16 x 52 inches and as large as 16 x 12 feet.

Of course, if custom made isn’t in the cards for you, you can still enjoy the benefits of an indoor water fountain without the hefty price tag. Retail stores around Calgary sell pre-manufactured fountains in a variety of sizes, some for wall mount and others that sit on side tables for a decorative, soothing touch in any room. Most any garden centre is a good place to start your search, as well as furniture stores and home accessory specialists such as Chintz & Company and Urban Barn.

If you do plan to go the custom route, get creative with placement. “We see all sorts of applications,” Girolami says. “There really isn’t a place in the home where we can’t make a fountain work, particularly if we can get in and do the preliminary wiring and plumbing during the framing stage of construction.”

A few clever spots to consider for your custom fountain are on the base of your kitchen island, behind the bar in the rec room, or in the master ensuite. “Anywhere you want to add drama or a sense of calm is a good place for a fountain,” Girolami says.   NL