I live in a region that does not get snow. Occasionally we get the odd bit of snow, just a dusting really, and it seems that the entire world shuts down. The south simply is not equipped to deal with it. Of course there has been some ice storms due to the fact that the entire atmosphere is not consistently cold enough to produce snow but freezing just the same. The ice storms are awful in truth. In a short period of time a lot of damage can be dne in an area not meant to handle it. Trees fall, limbs go trough roofs and pwer and telephone lines get torn down rapidly. Restoring order is a process since the situation is rare enough that trucks which can manuver in such a situation is not where the money goes, so we have very few.

Then it is hot as the dickens in summer. Good lord is it hot!

But there is an upside. To me, a non-native from the north, there is no winter, only an extended fall. I love fall. Adore fall! It's January and the final leaves have fallen, the ones with colors that is, while many oaks still retain a leaf coverage, albeit in shades of brown, but they are just lovely. They take on that beautiful transparent look. New buds are already on some early spring plants. It just blows me away. There has been a soft rain for days. The world is a beautiful place.

Here is something that just fascinates me when it comes to landscape design elements. Grand plaza water fountains. I am not talking about the small pool fountains you can set on a deck or porch, but the over sized, huge water features that you see in plazas and commercial business spaces. They are magnificent! They feature classic wishing pool basins which sit flat on the ground, I suppose so that people can throw pennies in and make a wish. I'm sure you would not want this to happen in your home but in commercial or professional buildings, usually malls which I so rarely approach, the money is donated to a charity of some sort.

Anyhow. I've seen such water fountains applied in private homes as well. Typically they are used as center pieces for circular driveways or on large expanses of lawn, and they certainly are beautiful. There is just something about a flat pool basin that just appeals to me. There are many words to describe them and all of the words are large. Magnificent, stunning, GRAND even. Very classy and sophisticated, particularly in my personal opinion if they aren't too ornate. I did see one that was ornate and over the top at an Italian restaurant and it was perfect in this setting, quite European and old world, so I suppose it depends on the surrounding style!

Now these plaza or driveway water are inspired by European plaza fountains of course but this does not mean that a fountain has to be old world in design. These days they are available in contemporary, modern and downright geometric styles as well along with the traditional, classic pieces that bring a bit of Europe to your garden landscape design. Check them out at Grand Plaza, Driveway Lawn Water Fountains.