A splash of nature

3
COVER STORY
A splash
of nature
JONATHAN CASTNER/FOR BIZWEST
The water feature at the home of Urban Oasis co-owners David Bailey and Lina Dzekciorius creates a soothing sound. Bailey notes that “there isn’t a water feature code book, so
consumers have to educate themselves.”
PONDS, FALLING WATER, FISH TANKS REFRESHING – OUTSIDE AND INSIDE
BY ELIZABETH GOLD
Imagine the sound of a babbling brook or a cascading
waterfall lulling you into relaxation. Now
picture yourself sitting next to that whisper of water
right in your own backyard.
It’s what Tony Conforti refers to as a watergarden
lifestyle. People who opt in for it tend to be
looking for ways to enhance their outdoor experience
without leaving home.
“It’s a level up from landscaping,” said Conforti,
Boulder Ponds owner. “It adds a whole other sensual
experience to being outside.”
Outdoor water features can be as small as a birdbath
or as large as however much space you have.
They can include waterfalls, fountains, ponds, fish,
plants and rocks.
In addition to soothing a stressful day, the benefits
of water features range from having a focal
point for an outdoor party to giving wildlife a
drinking spot.
In terms of amplifying your view of nature, moving
water attracts birds, dragonflies and other creatures
as a place to wet their whistle. The added plus
is that bubbling water not only drowns out the sounds
of city living but replaces it with musical chatter and
buzzing that melts away the tensions of the day.
“They’re nice to have on the western side of a
property,” said Bill Melvin, Ecoscape Environmental
Design owner and managing director. “When the
breeze blows from the west, it carries the water
sound and humidity into a house as well as across
the outdoor living space.
“And if it’s near the master bedroom,” he said,
“people can hear the soothing trickle of water as
they sleep.”
Choosing rocks to accent a waterfall adds a
design flair to the project.
“Black granite in particular captures a feeling of
peace,” said Melvin. “The reflection of water in contrast
against the black stone creates a deep soothing
and tranquil effect.”
Maintenance and upkeep can be minimal when a
system is set up correctly. Landscapers recommend
a yearly cleaning – sometimes to simply clear out
excessive organic materials for the same reasons we
clean out our gutters. Filters and biological boosting
products help create a balanced ecosystems, and fish
fertilize the plants.
“Ponds are really glorified fish tanks,” said Conforti,
referring to the balance that keeps fish and
plants thriving in both natural settings and manmade
settings. “In the winter, a fish’s metabolism
slows down and it stops eating at a certain temperature.
You can see them being still under the
ice. When the temperatures start coming up, they
start eating again.”
See Splash, 4
“IT’S VERY EASY TO BUILD LEAKY,
INEFFICIENT, MAINTENANCE-
NIGHTMARE WATER FEATURES.
THERE ISN’T A WATER FEATURE
CODE BOOK, SO CONSUMERS
HAVE TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES.
ON THE COVER
Urban Oasis co-owners David Bailey and his wife,
Lina Dzekciorius, show off the water feature at their
home in Lyons.
JONATHAN CASTNER/FOR BIZWEST
David Bailey
Urban Oasis owner
JUNE 2015 DISTINCTIVE HOMES BIZWEST