June 2007
Water's Edge Creates Custom Designs
By Toni Rocha
For StatelineBusiness
JANESVILLE Ponds, waterfalls and fountains have long been desired elements in
both indoor and outdoor décor. Today, it is not only easier to incorporate them
into homes and businesses but also to maintain them in an environmentally enhancing
state.
"Any landscaper can install ponds or other water décor," said Matthew Skalecki,
co-owner with Valerie Smith of The Water's Edge Services Inc. "We specialize not
only in custom design and installation but also in keeping ponds, waterfalls and
other water elements in pristine condition."
The Water's Edge Services Inc. fills a vital niche in the water element business
by providing and then maintaining natural looking waterscapes for residential and
commercial purposes. With nearly nine years of combined experience, Smith and Skalecki
opened The Water's Edge in the Oak Grove Center at 4727 N. Highway 26 and McCormick.
The company's huge vases, wood accents plus indoor and outdoor waterfall and pond
displays blend perfectly with its storemate, a nursery.
"Our features are 100-percent environmentally friendly and actually work with nature
to provide a harmonized and balanced ecosystem," Smith said. "The filtration system
that we use allows you to spend more time relaxing and enjoying your beautiful feature
rather than maintaining and worrying about it."
Services include maintenance programs that eliminate all the dirty work, so clients
can sit back and take full advantage of their new installation for years to come.
Skalecki described the process of acquiring water features as straight-forward.
After working with clients to design a pond, fountain or waterfall with or without
a pond, it takes Smith and Skalecki less than two days to do the installation.
"We do everything by hand with wheelbarrows. We dig the basin, install the pump,
surround the pond or waterfall with natural rock and plants," he added. "The lawn
is never disturbed. And when we are finished, the water feature looks as if it had
been there forever."
The Water's Edge can work with any size space, indoors or out, Skalecki said. Elements
can be as small as a container on a patio but there is no limit to size. To add
to the pleasure and drama of any pond or waterfall, The Water's Edge can install
lighting for night viewing or for holidays and special occasions such as weddings.
"An average size pond installation is about 11 feet by 16 feet," he added. "Cost
for this size runs between $7,000 and $10,000, depending on what the clients includes
in the overall design."
Installing new water elements is just one side of The Water's Edge advantage, Smith
said.
"We troubleshoot for pond owners as well, helping to keep their systems in balance,
finding leaks and solving other problems," Smith added. "We have regular maintenance
packages that include power washes in the spring, winter preparation and whatever
else is needed for outdoor installations. We also can take care of indoor features
year-round."
Smith and Skalecki regularly attend seminars and workshops to keep abreast of the
latest techniques and equipment. Future plans include enhanced design software to
aid them in giving clients what they want. And Smith said they believe educating
potential and current water feature owners is essential for the success of each
installation.
"We work closely with the Rotary Gardens and have installed a large vase waterfall
that has been very well received," Smith added. "This year, we will be conducting
a series of seminars on water elements because we want to work with the community
to bring the serenity and beauty of water to everyone.
Seminars are scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. June 28 on aquatic plants, 7 to 8 p.m. Aug.
16 on fish and decor, and 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 on pond maintenance. The seminars
are free to pre-registered Friends of the Rotary Gardens; non-members are $5 per
person per seminar. |