Topping the list of fun things to do around the house is not washing dishes, so having an excuse to put them off until later is not necessarily a bad thing. Combine that excuse with a funky sculpture and you have: the Dirty Dishes Fountain. The ceramic fountain is made from hard-fired and glazed clay, hand-formed in California. It stands 23" H x 12"W and the attached faucet is fully functional, so in addition to tossing your dirty dishes in and calling it "art," you can actually do them from time to time.

The brightly colored dishes shown in the photo are, unfortunately, not included, so you'll have to invest in a set of boldly colored tableware to dress up the piece. Price: $750.

The appeal of the Warwick Solar Fountain lies in the fact that it is completely self-contained, in addition to looking quite elegant. The fountain has a solar panel discretely positioned at the top which provides power to an internal water pump. No plumbing or cords are necessary and the fountain reuses the same water as it operates, make it very eco-friendly. It can be positioned on any relatively flat surface, including grass, patios and even on balconies. It is made from a durable resin with a faux bronze finish, so it needs minimal care to maintain its good looks. At only 12-lbs., it is easy to move around should you need to reposition it for better light or to accommodate new patio furniture. Price: $249.