basic flower arrangement

                                                      BASIC FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

Eight Basic Flower Arranging Designs

If  you are used to working with fresh flowers, it will take some time to get used to all the possibilities and limitations when using silks. Though so similar in use, artificial flowers are an entirely different art form. The line, focal, filler technique is an excellent way to design artificial and dried flower arrangements.

 Horizontal Arrangements

1. Using a relatively shallow container, anchor foam with a lot of glue or use anchor pins, and position sprays of line flowers to establish the shape of the design. 

2. Insert focal flowers in the middle so they gently droop over the lip of the container on both sides, reach towards the line material and extend on either side of the middle. Leave room for filler flowers.       


3.Fillin and around focal area with filler flowers and foliage.

 Vertical Arrangements

1. Wedge or secure foam in a vase with hot glue. Cut the stems of the tallest flowers or leaves to reach three or four times the height of the vase.

 2. Place the focal flowers vertically within the diameter of the vase.

 3. Fill in the areas as needed with filler flowers.

Triangular Arrangements

1. Secure floral foam. Determine the vertical height and horizontal width with the smallest line flowers and/or leaves. Make the height higher than the width.

2. Position the largest focal flowers in the heart of the arrangement and slightly lower to give weight and balance.

 3. Fill in with the filler flowers and foliage keeping within the triangular shape.

Crescent Arrangements

1. Secure foam in container. Determine length of crescent and insert curved line flowers or leaves to follow the crescent form. Angle the shape to balance in the container.

2. Insert the focal flowers fairly low in the bowl to achieve balance, stability and depth.

3. Fill in around the focal flowers with smaller flowers and foliage. Place wisps of filler flowers that gracefully taper off the ends.

Oval arrangements

1. Secure the floral foam. Determine the height with line flowers, then frame in the outer edges of the oval shape with light colored flowers and foliage.

2. Place the largest, strongest or brightest flowers in the focal area.

3. Fill in around the larger flowers and leaves with the filler flowers.

Minimal Arrangements

1. Adhere foam to container. Insert vertical line flowers to determine the height, and secure the horizontal line flowers to give the basic outline of the arrangement.

2. Place the focal flowers.

3. Fill in with filler flowers as needed.

The lazy "S" or "Hogarth's Curve"

1. Anchor the foam securely. Bend the stems gently into graceful curves and insert them in place so they balance.

2. Add the focal flowers following the lines of the upper and lower curves.

3. Cluster filler blossoms and foliage around the central flowers maintaining the rhythm of the ‘S’.

Free Standing Arrangements

1. Fill a shallow container with foam that extends one inch over the top. Secure the foam with hot glue, floral clay or floral tape. Define the shape of the design with the line flowers and leaves.

2. Place the focal flowers and leaves, turning the vase as you go so all the sides are even.

3. Add filler flowers to integrate the design.

Types of Flower Arrangement

It is well said "Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul." Flowers are widely used for interior decoration; it gives aesthetic appeal to the ambiance. Flower arrangement is an art and it is widely used in hotel, offices, and hospitals on everyday basis. Flower arrangement may be defined as the art of organizing and grouping together plant materials to achieve harmony of form, color, and texture. They add cheer, beauty, life and happiness to the ambiance.

In hotels flowers are used extensively. There are different arrangements of flower placed on different places. Large spectacular arrangement are kept in the lobby, restaurant and small arrangement are kept in rooms, suites. The extent to which flowers are used in hotel interior depends on the degree of luxury provided.The housekeeper is responsible for all flower arrangement and their placement in most hotels.

Circular shape: Arranging flower in circular design adds a pleasing
element. It is satisfying to the viewer's eye. The circular or round shape is loved by nature since majority of flowers lies in this shape. In fact, its also easier to arrange flowers in circular fashion. This type of arrangement is laid on conference tables or on buffet tables. They can be presented to high class executives or politicians on different occasion.

Triangular shape: It is a most common arrangement of flowers used in Personal and Professional functions. Firstly, height and width is fixed with flowers and then focal point is established. It is made in the triangle shape and looks very attractive. They are placed on the buffet
table or in the side station. In ceremonies we can find this kind of arrangements.

Crescent shape: The crescent is asymmetrical and formal. It requires lot of skill and experience. This type of arrangement is very eye catching. It is kept in the lobby of the hotel. It is used as a focal point to catch the attention of the guest.

Fan shape
: It is a low arrangement and it does not interfere with conversation
across the table. It is a fan or a horizontal in shape generally placed
in the restaurant either in buffet or on dining table. Hotel rooms also
have this kind of arrangement

Hogarth or 'S' shape: This is very graceful style of arrangement. It is easier to make when curved branches are used. Once 'S' shape is made, flowers are filled at the center.

Ikebana: means 'making flowers live' in Japanese. People in Japan use flowers to symbolize season. They represent ideal harmony between earthy and eternal life. In each arrangement there is an imaginary triangle tallest line represent heaven, towards the heaven is man and the lowest line looking up to both is earth. This is been practiced for past 100 years. The formal type of flower arrangement is called Seika style. Floating type of arrangement is called Ukibana and basket type of arrangement is called Morimano.