I love the neat things that the various manufacturers and importers bring in to our industry. The various products and tools that are available to us as designers can bring a totally different look to our floral art.
And they are loads of fun to play with.
Good case in point, the various colored foams available courtesy of the Smithers Oasis Company. Oasis has always been on the cutting edge when it comes creating wonderful products for us to use in our designing.
The concept behiind colored foam is quite simple. Instead of hiding our foam mechanics with foliage or moss, why not let it work aesthetically as well as structurally? Let the foam itself become an actual part of the design to be viewed, instead of hiding it and having it work in the background.
With all kinds of bright and attractive colors, the creative possibilities are endless!
In this section we are going to show you four different variations on a theme. They are really easy to make, and have strong visual punch!
Decorative wire
Variation One--
The starting point in this design is with the glassware. There is no better way to show off colored foam than by placing it into a clear glass container.
In this particular case, we have used a combination of yellow, pink, brick and a little blue floral foam. The foam is cut into a variety of shapes, some rectangular, placed vertically, some placed horizontally.
A circle of pink foam is placed towards the front of the design.
Place flowers on the top of the foam, some carnations, statice, and poms in that sequence.
Finish the design by wrapping some decorative wire around the base as shown in the photograph.
Quick... Easy to make... And showy... Now that's how I like my floral design!
Variation Two--
Exactly the same approach as the last design.... The major difference is in the sequence of flowers on the top of the foam, and the angle at which they are featured.
Notice that we are placing the flowers at a diagonal angle this time starting with the statice, and continuing with white daisy poms, red carnations and finally yellow poms.
Variation Three--
Still working at a diagonal.
However statice, carnations and yellow poms are used. No white daisy poms.
Variation Four--
In this variation we start the same way with diagonals of statice, carnations and poms.
However we also add a vertical component to the design. Several carnations and a little filler create a taller design.
Side by Side Comparisons of All Four Variations--
I've always said, "It's not the flowers that you have to work with, but more importantly how you use them that's vital." In this case we are playing with minimal amounts of materials. And to make things more interesting, we are only using everyday so called "workhorse" flowers.
Integrating these flowers with a small amounts of colored foam and decorative wire results in flower arrangements that are sharp, contemporary and that have lots of pizzazz.
I could see this one being used in a youngster's room.
It would work quite well for a kid's birthday party.
It would also be great in a kitchen or eating area. What better way to feel optimistic in the morning than to have one of these near where you are eating.
Additionally these designs would work quite well in a workstation or cubicle in the workplace. Because they are bright and cheerful, they would definitely provide visual relief while at work.
Too bright you say?
Keep in mind you can get colored floral foam in a huge assortment of colors. You could match your color choices to more muted selections of floral foam.
We hope that you really enjoyed this brief floral design lesson. At
Rittners Floral School in Boston we provide floral design instruction
that includes a wide range of different styles and techniques. Folks attend Rittners Floral School, because not only are we very, very fine floral designers, but also because we are outstanding teachers!! Please come and take one of our hands-on workshop programs!!
