Monthly Archives: September 2009

by stevrt

Floral Designing Is Healthy For You

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There is a growing body of emperical research confirming that flowers are not only aesthetically pleasing but are actually good for you!

A study by Dr. Jeannette Haviland-Jones of Rutgers suggested that flowers have an immediate impact upon happiness, can decrease anxiety and make spaces more welcoming. In another study Haviland-Jones found that among seniors, flowers have a positive effect reducing depression, increasing happiness and positive moods and encouraging sociability.

Roger Ulrich of Texas A&M found that in the workplace more ideas and original solutions were generated in environments that included flowers and plants.

These and other studies are confirming what we have always known intuitively, that having flowers & floral products around us make us feel better in many ways.

Let’s take these thoughts one step further. Can learning floral art have impact upon peoples’ lives? In many cases I believe so. I’ve actually seen it. Yes some people come to our school for vocational purposes, but that is but the tip of the iceberg.

Many folks who come to Rittners Floral School find that the program is quite therapeutic. It is a wonderful way to relax and reduce stress. For many floral art can be a wonderful creative outlet that allows individuals to forget their problems, enjoy themselves, and have a great time. The ability to calm down after a tough day on the job, to meet new people and celebrate one’s creativity is life renewing…. Then when family, friends and even strangers admire your floral art it really feels great.

Decreasing anxiety?  Feeling happier? Becoming more energized? It would seem to me that in today’s world, taking a course in floral art is one activity that can certainly contribute to having a more pleasant and healthy lifestyle…..(And it is low in cholesterol too!)

by stevrt

Shanah Tovah U’Metukah—With Flowers

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It is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Shanah Tovah U’Metukah! At Rittners Floral School in Boston, we wish you a happy and sweet New Year.

Rosh Hashanah is an important holiday in the Jewish cycle of the year. It is a holiday that encourages people to consider their lives over the past year, and to think carefully of their options in life and the directions that they would like to take in the year ahead. It is an important occasion in terms of both ethical living and setting goals in one’s life. 

Of course in a floral school blog we want to show a picture of a floral design, and one that relates to the holiday theme. There is no better way to do that than by creating a floral Shofar. The Shofar or ram’s horn is a musical instrument that is blown on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Its loud and forceful sound is quite stirring and adds to the solemnity of the occasion.

We do hope that you enjoy our little floral offering for the holiday! Shanah Tovah!

by stevrt

Pure Simplicity

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A floral design doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. 

Take this as an example. There is only one flower in this floral design—a lovely lily. We could have placed it into a budvase, but that would have been far too mundane. 

Instead we placed it into a glass cube.

The cube contains a combination of floral foam and marbles. The floral foam created by the neat folks at the Oasis Company, is available in a wide range of colors. Unlike classical floral expressions where we cover the mechanics, the foam is left exposed to become part of the aesthetics of the arrangement…..

Red marbles alternate with the foam. The marbles are placed at the very bottom of the container, covered with the foam, and then placed again on the very top of the base.

The white and the red of the foam and marbles echo the colors found in the lily itself. 

All in all a very easy design that anyone could create. Quite enjoyable….. And so quick and easy! Pure simplicity!