FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

Key Words: Principles, Oriental – Ikebana, Traditional - Bonsai, Modern – Western, Flower and Interior Decoration, Artificial flowers and foliage
The art and surrounding flowers require no scholastic study. It is more a question and developing integration or inclination or a special feeling for flowers and plants where from a latest instinct for creativity comes out. No regimented pre-condition are necessary for producing a floral design. There is however a few basic principles that should be observed as general guidelines and by following them a pleasing harmonious combination can be produced.

PRINCIPLES OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

1. Location and style: Before deciding upon the arrangement which is important to first review and determine the options. The foremost consideration is location, e.g. it is going to be kept on coffee table or will it be placed on a side table or on a study table.

Flower can beautify any location but in each instance the composition of the arrangement must be designed to suit its settings.
Traditional symmetrical arrangements like pyramidal, round or oval shapes always glorify the location that a vase has to be viewed from all the sides.

1. Selection of vase: Conventional round or oval bowls are suitable for low western table arrangement. Vases with a stem are preferable for fan shaped and triangular style which require flower & foliage to flow over the rim of the bowl and trail down.

In actual practice vases may be effectively used for any style and arrangements but it is important that the flowers and materials go well with a container, for e.g. heavy foliage in a crystal vase could look out of place.

1. The focus of the arrangement: Flowers are arranged to attract eyes for primary requisite of arrangement must have a focus at interest, the central point where vision first pauses before looking on the rest of the composition. This is important to any compositional arrangement regardless of style.

The focus is generally at the base of the design, near the rim and the vase unless as an exception. Near the vase it is normally the heaviest, brightest, largest flower or group of flowers and leaves that create the focus.
All the other materials used would be harmonious to it in the proportion and balance using a skillful combination of contrast and texture.

1. Proportion: The materials used should be proportioned to the vase. General yardstick to determine this is to first establish the length of the tallest branch or flower and it should be approximately equal to the height plus width of the container. If the material is light and slim and if the container is large the height could be increased to 1 ½ times or even twice the measurement given.


2. Balance: A symmetrical arrangement as the name suggests achieves even balance in such a composition, it is easy to adopt first a central length and scale, the rest of the material in an equal distribution on either side. Basically the visual weight should be evenly distributed even through the design may be asymmetrical.

Nowhere in the arrangement should the material look heavy or crumply. If there is a deliberate concentration of material for sake of design it must be compensated by some other element.

1. Depth and rhythm: This is a crucial factor for the arrangement to come ‘alive’ just as in good painting 3D effect is important. That means that should be an element of depth in the composition and this is achieved through the creation of rhythm. Hence, in overall arrangement the material should have an uneven length and so appears to move.


2. Transition: Rhythm and depth are achieved to a large extent by grinding a material and arranging it in different lengths so that it converges towards the focus in a combination of shorter and longer heights and at a same time maintaining the framework of the design.

Ensure that no two items of similar heights are placed together, they should be broken by materials of different lengths in between e.g. Buds and ferns can be used to break two similar heavy lengths.

1. Repetition and continuity: Rhythm is also created by repetition. The eye should find a link between all the different materials used in the arrangement and this is possible if the colours and textures used are repeated selectively to create a smooth flowing pattern, in the design. E.g. A simple white rose in a seasonal arrangement of blue larkspur and pink carnations, would stand out as an eye sore. Its beauty will destroy; therefore we need to use another such rose for sake of continuity.


2. Emphasis: Sometimes certain types of colours or materials are grouped together for the sake of emphasis. In some cases groups of the same colours and textures may be brought together through the arrangement which is to be very eye catching.


3. Contrast: For the sake of introducing interest to the arrangement the element of contrast is almost as important as repetition. Light shades can be played against dark colours; long shapes can be offset by round ones and smooth shiny material by rough texture.


4. Colour: Every individual has an instinctive response to colour. And colour is a very basic element in flower arrangement depending largely upon the personal choice. Of course the primary consideration would be to match the flowers with the colour of the interior setting and then to the colour of the vase. These colours can be used complimentary on contrasting tones. There are also psychological associations with colour. White colour represents purity, red represents love and celebration, orange and yellow warm and auspicious. Blues. greens and violet are cool on the whole colours and have to be used with considerations. They should need a look to gaudy and not insipid.

Although white is a neutral colour it can contrast strongly against certain colours. E.g. A single white rose would be very glaring. All colours in an arrangement should look pleasing, planned and the element of repetition has to be taken in count.

1. Space: The final composition should not look over crowded; this may be a hazard to be kept in mind in large arrangement, where a lot of different types of materials have been used. Each line of the flower should be easy to be discerned. This is possible only if some space is allowed between the flowers. The different styles of flower arrangements use varying amount of space but geometric, modern, Ikebana maintain a more visible amount of space between the materials. As a principle material should be finer at the top so that light passes through the arrangement but towards the focus at the base, the material may be placed closer or denser. So that no light passes through and the holding apparatus is completely hidden.

USAGE OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS IN HOTELS
Flower arrangement in an organization is mainly for decoration and color toward the beauty enhancement. As it is essentially a decorative piece and should serve as a centre of attraction.
Arrangements can be composed entirely of flowers or of foliage and in combination with vegetables and fruits it forms an accessory of arrangement. It also has a capacity of introducing a personal touch. In an otherwise static or impersonal atmosphere of a hotel room it gives the feeling of freshness. In these days flowers are becoming more and more extensive in all establishments. The use of flower arrangement depends on:

• House policy


• Number of special functions


• Type of service offered


• Size and type of the building


• Availability of flowers

As a housekeeper he/she automatically becomes responsible for flowers and different arrangements placed in the hotel. The extent of responsibility varies from hotel to hotel. There may be a flower shop inside the hotel premises or the responsibility of flower may be given on a contract to an outside agency. The person employed for flowers has to have a very sound knowledge about flowers and necessary accessories. He should be efficient enough in arranging different types of arrangements for different functions and areas, like restaurants, rooms, corridors, lobby, banquet halls, offices, public areas. The extent to which flowers are used will depend on the degree of luxury.

Different shapes of flower arrangements are triangular, round, L, S, crescent, oval bowl etc.

TYPES OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS
Ikebana
Ikebana is a Japanese style and art of flower arrangement. It is a disciplined art in which arrangement is a living thing in which nature and humanity are brought together. It is steeped in the philosophy of developing closeness with the nature. Ikebana is a creative expression within certain rules of contraction. Its materials are living branches, leaves, grasses and blossoms.
Floral art in Japan was initially practiced as a form of worship. When Buddhist priest, used to make a simple flower arrangement as an offering in the temples. In principles Ikebana aims not at bringing a finite peace of nature into the house but rather at suggesting the whole of nature by creating a link between the indoor and outdoor. Many practitioners of Ikebana feel that the spiritual aspect of Ikebana is very important. It helps you to live “in the moment” and appreciate things in nature that previously had seemed insignificant. The varying forms of Ikebana share certain common features, regardless of the time. Any plant, material, branches, mess, fruits, may be used as well as flowers.
Probably the most striking differences between Ikebana and western style of flower arrangements are in their shape. So, while Ikebana is thoroughly dissymmetrical; western flower arrangement stresses on symmetry. The dissymmetry style of Ikebana is partially the result of the peculiar religious environment of Shinto and Buddhism found in Japan. The Shinto’s doctrine found in Shinto Buddhist stress the importance of living in harmony with nature that the Ikebana is grounded. Life is emphasized and elaborated in the western style flower arrangement. In this in this created order of life and death are not parts of any cycle. But for a part of lined progression death does not leads us to the earth/world. Mortars in full bloom signify the full life. In the basic method Ikebana consists of 3 main lines, which are supposed to represent the 3 great elements of life. These are “heaven, man and earth”. All 3 lengths are different and designated in Japanese as “Shin, Soe and Hikae”.
Shin is the tallest line i.e. 1 ½ times or twice the length plus width of the vase. The second height is Soe which is ¾ of the length of the Shin and third line Hikae is ¾ of the length of Soe.
“The Maribana Style” is characterized by a low shallow broad vessel and an open arrangement.

Chinese Style of arrangement: Bonsai
Bonsai (planting in trays) is cut of cultivating miniature trees which was introduced to Japan from China around 13th century. In China Bonsai is believed to have originated over 1000 year ago as the potting of tree specimens. Later these trees become prized for their roots which resemble animals, dragons and birds and became associated with myth and legend over the years. “Japanese Bonsai” arrived into the expression of personal aesthetic consistent and the interrelationship of man, nature and the elements. It is said that 3 basics tenets (principle or theory) of Bonsai are Truth, goodness and beauty. Bonsai trees can live for hundreds of years.

Western Style:
Western style flower arrangements are associated with ‘mass’ or number of flowers and foliages arranged together in a graceful manner.
In England and Europe, this style was first used to decorate palace, mansion and church traditionally triangular, round or oval shapes were created. But later on more designs like crescent shape and S-shape were introduced. These are said to be more American in their influence. Western arrangements generally have a proportion along with the symmetrical pattern. A few typical guidelines are; the outline of the design is normally created first with finer, lighter “lines” so that the shape of the style is defined.

Shape / Shape Employed to Create a Style

1. Lines: The tone of most styles is stepped first by establishing by outline of the design, leaves, branches or even flowers may be used for this purpose. In the language of floral art, these are referred to as “lines” being usually linear or long in shape. Thus they help in giving a fine, distinct form, to the arrangement.


2. Fillers: As the name suggests fillers are the materials that fill the gap between the flowers and create a contrast in texture or Colour. Fillers are also necessary for the depth or movement of the arrangement.


3. Points: There is a natural inclination to be attracted to round forms as for instance open flowers. Some such shapes are referred to as points and they form the focus of the attention giving body to the design. It is according to the placement of the points that the entire arrangement is orchestrated into a rhythm.

Name of various Flowers used for arrangements:

2. Rose


3. Asters


4. Chrysanthemum


5. Blue Daisy


6. Daisy


7. Gladiola


8. Tube Rose


9. Anthodium


10. Lily


11. Carnation


12. Dahlia


13. Orchids


14. Bird of Paradise


15. Daffodils


16. Tulips


17. Everlasting




19. Larkspur

POINTS TO BE REMEBERED
Flowers
Flowers are used to energize the space and area wherever they are kept. These days, flowers are used as an important element of corrective vaastu also. In some establishments flowers are used extensively and there may be a large arrangement of flowers in the entrance hall or foyer, flowers in the lounge, restaurant and the suite; in other places there may be one or two arrangements, but as a rule guests are appreciated of the time and trouble spent on the arrangements, and of the pleasing atmosphere they provide.

The arrangement should match the standard of the establishment as well as complement its style, décor and furniture. Flowers need to lasts and this limits their choice; they may often be spoilt by guests disposing of unwanted drinks and the lack of light in many areas.

The extent to which flowers are used in any place will vary:

• first, with the degree of luxury (for the guest especially);


• secondly, with the number of special functions;


• thirdly, with the house policy


• and fourth, the budget available.

For example,
Airports, Hospitals, Hotels etc.
ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE
It is true that fresh flowers make for gracious living but they do not last long in smoky, centrally heated and overcrowded atmospheres, such as may exist in busy bars and lounges, and their constant replacement is an expensive item. For these reasons the use of artificial flowers has become more widespread; nevertheless, they too do have energizing effects. Added to this, the quality and design have improved to such an extent that it is necessary in many cases to touch the flowers in order to find out whether they are real or not.
Dried and silk flowers, particularly, have their place but certain authorities regard them as a fire hazard and ban their use in public places unless treated with a fire-retardant finish.