Artistic Flower Arrangements

As promised, here is the first of six articles about the Principles of Flower Arrangement. I hope you enjoy this and the coming segments.———-Judy

For centuries flowers have been cultivated for their beauty, fragrance and color. Due to the amazing variety of flowers available and the natural beauty they lend to any place, flowers have long been used for decorative purposes. They have been used to beautify the barest of dwellings and used for special occasions and festivals.

One of the most popular ways of using flowers is to place them in artistic and creative arrangements. However, floral arrangements, though commonly used today, have developed over centuries and across cultures around the world. Some of the earliest records of flower arrangements have been traced to China. Here Buddhist beliefs led to meanings being assigned to flowers and thus determined their use in arrangements. China was also amongst the earliest cultures to place flowers in containers of water to prolong their life. Closely following China was Japan, which developed its own distinctive style of flower arrangement, relying more on shape and form. It was in Egypt, Rome and Greece that flowers were used for making garlands and wreaths, both to wear and to use for decoration.

Today, at an individual level and at the level of hotels or bigger gatherings, people love having flower arrangements around. And while most people will randomly arrange flowers and branches in a vase, there is in fact an art to flower arranging. Of course this doesn’t mean that only professionals can employ this art to make stunning pieces of work. Anyone sitting at home can also learn the basics of floral arrangements and with a little creativity make some fun and beautiful flower settings.

A floral arrangement is simply a combination of different elements which, when put together well, produces a visually striking and appealing display. Technically, there are 3 basic styles of arranging flowers. Any other style is generally a take on one of these.

The Oriental style of floral arrangement emphasises lines. The Traditional or Western style is based on the use of many flowers together in the arrangement, and the third Modern style has no rules really, but does pay more attention to line and form.

Whatever the style of floral arrangement, there are certain principles that should be followed for a beautiful and complete looking display. One of the more important principles to follow is Balance.

Balance is the one aspect that gives a floral arrangement its visual appeal and determines whether it can be classified as a formal or an informal arrangement. Balance in a floral arrangement is to be maintained in two areas – physical, the actual balance of the arrangement so it stands up straight, and the other is the visual balance so that it looks balanced to the eye.

Visual balance in a floral arrangement can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. In a symmetrically balanced arrangement, the two sides of the display are identical. Such arrangements are generally meant for formal use and give a slightly serious and rigid appearance. On the other hand, asymmetrical floral arrangements are different on either side of an imaginary central axis. These are more fun, active, informal and dynamic.

Balance in the appearance of the floral arrangement is related to the correct use of color and weight of flowers (the visual weight and not its actual weight). Generally dark and dense flowers appear heavy. As a rule, for a balanced appearance, heavy flowers are placed at the bottom of the arrangement and lighter ones towards the outer edges and upper portions.

Putting a pleasing floral arrangement together is a matter of practice and creativity. All it requires is a willingness to experiment and have some fun with flowers.

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Flowers are a great way to add some flare to any room. A simple arrangement can transform even that dark, drab room into so much more. Using flowers in your decorating is easy, and you’ll find your guests remembering your beautiful flower arrangements instead of noticing that the coffee table needed finishing. Even just to add some color, you cannot go wrong with a floral décor. Any room can be decorated with your next floral creation.

This is why decorating your home is an important part of making your space more inviting and comfortable. Adding flower arrangements in your home can add even more life and visual appeal that will make your home into that welcoming space that you have been looking for. Flowers can instantly add a sense of peace to a home with very little effort. Whether you use them in your bedroom, in your living room, or in another room, you will find that adding flowers will help to add just the right touch of life to your room and your home, but where should you start?

Over the next few post I will be discussing decorating ideas that might just help you to decide what to do with those drab spaces you want to liven up. I will be covering: Kitchen, Bedroom, Living Room and Other Miscellaneous Areas. So be sure to check back and find out how to bring the beauty of flowers into your home.

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