Floristry's Five Principles
- Monica Sabella
- Apr 16, 2023
- 3 min read
By Monica Sabella, Horticulturist, Journalist
As the summer months set in and the weather begins to change, spring blooms and cut flowers make the best bouquets, turning any dinner table to a meal at the Ritz.
A complete novice to floral displays, I decided to research the principles to mastering the perfect bouquet so my holidays at home would complete.
According to the State Floral , there are five tangible principles all florists should follow to create the perfect display: Color, line, form, space and texture.
“Floral Design is based on fundamental principles which are applicable to all forms of art,” said James L. Johnson, a member of the association explains in his book ‘Principles of Design.’
“These principles are the guidelines for the construction of flower arrangements, and no floral artist can excel until they have mastered them. Floral design involves the organization of materials to fit the purpose.
“A designer can start with fresh flowers, different types of foliage, and a lovely container, but if the end result does not appear organized or appropriate for the floral need, it will not provide satisfaction to the designer or the customer,” Johnson writes.
To begin sketching out a design, designers need to familiarize themselves with the color wheel and understand the hot and cool colors, the emotions they evoke, and the amount of light needed to fully appreciate the tones.
Then the arrangement’s form can be determined. Is it a soft circular bouquet? Or a demure square center piece? Or maybe a triangle boutineer? There are dozens of options within these three shapes which extend from ‘isosceles triangle’ to ‘inverted T design’ and ovals of every shape and size. The best way to narrow it down is to determine what kind of event you are preparing for and how daring you feel inclined to be.
From there the “line” principle offers substance and interest. Johnson says, “A line represents the visual movement between two points. Line gives an arrangement structure, shape, movement, excitement, height, width, and depth.”
Traditionally, there are five lines in Western designs: vertical, horizontal, curvilinear, zigzag, and diagonal.
The final principle, texture, can be produced by incorporating foliage or a unique container or flower. It’s contribution offers an actual physical feeling as well as a visual feeling. Texture is any material that provides dimension, variety perceived by sight or touch, such as smooth, glossy, fuzzy, velvety, rough.
Accent scale, rhythm, harmony and balance are referred to as the intangible principles of design. Young designers can explore fragrance, patterns, and size while creating their floral displays. Every feature plays a role in the story of the bouquet, whether it be trying to evoke strength and vitality or delicacy.
“Design is everywhere in the universe, but it is hidden from us until we become aware of it, “ said Johnson. “There is design in the largest things we know and in the smallest…in the shapes of coastlines along continents washed by ocean waves, and in a grain of sand…Flowers placed in a container without any thought of design are satisfying simply because they are in themselves, pleasing to the eye. However, these same flowers arranged according to certain guidelines (Principles of Design) can become works of art.”
The most important thing to remember is there is no failure in trying. And the only way to get better is to make mistakes. So make messy bouquets with sloppy bows until an asymmetrical masterpiece balancing on a string emerges. There is nowhere to go but up.
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