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A
Symmetrical Triangular Design | ||||
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A
classic triangular design, very much part of the flower
arranging of an earlier era, the style is still favoured
by those who want pretty flowers for weddings, funeral
flowers, christenings, church arrangements, gifts and
events. First published as a series on these
traditional designs with Colleen Fernie and Carol King
published in floral design magazine in 2004 and 2005, as
you can learn all 10 styles in this classic
tradition. If you would love to learn all 10 of these
classic and beautiful English styles, which are triangle
(oval), vertical, horizontal, diagonal, assymetrical (L
shape), crescent, reverse crescent, hogarth (s shape),
biedermeier, and cascade click
here for more. This is a simple starter guideline,with Colleen Fernie, for choosing plant material to complete your first traditional triangular or oval design. Guidelines are just that - if you wish to use other material do so, but make sure the material you choose has a similar look. You will need: One flat dish 1/2 block of floral foam plastic coated wire netting 15-18 pieces of line material, e.g.Flax, Rosemary 12-15 pieces of transitional (filler or busy) material e.g. Pittosporum, Conifer, Manuka 6-7 smooth leaves e.g. Geranium, large Ivy, Bergenia 1 bunch of Spray Carnations or Spray Chrysanthemums 1 bunch of large carnations or large chrysanthemums 2-3 large flowers to dominate The Ivy (Hedera) is line
material, the Alocasia (Elephant's Ear) is a
smooth
leaf, The transitional materials are the Spray
Chrysanthemums, Manuka (Rubra) and Freesia. The large
flower for dominance is the Lily
(Lilium) |
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| Line is one of the elements of design For more about Line click here.
For a triangular design you need material strong enough to establish the outline. Phormiums (New Zealand flax) or strong Ivy trails are a couple of examples. Line is very important and you must establish this first with the outline material you have chosen. Line material can be greenery, branches or flowers but greenery is most often used. ![]() ![]() Create the outline with pieces of your line material. It is preferable to use the same material but a similar kind could be used if you haven't sufficient. The outline is created in the back 1/2 of the container, you then have the front 1/2 of the floral foam to add further material and you do not run out of room. You must have backward and forward placements, still keeping the triangular shape with no flat back. This gives the design 'Depth'. All placements must be of varying length and must RADIATE FROM A CENTRAL POINT. This is a characteristic for Traditional designing. Transitional materials are now added. Remember 'transitional' material is 'filler' type material and this adds bulk to a design.You must still be discerning about your choices - the design must not look stuffed. Often, transitional material has many small side-ways branches, trim these off. Make the branches look tidy and that way you are 'in charge' of each piece and the plant material does not control you. At this point, some smooth leaves must be added to give "Contrast' to the rest of the material. Smooth leaves have a larger area of smooth surface and these give a good foil for the transitional material used. Some examples of smooth leaves would be: Aspidistra, Magnolia grandiflora, Zantedeschia, Bergenia and Hosta. Place these evenly through the design. If you have chosen Flax for the outline you will already have a certain amount of smooth texture. Remember you still need to have depth so don't forget the back of the design. You should now have in front of you a very pleasing green triangle so that you have a beautiful 'setting' for the flowers |
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Still keeping the triangular shape, your
smaller flowers are placed out to the extremities and
the larger flowers are kept to the central area. When
placing the central large flowers, always ensure that
you do not have this area too flat. Recess some flowers
but also have some coming out to give depth to the
design. If you can touch every flower with the palm of
your hand then you must try again - some must be in,
some must be out a little. One area is more dominant and this area is usually just above the front lip of the container and is the central point where all pieces of plant material meet. Place some smaller flowers in the back, to create 'Depth'. If you have all the flowers in the front the design will appear to be falling forward - giving a visual balance problem. You can take the Symmetrical Triangle and mount it on a taller container or pedestal. A few extra placements would come gracefully from the front and flow down, unifying the design with the taller container or elevation. |
| For
more of these traditional designs as step by step
lessons, click here
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The
container is very much part of Traditional design. It
needs to be in 'harmony' with the style and the plant
material chosen and the space it
occupies.