EZ Flower & Floral Design

In the floral design world (and really in any type of design) there is always a focal point, which is that area which everthing in the design seems to “grow” from.  Once you understand this  you can design anythings.  While many designers have great mechanical skills,  if their focal points aren’t right on, the design just won’t seem right.  I’m a designer who loves definate focal points.  It makes me feel secure in my designs and enables me to continue using my product in a creative way to finish the arrangement so the recipients are incredibly happy. 

Focal points are extemely necessary in decorative design also.  The quality in which a wall area is set up really depends on the focal areas the designer has designated.  Once these are established all the accessories can be organized and will look pleasing to the eye.  If you’ve ever looked at something and it just doesn’t look quite right, it’s probably because the balance and focal points weren’t handled correctly.  Sometimes we just can’t put our finger on it, but 9 times out of ten, that’s what is wrong with the setting.  So make sure your focal points are always designated and you’ll all be happy campers!

I’ve been doing this floral design thing for over 30 years (over 40 in the industry) and I gotta tell you that it’s no easy task.  It is a constant learning process that really takes fortitude and an extreme passion for the design industry.  There are always new things to learn with new projects on the horizon.  Not a day goes by that I don’t look at something in a different way meaning I see something about it’s design that I may not have noticed before.  Oh, that’s a bit taller than I thought.  Or, wow that color is really more teal than I realized.  And the depth of that chair really shows it true dimension! 

A floral design I create may be more simple or traditional but still requires proper technique to complete the arrangement to the satisfaction of myself and the client.  After all these years I still make sure it all goes together properly and that all items are inserted correctly to draw water and make it throught the delivery process to it’s destination.  The minute I notice I’m not aware of these things is when I stop myself and regroup.  Then it’s on again to create the proper way and maintain my integrity to the world.  Always reafirm your design perspective while checking out your work.  The reward is great and will always keep you at your best in the design world.

When we look at a floral design the proportion of space the design has is what gives us the feeling whether the design is appealing or not.  If it’s way out of proportion, we immediately feel uncomfortable with the design.  And when those proportions are accurate, we know that it looks right to us.  The building of an floral arrangement is the same as construction of a building in that every component must be made to scale of the surroundings and the internal building of the unit.  The general height instruction ifor a floral design is to create the design 2.5 times the height of the container and not more than 1 time on either side of the container.  Many designs I create are within these specifications but are moderated to accommodate the various containers we use.  True floral design experience lies in knowing how the adjustments can be made and to execute them properly for the proper result.  And nothing can give you the correct results like professional training by an experienced floral designer, especially with the use of my E-Z Flower Design series.   The proper placement of each flower gives the design the correct balance and look for a completed project that the client will love, appreciate, and want more of.   The more you practice, the more you will understand and become the floral designer you crave to be!

The touch and beauty of flowers is an incredible way to associate with nature and the world.  Everywhere there are some types of foliage and flowers that enhance and enrich the land.  Our exposure to these wonders is something we take for granted on a daily basis.  If we stop, look, touch, and smell we can have a momentary feeling of peace and calm.  It doesn’t take hours; just a few minutes to enjoy that which fills our spaces with beautiful abundance.  And taking these flowers into our personal spaces gives us something that no other entity can achieve.  So take a moment, cut or buy some flowers and use my E-Z Flower Design instructions to make your space the most special ever!

Today’s economics have created a different world for all of us.  Having more personal skills is the key to personal and financial success.   We all must learn new techniques to advance ourselves, while making our home lives better, more beautiful, and much more comfortable.  That’s where my E-Z Flower Design program comes into play.  Just learning to take your garden flowers and placing them CORRECTLY in your vase can give you and your loved ones an incredible uplifting experience that cannot be replaced by any other outside source. And the personal satisfaction is something we all need and yearn for.  It’s wonderful to learn new and exciting things, even if we never think we could achieve these.  We all must put ourselves out there to get the rewards!

The most important step in creating sympathy designs is LISTENING to your customer to know the feeling  they want to convey with this last gift to their loved one.   Maintaining this philosophy will enable your work to be wonderfully fulfilling while giving the client the peace of mind they so well deserve.  Once the “ambiance” of the design is decided, the choice of flowers can be discussed.  Unless the client has specific varieties in mind, you may suggest items that will convey the feeling they are trying to express to (or for) the deceased.  If the loved one surrounded themselves with country styles, suggest a “gardeny” look for the spray with suggestions of larkspur, tulips, opened roses, iris, etc. that will convey that country feeling.  But always let them know that some floral items may not be in season, or not available at the time.  Assure them that you will select items that will reflect exactly what feelings they want to convey.  Doing this gives you the freedom to utilize that which you have on hand (making you very happy while making the client very happy) and that is a win/win situation.  This business is not just about creating fun and beautiful designs;  it encompasses a whole realm of things from clients emotions, your emotions, current styles, past styles and many more things that suggest the designs you create.

Joe Guggia AIFD (aifd.org) was a featured floral designer at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Ca. for the Horticulture Department’s annual Christmas Open House.  Mr. Guggia led a program concentrating on the instruction of designs using assorted, creative foliages that thrive on California’s Central Coast.  The Open House is a yearly event held in the greenhouse area of the Agricultural Department of the University where there are large, outdoor landscaped areas created by current and past students, as well as hundreds of Pointsettia plants, succulents, and other assorted outdoor foliages that the students sell during this time as well as all year.

Joe Guggia AIFD (aifd.org) was a featured floral designer at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Ca. for the Horticulture Department’s annual Christmas Open House.  Mr. Guggia led a program concentrating on the instruction of designs using assorted, creative foliages that thrive on California’s Central Coast.  The Open House is a yearly event held in the greenhouse area of the Agricultural Department of the University where there are large, outdoor landscaped areas created by current and past students, as well as hundreds of Pointsettia plants, succulents, and other assorted outdoor foliages that the students sell during this time as well as all year.

One of the most wonderful things about contemporary floral design is the availability and use of creative foliage and flora.  Living on California’s Central Coast, I’m extremely fortunate to be able to plant and grow many useful items such as succulents, a variety of asparagus ferns, curly willow, yarrow, various eunomys, varigated and green  pittisporum, kangaroo paw, papyrus, and many other amazing things to work with.  These plants are available at your various nurseries and big box stores, but make sure the quality and size is good for the price.  I would rather spend a little more at the custom locations and receive great size and color than get an item less expensive, and proportionately grown.  The bigger and better quality, the faster and more exuberant the foliage and/or flowers.  Because I’m not close to a larger flower market (LA three hours away) where numerous items are available at one location, the personnal access to my product is incredible!  If I have a special design that needs to be created, from April through October I have a large variety of foliage and flowers to choose from.  The succulents are fresh and large, the asparagus “ming fern” is architectural and impressive, and my 40 pitt plants yeald beautiful foliage that lasts and gives a wonderful texture to the designs.  Trust me, no matter where you live, growing certain items can be exciting and a valuable way to satisfy your clients.  If it’s cold where you are, order or build a small green house to grow different items.  Get the Sunset Garden plant manual for your area, and learn what will grow where, and what time of year.  And it is definately a savings that we all can well use!  Any questions, let me know and I will fill you in.

One day a few weeks ago, a client came into our new retail addition, Trio Home Lifestyles.  She and her husband are from local prominent families, but had moved to Northern California for about 8 years.  The husband recieved a promotion which brought them back to our area where they purchased a home about a year ago.  Most of the 40 year old house had been updated, and is in a beautiful area.  But with two small children and an active social life, the interior needed new touches of furntishings and accessories.  With the new purchase of Trio Home Lifestyles, I suggested bringing the furniture and other items I believed would work for their style and home.  So we set a date, loaded couches, tables, ottomans, candles, plants and permanent designs, and went to work.  With a large downstairs, the separate living room became a functional dining area making the existing dining room a “poker room” to enjoy with other couples.  A hanging candled chandeliere was added above the rectangular dining table, with a red couch for sitting on one side, and a Malaysian bench on the other.  Live succulent plantings are on the dining table, as well as in the chandelier (easy to care for and a great look for today’s styles).   New coordinating love seats in the family room area gave them comfortable seating and lounging, while creating a space that is inviting as well as practicle.  A smaller round table in the corner of the family area enables them to eat together, but also a place where they children can draw and do crafts.  The entry became more complete with a small Chinese chest, a mirror hidden under a bed,  candleholders, and two cement urns from the patio area of Trio adorned with permanent bromiliads for easy care.  All in all, it was a “win-win” situation, profitable, and extremely exciting to be able to create.  What I want you all to get from this is that because of designing flowers in our flower shop, our abilites have grown to encompass a much wider range of versatility creating a whole new area to make our financial goals a success.  But I was willing to set all the items up with no financial commitement from the client, banking on the fact that our skills would prove to be profitable in the end.