Psychology of Color: White

White has a clarifying effect on our psyches. It is the color of purity, clarity, and new beginnings. Floral design based around white will generally produce a serene environment in which people will enjoy spending time in.

Depending on whether a yellow-based or blue-based white is used, a warm or cool overall scheme will be created.

 Warm natural elements and rusty reds offset the "coolness" of the hot white flowers, and black containers. Dark metal containers ground arrangements giving them a full and weighty appearance. They also take on the temperature of the flowers used; Warm colors make them look warm and vice versa. 

Blue-based whites give this event a "cool" color scheme. The crystal and polished silver elements amplify the cool setting. Contrasting the stark white, a variety of hot pink and red flowers boldly stand out, but they still take on the temperature of their surroundings.

Lighting has the biggest impact on the color temperature of a setting. The cool evening light washes over the white tables giving them a blue hue. Warm lighting will dramatically increase the color temperature of any setting.  Candlelight, if it is a twilight to late night event, is highly effective for warming up a cool palette. 

 However, white can also generate a cold, sterile and harsh atmosphere. If that is not the goal in mind, offset the rigidity by softening the palette with warm, "soft", natural elements, or using whites with a yellow base rather than blue. The yellow-based green and white flowers are arranged in a warm terra cotta container. The relative "coolness" of the light green linens are offset with deep brown bamboo chairs. The yellow midday light also adds to the "warm" environment. 

Spring Wedding: Part 4: The Finale

Striking deep red accents give an edge to the soft golden palette, 

holding the viewers' interest at every vantage point.

The red backdrop makes the yellow flowers "pop" out.

Features such as the cocktail highboys, and the cake are highlighted.

A very elegant and dramatic setting

Spring Wedding: Part 3: The Centerpieces

The place settings rest atop striped pale gold l'amour linens.

Arrangements don't have to be a wide variety of colors and flowers 

to make a strong impression. The monobotanical and monochromatic

color scheme here is simplistic and makes a bold statement. 

Hints of yellow-tinged white flowers add subtle accents.

Several arrangements of varied hues and textures were interspersed throughout the room.

Spring Wedding: Part Two: The Celebration

The couple is received into a setting of rich golden hues, a luxurious atmosphere of warmth and elation. Twinkling  votives drape elegantly from the delicate vines traversing the ceiling; Imitating the clear Colorado night sky. 

Tall arrangements scattered throughout the room

offer a dramatic contrast to the lower arrangements.

Varying the heights of centerpieces is an effective way to 

create a dynamic setting.

The long head table boasts clusters of 

monobotanical arrangements.

Simple elegance

Spring Wedding: Part 1, Meadow Ceremony

Spring, 

a time of renewal and fresh beginnings, inspires weddings of bold colors, and energetic ambiance. 

A couple devotes their lives to one another in a serene meadow landscape, flanked by a lush variety of bright yellow flowers. 

Extravagant arrangements flank the bride and groom

Aspen Mountain creates a picturesque 

background for the meadow ceremony

Cheerfully elegant bouquets line the aisle

Events: Graduation Party

Graduation is a very exciting time in life. It marks the conclusion of one phase, and the commencement of a new one. Celebrations abound. Appetizers circulate, drinks are held up in heartfelt toasts, guests greatly admire the stunning flowers highlighting the festivities.

Flowers have a distinct and dramatic impact on any type of occasion, but especially an event of celebration. They set the tone and mood, create a dreamt up atmosphere, and remain in the memories of your guests long after their party clothes have been dry-cleaned. 

Colorful Spring arrangements in rustic ceramic urns

A collection of small to medium-sized centerpieces in striking 

colors make a bold statement at any party.

Psychology of Color: Yellow

Colors have a direct and powerful impact on the way we experience our surroundings. It affects our mood, hunger levels, lingering time, desire to spend money, and most notably, our over-all experience of an environment.

Yellow denotes new beginnings. It brings a sense of freshness, tenderness, cheer and vitality to its surroundings, creating an atmosphere alive with hope and endless possibilities.

It is the most eye-catching color. Even if you don't like the color yellow, it will get your attention first. This has nothing to do with preference; Yellow is just the first color to be processed by the brain.

A small pocket vase with a sunflower, rose, sprig of spray roses, and fragrant freesia

 

A monochromatic assortment of yellow flowers

This bouquet is a lush collection of yellow garden roses;

highly regarded for their fullness and delicious fragrance,

accented by green hypericum berries. 

Vibrant yellow-orange roses with hints of green hypericum berries 

creates a bright and cheerful option for a spring bouquet. 

Flower Tips: Tulips

With the lengthening of days, our thoughts naturally turn to the arrival of Spring and warmer weather. Welcome Spring into your home with armfuls of tulips, beautiful blooming branches and fragrant hyacinth. The bright colors and luscious scents will brighten up even the snowiest of days.

Spring blooms, such as tulips, hyacinth and daffodils prefer cool water in their vases. Changing the water every day or so, and adding floral preservative will help them to last longer. Blooming branches, such as forsythia, quince, flowering plum and flowering cherry should be re- cut with sharp pruning shears and placed in warm water. To hasten the blooming process of forced branches, place them in a warm area, or you may place a plastic bag over them to create a"greenhouse" effect.

Tulips have a phototropic response, which means they respond to light. I always enjoy watching the tulips "travel", move around in the vase and stretch. It is a delight to see how they rearrange themselves from day to day. To straighten tulip stems upon arrival, we wrap the heads loosely in white tissue paper, recut them and place them in our cooler. The next day, we remove the wrapping, and -Voila!- straight stems. 

You can do this with the tulips you bring home, as well. If you cut fresh tulips out of your garden, wrap the heads loosely in tissue paper, making sure the necks are braced, re-cut the stems with a sharp knife and place in clean, cool water. Store them like this overnight in a cool place. In the morning, change out the water, re-cut the stems, and enjoy your beautiful tulips. 

*To prolong any cut flower change the water daily, and re-cut the stems using a sharp knife. Dirty water breeds bacteria, and will ruin the flowers quickly. Scissors can just crush or tear the stems, which will inhibit them from getting sufficient water.