 |
feature
designs
Sympathy
Designs:
Expressing
Emotions
Color trends lend a wealth of
creative possibilities for stunning tributes.
|
 |
Florists have a weighty responsibility
when tackling sympathy orders—to translate the love and respect that
family and friends have for the deceased into a piece of floral art that
loved ones can cherish in their mind’s eye long past the public
memorials. Such a tall order calls for creativity and perhaps more
attention to detail than with other arrangements.
Few other venues give such a wide audience an up-close look at your
work. In addition, these pieces must withstand added handling because
they often are displayed at multiple ceremony sites.
Taking cues from the California Cut Flower Commission’s (CCFC) American
Floral Trends Forecast, designer J. Keith White, AIFD, has created a
range of designs—from traditional to trend-setting—in each of the four
themes: Rose Hip, Hydroponic, Gatherings and Infusion. For more
information on the CCFC’s 2006-2007 trend forecast, visit
Floral Trends 2006.
Guest Designer: J. Keith White, AIFD, is partner and design
director for AANDK Productions in Houston, Texas, a special-events
company for retail, corporate and trade clients. He is involved in the
Texas State Florists’ Association and the Allied Florists of Houston,
which awarded him Member of the Year in 1996. Mr. White is a member of
the FTD Education Team and the California Cut Flower Commission
Education/Outreach Team. Other members of the FTD Education Team are
Jeffrey Corbin, AIFD, AAF, PFCI; Deborah De La Flor, AIFD; Toomie
Farris, AIFD, AAF; John Klingel, AIFD, AAF, PFCI; Ian Prosser, AIFD, AAF,
NDSF; and Tina Stoecker, AIFD.
This sympathy design feature and Mr. White’s work on it were sponsored
by FTD Group, Inc.
rose hip
This sumptuous palette of spicy
and earth-toned hues allows the interplay of exotic and traditional
floral elements. At its heart, the look is organic and celebrates
nature’s bounty. These arrangements honor a person of sophisticated
tastes.
sleek solace
Bundles of bamboo stalks anchor this casket piece
 in
a cross formation while sponge mushrooms and
lichens provide an organic backdrop. Ingredients from the mesh fabric to
the callas create a flowing effect, using the natural draping of the
flowers and foliages to accentuate the lines. Pairings are used for
dramatic effect here, with two large Anthuriums framed between the two
pairs of callas that arch across. Even the Philodendron selloum leaves
direct the eye toward the center of the piece.
MATERIALS: Never-Wilt® Single Casket Saddle from The John Henry
Company; Mesh Fabric from ArtMesh; bamboo, angel vine, brake fern (Pteris),
sponge mushrooms and moss from Knud Nielsen Company; lichen balls from
Schusters of Texas; ‘Milva’ roses, Anthuriums, pincushions (Leucospermums),
miniature callas, Asiatic lilies
and Philodendron selloum leaves sponsored by FTD
Flower Exchange.
hydroponic
This modern palette is clean without being sterile and has the natural
favorite green among its centerpiece colors. This verdant palette
creates sympathy expressions that are ideal for either a man or a woman
and appropriate for any season.
 |
nature’s edge
The intricate detail in this nontraditional square wreath form is
achieved with simple style. Amid the clusters of white and
yellow-green ingredients, loops of Banksia foliage bind the form.
Their naturally saw-toothed edges appear hand-cut and intricate,
adding value to the piece. Wire-bound bundles of steel grass also
add interest and direction to the piece. ‘Green Goddess’ callas
swoop through the wreath’s center, breaking up the hard edges.
MATERIALS: 18” Mâché Square Wreath and Silver Metallic Wire
from Smithers-Oasis; Cymbidiums, ‘Super Green’ roses, ‘Green
Goddess’ callas, carnations, Dahlias, Banksia foliage and steel
grass sponsored by FTD Flower Exchange. |
gatherings
The Gatherings theme is all about celebrating one’s eclectic
style—personalizing arrangements to an individual’s tastes and interests
and reflecting their worldly experiences. It is particularly suited to
incorporating props and themes, so be sure to ask families about
favorite hobbies, travels and colors.
vision of
love
This massed collection of sumptuous
florals is joined
by pink balls of eyelash yarn, which
are picked into
 the
wreath form and blend beautifully with the feathery pink Proteas as a
foil for the spiky artichokes and sleek Anthuriums. Showy English garden
roses are a prized addition—while their shorter life makes them less
used in arrangements that must last for days, for sympathy work, their
blooms are spectacular. This wreath would be particularly appropriate
for gardeners and those interested in needlework, but use your
creativity in customizing such designs to each family.
MATERIALS: 24” Mâché Open Heart from Smithers-Oasis; wooden easel
from The John Henry Company; ‘Juliette Droues’ and ‘René Goscinny’
English garden roses from Flower Transfer, Inc.; ‘Super Green’ and
‘Sahara’ roses, ‘Super Nova’ Eryngiums, Proteas, artichokes, Hydrangeas,
Hypericums, waxflowers,
rice flowers (Ozothamnus), Veronicas and jasmine
vine sponsored by FTD Flower Exchange; yarn from
local craft store.
infusion
The neutral bases of white, black and brown offer a pristine palette
with which any hue can combine for a pleasing presentation. Here,
dazzling white pieces are both reverential and celebratory of a life
well-lived.
 |
herald of peace
A heady fragrance and dazzling display are created with the
profusion of perfectly opened white Oriental lilies, which are
joined by white callas and accented with Lisianthuses and
Hydrangeas. This classic arrangement is a perfect choice for those
looking for a pure tribute. Timing is key because the lilies should
be at peak bloom for the services, so leave the flowers out of the
cooler for several days ahead of designing time.
MATERIALS: Never-Wilt® Double Casket Saddle from The John
Henry Company; Oriental lilies, Lisianthuses, callas and Hydrangeas
sponsored by FTD Flower Exchange.
|
• To read and see more,
Click here
to purchase the current issue of Florist's Review.
|
