American Style Flower Arranging (part 4)

The American centerpiece in medium high

When viewed thoroughly, from any angles you see, it will form the 3 points in which if you draw an imaginary line among them it will become a triangle. So, this is the three-dimensional centerpiece that is very suitable to be placed on the table as home décor. 

Here’s the step by step tutorial how to make the American centerpiece

1.      Prepare the vase (rectangular shape), fill it with wet foam

Take 5 stems of gerbera, cut one of them with a height of 2x the width of the vase then place it upright in the middle of the foam. This will become the culmination of the centerpiece. Then place the four others surrounding it in group, each with different height. Arrange the gerberas facing all directions so that this centerpiece is beautifully viewed from the front, back and side.

2.      Take some caspea then place them on the right side

Take some red cordyline, place them opposite direction to the caspea by using terracing technique.

3.     Take 4 stems of hemalomena (a kind of anthurium but smaller), place them at the front (2 at the base and 2 rather high). Up to this stage, it has been looked like a three dimensional centerpiece.

Take some stems of snapdragon, place them between the red cordyline and the hemalomena and in the opposite also but shorter than the first ones.

4.     Add some statice. This flower is more purple than caspea but both of them are gorgeous and can be stand for days.

 As focus, use some purple roses, green carnations and red celocia. Place them on the three different sides at the center area by using basing technique and arrange them facing the different directions, too.

Finally, take 2 stems of futoy. Fill the stems with wire, then bend twice so that it become a triangular shape. Put the triangle near the green carnation area.

Finished

The american centerpiece viewed from the front

If in European style, the biggest material (whether flower or leaf) is usually placed at the bottom and the smaller at the upper, then in American style boldly laid big flower/leaf at the top. But overall, at first glance  some small flowers at the base look big because they are laid in grouping. So, actually it's only such a camouflage look! Have a nice try.

Note:

Pictures taken at the workshop by Andy Djati Utomo, S.Sn, AIFD, CFD, on May 16^th, 2012 in Bandung, West Java.