DESIGN STYLES

FLEMISH DESIGN

A Massed Composition reminiscent of the floral still-life paintings by Dutch and Flemish artists of the 16th and 17th centurines, featuring an abundant variety of flowers arranged with little regard for compatibility or seasonality. Rich colors, varied textures and natural accessoroies, such as fruits, insects, or seashells, are hallmarks of this style. The most prized varieties of flowers are ususally positioned at the top of the design, admired as they were by the artists' wealthy patrons. Ironically, arrangements of this sort could hardly have existed during the era they were painted. Modern forcing techniques for bringing flowers into bloom out of season had yet to be developed.

DELLA-ROBBIA STYLE

A composition characterized by the dominant use of fruit in Wreath and Garland designs. The style is named for the Terra-Cotta Relief work of this family of Renaissance Italy.

ABSTRACT DESIGN

A design that employs nonrealistic use of natural and/or man-made materials soley as pure ELEMENTS- LINE, FORM, COLOR, and TEXTURE in a SPACE - to create a statement evoking a well thought-out emotion.

AMERICAN DESIGN

A general term for a broad classification of designs that distinguish North American Style. Is characterized by the use of large quantities of materials with little or no Negative Space, often rounded in form and with Radial Stem Placement. Was later influenced by the floral arts of the East and the West, giving rise to Geometric Forms and the term "Line-Mass"

BIEDERMEIER

A rounded or conical floral arrangement, similar to the nosegay, and named for a German style of interior design of the early 1800's. Is typically created with compact spiraling or concentric circles, each featuring a particular flower or color, with virtually no negative space.

ENCLOSURE DESIGN

A type of circular Shelter design resembling a bird;s nest. Serval layers of Plant Materials encircle the center to create a feeling of Protection, and at the same time draw the eye inward; or a Composition in which floral materials are completely enclosed inside a vessel, such as a glass vase.

FREE-STYLE DESIGN

AKA - FREE-FORM DESIGN; an advanced creative style popularized by the Sogetsu School, which allows greater freedom in interpreting the rules of traditional IKEBANA.

TOPIARY DESIGN

a Composition of fresh cut, dried, or artificial Plant Materials assembled into the Form of a garden topiary, typically a standard (having one primary trunk)

PARALLEL-SYSTEMS DESIGN

a Composition utilizing Parallel Stem Placement in which groupings of stems are placed in the same direction as each other and are always the same distance apart from end to end. Negative Space exists between the groups. There are no major components that have Radiating lines; however, there may be Basing involved with slight Radial Stem Placement. These designs are usually Vertical, but can also be arranged Horizontally, or Diagonally.

STACKED DESIGN

a Vertically-tiered Compostion consisting of maerials arranged in CONTAINERS that have been stacked on top of one another. The continers usually diminish in size as they ascend and the overall volume is typically segmented into areas of POSITIVE and NEGATIVE Space. Also a vertical arrangement composed of relatively flat Plant materials and/or other objects that have been placed directly on top of one another.

EUROPEAN DESIGN

a broad classification of designs that distinguish contemporary European Style. The basic classifications include Decorativ, Parallel, Vegetative, Formalinear,and Graphic, hand-tied Bouquets, in various shapes and styles, and are important aspects of this design category.

WATERFALL DESIGN

a cascading design resembling a waterfall in appearance. Descending Lines, sometimes intentionally crossed, and several layers of different, typically sheer materials with delicate Textures emphasize Depth and create flowing effect. Nonfloral and/or reflective Elements are often incorportated, often in a veilinf technique. The mechanics may be foam based or hand tied.

ENGLISH GARDEN DESIGN

a classical, Massed Composition evocotive of the traditionally lush Herbaceous Borders of England. Popularized by 20th-century gardeners and designers such as Gertrude Jekyll and Constance Spry. They feature an abundance of seasonally compatible, Radially arranged Plant Materials in a profusion of forms and colors. The inclusion of Woody Stem branches and foliage is typical, frequently being used to express the gracefully arching Lines that are characteristic of the style. These designs have served as the inspiration for classically styled flower arrangements of the Southern United States.

COLONIAL DESIGN

a compact, lightly massed COMPOSITION of Plant Material, typically SYMMETRICAL and round, with flowers arranged in fairly regular Patterns. THIS DESIGN IS OFTEN collared with a ring of foliage or Lace. Is a Misnomer, in that the true American Colonists had little more than grasses, weeds, wild berries, and scant garden flowers with which to design. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as a WILLIAMSBURG DESIGN.

SHELTER DESIGN

a composition in which parts of the arrangement are "protected" by a Structure of Branches or other Materials that extend over and above it.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

a composition that imitates a man-made landscape. Using a Vegetative approach, flowers, branches, foliage, and other materials, such as stones are arranged in a planned or cultivated manner such that the influence of the designer is evident. Flowers are Grouped and may be stairstepped in height rather than zoned.

TUSSIE-MUSSIE / TUSSY-MUSSY

a dainty, compact, round BOUQUET of mixed, fragrant flowers and herbs arranged either in a random Pattern or organized in concentric circles. This style is associated with the Victorian Period and the name derived from an Old English term for a Nosegay, meaning "small cluster of flowers wrapped in moss".

REALISTIC INTERPRETATION

a design that features materials arranged in a manner that is not contrived or over manipulated.

NON-REALISTIC INTERPRETATION

a design that features materials arranged in a way that is striking and unusuual, with no allusion to reality.

PHOENIX DESIGN

a floral composition in which tall materials appear to burst out of the center of a rounded arrangement. The style was named for the ancient bird of the Egytian mythology that rose from the ashes of its own fiery destruction.

WESTERN-LINE DESIGN

a general term for Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Triangle, L-shaped, Horizontal, Vertical, Cresent, and Pointed-Oval arrangements, which are based on Geometric Forms. These arrangements are characterized by a well established Focal Area near the lip of the Container. All stems appear to radiate from the Base. The height is typically at least one-and-one-half to two times the height or width of the container, whichever is greater. This style is derived from the linearity of IKEBANA combined with the traditional massed arrangemnts of Europe, giving rise to the term"Line-Mass" design.

FREE-FORM DESIGN

a general term for a compostion with no specific Geometric form, inspired by unconventional ideas and Patterns, yet adhering to the elements and principles of design..

MASS DESIGN

a general term for any Composition in which the Element of Form has more Dominance than the element of Line. Mass designs are typically dense with Plant Materials and incorporate relatively little NEGATIVE Space as a means of emphasizing the overall shape of the arrangement.

BOTANICAL DESIGN

a late 20th-century American Design conept that features at least 3 pats of the plant material; stems, leaves, buds, blossoms, and roots. This interpretive design uses the various parts in creative and nontraditional manner. Originally introduced as an exhibition category by the Natioanl Garden Clubs, Inc.

CALLAGE

a low-relief MONTAGE of Plant Materials either fresh or preserved, or a combination of both, arranged for artistic effect; based on an art form in which fragments of objects are pasted together on a flat surface for their symbolic or suggestive effect. A recognized exibition category of the National Garden Clubs Inc.

VEGATATIVE DESIGN

a naturalistic Compositionin which Plant Materials are positioned as they would grow in nature. In strict applications, the flowers used should be those found growing together in a particular environment, with the emphasis placed on climatic, seasonal, geographical, and topographical compatibility. The technique of zoning is typically employed in this style of design.

HEDGEROW DESIGN

a precise, upright design of Parallel stem placements in which Plant Materials are aligned or massed in multiple layers to acheive the effect of nearly solid Horizontal bands; also know as garden wall, or by the English term, "Beecher's Brook".

MILLEFLEUR

a radial design featuring many varieties of randomly placed blossoms of simular sizes, though primarily with circular Forms. Colors are multi-HUED and no one particular type of flower dominates. The flowers are most often loosely and delicately arranged.

STABILE DESIGN

a static, sculptural composition that implies motion, even though rigid and stationary and held in position at the base. Inspired by the American sculptor, Alexander Calder, this design conveys a sense of arrested motion, frozen in Space. A recognized exhibition category of the national Garden Clubs.

FORMALINEAR / FORMAL LINEAR

a term in Europe for a Composition of relatively few, well organized materials, usually placed in groups, emphasizing bold forms and clean lines. Generous use of Negative Space accentuates the individual flowers, leaves, stem angles, colors and textures. Radial stem placement and asymmetrical balance are typical. This type of design is sometimes referred to as "high style".

VOLUMETRIC DESIGN

a three-dimensional, Closed Form Composition consisting of a clearly defined Geometic shape that is wholly or partially filled or outlined with Plant Material and/or decorative accents. None of the materials used should violate the integrity of the geometric form. IE: cone, pyramid, obelisk, sphere.

HOGARTH CURVE

a three-sided floral composition having the form of a graceful elongated "S" shaped curve, with ascending and descending lines radiating fromthe central FocalArea. It is actually a variant of Geometric design, consisting of 2 cresents that curve in opposite directions to create the characteristic serpentine form. AKA- the line of beauty as named by its creator.

NEW-CONVENTION DESIGN

a variant of parallel Systems design, having Groupings of horizontal Stem Placements emerging from the base of the Composition at 90 degree angles to those in the Vertical position. The horizontal groups may extend from all four sides of the arrangement and are composed of the same materials as the vertical groups, implying a sense of reflection.

FLOB

an acronym for "Floral Object"; A contriviance: a demensional unit formed with several individual floral or natural components, and somtimes including man-made Elements, Taking on characteristics of a Sculpture. The term was coined in the late 1960's in Europe, when there was a desire to showcase Plant Materials differently, from their normal existence and presentation.

CASCADE DESIGN

an arrangement that features Descending Lines of Plant materials in the manner of falling water. AKA - waterfall design

IKEBANA

the Japanese Art of Floral Design, literally meaning "to arrange flowers"