designing centerpieces - central cusd 4 · designing centerpieces t he floral centerpiece is an...

Designing Centerpieces

THE FLORAL CENTERPIECE is an established

part of our society. Holidays, birthdays,

dinner parties, and other special events call

for the use of centerpieces to contribute to

a festive atmosphere. Floral designers can

exercise their creativity by designing

centerpieces with specific themes.

Objective:

� Demonstrate how to design cen-terpieces.

Key Terms:

� accessories

candleholder

centerpiece

Floral Centerpieces

Centerpieces have been the center attraction on tables since the eighteenth century. A cen-

terpiece is a floral arrangement designed to be placed on a table or a buffet. It should be

attractive and colorful. Traditional centerpieces are low so as not to interfere with conversation

at a table. However, contemporary arrangements, such as topiaries, add a splash of color and

design above eye level. A centerpiece on a dining table is viewed from all sides. A centerpiece

on a buffet table at a banquet might be one-sided and coordinated with centerpieces on the

dining tables themselves.

E-unit: Designing Centerpieces

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Copyright © by CAERT, Inc. — Reproduction by subscription only. E030062

TYPES OF

CENTERPIECES

Types of centerpieces include

bud vases, small vase arrange-

ments, round centerpieces, oval

or diamond-shaped centerpieces,

and conical centerpieces.

Bud Vases

Bud vases are small arrange-

ments suitable for placing at inter-

vals on long, rectangular tables.

Each typically contains one flower

or three flowers. Bud vases are

inexpensive to create.

Small Vase Arrangements

Small vase arrangements are designed in vases in the proportion of 1 to 1 so that they do not

obstruct vision. They are more colorful than bud vases and better emphasize the flowers. They

may be asymmetrical or symmetrical in design, depending on the theme and formality of the

occasion.

Round Centerpieces

Round centerpieces are suited to round and square tables. They may be designed with one

type of flower or a mixture of several varieties and colors. The container that works best is low

and rounded. A round centerpiece looks basically the same when viewed from any point in a

room. The contour of the arrangement may be round or triangular.

Steps to designing a round centerpiece follow.

1. Select a low container with a large-diameter opening that will accept a suitable piece of

floral foam.

2. Position a moistened piece of floral foam in the center of the container, with 1/2 to 1

inch of the foam above the rim of the container. Trim the foam edges for easier stem

placement and shave off the corners at 45-degree angles. Secure the foam to the con-

tainer with waterproof tape, an anchor pin, or pan-melt glue.

3. Add greens in a circular pattern around the container. Insert the greens about 1 inch

into the floral foam at the same level as the rim. The greens should angle slightly down-

ward, and when viewed from above they should create a circle.


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FIGURE 1. A centerpiece adds a beautiful and festive flair when you are

entertaining.

4. Add foliage in a vertical position at the center of the floral foam. Fill in between the

center foliage and foliage that forms the circle with more foliage to create a rounded or

triangular contour.

5. Position the tallest flower to establish the height of the arrangement. Usually the height

should not exceed 12 inches so that people on opposite sides of the table can see each

other.

6. Take care in placing the flowers. Repeated placement and withdrawal of the stems

damages the floral foam, creates air pockets, and weakens the support for flowers. Also,

once a flower is inserted, don’t pull the flower out a little bit. An air pocket will be cre-

ated, and the life of the flower shortened.

7. Place five or six flowers at the rim of the container. View the design from above to be

sure the flowers form a circle. The stems of the flowers should radiate from the

mechanical focal point of the arrangement located at the center of the floral foam.

8. Use additional flowers between the tall flowers and the flowers at the base to fill in the

contour. Be sure the stems angle toward the mechanical focal point and that the flower

heads face the viewer. Leave space between the new flowers that are added. Place some

flowers deeper into the arrangement to add depth.

9. Use filler flowers to fill in gaps or openings in the arrangement.

10. Add greens to cover any floral foam that is visible.

11. Insert accessories if desired.

Oval or Diamond-Shaped Centerpieces

Oval or diamond-shaped centerpieces are similar to round centerpieces but are more suit-

able for oval or rectangular tables. Common containers for this style are rectangular, oval, or

circular with low rims. The contour of this design may be triangular or rounded.


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Top View Side View

FIGURE 2. The top view reveals equal-width placements around the container rim and equidistant placements from the center

of the design (and from the container, too). The side view reveals the effect of varied width and height placements—a

rounded or triangular contour.

1. Select a low container with a large-diameter opening that will accept a suitable piece of

floral foam.

2. Position a moistened piece of floral foam in the center of the container, with 1/2 to 1

inch of the foam above the rim of the container. Trim the foam edges for easier stem

placement and shave off the corners at 45-degree angles. Secure the foam to the con-

tainer with waterproof tape, an anchor pin, or pan-melt glue.

3. Place two long, matching pieces of greens at each end of the container. Then, insert the

greens about 1 inch into the floral foam at the same level as the rim. The greens should

angle slightly downward, and when viewed from above they should create an oval or a

diamond.

4. Add foliage in a vertical position at the center of the floral foam. Fill in between the

center foliage and foliage at the base with more foliage to create a rounded or triangular

contour.

5. Position the tallest flower to establish the height of the arrangement. Usually the height

should not exceed 12 inches so that people seated on opposite sides of the table can see

each other.

6. Take care in placing the flowers. Repeated placement and withdrawal of the stems

damages the floral foam, creates air pockets, and weakens the support for flowers. Also,

once a flower is inserted, don’t pull the flower out a little bit. An air pocket will be cre-

ated, and the life of the flower shortened.

7. Place longer flowers at each end, inserting the stems just above the rim of the con-

tainer. Place another flower on each side. View the design from above to be sure the

flowers form an oval or a diamond. The stems of the flowers should radiate from the

mechanical focal point of the arrangement located at the center of the floral foam.

8. Use additional flowers between the tall flowers and the flowers at the base to fill in the

contour. Be sure the stems angle toward the mechanical focal point and that the flower

heads face the viewer. Leave space between the new flowers that are added. Place some

flowers deeper into the arrangement to add depth.

9. Use filler flowers to fill in gaps or openings in the arrangement.


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Oval Diamond-shaped

TOP VIEW

FIGURE 3. Low, horizontal centerpieces may be oval or diamond-shaped when viewed from the top.

10. Add greens to cover any

floral foam that is visible.

11. Add accessories if desired.

Conical Centerpieces

Conical centerpieces are cone

shaped or three-dimensional isos-

celes triangles. These designs date

from the Byzantine period. A cen-

terpiece that looks like a Christ-

mas tree is conical.

ACCESSORIES

Accessories are items that

can be added to a centerpiece to

create a certain atmosphere or

interest. These items should be in

harmony with the design and

properly placed to be effective.

Candles are often used. A candle

can be stabilized by using a

candleholder. This plastic

device is round at the top to

secure the candle and pronged on

the other end to fit into floral

foam. Candleholders come in a

variety of sizes to fit the many

sizes of candles. If using more

than one candle, space them at least 1 inch apart. Ribbon, fruit, cones, seasonal items, and

other objects might also be used as accessories in a centerpiece.

TAKING FLORAL ORDERS

To make decisions about the design of a centerpiece for a particular event, gathering neces-

sary information is extremely important. The image of the business relies in part on good com-

munication skills by the person taking orders. Taking a floral order involves making a sale for

the business and should therefore be a promotion of the products and services. In taking an

order, it is important to be courteous and to speak clearly. It is also necessary to be assertive

without being overbearing and to guide the conversation. To complete the order, a series of

questions must be answered, including what, when, where, how, and why.


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FIGURE 4. A conical design can be created using either a floral foam

foundation or a chicken-wire base.

FIGURE 5. Green plastic candleholders provide a secure foundation for

candles used in a centerpiece.

1. Why is the event being held? Is it a wedding, banquet, graduation?

2. When is the event (date and time) and how much time is needed to set up?

3. Where is the event?

4. What are the style and size of the room?

5. What are the room colors, and what are the colors associated with the event or event

sponsor?

6. What is the preferred style of the event (formal, informal, casual, contemporary, or ele-

gant)?

7. How many tables will need centerpieces, and what are the shapes and sizes of the

tables?

8. How many additional floral designs will be needed?

9. What is the budget for flowers?

A florist should visit the site and become familiar with the surroundings before creating the

floral work. Sometimes banquet halls and hotels have mirrors and candles that may be used,

but they need to be reserved for the event in advance.


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ON THE JOB…

CAREER CONNECTION: Floral Designer

Floral designers are also referred to as florists. They select live, dried, or silk flowers and

foliage to create bouquets, corsages, table centerpieces, and wreaths. They are also hired to

make floral pieces for weddings, funerals, holidays, and other special occasions. Floral designs

include containers, ribbons, and accessories, such as balloons, candles, toys, candy, and gift

baskets.

Floral designers must be creative and be able to communicate their ideas visually and ver-

bally. Problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and under pressure also are

important traits. Individuals in this field need self-discipline to budget their time and meet dead-

lines.

Most floral designers work in small independent floral shops. The shops may specialize in

custom orders and handle large orders for weddings, caterers, or interior designers. A floral

designer may meet with the customer to discuss the arrangement or work from a written order.

He or she notes the occasion, the customer’s preferences, the price of the order, the time the

floral display or plant is to be ready, and the place to which it is to be delivered. For special

occasions, floral designers usually help set up floral decorations.

Floral designers are not required to obtain formal postsecondary training. Most floral design-

ers learn their skills on the job. However, many designers do seek an associate’s degree from a

community college or a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university.

HEL

PW

ANTE

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Summary:

� A centerpiece is a floral arrangement designed to be placed on a table or a buffet.Traditional centerpieces are low so as not to interfere with conversation at a table.

Types of centerpieces include bud vases, small vase arrangements, round center-pieces, oval or diamond-shaped centerpieces, and conical centerpieces. A roundcenterpiece looks the same from any view. The contour of the arrangement may beround or triangular. An oval or diamond-shaped centerpiece is similar to a roundcenterpiece but is more suitable for an oval or rectangular table. The contour of thisdesign may be triangular or rounded. A conical centerpiece is a three-dimensionalisosceles triangle.

Accessories are items that can be added to centerpieces to create interest. Candles,ribbon, fruit, cones, seasonal items, and other objects are used as accessories.

To make decisions about the design of a centerpiece for a particular event, gatheringnecessary information is important. A series of questions must be answered, includ-ing what, when, where, how, and why.

Checking Your Knowledge:

� 1. What is a centerpiece?

2. What are the types of centerpieces?

3. What are the steps taken in designing round and oval or diamond-shaped cen-terpieces?

4. What are accessories?

5. What information must be learned to complete an order for a centerpiece?

Expanding Your Knowledge:

� Design a variety of centerpieces as a project at home or in class. The program atschool can take orders for events and fill them as a class project. Follow the steps tomaking centerpieces outlined in this unit.

Web Links:

� Rittners Floral School

http://www.floralschool.com/floral-ed-center.htm

Table Arrangements

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/tabarcen.html

The Table Centerpiece

http://www.800florals.com/care/easy_center.asp


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http://www.floralschool.com/floral-ed-center.htm

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/tabarcen.html

http://www.800florals.com/care/easy_center.asp

designing centerpieces - central cusd 4 · designing centerpieces t he floral centerpiece is an...

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