Structural Floral Design Workshop

Last thurs, Lynn and I made our first attempt to incorporate structural design in our floral designs for VIP table centerpieces. This workshop is an additional session organised by this Ikebana floral instructor Kelvin which is held at a Chinese Restaurant at Toa Payoh.

Though we both have commercial floral design background, Kelvin's style of floral arrangement opens us to a new perspective towards floral art design - a combination of Ikebana (Japanese floral art) and European floral art. His style emphasizes 5 main elements i.e. Line, Color, Texture, Space and Balance. We are required to formulate our own designs incorporating the 5 main elements, purchase our floral and foilage materials and decide on the theme.

This is definitely a big challenge for both of us, firstly we are not familiar with structural designs we need to come up with themes that blend well with our designs. We tried google new ideas, browsed our floral magazines, ransacked our rooms, searching for materials that can be used to construct structures. More importantly, the day before the workshop, we managed to tap on Kelvin's creativity. Haha... we finally see some light in our masterpieces :)

Guess whose design? It's me, Linda! I hope you can tell that this is a Christmas theme. Had received feedback that it is a Mooncake Festival, Olympics etc :(

I had used 3 varying sizes Christmas wreath as the main structure design in the arrangement. The silver ribbon was used to create snowy effect to the arrangement. Red roses and pin par were used as red and green are associated with x'mas and also, they helped to brighten up the arrangement.

Next, Lynn's design. Oh izit this lovely? Wedding ferns, tealights, silver ribbons (to create the structural flow), lilies... does that remind you of wedding? (oh yes, it's a wedding theme). I strongly propose couples to consider using this design as their VIP centrepiece. Isn't this more unique? It adds to the "soft" and "quiet" look and yet able to capture attention from afar.

Here are some designs we come across in our workshop (done by some seniors).

Check it out the structure. Do you know what it's made of? Acrylic sticks!!! It's done by our neighbour, Pauline. She spent days and nights working on the structure. It finally pays off !!! Everyone was eager to capture the shot of this arrangement on the actual day. I personally felt that the arrangement was placed in the perfect spot, lighting that was placed below the arrangement had created a mystifying effect.

This was one of those few designs that Kelvin had praised. The gerberas are dancing in the air with the leaves - creating smooth lines and movements. Wow, I'm impressed. This session is certainly an enriching experience for both of us =)

Lovely Pics

Finally get settled down to sort out those pics we had taken for all our projects since May. We are preparing for the next batch of photos of our new decor works to be posted onto our website. Particularly like those pics we had taken at Halia Restaurant on May 10 ...thanks to my dear fren, Michelle =) This wedding covered 3 areas of the entire restaurant including the courtyard, winebar and the gallery room. Weather had not been good when we reached the restaurant to do the setup at 9am. But I was glad that the lovely sunshine came after the downpour for the awesome couple who deserves abundance of sunshine for their big day =) Below are some of my favourite shots of Michelle's masterpieces.

Sweet William placed in the tealight holders of the floral stands

This guest table styling decor shot was captured through the drinking glass....interesting =)

Couple chair decor

The couple whom I had worked with is indeed an awesome pair - they are simply lovely and easy going to work with. Plus the great sense of humor of the groom had always made our discussion sessions a light hearted one. The bride had even offered to send me some of the decor shots captured by her photographer so that I can keep them in portfolio. Below is one shot provided by the couple.

The pair of floral stands arrangements marking the entrance