{"id":92,"date":"2015-07-14T10:33:33","date_gmt":"2015-07-14T09:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/justbloomingfloralart.philandmel.com\/?p=92"},"modified":"2015-07-11T22:47:14","modified_gmt":"2015-07-11T21:47:14","slug":"why-use-odd-numbers-of-blooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justbloomingfloralart.philandmel.com\/index.php\/2015\/07\/14\/why-use-odd-numbers-of-blooms\/","title":{"rendered":"Why use odd numbers of blooms?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s pretty simple: It’s because there’s actually a Design Principle known as the “Rule of Threes” which says that things arranged in odd numbers are more appealing, memorable, and effective than even-numbered groupings.<\/p>\n

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A Tapestry arrangement featuring groupings of 3 or more flowers “Carpet of Colour” Exhibit by Mel in March 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The “Rule of Threes”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Objects\u00a0arranged in odd numbers are more appealing, memorable, and effective than even-numbered groupings.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Three seems to be *the* magic number, but 5, 7, or 9 work nicely as well and that is why when arranging we often use flowers this way. This principle holds weight in interior design,\u00a0and also pops up in graphic design, photography,\u00a0 and even in storytelling (after all you have heard of the Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears, and the Three Little Kittens who lost their mittens ).<\/p>\n

What is it about these odd numbers? Apparently, it’s just how our lovely brains work. For one, three is the smallest number that can be used to form a distinguishable pattern in our heads. Also, when you see an odd number of things, your eye is forced to move around more, which makes for a more interesting visual experience.<\/p>\n

Using an uneven number of flowers can help\u00a0an arrangement to look less uniform,\u00a0and more organic or naturalistic. It\u00a0also draws your eye into the focus of the arrangement\u00a0and even in to\u00a0the center of a single flower. \u00a0Have you noticed that many flowers in nature have an odd number of petals. Why is this?\u00a0it may be down to nature’s efficiency and be explained by what is known as the Fibonacci Sequence<\/em> of numbers.\u00a0 As each row of seeds in a sunflower or each row of scales in a pine cone grows radially away from the center, it tries to grow the maximum number of seeds (or scales) in the smallest\u00a0space.<\/p>\n

Take a look at http:\/\/science.jrank.org\/pages\/2707\/Fibonacci-Sequence-Fibonacci-sequence-in-nature.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

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Trying to arrange a 2 or 4 flower bouquet can be challenging because there is no obvious focal point.\u00a0Two or four of the same flowers will be static and symmetrical, while three or five will be more dynamic.<\/p>\n

Some designers believe bouquets need a center and so odd numbers make it easier to achieve. Think about it – if you start with putting together a simple bunch of flowers.\u00a0 You start with 1 bloom, then can easily place three more around it (allowing space in between) and then say five more around that etc etc…<\/p>\n

While I am talking hand posies\u00a0 – Here is where you can find\u00a0a simple pictorial tutorial for spiraling a hand-tied bouquet.<\/p>\n

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http:\/\/moomah.com\/themagazine\/toolbox-flower-arranging<\/a><\/p>\n

Flowers are a tool for creating.\u00a0Floral Artists\u00a0use them the same way that an artist would use paint or a sculptor would use wood or stone. There are so many techniques used to arrange flowers and it all boils down to personal style and interpretation. Somewhere this is so very evident is in an ‘Imposed Floral Art Class’ where you can see different designers using the same flowers\/materials to create completely different arrangements. Below are three prizewinning examples from an Imposed Class at the 11th World Association of Floral Arrangers Flower Show in Dublin in June 2014. \u00a0In such a competition class a set selection of identical materials are supplied as a surprise, and the competitors who usually only know the title of the arrangement must all set to work and complete in the allotted time.<\/p>\n

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“Spontaneous Approach” 1st Prize in this Imposed Class at WAFA Dublin by Bindya Shah, Kenya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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“Spontaneous Approach” 2nd Prize in this Imposed Class at WAFA Show Dublin by Ronell Calitz, South Africa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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“Spontaneous Approach” 3rd Prize in this Imposed Class at WAFA Show Dublin By Francine Thomas, New Zealand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The fun is in the creativity so it’s important to not to get too tied down to odd numbers and focus on what you think would look good. The rule of\u00a03s\u00a0is just a guideline, and may not work in some instances.\u00a0 Sometimes the best design comes\u00a0not from following\u00a0rules, but rather from following your gut.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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