1. Floral Foam round centerpiece

2. General Floral Design Rules
Proper dimensions for floral designs are 1 1/2 to 2 times the greatest dimension of the container (height or width, whichever is greater)
Buds and smaller flowers should be at the top and outer edge of the arrangement. Larger flowers should be placed lower and more toward the center.
Lighter colors should be placed towards the top and darker colors toward the base.
When using 12 flowers or less, use an uneven number of flowers to achieve visual balance (not including filler material).
The ultimate size of an arrangement is limited by the size of stems, flowers, and surroundings.
Never let the mechanical aids of the arrangement show (wires, tape, foam, or any other supports).
Begin an arrangement with the shape in mind. Place outer perimeter flowers to establish shape. Fill in center.
Be sure to use horizontal, diagonal and vertical stems for fuller and natural- looking arrangements.

3. Rules for Use of Floral Foam
When soaking floral foam place in plugged, clean sink and then fill with water
do not put foam directly beneath the stream of water
avoid air bubbles
Once foam dries out it cannot be reused
Make sure foam is secured to base
Insert stems about 1 to 1.5 inches into foam
no small leaves or knobs on stems
inserted stem should be the same width (trim carnation stems)
can be inserted deeper if heavier, taller products; these products should most often be used vertically

4. Rules for Use of Floral Foam con’t
Do not over handle foam
can get rubbery or break apart
Once a stem is inserted it can be pushed in farther but it cannot be pulled out for relocation
creates an air hole and the product can wilt
remove stem and reposition if longer stem length is needed
You can only reuse holes in the foam if a stem will be inserted father than the original hole created
Foam should not be visible when viewing arrangement

5. Greening up: Can shave corners of foam to round foam more

8. Addition of flowers: placement

10. Fall Centerpiece examples

14. Using stem length
For all the previous arrangements you saw there was stem length used.
This allows you to use fewer flowers (keep the cost down) but end up with a larger arrangement
This also allows for height to your designation without having to build foam to a specific height

15. Pave’ Method
one of the most commonly used basing techniques, as simply defined as "paving" the surface of the foam with flowers.
The blooms are tucked closely together leaving no negative space in between.
Height across the design should stay constant with little or no undulation. (Raising the height leads to "pillowing", yet another basing technique)