Arrangements
Should Contrast
With
your Wall
or Door
The
two photos to the left demonstrate a seemingly obvious fact, but sometimes it
really is overlooked.
This
is a beautiful wreath. But it has a problem in the second photo on the black door,
doesn't it. It's important to make sure the background material in the wreath
or swag contrasts with the color of the wall or door.
The
background foliage doesn't have to show as much as it does in this particular
wreath, but it has to be there to outline the arrangement against your wall.
Most
of the time I make the foliage darker than the wall color, but light colors against
dark walls can work too. Just don't put dark on dark or light on light.
Also
be sure to Have Contrast
Within the Arrangement
There
also needs to be contrast within the floral arrangement, but this can vary according
to your desires from sharp contrast (as in this wreath) to the other extreme of
being monochromatic (different shades of one color). Even then, for a striking
look, the contrasting background foliage should peak through in places to separate
and highlight the rest of the design.
Floral
Arrangements
On
Rock Walls and Natural Wood
These
two photos demonstrate the need for more definate contrast when the wall or door
are of natural stone or wood. The pattern of lines and joints in the wall require
an even greater contrast than a painted wall of approximately the same color.
The design of the arrangement must be outlined and separated from the pattern
of the wall.
This
too is a beautiful wreath, but it has a tendency to not be noticed on the natural
stone wall. If there was more outlining of the cedar foliage, say as much as there
is at 3 o'clock position on this wreath, it would work better on the stone.
Don't
be afraid of contrast. Even if you want the arrangement to blend in with your
home decor color scheme, you don't want it to "disappear" on the wall.
You want it to show up. That's why you need a contrasting background foliage.
Again
the background foliage can be minimal (as in this wreath) for solid color walls
or doors, but for natural rock or stone, you want a heavier amount of it to get
the needed contrast.
The
only time you might not want contrast is if you want a change of texture or just
a space holder that must not detract from some other piece of decor nearby.
