Color Combinations

My kids are sick, so that means late nights for me.  That also means that my creativity suffers.  SOO we are going to continue on about color choices.  This is the fun stuff though!!  Lets talk about color combinations!

So you have a couple of choices to go with- (actually, in the world of flowers anything goes, but here are some suggestions!)

Monochromatic- This means ONE color.  However this does NOT mean boring!!!  Choosing one color is very soothing on the eyes and helps set a clear theme of what you are trying to portray. It is also suprisingly easy to create.   For example a pure white theme, with calla lilies and clean lines gives the impression of simplicity, purity and elegance. 

Simple white calla lilies

Where as by choosing a single bright color it can create drama and pizazz. 

Deep scarlet "Black Magic" roses

Another option within a monochromatic theme is to choose contrasting tomes within the same color, lavendar and deep purple, hot pink and baby pink, peach and tangerine.  This provides the simplicity of choosing one color, but allows for some dramatic contrasts.

Hot pink and baby pink make a feminine statement

Within a monochromatic scheme your possibilities are endless.
Pros: Simple, easy to create, easy to establish the overall mood of the occasion.
Cons- Not as vibrant.  Hard to highlight specifics.  Can be "boring".
Tip- Use varying shades and tones to create vibrancy

Analogous-This means to use 2 colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.  (Red and orange, orange and yellow, yellow and green, green and blue, blue and purple, purple and red).  This provides many of the pros of a monochromatic scheme but with more nuance.  By choosing one dominant tone of the two you can easily create a stunning look. 

Yellow and Orange make a vibrant statement

Pros- Easy to create, similar pros as monochromatic but with more vibrancy and nuance.
Cons- not as much contrast (drama) as complementary scheme.
Tips- Avoid using too many shades or tones of colors.

Complementary-This is when you choose 2 colors on opposite sides of the color wheel, for example, red and green, Blue and yellow, purple and orange.  This creates the maximum amount of drama and if balanced properly it can create a stunning effect.

 Blue and yellow spring flowers

Pros-Maximum contrast makes a bold statement
Cons- Very difficult to balance and make harmonious
Tips-Choose one dominant and one contrast.  Tone things down by using copious amounts of white.

Triadic- This means to choose three colors on opposing sides of the color wheel.  (Think red, yellow and blue, or purple, orange and green, or varying shades in between.) Once again, this provides maximum drama but it is more easily balanced than a complementary scheme.

Yellow and red are bright contrasts

Pros-Alot of drama but more easily balanced
Cons- Difficult to portray a cohesive mood or theme
Tips- Choose one primary color and use the other two as complements

So there are your "rules".  However, as I said, within the flower world there is alot of room for movement.  Remember if it is a wedding you are planning there will be alot of white to tone things down, and in floral arrangements there is usually greenery added to help things balance. 

Happy planning!