Design of the Month - August
Neutrals don't need to be boring. Jeff Smith's creation, our August Design of the Month, was created for our One Container Five Elements program.
Responding to the form and symmetry of his latte-coloured container, Jeff incorporated a similarly curving yet asymmetrical structure, its front textured with tan bark pieces and an outer layer of mid-brown reed spines. The radial spines are contrasted with the overlapping lines of the long stems.
The natural-hued base is complemented by a collection of similar neutral materials and some other muted tones. Exotic blooms, Anthurium, Cymbidium and Zantedeschia, mingle harmoniously with dried wheat and some garden-style choices in the succulents and geranium.
A fascinating shape and tactile appeal overcome the neutrality and elevate the impact.
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Texture contrasts and an overall tactile approach enhance the appeal of this arching composition.
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Change Your Thinking, Change Your Design |
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Every workshop teaches techniques. The most valuable learning changes the way we think. Our days with Gregor in Sydney soon will help develop the judgement to create thoughtful, purposeful designs. When your thinking changes, your design changes.
I am excited to be welcoming Gregor to Sydney again - and there's still a few places in the Connections 2026 events. We can’t wait to meet all those who have already registered.
It’s an amazing and increasingly rare chance to experience Gregor’s mastery in person as he unfurls his latest system to generate new ideas along with his scheme for organising and accessing inspiration.
There’s the one-day Creativity Symposium (14 August) and a three-day hands-on workshop (15-17 August) on uncovering new ideas. Workshop participants also receive an invitation to an exclusive, small group sketching day (13 August).
Tempted to advance your thinking to advance your designing? You can find more details on our dedicated webpage (registrations close very soon):
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Gregor (right) on his last visit. Linking design (left) connecting the concepts of ‘planted design’ and ‘cut flowers’. Created by Gregor at Boerma Instituut.
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Is it Finished? Continued ....
In our July Flower Thoughts I wrote about knowing when a design is finished, when you can stop adding more. It's one of our most common challenges. It's so easy to add just "one more stem."
I shared two designs, both made only of Camellia leaves and bamboo stakes. The horizontal version inspired the initial conversation (thanks to Kath!).
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So, are they finished? I promised to answer that question in this issue.
Returning to the evaluation questions I shared in the last newsletter, my simple answer is "yes." The extended answer: each has an established main area of interest; the distribution and organisation of materials and lines helps my eye transit through all three dimensions; my eye is not arrested unnecessarily at any point; the visual balance feels decisively asymmetrical in each example; and both met the assignment requirements. So the answer, again, is yes.
Could I add more? Easily. Does it need more? In this instance, no, but in another context the approach may feel incomplete or underwhelming.
Do I like them? That's a different question. For design projects I usually avoid that question in the initial stages. I find it's better practice to first focus on evaluating how the principles of design have been applied objectively, before assessing the design on a purely subjective basis. If the elements and principles are all in harmony and the design is fit for its purpose, then a sense of beauty will flow. I'm a fan of beauty, so the principles of design are my most useful tools in creating designs that I simply (or not so simply) like.
Are the designs below finished?
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I’d love to hear what you think.
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How Do You Design an Exquisite Moment? Join Us to Find Out
There have been several competition themes that have stumped me, challenging my interpretation skills. One that comes to mind immediately is 'Tea Time Over an Exquisite Moment', a table display for two people.
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How do you convey an exquisite moment? And how do you serve tea on it? I grappled with these and many other questions until I found a concept that worked. I'll talk about it in our free online session in September, where I'll chat about the art of competing and cover various memorable competition experiences.
This session is a precursor to our popular Designing to Win program, which will run over two sessions in October and November.
Register for the free session, and you'll learn how I brought my 'Tea Time Over an Exquisite Moment' to life. (There was actually pink soft drink, not tea, in the pot on my tabletop!)
Our free online session - Top Tips for Floral Competition Success is on 21 September 2026, in three time zones:
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Restriction Breeds Creativity |
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Amazing designs, and even more impressive learning, have come out of our online programs this year. So much creative energy, so much thoughtful designing, and there's more ahead with two new courses launching in September.
Advanced Directions (Introductory Session, 2 September): work within design parameters created specifically to challenge your creative thinking and extend your knowledge and confidence.
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Design Solutions (Introductory Session, 14 September): choose two materials and uses that constraint to sharpen your design thinking and capabilities.
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Each class is strictly limited to eight places to ensure a focused learning experience, so secure your place now.
Both programs run live sessions across two time zones, so wherever you are in the world, there's a time that works for you. Can't make it live? Every review session is recorded, so you can watch, or rewatch, at your own convenience.
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A reminder - if you have missed a previous newsletter, you can catch up with all the back issues at flowerthinking.com.
Thanks for reading this edition of Flower Thoughts. Until next month, keep designing and creating.
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A sketched concept is realised as a final design.
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