top heavy centerpieces

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lfederman

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Dec 22, 2006
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Morristown
www.schooloffloralarts.com
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New Jersey
I have designed some beautiful centerpieces for an event, but they are also very heavy. They are on lomey trays, with nearly two full bricks of oasis. The client wants them elevated on pedastals or cylinders of glass. How do I keep something like that stable? Do I use clay tape (floratack) to hold the lomey trays on? What keeps them from tipping over? Should I fill the cylinders with water? I'm a little nervous about this, and the party's right around the corner, so whatever wisdom you can send my way would be greatly appreciated!

Linda Federman
 
Linda:
You might try placing some marbles or fiver rock in the cylinders, before adding the water. also, place cling on several spots on the rim of the glass. Make sure that all the banquet tables are in place, prior to placing your centerpieces on the tables.

If they still make you uneasy, whats the possiblity of placing the lomey on 3 identical cylingers, placed very close together, so that your weight is balanced?

Hope this helps!

Cheryl
 
You need to lower the center of gravity to keep the arrangement stable - add weight to the bottom portion of the centerpiece.

Can you use the lomey riser system, and make a smaller arrangement at the bottom of the pedestal? The riser system uses plastic cylinders that you attach to 2 lomeys - top and bottom. They you can fill the cylinder with water & fresh flowers, decorative elements etc etc.

You could also use a large pilsner glass vase, with water and fresh flowers, or water and some other decorative element in it. We do these regularly, with a 9"lomey on top. A little Cling helps keep them in place, and the water adds weight at a lower altitude to keep it stable. I don't have a pic, though.

tracy
 
We did something like this for a wedding not to long ago...talked to the bride and I think marbles were the final thing they decided on. Filled the tall vase with the marbles and put water in it (added "invisible" weight to the glasses). Then we took a clear lomey dish that we have already made up with a specially designed "spike" that is glued on to it, so it just slides right in the the glass and stays secure on there. Of course, it always help to keep the arrangement as uniform as possible, and test things out before you just leave it in good faith that it will stay still.

Seemed to work for us though, because the bride didn't complain about arrangements falling on her guest's heads :)
 
Because we are teaching Floral Design Classes here in New Hampshire, I’ll add my two cents…​


This is a perfect opportunity to remember the
Principles of Design ​

Especially, the first one
Balance! ​

(the other Principles are Proportion , Rhythm, Scale, Unity, Dominance, Harmony )​

Balance refers to "the physical or visual stability of a design". ​

PHYSICAL balance refers to the actual distribution of weight of materials in an arrangement.
When PHYSICAL balance is achieved, the arrangement will stand on its own, and not topple. ​


VISUAL balance is the perception that the arrangement is physically balanced or stable.
Visible balance can be symmetrical, asymmetrical or open (most commonly seen in contemporary styles of design) ​


Additionally, I would glue an EMPTY lomey bowl (same size as centerpiece is made in) on top of the cylinder/vase. (use Lomey Adhesive for glass - not the glue for corsages)​


After delivery is made, place the completed design (container and all) into the secured dish. Still use weight of some sort in the vase or cylinder.​

Valerie
(Rhonda - I DID pay attention in class! :hammer: )​
 
Oh Linda! I feel about THIS TALL... preachin' to the teacher! (I just read your signature & shop info)

Oh well, when can I start work?? :bouquet2:

Val
 
Borrowing Structural Techniques from Modern Architecture

Modern Architecture is based on defying gravity and the old post and beam system of construction. Your flowers can soar, if that is your design intention. Can you suspend them from the ceiling? How about a flat glass vase turned sideways so you are seeing minimal structure from the viewing side?

I use lots of Cling, all the way around and on the bottom. You can also use a flat surface to attach the vase on the bottom, such as mirrors for stablility without adding mass. For the minimal look, a piece of glass over the whole table, then you can attach the base of the vase (or vertical support) on the bottom.

Congrats and best wishes on your project and let us know how it turns out.
 
Securing tall vases

Hi everyone!

I'm not sure if it's too late for sharing this info, but I had to do centerpieces that were top heavy and I mounted them on eiffel tower vases. To secure them at the base, I used a square mirror on the table (6 X 6) and then used grey putty normally used to stop drafts in doors and windows (from Home Depot, or any home hardware type store). It's really solid... And because the putty is grey, you can't see it through the base of the eiffel tower. I was shaking the table afterwards to make sure it was all secure (like it would shake if someone bumpted into the table) and it never moved. Of course, I had also secured them at the top so the arrangement didn't fall from the vase... ;)

Julie
Lally's Bouquet
www.lallybouquet.com
 
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