Cash in on Color

Tempted to throw some gypsophila into that already gorgeous bouquet featuring purples and greens? Better not, says J Schwanke, AAF, AIFD, PFCI.

"When you add white to any color combination, you dilute its effect." Schwanke doled out this and myriad other advice about the power of color and how to capitalize on it in fresh product combinations, merchandising and display during his presentation, "Cash in on Color," on Sept. 28:

• Complementary colors, the ones that are opposite each other on the color wheel -- green or blue and orange, red or pink and green, yellow and blue or purple -- immediately convey excitement.
• Analogous colors, the ones that are next to each other -- blue and green, pink and orange -- create a neighborly, warm look.
• Monochromatic designs -- a mix of various shades of a color, like pinks, together -- have a calming effect.
• The best thing you can do in your store: Arrange by color in the cooler, not by flower type. "That way, it makes it easy for your customer to make a decision based on color," Schwanke says.
• Today's hottest color: chocolate-brown ("Chocolate comes to surface during unsettled times, it's a safe color," Schwanke says.) The hot color combo of tomorrow: "yellow, black and grey, with a touch of red."

-- Kate F. Penn
kpenn@safnow.org