“Following on from the popular whites, we are now seeing more and more shades of grey appearing in interior design and in fashion. A powerful, colourful flower like Gerbera is perfect for this trend”, says Aalsmeer based arranger Elize Eveleens and appropriately the inspirational theme ‘Colourful Grey’ focuses on contrasts.

“Grey is becoming an increasingly popular basic colour but unfortunately grey flowers do not exist. So what is an arranger to do? He or she must seek out contrasts. The great advantage of grey is that it goes with virtually every other colour. Although I would be inclined to avoid pastel shades, as these do not normally result in successful combinations. However, bold colours go well with grey. Personally I am a great fan of the combination of grey and bright orange, which is ideal for a contemporary target group. I would choose more harmonious shades to suit traditional or low key tastes. Fortunately Gerbera can be used everywhere and the shape of the flower is also truly powerful. Use a warm shade of grey with a hint of brown for the background and for your accessories.”

Tips: Playing with contrasts
The inspirational theme ‘Colourful Grey’ – the counterpart of the deco trend – focuses on big and tough materials like weathered wood, natural stone, lead, zinc and concrete. For example, you can paint pots and vases with grey basecoat and add a bright highlight or two using high gloss paint. Use Gerberas in a suitable colour or other contrasting spring flowers to round off the image. Use more muted shades for traditional or low key tastes.

Tree of life Organic sculpture made from clay, White Bush twigs sprayed orange, mini Gerbera ‘Bison’ (25560) and Ranunculus asiaticus ‘Elegance Orange’ (21602), pushed into oasis foam.	Flaming Brand Bring spring indoors with this classic arrangement of mini Gerbera ‘Aspy’ (17013), Moluccella laevis (216), Ornithogalum dubium ‘Danova’ (23888), Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ (295) and Zantedeschia ‘Black Eyed Beauty’ (3794).
Rugged luxury Hand tied bouquet of Anemone ‘Marianne Red’ (13748), mini Gerbera ‘Suri’ (100618), Lathyrus odoratus (1573), Ranunculus asiaticus ‘Elegance Red’ (20939), packaged in a natural wrapping of birch bark.	Sunshine Festive, parallel tied bouquet with Cestrum ‘Orange Flame’ (15001), Gerbera ‘Heatwave’ (23397) and Ranunculus asiaticus ‘Elegance Yellow’ (20942). Decorated with weathered wood.
Pillow Modern, colour coordinated spring arrangement of Gerbera ‘Oilila’ (17011), on a pillow of Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Anna Marie’ (1575). The thick stems of the hyacinth are fixed into the oasis foam with staples.