What are the general guidelines for flower arranging?

My guidelines are to enjoy yourself and keep it simple. Massing a single flower type or colour tone is always a winner. Using the right container also helps. There are so many "rules" and old wives' tales in floristry. I hope my book will help to make it a little easier and less daunting. What dictates the type of arrangement or container? The purpose of the display, where it will be going and what style the display needs to be in. We create all kinds of displays through the year, from old-fashioned country displays in large stone urns right through to modern and contemporary clear glass vases elegantly filled with single stems of the most beautiful flowers and seasonal foliages. Can you comment on flower height, scale and proportion? They always say the height of the flowers should be no more than two-thirds the height of the container. This can work, but it depends on the vase you are using and what the display is intended for. I really think it's a question of proportion, thinking ...  more