The best opportunity for fine color combinations is with mixed bouquets. It is good to plan ahead so that one color dominates the arrangement, with enough yellow or white for luster and some violet to resume order in case of discord. Green plants should be sparse and unusual, such as wheat, oats, seed pods, etc. A colorful fall bouquet consists of tritoma (red-hot pokers) supported by small purple asters and yellow yarrow. Another pretty bouquet for the coffee table consists of a mass of California poppies sprinkled with blue corn flowers and magenta stock.

An effective, small arrangement is the known as the Dutch bouquet, which is a composite of many varieties of small flowers of all colors. Almost any flowers from the garden will fit into such a bouquet. The stems are cut down to about four inches and held together tightly in a small container about the size of a cup. The effect is that of a pin cushion of solid embroidery, which is jolly and bright.

One dozen red roses, for example, do not make an interesting color effect since there is merely red above and green below, and the playfulness that is expressed in imaginative combinations of color and form is lacking.

Occasions. Any flower arrangement should reflect the occasion for which it was made. The form and color of the flowers are combined to produce the desired emotional effect. Large impressive masses are suitable for formal affairs; a few dainty, airy flowers are best for intimate occasions. Cool colors, like blue and violet, express dignity and restraint, while warm colors, such as yellow, orange and red, are cheerful and friendly.

Personality. Flowers, like other forms of decoration, should express people's personalities. One would not expect an exotic brunette to have sweet peas in her home, a sophisticated blonde to buy red geraniums, or a gentle grandmotherly type to care for bristling cacti. For personal adornment, too, flowers should supplement, not contradict, the person's characteristics. The coloring of the face, clothing and background naturally affect the choice in flowers as adornments.

Rooms and Flowers. The types of furnishings in a room should similarly influence the selection of flowers. A primitive type of room requires flowers of a sturdy character, whereas fine neo-classical furnishings demand refinement in flowers and receptacles. A room's colors also limit flower selection. Rooms with positive colors and patterns may not need any flowers but merely bold foliage plants. A dainty room with a pale pink, silver or pale blue color scheme may have a flower arrangement echoing these very same colors, plus a pale orchid to complete the adjacent color scheme. On the other hand, a living room with rich, heavy colors, such as dark violet with its triad of dull orange and dull green, would make a suitable background for tulips, zinnias or composite bouquets of many rich colors. In a silver, white or black dining room, the flowers, linen, candles, dishes, food and gowns provide color, thus permitting an entire change in color schemes as desired.