WORKING -- Jeff Johnson

-- Story by Danette Goulet; photo by Sean Hiller

HE IS

A visionary.

SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING

Jeff Johnson loves to walk into a room and spout 10 different ideas as

to what look and feel he could create there.

Johnson, director of special events for Chris Lindsay Designs in Costa

Mesa, creates elaborate weddings, intimate socials and the Christmas

decor for major Las Vegas hotels. He’ll start with four walls, a ceiling

and floor or a broad notion like a Mexican theme.

“I enjoy doing social events because I get to design it as if it were

for me -- what I would do for myself,” he said. “... I also like

corporate because they’re easily pleased and pay well.”

RUNS IN THE FAMILY

He represents the third generation of Johnson florists, but he

parlayed those creative talents into his current position. His career has

taken him from coast to coast with a stint of several years in Hawaii,

but his “schooling” truly comes from life with his parents and

grandparents, he said.

After 13 years away, the 36-year-old has finally returned to his

native Southern California, where he grew up with his two sisters and

three brothers, to live in Newport Beach.

IMAGINATION RUNS WILD

While Johnson takes an event from the first spark of an idea all the

way through to placement of a flower arrangement, the most enjoyable part

of the process for Johnson is coming up with the ideas.

“My favorite part is the conceptual stage -- going in and letting my

imagination go,” he said.

A key to his success, he said, is his ability to convey those visions

to his clients before he has anything concrete to show them.

FROM BIG TO SMALL

No matter what the event or the client’s whim, Johnson said he’s in it

for the personal challenge.

While each event may be vastly different, tailored to the personal

taste of each client, he gets to stretch his creative muscles.

“It could be four ladies having a tea party and I’ll try to make it

unique and special, regardless of budget,” he said.