LOCAL Houston | The City Guide December 2016 | Page 32
ART
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
Rebekah Johnson Serves Up Her Party Tips
At 11 years old, Houston’s premier event designer/florist REBEKAH JOHNSON
threw her first party for classmates. It was a haunted house theme, and held
in the family basement. Passageways with sheets, ghosts, goblins and a
witch next to the old furnace greeted the guests. This was perhaps a hint
at what her future held.
Johnson started her professional career in Houston with legendary party
designer SARAH BERGNER. After working and training with Sarah, she moved
to New York to experience floral “boot camp” -- working with RENNY
REYNOLDS, ROBERT ISABEL, ANTHONY TODD and many other event superstars.
In 1995, she returned to Houston to open Bergner and Johnson Design
with Sarah, and took over the entire operation in 1997. Since then, her
gala and event clients have included The Society for Performing Arts,
The Houston Symphony, The Houston Ballet, The Children’s Museum,
The Museum of Fine Arts, The Contemporary Arts Museum, The Menil
Collection, Jones Hall and many other Houston organizations.
Here, she shares a few tips for entertaining at home, which is something
else she’s really good at.
What’s your idea of a fun party at home? Invite a group of close friends,
then make something I have never cooked before. Once I decide on the
dish, I create a theme to go with it, which includes appetizers, cocktails
and decor.
What’s the secret of being a good host/hostess? Having a good time
yourself so guests can relax and have a fun time. Greet them with cocktails
and music and the rest just falls in place.
What’s the most common misperception about entertaining? That everything needs be to perfect or the way other people entertain. Nothing in
life is perfect and I find happy accidents happen when you let go of that
concept. Just because your friends pull out the silver and formalware, that
is not the only way to entertain. Make it your own – if you are casual, use
funky platters and have it reflect your personality. I recently did a punk rockthemed cocktail party. I had so much fun finding albums to put appetizers
on and had the waiters in vintage punk t- shirts.
What does a good host or hostess always have on hand? First aid kit–
maybe that comes to mind because of punk rock theme and safety pins. :)
Extra appetizers just in case dinner is a bit late, linen and cotton napkins,
a mix of drinks including non-alcoholic, candles (you never know when
power can go out,) pizza place on speed dial just in case the experimental
meal goes south.
How do you know your party’s been successful?
When they stay very late and laugh all the way to their rides home.
Who’s your entertaining role model?
Sarah Bergner, who taught me so much, and Martha Stewart because she
makes me try to overachieve.
See Rebekah's secret recipe online at www.localhoustonmagazine.com.
By Rebekah Johnson
Photography by Max Burkhalter
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