I had the pleasure of meeting the very enigmatic Brian Patrick Flynn while in Los Angeles recently when he was on the panel with me at the Schumacher "It's Not Complicated" event. Brian is the on-air talent of the fun and right-down-my-alley TBS show
Movie & a Makeover which shows makeover tips - fashion, beauty and of course, interior design. The movies range from our favorite
Something's Gotta Give to this month's schedule that includes
Legally Blonde, Miss Congeniality 2, Jerry MacGuire and
Bewitched.
I asked Brian a few questions about his interesting design career:
Cinema Style:
You have one of the more interesting design careers, tell me about how you got started.
BPF: I started my career as a news producer, then moved to the TV department working on home makeover show. Eventually I got in front of the camera and at the same time I started taking on residential clients as a decorator. When people ask what my occupation is it's easiest to say TV producer -- everything I do is somewhat of a production: upholstery, draperies, kitchen build outs, etc.
For the past seven years I have been Associate Producer AND the on-air talent for
Movie & a Makeover. This past year I also launched
Decor Demon (great product, innovative interiors and behind the scenes looks at TV and set design).
CS:
What is the difference between designing furniture for home versus a television set?
BPF: While homes are meant for comfort and self-expression, sets are a workplace with a ticking clock. Dimensions need to fit the task at hand -- the Chesterfield inspired sofa from our set is only 17.5 inches deep for our small framed host Mia Butler to sit astute and quickly deliver her talking points. (In reality the sofa should be between 22-23 inches deep to allow for comfy lounging).
A set from Movie & a Makoever
CS:
Are there certain patterns that work better on camera versus residential interiors?
BPF: Designing for the camera and designing for real life are two completely different worlds in relation to textiles. Tight, busy patterns confuse the camera -- large scale graphic patterns are the way to go. If you chose a pattern too large, it becomes too prominent in a scene, taking the focus off your subject.
70's inspired graphic wallpaper
CS:
Is there an element you use in your residential interiors that we might not find on your sets?
BPF: Texture! My affinity for texture comes into play more so with residential interiors because texture doesn't always translate too well to video. When designing for TV, color trumps texture, however in the home of real people, it's vice versa.
Brian notes that "Accessorizing is at its best here as I stuck with my routine of large, graphic objects with different textures. This is an example that would translate exceptionally well on TV."
CS:
And lastly, what is your overall style?
BPF: Theatrically liveable. A mashup of eras riding the line between masculine and feminine. There is always something theatrical to very space I do which can be scale, accent color, pattern or finishes.
Basically when you walk into any of my spaces, there is a moment of "I feel like I am on a Hollywood set but I also have the urge to take off my shoes and lay down on the floor." Every time I hear that, it totally makes my day.
Brian's insistence on working with flea market finds started out of necessity due to tight TV set budgets. Now he's turned it into his calling card. On Movie & a Makeover, Brian showed viewers how orphaned dining chairs can quickly become designer grade with sandpaper, glossy spray paint and professionally made cushions. Below is a bachelor pad gets an updated 50's diner look.
Flynn's fresh take on a classic black and white Hollywood look for a bar area. "The strong contrast adds interest to an otherwise bland space, then punched up drama and glamour with a rococo mirror finished in bold cherry red."
For Brian's new series Decor Demon, he stuck to his Hollywood-inspired roots to design a bachelor loft for writer/producer roommates. One of his signature styles is the masculine approach to glamour. To achieve this look, he used graphic wallpapers, rich fabrics (think velvet or mohair) and added a few touches of femininity with curved furniture lines such as this Victorian inspired sofa (below) that was, which he found in the trash and spray painted!
Photos courtesy of Brian Patrick Flynn
Photo credits: Sarah Dorio
