Brian Patrick Flynn
by Ali
Interior Designer
Segment host for interiors, TBS Movie and a Makeover
1-You studied film and television production and yet you’re an interior designer, what lead you to your passion?
As a student, I was always super broke so I spent my weekends in Fort Lauderdale doing stuff that was free but I also LOVED being a student so I didn't mind doing creative stuff on Saturdays and Sundays. Sleeping in was not on my agenda (but apparently ironing my pillow shams was.....way too often). This led to my obsession with the glamorous world of garbage picking versus beach going with friends. And when I say garbage picking, I mean grabbing discarded furniture from the curbsides of wealthy Fort Lauderdale homes and refurbishing them with bold color and unexpected materials, of course. After I'd fill my rental house with them and create a set for a project, I'd then hold garage sales and sell the furniture and accessories I'd refurbished. That's where I realized interior design was something I truly loved.
2-Describe your style?
Graphic, vintage inspired and packed with juxtaposition. I'm OBSESSED with the work of David Hicks and Dorothy Draper as well as the 1970's. Hicks introduced the masculine side of decorating (most of my clients are bachelors) and Draper was the master of playing with scale and contrast (black and white are present in most of my work). 1970's interiors had a sexiness to them that made spaces seem edgy and lounge-like. My spaces usually go BIG with art and lighting and then add masculine shapes in the textiles. I also like to create playful, chic spaces that make you want to take your shoes off and curl up. You can spill a glass of wine in my spaces and not feel like you will be hunted, killed and stuffed as taxidermy by the homeowner.
3-Your go-to places to shop for interiors?
95 percent of everything in my spaces comes from flea markets and antique stores because I love mixing old with new. But as far as retail stores go, Room & Board is my go-to place for affordable, chic sofas and mid-century inspired tables and dressers. When it comes to online shopping, www.cb2.com is my favorite for lighting, coffee tables and dining chairs. My secret to high-end area rugs without hefty designer price tags is Crate & Barrel. Their "Memphis" line of rugs KILLS!
4-Your “Oh My God” moment in design—when you knew you were headed for a big success.
Great question and this moment occurred this week when I was selected as part of the design council for a major leading manufacturer for home building products. One of the other members of the council is a famous interior designer whose work I've turned to for inspiration for years.
5-Favorite design element/choice in your own home.
Dammit! Another good question. It would have to be an original piece of pop art by Colorado artist Jonathan Fenske called "Chivalry is Dead". It’s a portrait of a Fisher Price Little People castle set. The knight lays still on the ground aside his horse and it appears that much like his master, the horse no longer has a sense of purpose. It’s happy at first because its pop art but the title changes the entire way you look at it. I love it so much, it was the basis for the entire color scheme of my home.
6-Your upcoming plans for yourself and business.
I had a successful column in a now defunct Atlanta lifestyle magazine, which has inspired me to start a new design resource blog. Also, I'd really love to eventually be branded as the go-to designer for bachelors. I love designing for guys because combining elegant and tailored with masculine and relaxed is such a challenge. Its still a challenge for me as a professional so I'd love to have a body of work that showcases decorating doesn't have to be girly.
7-Who’s homes would you like a sneak peek of and who’s home do you wish you’d get a call to design?
I would love to see what Anna Wintour's (Editor in Chief, Vogue) home looks like simply because she is the most reputable source for good taste so I can only imagine that her home would be the epitome of glamour. Private high-profile people intrigue me. I start to wonder how fantastic their own homes must be to keep them inside away from the spotlight. Tom Ford would be another. I just picture a ton of black and white tailored pieces with to-die-for art and beautiful objects in his home. And I envision his parties packed with gorgeous people strategically holding gorgeous martinis placed meticulously within the space. As far as who I would go bananas over designing for... probably Tina Fey. I'd love to do a space for a highly respected icon in the entertainment industry who is both smart and funny. If a room doesn't have a sense of humor, I don't feel comfortable being in it.
As a student, I was always super broke so I spent my weekends in Fort Lauderdale doing stuff that was free but I also LOVED being a student so I didn't mind doing creative stuff on Saturdays and Sundays. Sleeping in was not on my agenda (but apparently ironing my pillow shams was.....way too often). This led to my obsession with the glamorous world of garbage picking versus beach going with friends. And when I say garbage picking, I mean grabbing discarded furniture from the curbsides of wealthy Fort Lauderdale homes and refurbishing them with bold color and unexpected materials, of course. After I'd fill my rental house with them and create a set for a project, I'd then hold garage sales and sell the furniture and accessories I'd refurbished. That's where I realized interior design was something I truly loved.
2-Describe your style?
Graphic, vintage inspired and packed with juxtaposition. I'm OBSESSED with the work of David Hicks and Dorothy Draper as well as the 1970's. Hicks introduced the masculine side of decorating (most of my clients are bachelors) and Draper was the master of playing with scale and contrast (black and white are present in most of my work). 1970's interiors had a sexiness to them that made spaces seem edgy and lounge-like. My spaces usually go BIG with art and lighting and then add masculine shapes in the textiles. I also like to create playful, chic spaces that make you want to take your shoes off and curl up. You can spill a glass of wine in my spaces and not feel like you will be hunted, killed and stuffed as taxidermy by the homeowner.
3-Your go-to places to shop for interiors?
95 percent of everything in my spaces comes from flea markets and antique stores because I love mixing old with new. But as far as retail stores go, Room & Board is my go-to place for affordable, chic sofas and mid-century inspired tables and dressers. When it comes to online shopping, www.cb2.com is my favorite for lighting, coffee tables and dining chairs. My secret to high-end area rugs without hefty designer price tags is Crate & Barrel. Their "Memphis" line of rugs KILLS!
4-Your “Oh My God” moment in design—when you knew you were headed for a big success.
Great question and this moment occurred this week when I was selected as part of the design council for a major leading manufacturer for home building products. One of the other members of the council is a famous interior designer whose work I've turned to for inspiration for years.
5-Favorite design element/choice in your own home.
Dammit! Another good question. It would have to be an original piece of pop art by Colorado artist Jonathan Fenske called "Chivalry is Dead". It’s a portrait of a Fisher Price Little People castle set. The knight lays still on the ground aside his horse and it appears that much like his master, the horse no longer has a sense of purpose. It’s happy at first because its pop art but the title changes the entire way you look at it. I love it so much, it was the basis for the entire color scheme of my home.
6-Your upcoming plans for yourself and business.
I had a successful column in a now defunct Atlanta lifestyle magazine, which has inspired me to start a new design resource blog. Also, I'd really love to eventually be branded as the go-to designer for bachelors. I love designing for guys because combining elegant and tailored with masculine and relaxed is such a challenge. Its still a challenge for me as a professional so I'd love to have a body of work that showcases decorating doesn't have to be girly.
7-Who’s homes would you like a sneak peek of and who’s home do you wish you’d get a call to design?
I would love to see what Anna Wintour's (Editor in Chief, Vogue) home looks like simply because she is the most reputable source for good taste so I can only imagine that her home would be the epitome of glamour. Private high-profile people intrigue me. I start to wonder how fantastic their own homes must be to keep them inside away from the spotlight. Tom Ford would be another. I just picture a ton of black and white tailored pieces with to-die-for art and beautiful objects in his home. And I envision his parties packed with gorgeous people strategically holding gorgeous martinis placed meticulously within the space. As far as who I would go bananas over designing for... probably Tina Fey. I'd love to do a space for a highly respected icon in the entertainment industry who is both smart and funny. If a room doesn't have a sense of humor, I don't feel comfortable being in it.
Brian's work is chronicled in the monthly Associated Press column "Ask A Designer." Check out his outdoor living spaces at
https://abcnews.go.com/
For more of Brian’s work go to, www.Brian Patrick Flynn.com in June. There you'l be able to view a gallery of many of the interiors he has designed plus view interactive webisodes of his installations called FLYNNteriors shot on installation day recapping the entire project.
https://abcnews.go.com/
For more of Brian’s work go to, www.Brian Patrick Flynn.com in June. There you'l be able to view a gallery of many of the interiors he has designed plus view interactive webisodes of his installations called FLYNNteriors shot on installation day recapping the entire project.
Jonathan Fenske-Fischer Price art LR Master Bedroom
Brian's place featured in O magazine
Roof top dining room
Comments
proud papa