Showing posts with label Brian Patrick Flynn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brian Patrick Flynn. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

British Invasion! Fab!


The British Invasion happened back in the 1960's with rock groups "invading" the USA, including the most famous Beatles. It also launched a whole fashion style and decor trend. Everybody wanted to wear Mary Quant and Biba, and have a piece of pop art kicky plastic furniture in their home.

Emily Henderson styles a British Invasion living room

Emily Henderson,
star of HGTV's Secrets From A Stylist, recently showed a living room she decorated in a style she called "British Invasion". The low slung modern couch, and kicky fabrics, and sleek metal trunk were her gestalt touchstones. Not one Union Jack in the room. Emily is too cool for school to use that in a room called British Invasion style.

Pink Union Jack rug via Design Blahg HERE

Vivienne Westwood rug hung on the wall as art

The Union Jack has had a tremendous revival as a decor object. Somehow it just adds a little cool factor. I don't think any flag except perhaps the Jasper Johns series of the USA flag has such panache in the decor world.

Chaise lounge upholstered in a Union Jack fabric

The Union Jack is used as upholstery, and on rugs, and on painted furniture.

Union Jack rug


Dresser painted with the Union Jack at Decor Demon HERE


Appliances even get covered with it.


Visual Vamp kitchen with Union Jack dishwasher


I like it as a graphic image, although I think you can only have one thing in a room using it, or perhaps only one thing in the entire house.


Union Jack even looks fab with pink!


My friend Sabina recently passed onto me a deco style armoire. She just moved to a new home, and had no room for this piece. We might have trashed it, but I just can't seem to abandon any old piece of furniture with some life left in it.


Old armorie - before


At first I thought of just giving it to the local thrift shop, but then I thought: British Invasion!
What a perfect piece to paint the Union Jack on! Not that I needed another project ha ha, but what the hell.


Primed and taped


I found an image on the internet of a refrigerator covered with the Union Jack, which was perfect, since this humble little closet resembles the shape of a refrigerator.


Many more hours were spent taping and painting


I primed it first, then taped off the stripes, and the Jack started to emerge. Alberto helped out alot, fascinated by my project. The red is called Spanish Red, and the blue is Old Navy, and both are by Benjamin Moore, and the white is some Kilz white cabinet paint we have around due to the kitchen project.


The Union Jack armoire - styled for a child's room



It turned out so cute! I never meant to keep it. I think it would be so perfect in a child's room, so I am going to put it on Craigslist at a very good price.

So what do you think of the British Invasion in decorating? Do you have any pieces in your home?

Cheerio!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

I Confess To Brian Patrick Flynn at HGTV Design Happens

No regrets: 2008 version of the Visual Vamp living room
photo: CUE Magazine


Have you ever personally had any decor regrets?
This was question Decor Demon Brian Patrick Flynn asked me for Design Happens at HGTV. Go on over and say hello and leave him a comment.

And what about all of you? Do you regret any design or decor choices you have made?


The same space now
Visual Vamp living room 2010


I met Brian last May when we were thrown together on a panel at Grace McNamara's VISION 10, International Window Coverings Expo in Atlanta. It was love at first sight. Brian was clearly the good looking TV star that everyone was besotted with. But to me he was a smart guy with a great attitude and enthusiasm for decor. He was great fun to hang out with.

Visual Vamp at HGTV Design Happens


Many bloggers were invited, and promised to participate on the social media day panel Jackie Von Tobel put together for Visions 10, but most backed out, and a few mocked me for making the trip.

I am so happy that I went to this event. Not only did I learn alot about the window fashion industry (and meet some great people), but I was hosted by blogger and interior designer
Renae Moore, and met bloggers Skyla of Sanity Fair, Holly from Things That Inspire, and Jenny from My Favorite and My Best.

Who's smiling now?
Brian Patrick Flynn is my secret FB boyfriend. He has a hot TV show on TBS and is an HGTV personality, and he gave me, his cougar FB girlfriend, a great mention on HGTV Design Happens.

Happy Weekend!

The panel at Visions 10 in Atlanta

Visual Vamp Valorie Hart hanging out
with Brian Patrick Flynn in Atlanta

Love those groovy name tags!