Remember how I told you that you really need to watch the reality show Flipping Out? Did anyone take my advice and catch the episode last night?
Ryan Brown is Jeff Lewis’s calm and level-headed business partner on the show. He does a lot of the design work for the houses we see (they collaborate on some projects and work separately on others). I think Ryan makes the show watchable because you need that voice of reason when Jeff is losing it. (Although I have to say Jeff has mellowed out a bit this season, don’t you think? There’s not nearly as much yelling.)
Today I got an e-mail from Christiane, a member of Ryan Brown’s design team. Christiane told me about the new Brown Design Blog, where they’ve been posting photos of some of their projects, so of course I immediately checked it out.
Ryan runs Brown Design Inc. with his brother Joshua. I wish they’d do a spin-off series with them. This is one of their rooms that I liked. It makes me want to paint a ceiling green somewhere in my own house! Very soothing.
Here’s another room that jumped out at me:
I thought it was interesting how they ran the striped wallpaper sideways. And I love the yellow door.
Check out Brown Design Blog to see more examples of Ryan’s work that we haven’t seen on the show. You can read Christiane’s thoughts on what it’s like to work for Ryan on the Bravo TV website here (sounds like he really is as nice in real life as he seems on TV!).
Update: You can read about the 3rd season of “Flipping Out” and see photos of Ryan Brown’s home in the Hollywood Hills here.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I never watch TV anymore. I have too much chaos at my house. And frankly if I want to see good design I just check out your blog. I love it!
Brandee
I did watch it. It started slowly for me because I was expecting to dislike ogre Jeff. But then I actually started to see his point of view. Since this is the first episode I’ve seen, I don’t know the history with Chris, but he was really lame last night. He outright lied about the phone (on everybody’s life) and he sat around playing on the computer for what seemed like a long time – or several long times. I feel a little conflicted about the Nannycam, but, come on, one way or another, that guy has to go. I also thought Jeff was a complete riot about the rats. He’s working on his bedside manner. Right.
I dvr’d last night’s show so I skimmed this post until after I get around to watching it. I DID read though that someone who works for Ryan emailed you? How cool is that? I love that guy. (he’s so cute!)
The photo with the horizontal wall paper with the black pattern drapes? I love that! Oh and my parents have one of those doors…whatever they are called that is cut in half and you can open the top and not the bottom…what ARE they called? Very cute!
We don’t have our tv hooked up but maybe I can find it online.
The doors are called dutch doors if I remember correctly.
I was a little shocked by what the Nannycam revealed. Disappointed is a better word..maybe. I will definitely keep watching.
Jeff was being a jealous baby about Ryan leaving on vacation.
Jeff being the narcissist he is makes the show entertaining.
Ryan has the patience of a saint.
Did you guys know that ipod Chris is married to Jenni.
Zoila did NOT like her re done portrait. Can’t say I blame her.
Did you hear what that homeowner said to Jeff about him not being allowed on the kid’s side of the home.
They sure do eat ALOT of carry in.
I watched it! I loved it! I will definitely watch again. Does it come on any more often than just Tuesday nights?
Ah, man, are you trying to rub it in…I don’t have cable!
But I am anxiously awaiting my DVDs from sis. Glad someone is taking pity on me. 
Oh, love the rooms. Don’t get me started on yellow, gray, white, and black together. I swoon.
Okay, I”m off to check out his blog. Thank you for the tip off!
I love the first room, it is very calming…just what I need! lol
A few thoughts on last night’s episode, which I would totally be recapping if I wasn’t already doing “Design Star” each week:
This was probably a bad episode to start on if you hadn’t seen it before. Jeff is much more mellow this season, and it’s hard to appreciate how much restraint he’s showing if you haven’t seen how frequently he used to flip out. I agree with Meredith that it was easy to see his point of view in this episode as a disappointed employer whose employee was taking advantage of him.
I always thought Jeff was being overly paranoid about Chris and being too tough on him. Turns out he was right to be suspicious! I was disappointed in Chris, too, JLB. What a nice, cushy job for him, reading, texting, and surfing the ‘Net all day!
Now I can’t wait until next week to see how it all plays out. Will he fire Chris for the 8th time???
I loved how they went to all that trouble to get the dogs’ DNA, and little Oliver turned out to be something ridiculous like a Doberman-Poodle mix. Too funny. My other favorite part of the episode–when Jeff was torturing the homeowner with details about her rat infestation. (Jenni explained that he lacks “emotional sensitivity.” Ya think?)
Was anyone else totally disgusted by the piles of rat feces at the Encino house? No wonder that poor woman was freaking out. I would’ve been, too.
Another favorite part: when Jeff told the Encino homeowner that he was “disappointed in her” for not taking better care of her house. “This is going to change,” he said, like she was working for him and not the other way around.
Let’s hope they show a marathon of the first season again soon! Does anyone know if they’ve released it on DVD? It would definitely be worth renting. -J
Note to self…check out the Bravo channel & start recording this show. Sounds fun! I’m only watching shows that are recorded for the most part now & this one sounds like one I need to see.
I have GOT to paint some ceilings in my house. They are flat & white & just screaming for some paint.
Rhoda
I can’t really watch that show…Jeff stresses me out!!!!
But Ryan seems cool and I LOVE the green room.
I am saving that picture
when I get into a house we are not selling I am totally going to paint a ceiling green!
I just recently started watching this show. Last night’s episode should be in my DVR when we get home. I love the room with the green ceiling and the yellow door in the other room is beautiful.
Off to check out the Brown Design Blog. Thanks for sharing it!
I so love Ryan, I don’t understand how he can take Jeff day in and day out, for that matter I don’t get how anybody does. I think I would have killed him if I had to work with him. But I still can’t turn off the darn tv when he is on. Love this show and the Brown design blog.
I wonder how Jenni is going to take the news about Chris. She was so supportive of that guy who not only flat-out lied to Jeff, but has apparently been doing the same thing with Jenni, his wife.
Like I said, this show is like watching a trainwreck– it’s good!
I love the sculpted carpet in the first photo, I think the texture would feel great on bare feet.
And how cool that Christiane emailed you. I think that counts as celebrity contact!
Oh, I love that light fixture.
Ryan definitely is uber talented but Jeff cracks me up. Its one of my favorite shows.
Well, I guess the real estate business ain’t as good as it used to be cause Jeff looks a little less tan in tonight’s new episode than he has in the past. But skin-tones aside, I agree; Ryan’s got some real zeal when it comes to rooms and relaxation. Vive Ryan (le)Brown. BTW: I think the cast photo is out of date. Chris (Elwood)sounds like a gonner. Jenny: Maybe you’re doing better. But for the first time we’re hearing lip out of Jenny – this should be good . . . .
Is Ryan related to Kenneth Brown of hgtv?
Scott–
I think Chris Elwood is a goner now that he’s been fired. I noticed they still had him in the opening credits this week, though, which was interesting. Maybe they didn’t want to bother with editing him out!
Mary Jo–
I don’t know. Not that I’ve heard of. Does anyone else know if they’re related? -J
I feel sorry for Jenni, she doesn’t need to be with Chris the poor Jeff he does have a problem, he can’t even give her a hug, he said in his show that his parents never even gave him hugs, wow. The first time I ever saw Jeff Lewis was on The Ellen Show, he’s come a long way .Ryan and Dale have a great life with their little girl Chloe, they seem soo happy. Here’s a picture of the 3 of them together. http://www.bravotv.com/widgets/bin/gallery/cache/038f91071551fd1653a484e36f79c78c/watermark/r13.jpg
I love the look of Corian solid surface. Everyone I know has granite, marble or tile counter tops and I want to do somethng different. Is Corian played out? What other contemporary alternatives are available?
Okay so I watch Flipping Out and had to decide to google Brown Design after seeing the drama that is going to happen w/ Ryan on the 9/22/09 episode.
I have decided that they are totally setting up Ryan for his a show of his own.
You just may get your wish!
Hey, speaking of Ryan and design… He will be doing an online chat with his fans on Thursday (10/29) at 5pm (PT) on http://www.livecloud.com/stadiumChat/chatEvent/ryanbrown
It is free and everyone can participate, you just need to sign up. Oh, and if you already have a question for Ryan, you can post it now.