Playing Favorites With Brigette Romanek

Interior designer Brigette Romanek, of Romanek Design Studio, recalls the decorating of a friend’s Malibu home as being her first interior design project. Now one of Los Angeles’ buzziest designers and a recent addition to Architectural Digest’s AD 100 list, it boggles the mind a bit to learn that Romanek, a Chicago transplant, is entirely self-taught. One look at Romanek’s Laurel Canyon home; however, shared with her husband, filmmaker Mark Romanek and two daughters, proves that unconventional is Romanek’s MO. Her home, rife in color, mood and texture establishes Romanek’s style as both fearless and endlessly luxe. Her ability to sync visual extravagance with fixed function has resulted in a diverse portfolio, ranging from Hollywood chateaus to Malibu bungalows, and see-and-be-seen-style eateries. To go along with her recent Chairish curation, Romanek recently took time to share some of her handy tricks of the trade, from the classic print she’s vetting for a comeback, to why you’ll never find her skimping on a room’s area rug.

Photo by Mark Romanek

Design:

Favorite way to work a bit of vintage into a room:
By thinking of it as the pièces de résistance, just adding one item of epic vintage will speak for the entirety of the space. A vintage light in a room will always add elegance.

Favorite way to add drama to a room:
Flowers.

Favorite place to splurge and favorite place to dial it back?
I always have to splurge on an area rug. It’s easy to dial-back on accessories such as pillows, blankets and books. If you do a vignette of vases, you could have a $5 vase next to a $200 vintage and they will elevate each other nicely.

Favorite decorating trick?
Focus on one piece and then plan and build around that piece to create the rest of the room.

Photo by Anson Smart

Favorite design risk you’ve ever taken?The decision to renovate my home in Laurel Canyon was a huge risk. I was able to take a lot of chances (like removing an entire staircase) since it was my own personal passion project. The risks taken always turn out to be the most bold choices in design. As long as you go with it and trust your vision, it will work out for the best.

Favorite project in your portfolio (and why you love it)?I honestly love every project. I learn, I challenge myself and hope everybody makes me a better designer. Each project has a completely different feel and intention behind it, so I can’t choose just one. It’s like asking me who my favorite child is!

Favorite paint color:
“Elephants Breath” by Farrow and Ball.

Favorite pattern (and how you love to use):
Houndstooth. A blanket, fabric for chairs, or a sofa would be incredible.

Favorite color combo:
Gray and tan.

Photo by Anson Smart

Favorite furniture maker(s):
Blackman Cruz.

Favorite room in your house:
My living room is a grandeur ballroom-like space. It’s a blank canvas and I treat it like my laboratory that is constantly evolving with finds I can’t let go.

Favorite piece of art you own:
My birthday cards from my children.

Most unusual piece you’ve ever sourced for a project?
Artificial grass for an indoor playroom.

Tell us more about your experience with Chairish!
Lux, Lux, Lux! I think of it as a place to find items that are well crafted, really beautiful, and oftentimes unusual in the best sense of the word.

Favorite item on Chairish right now:
French Lounge Chairs in William Morris Blackthorn Pattern

Photo by Anson Smart

Lifestyle:

Favorite travel destination:
Istanbul.

Favorite hotel to check into:
Four Seasons Punta Mita.

Favorite way to treat yourself:
A trip to JF Chen.

Favorite entertaining essential:
Flowers.

Favorite artist:
Kehinde Wiley.

Favorite thing to collect:
Vases.

Photo by Anson Smart

Your City: Los Angeles

Favorite restaurant:
Petit Trois.

Favorite hotel to recommend to visiting friends:
Cheateau Marmont.

Favorite local flea market/vintage hunting ground:
Melrose Ave.